All for a Sister

All For #3

by Allison Pittman

In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father's work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she's always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste's baby sister before Celeste was even born. Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance? As Celeste and Dana learn each other's stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane's written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives--most of all, their own--the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2014

About the author

Allison Pittman is the author of For Time and Eternity, Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. She is also the co-president of a dynamic Christian writers group in the San Antonio, Texas area, where she makes her home with her husband and their three boys.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this final book of the All For Series set in the 1920s, main character Celeste is driven to be a movie star. She has a wealthy and pampered upbringing. Other key players are Celeste's parents and Dana, the daughter of the family housekeeper.

I enjoyed the way the story unfolded through the written words of Celeste's mother throughout the novel. Unfortunately, I didn't like or connect with any of the characters.

I look forward to the author's latest release.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent book, where the characters find solace in God, but I can’t help but feel that the characters drag me down to a lower level as I find out about their lies, faults, and sins. It’s an intriguing book, but one I doubt I’ll ever read again.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father's work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she's always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste's baby sister before Celeste was even born. Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance? As Celeste and Dana learn each other's stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane's written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives--most of all, their own--the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.”


Series: Book #3 in the “All for” series {I have not read book #1, “All for a Song”, but have read #2, “All for a Story”, and that review is Here!}


Spiritual Content- Psalm 16:5-6 in written in the acknowledgments; Graciela is Catholic and growing up Celeste says “they only had a church at Christmastime”; Talks about how God sees us, How God orchestrations everything thing, & forgiveness (Note: There are many talks about God, but none of the ‘H’s are capitalized.); A Scripture is quoted.


Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a ‘hag’, a ‘drat’, a ‘bloody’, two ‘shut up’s, and six ‘stupid’s; People curse but it’s not written; Blood, Drinking & Smoking (all semi-detail being the highgest).


Sexual Content- a ‘h*ssy’; Two semi-detailed kisses & one not-detailed kisses; Marguerite says her husband “kissed me sooner than he ought, b*dded me before our marriage”, “he satisfied his appetite in b*ds other than our own”(Marguerite is shocked when she finds out she’s pregnant because her husband had a “fleeting interest and questionable fidelity” and that she’d “only known Arthur in a marital sense three times since Mary’s conception”) and Marguerite says she knew her husband was an adulterer; a baby was/is born out of wedlock; flirtatious & provocatively poses; Dana held baby Mary to her breast (semi); Carrie says she cut her uncle because “he was trying to touch me in that way, and I wasn’t having none of it”; Marguerite saw a man in just a nightshirt (semi-detailed);

-Celeste DuFrane
-Dana Lundgren
-Marguerite DuFrane
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1925 {but goes back-n-forth from 1904 up to 1925}
348 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)

This was a…unique! plot, for sure! While it was unique, I don’t think it would be for girls under 16. I also wished the Dana & Celeste were on the cover.



Link to Review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale House Publishers) for this review.

[Jaina Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded down. I won't be doing a full review on my blog because I'm already booked through September (plus I just don't feel like it), but I wanted to write down some thoughts here.

Basically, it was an interesting read but also really convoluted. There were several times when I couldn't figure out which characters knew what, and it took me a while after I finished the book to work out why/how exactly baby Mary had died. I felt like a lot of the characters weren't fleshed out very well, especially Celeste, and character details were told rather than shown in order to make room for the rather large and convoluted plot. Also, there were a lot of horrible people (and a huge amount of sleeping around) going on throughout the story's past. It wasn't really very nice to read about.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Tyndale Rewards program (click here to check it out–by using my link you'll get 25 credits, which is enough to get a book).

[Ella J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: This was a very interesting read!
It is set in 1925, with the mystery being revealed through letters and flashbacks from the past. This could have made the book confusing, but it didn't. It actually progressed the story well and kept me guessing.
The author did a wonderful job at entwining Dana and Celestes' past, together. Dana and Celeste were contrasts of each other. Despite the differences of their personalities, I felt like I could really relate to the both of their experiences.

