The Disharmony of Silence by Linda Rosen

Is keeping secrets the same as lying?

​This question regularly pops up throughout this book and also considers whether 'white lies are as bad as 'standard lies'. The book is about a family and what constitutes a family. And, like all families, there are things that are kept secret with devastating consequences.

The story has a dual timeline, one in the present and one over eighty years ago. The focus is two families who had been friends and then had a fall-out. Then the children grow up and marry, so the squabbling friends become one family. The ramifications of the major secret affect the descends almost a century later.

The modern day main character and narrator justifies her own 'white lies' both in her everyday activities and during her marriage and family relationships. The main character in the past has no such qualms, believing in telling the truth as it happens to build trust and avoid future anguish. This is a good contrast and provides depth to the tale.

There are no secrets for the reader, so this is not a mystery. The story in the past is a 1920s romance and sets the scene for the present day quandary. However, the overriding appeal in this book is the status of family and the feelings all families invoke. Weddings, funerals, traditional gatherings, whether they are religious or just conventional - we have all been there. The awkward glances, comments and expectations, the over familiarity. And of course, the silences. 

Of particular poignancy is the part all families face at some point when a relative moves on, whether that is to a care home or at the end of life, the aspect of dealing with their property and possessions. The memories and regrets, all relatable to all of us.

This book is a gentle telling of family disharmony and the title is very clever in that it captures the essence of family secrets. Identifiable and easy to follow. At times the pace is a little slow and plodding and the timelines don't seem to have equal weighting, which makes It feel a little off balance. But isn't that typical of families.

Overall, The Disharmony of Silence is a pleasant if uncomfortable read at times, uplifted by demonstrating that maybe we focus on the wrong issues with regard to what family is and the real value we should place on it.

​✒️Debut novel

Published by Black Rose Writing on 5 March 2020.
This book was reviewed as part of the WOW! Women on Writing book tour. Advanced review copy supplied by the tour organiser.

Linda Rosen, fitness professional turned writer, lives with her husband splitting their time between New Jersey and Florida. She was a contributor to Women in the Literary Landscape: A WNBA Centennial Publication for the Women's National Book Association and has had stories published in Foliate Oak and Crack the Spine, both in their online magazine and print anthology. Follow her at www.linda-rosen.com. 

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Linda Rosen’s
 
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
 
OF
 
The Disharmony of Silence
 
Tour Begins March 2nd

Book Summary
 
In 1915, jealous, bitter Rebecca Roth cuts all ties with her life-long friends, the Pearls. Eight years later, Rebecca’s son and young Lena Pearl begin keeping company in secret. Rebecca agrees to a truce when the couple marries. But the truce is fragile. Rebecca’s resentments run deep.
 
In 2010, Carolyn Lee, fitness instructor and amateur photographer, must come to grips with the fact that her mother’s imminent death will leave her alone in the world. While preparing her childhood home for sale, she realizes for the first time that her mother’s antique brooch is identical to the one pinned to the lady's dress in the painting hanging above the fireplace. Coincidence or connection? Carolyn is determined to find out. What she discovers has the potential to tear lives apart or to bring her the closeness and comfort she longs for. It all depends on how she handles her newfound knowledge.
 

Genre: Women's Upmarket Fiction
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN-10: 1684334306
ISBN-13: 9781684334308

The Disharmony of Silence is now available to purchase at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. 
 
Praise for The Disharmony of Silence
 
“Linda Rosen spins an intriguing tale of long-held family secrets, an emotional search for identity, and a painting that may just be the key to untangling the complicated past. The bittersweet mystery kept me reading rapidly until the last page!” —Kristin Harmel, bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife
 
Rosen paints a vivid picture of a family torn apart then shows us what true family means. – Pamela Taylor, author of the Second Son Chronicles
 
A wonderful novelist . . . Ms. Rosen's writing is both tender and inspiring. The Disharmony of Silence unfolds with emotional and wise insights. – Bunny Shulman, author of After Aida
 
"A family torn apart by jealousy and reunited by love is devastated again when tragedy strikes. A poignant and moving debut novel about the fragility of life, the power of love, and the cost of keeping a secret." Gina Sorell author of Mothers and Other Strangers
 

  
--- Blog Tour Dates
 
March 2nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us as we celebrate the launch of Linda's blog tour The Disharmony of Silence. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book too!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
 
March 4th @ A Writer's Life
How much does setting matter in a novel? Author Linda Rosen talks about this very subject over at Caroline's blog today. You can also enter to win a copy of her book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/
 
March 6th @ 12 Books
Make sure you visit Louise's blog and read her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
http://www.12books.co.uk/
 
March 7th @ Lori Duff Writes
Be sure to stop by Lori's blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/
 
March 8th @ Bring on Lemons
Visit Crystal's blog today and you can read a review written by her daughter Carmen about Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence. Don't miss it!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
 
March 10th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Make sure you visit Anthony's blog today where you can read his interview with author Linda Rosen.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
 
March 11th @ A Storybook World
Blogger Deirdra Eden spotlights Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
 
March 13th @ Lori's Reading Corner
Stop by Lori's blog today and you can read a fitness inspiring post by author Linda Rosen! She shares some tips about strength training while reading audiobooks. You can also enter to win a copy of Linda's book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/
 
March 14th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Stop by Linda's blog today and you can read her interview with author Linda Rosen. Don't miss it!
http://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
 
March 15th @ Choices
Make sure you stop by Madeline Sharples' blog today and read Linda Rosen's blog post about inspiring your creative self by getting outdoors. Don't miss it!
http://madelinesharples.com/
 
March 16th @ Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog where she interviews author Linda Rosen about her book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
 
March 17th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and join Lacey over at her blog today. She reviews Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://coffeewithlacey.com/
 
March 18th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog again today and read his review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence. Don't miss it!
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
 
March 19th @ AJ Sefton's Blog
Make sure you visit author AJ Sefton's blog today and read a review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://www.ajsefton.com/book-reviews
 
March 20th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Looking for a new book to add to your reading list? Make sure you visit Bev's blog today and read her review of "The Disharmony of Silence." You'll want to add it to your list!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
 
March 21st @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette's blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
 
March 22nd @ 12 Books
Are you part of a book club? Author Linda Rosen shares fun activities you can do for your book club. Don't miss this fun, inspiring post!
http://www.12books.co.uk/
 
March 23rd @ Cassandra's Writing World
Make sure you visit Cassandra's blog today and read her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/
 
March 25th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
What do you do if you are writing about a made-up setting? Make sure you visit Bev's blog today and you can read Linda Rosen's guest post where she shares her advice.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
 
March 26th @ Lady in Read Writes
Stop by Vidya's blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://ladyinreadwrites.com/
 
March 27th @ Jessica Belmont's Blog
Over at Jessica's blog today, you won't want to miss her review of Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/
 
March 28th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's blog again today and you can read her interview with author Linda Rosen.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
 
March 30th @ It's Alanna Jean
What does your writing space look like? Author Linda Rosen shares her tips for setting up your writing space over at Alanna Jean's blog. 
http://itsalannajean.com/
 
April 3rd @ Joyful Antidotes
Make sure you stop by Joy's blog today where she reviews Linda Rosen's book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://joyfulantidotes.com/

April 5th @ Teatime and Books
How much do you love revising? Does it spark joy? Linda Rosen shares her thoughts on the joy of revising over at the blog Tea Time and Books. 
http://teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com/
 

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