The Promise Girls

The Promise Girls by Marie Bostwick. New York: Kensington Books, 2017. 346 pages.  A Reading Group Guide ****


The Promise Girls are three sisters who are raised by an overbearing, controlling mother. They have been conceived by "test tube" and groomed by their mother to be a genius in a particular career. Unfortunately for Minerva Promise, her daughters -- gifted pianist Joanie, artisitic Meg and storyteller Avery, are removed from her care and squander their gifts. Fast forward twenty years and each of the girls is questioning her choices in life and personal relationships. A genius himself, filmmaker Hal Seeger, contacts the girls in an effort to document their lives and reconnect with Joanie. When Meg is in a car crash and is faced with huge medical bills, the sisters agree to cooperate  and allow Hal and his film crew into their lives. This decision has a huge impact on the present especially when secrets are revealed and the girls are reunited with their mother.


I purchased this book and had the pleasure of meeting Marie.

This is the first book in some time that Marie has written that does not include quilting and one that when finished, she felt "incandescently happy." As she should, it is well-written and complete. A intriguing story that fuels the "nature vs nurture" debate and when is someone considered a failure? Is it career choices, relationships, family or being happy? Bostwick is a natural as a storyteller and she grows as a writer with each book.

Marie Bostwick was born and raised in the northwest. In the three decades since her marriage, Marie and her family have moved frequently living in eight different states and eighteen different addresses. These experiences have given Marie a unique perspective that enables her to write about people from all walks of life and corners the country with insight and authenticity.  Marie currently resides in Oregon, where she enjoys writing, spending time with family, gardening, collecting fabric, and stitching quilts.
Visit her at www.mariebostwick.com.


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