Teased: Tender Graces by Kathryn Magendie

All my tiredness flies out of the window when I see Grandma Faith standing in the mountain mists that drift in and out of the trees.

Title: Tender Graces
Author: Kathryn Magendie
ISBN: 9780982175620
Publisher: Bell Bridge books/2009
Pages: 316

Tender Graces is one of those books which stays in mind even after you put it down. One doesn't wish the book to end at all. One is with Virginia Kate right from the beginning reliving her saga at every moment. This book begins with the mountains of West Virginia and in a way ends there. Virginia Kate does find a home in the swamps of Louisana and also frees herself from the burdens of love for her momma, Katie Ivene. In a way the setting is a metaphor for the turbulent feelings within Virginia Kate, and her brothers Micah and Andy for their momma.

Frederick is a salesman but quotes Shakespeare at every step, meets Katie Ivene, a wildly passionate girl-woman, who wants the good life, and they elope and get married. They have three children, Micah, Virginia Kate and Andy. Their married life has its ups and downs but goes totally bust after a few years of marriage. Frederick goes back to Texas to get enrolled in a school. Katie wants him back but he gets married to Rebekha. This makes Katie mad at Frederick and she sends away Micah with them. Meanwhile Virginia Kate misses her brother Micah, and after a while, Katie sends her away too keeping Andy with her.

Virginia Kate resents being away from her momma but is happy to see her brother Micah, although she misses Andy too. Rebekha does her best to make both the children feel at home and cares for them. After a while she has a boy Bobby but she doesn't change towards the older children. Katie Ivene meets a man and Andy too is made to go to his father without as much as a goodbye. Micah and Virginia Kate are thrilled to be re-united with their brother. Both the boys hate their momma for giving them up but Virgina Kate has mixed feelings. She cannot come in terms with their momma giving up on them.

Rebekha is a good mother, she gives them a solid base, and although she doesn't say it, she loves them for themselves. There is a strong bonding between the brothers and Bobby too takes to Andy, always tagging behind him.

Katheryn Magendie has created solid characters, and is very clear about inter-personal relationships. There is a strong supernatural element in this book, which in no way intrudes but makes it flow smoothly. And just when things get harder to bear, Virginia Kate gets the wisdom from her thoughts, what to do next. Her Grandma Faith is with her, to guide her. Miss Darla too senses when the girl needs her.

Katie Ivene is in no way evil, although her father and sister were. She is one of those woman, high strung and wild, who do not know what they themselves want. The reader does not hate her. Or doesn't pity her either but accepts her as she is. Kathryn managed to do that and that is what is the best part of reading this novel. One gets an inkling why she sent her children away from her before Virginia Kate does.

One just can't help loving Rebekha, long before the children do. She might be quiet and in the first appearance colourless, compared with Katie Ivene but she is grounded and knows what is best for the children. Frederick pales in comparison to her. Right since childhood Micah has loved to draw and he follows that calling. Andy and Bobby to go about excelling in their callings. And Virginia Kate finally understands why their momma let them all go. In the same home, in her momma's room. And at last she is at peace with herself.

With beautiful setting, strong characters, Magendie has written a very good book. One of the best books I read so far. One simply resents it when it ends. Thanks Kathryn, for the ARC.