The Kahills of Willow Walk
reviewed by Billie A Williams, Author
The Kahills of Willow Walk by SK Hamilton is a romance; not just your
typical boy meets girl, boy chases girl until she catches him kind of
story, but a real romance. You’ll fall in love with Hamilton’s voice, style
and word choice as you grow to love Kat, Dawson, Granddad Jedediah and are
repulsed by some of the rest. You’ll want to protect Kat from some of the
things the reader is privy to that the characters aren’t. We follow Kat’s
path into the exciting world of fashion with friends Deb and Bonny who
provide contrast to Kat’s devotion to family values and ties.
Valorie and Lincoln bring out Kat’s tolerance and strength. As the old
saying goes, no one ever enters our lives without a purpose, a reason for
being there. Hamilton proves this again and again as Kat grows into the
woman we would love to emulate. But it isn’t just Kat’s passion for her
dream it’s her heart that cares so deeply for those around her that makes
this a unique blend of romance, forte and deeply seated honor that is the
back bone of the Kahill tradition.
Through the many twists, turns and surprises in this book Hamilton’s pen is
an equal match to this family saga that is only too short in the telling.
The reader constantly wants to know more, follow a missing thread, to find
out how Dawson got here, why Kat wound up there etc. All the while we
wonder and hope for those side trips we cling to the page as this author
flawlessly leads us through to the heart warming and satisfying ending.
Pick up The Kahills of Willow Walk. Be certain you have a solid block of
time to read it because, I guarantee you won’t want to close the book until
you finish it. SK Hamilton is an extraordinary story teller.
Wheeling West Virginia hits New York City, August 22, 2007
By |
Janet Elaine Smith, Author of the Patrick and Grace Mysteries (ND, USA) |
The Kahill family of WV is a close-knit family that could be anyone...but they were hardly as "normal" as they seemed. Laden with secrets in multi-generations, Dawson Kahill tries his best to protect his step-sister Kat, while his father remains behind in Mexico, hiding behind a bottle of booze, and Dawson's wife hides behind a box of chocolates and Kat has dreams of bigger and better things and she heads off to New York City for a career in fashion designing.
The one constant in all of their lives is the beloved, although sometimes slightly curmudgeonly Granddaddy Kahill. He not only has to try to keep the family together, but he has to protect all of the secrets.
One thing I love in a book is when the setting is almost like a character. Such is the case in Willow Walk, which S.K. Hamilton has done a magnificent job on, not only in describing it and filling the walls with "the things those walls could tell" if only they had a mouth! She also did the beautiful painting you see on the cover. It reminds me of the weeping willow tree just outside our back door when I was a little kid.
S.K. Hamilton has made a smash with her debut novel. The only thing I regretted was that there were a few holes that I wished I knew more about. Hopefully there will be a sequel that will fill in the blanks.
New Author Shows Big-time Promise, September 4, 2007
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By |
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Author of This is the Place (Los Angeles, CA USA) |
S. K. Hamilton has written a book both nostalgic and entertaining. She does so many things right, you'd never know that "Kahills" is a first novel. No cookie-cutter characters here. Beautifully drawn settings. In fact the location is very nearly a character in itself. It reminds me of my first novel, This Is The Place, and, therefore, is near to my heart. It also reminds me of the famous Fannie Flagg book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe: A Novel. Hooray for the taciturn grandfather in this book. Hooray for "Willow Walk."
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the award-winning author of THIS IS THE PLACE and a book of creative nonfiction were place is also important, HARKENING.
THE KAHILLS OF WILLOW WALK
A review
By: Ron Berry, Author
This is not a ‘dirty’ book, but there is a lot of dust flying on the opening page! As you proceed through this book you will see a lot of dirty dealings and how well the primary players handle them. The Kahills of Willow walk is the story of one family’s struggle to keep the namesake alive and in prime operating condition in spite of mounting turmoil.
You’ll slide from the barn at Willow Walk estate to the sleek fashion world of Kat’s boutique. Sylvia K. Hamilton treats the world of high fashion and family values very tenderly yet uses the power of her characters well and appropriately. Money affects different people different ways. As you read through these pages one can see how being more down to earth plays well in strong character building.
Cable, Dawson, and Polly Dee start the show. How do they fare at the end? Check out how Kat deals with the New York version of Lincoln. As time elapses, Dawson is married but his wife really fires up the action! Kat gets curtain calls and Val tries to call the shots. Who wins? By the time you’ve finished the first question you will want to ask, “More please?”.
I stayed up late last night because I couldn't put this book down! That
rarely happens so the author should pat herself on the back. The
characters were well-defined and believable, the situations so well set up
and carried through, and the ending just perfect. I didn't find any places
where it lagged at all. This is such a satisfying book to read. S.K.
Hamilton even created the delightful cover. Really good job.
Gwen Austin, author
I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of THE KAHILLS OF WILLOW WALK. I quickly became engrossed in the personalities of the characters and was delighted to see them grow throughout the story. Sylvia Hamilton did a fine job and came up with an extra-fine novel. It's a definite good read.
Dorice Nelson, author of CLAN GUNN: GEREK, LOST SON OF IRELAND and SARATOGA SUMMER:1863
S.K. Hamilton's unique story of family dynamics will hold your interest from the first page to the last. The power of love, the devastation of mental illness, and possession of the family homestead battle for dominance as the Kahills struggle to keep their heritage intact.
Author Linda Lane -- Katherine's Song
Editor and Publisher -- www.familybookhouse.com |