This is a wonderful story of forgiveness. It shows that bitterness is bondage, while forgiveness is freedom.


Cons: Marguerite DuFrane was such a frustrating character. Her selfishness hurt so many people around her. That is what this story is about, though.


*** I received this book for free, curtsey of Tyndale Rewards. My opinions are my own, honest opinions **"

My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

[Caryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pittman has crafted an exquisite masterpiece! I was immediately immersed into the drama. This novel is well written and nicely paced. These characters will linger long after turning the final pages. Deep spiritual truths are woven amongst the pages.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

DISCLAIMER: I won a copy. I am not required to write positive reviews. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Janet Merrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story with a clever writing style. This one had mutiple stories going on that were all related and eventually came together in a satisfying, peaceful conclusion. If you don't like books that jump around from year to year and back again, you may not like it. I never had a problem following it, and thought the setting in early Hollywood was very interesting.

[Ruth E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I liked the way it went between Dana's life, Celeste's life, and Marguerite's confession. It did a good job of slowly revealing what had happened and how it impacted each character. It also put in a touch of romance without making it overly romantic.

[Milynfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the series

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a page turner, and so sad at the same time.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like my books with a lot less God in it.

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two other books in this series are fun, light reading. But this book has much more depth and complexity. I highly recommend it.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story right up to the end. Disappointed with a part of the story that was not wrapped up.

[Kathryn Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read. The characters were rather one note and the story line was predictable. The author did well playing against the setting of the 20s but the deep connections never formed.

[Rereloluwa Bajomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I saw through the eyes of a child thrown in prison for a mistake and another who lived in the spotlight. Having them come together was my favourite thing about this book.

[Emily Loggans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: All for a Sister
By: Allison Pittman
Genre: Fiction/Christian/Historical
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (very good)
Pros: Different way of writing, interesting storyline, suspenseful, good character development
Cons: Incorrect punctuation sometimes confused things, sometimes things in the story were ambiguous, the story occasionally lagged

​Celeste DuFrane is a young Hollywood star with her life and acting career ahead of her. Starting young in the acting world, her scientific father’s work with color film brought her into the right Hollywood circles. Her mother’s objections to Celeste’s acting never stops her from pursuing her goals, but she never understands the real reasons behind her mother’s melancholy and heartbroken state throughout her life. Dana Lungdren, unjustly accused of murdering Mrs. DuFrane’s infant daughter (Celeste’s older sister), has spent most of her life in the Bridewell House of Corrections. She never stops writing letters to the judge who sent her there, pleading for justice. No news of her mother, no response from the judge, and a cruel prison matron create a life of near torture for sweet Dana. When she is unexpectedly released many years later, she finds that she is left an inheritance of half of the DuFrane estate, and Celeste DuFrane was left the other half. Her amazement and shock that the cruel woman who sent her to prison for a crime she didn’t commit is masked by her gratitude to finally be free. While Celeste attempts to bring Dana into society, they discover some shocking truths about Mrs. DuFrane and Dana’s beloved mother through the written confession of Mrs. Marguerite DuFrane.
​All for a Sister is written in a very interesting style. The story is written almost backwards, as it starts out near the end of the story, and then goes backwards into the past. Throughout the book the reader is given chapter spurts of Celeste’s past, Dana’s past, Mrs. DuFrane’s written confession, and the present. Only little pieces of the mystery are given at a time. Because of this, it becomes a hard one to put down because you are constantly being fed little bits of the mystery. The plot was well thought out, and the story had a twist that was pretty unexpected. The different style of the chapters was refreshing and made a nice variety that you don’t normally find in the chapters of books. The characters, especially Dana Lungdren, are so easy to care about. I felt sorry for poor Dana throughout the chapters explaining her past life in prison. Caring for Dana made Mrs. DuFrane look like a terrible monster, but throughout her confession I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her almost. Her bitterness and anger turned her into a cruel person who only cared about herself and her revenge on Dana. Reading her confession, however, proved that she was just miserable with herself, and it made me wish she had just forgiven Dana and lived a much happier life. All the characters throughout the book are well developed, including the minor characters which gives the story more depth. The setting, the Roaring Twenties in Hollywood, is not frequently used which I really enjoyed. I liked that the book wasn’t just set in Hollywood, but actually discussed the experimentation with color film and Celeste’s acting in movies.
​Quotation marks occasionally caused confusion. Sometimes they were there, and sometimes they weren’t. Sometimes they were just misplaced. It caused confusion and sometimes I had to reread sections to make sure I knew who was talking. Occasional ambiguous statements were confusing as well, but this wasn’t frequent. Sometimes the chapters dealing with the present were a bit uninteresting because I just wanted to find out what had happened in the past with the mystery. That could be just me though, because it wasn’t necessarily like the author was just filling in space (at least not most of the time).
​All for a Sister is a great historical fiction book with a mystery twist. I will most likely be reading it again, and will recommend it. It is definitely written differently than other books I have read, and that made it even more likable.
I received a complimentary copy of All For a Sister from Tyndale House Publishers through The Christian Manifesto in exchange for my honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

​Celeste DuFrane is a young Hollywood star with her life and acting career ahead of her. Starting young in the acting world, her scientific father’s work with color film brought her into the right Hollywood circles. Her mother’s objections to Celeste’s acting never stops her from pursuing her goals, but she never understands the real reasons behind her mother’s melancholy and heartbroken state throughout her life. Dana Lungdren, unjustly accused of murdering Mrs. DuFrane’s infant daughter (Celeste’s older sister), has spent most of her life in the Bridewell House of Corrections. She never stops writing letters to the judge who sent her there, pleading for justice. No news of her mother, no response from the judge, and a cruel prison matron create a life of near torture for sweet Dana. When she is unexpectedly released many years later, she finds that she is left an inheritance of half of the DuFrane estate, and Celeste DuFrane was left the other half. Her amazement and shock that the cruel woman who sent her to prison for a crime she didn’t commit is masked by her gratitude to finally be free. While Celeste attempts to bring Dana into society, they discover some shocking truths about Mrs. DuFrane and Dana’s beloved mother through the written confession of Mrs. Marguerite DuFrane.
​All for a Sister is written in a very interesting style. The story is written almost backwards, as it starts out near the end of the story, and then goes backwards into the past. Throughout the book the reader is given chapter spurts of Celeste’s past, Dana’s past, Mrs. DuFrane’s written confession, and the present. Only little pieces of the mystery are given at a time. Because of this, it becomes a hard one to put down because you are constantly being fed little bits of the mystery. The plot was well thought out, and the story had a twist that was pretty unexpected. The different style of the chapters was refreshing and made a nice variety that you don’t normally find in the chapters of books. The characters, especially Dana Lungdren, are so easy to care about. I felt sorry for poor Dana throughout the chapters explaining her past life in prison. Caring for Dana made Mrs. DuFrane look like a terrible monster, but throughout her confession I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her almost. Her bitterness and anger turned her into a cruel person who only cared about herself and her revenge on Dana. Reading her confession, however, proved that she was just miserable with herself, and it made me wish she had just forgiven Dana and lived a much happier life. All the characters throughout the book are well developed, including the minor characters which gives the story more depth. The setting, the Roaring Twenties in Hollywood, is not frequently used which I really enjoyed. I liked that the book wasn’t just set in Hollywood, but actually discussed the experimentation with color film and Celeste’s acting in movies.
​Quotation marks occasionally caused confusion. Sometimes they were there, and sometimes they weren’t. Sometimes they were just misplaced. It caused confusion and sometimes I had to reread sections to make sure I knew who was talking. Occasional ambiguous statements were confusing as well, but this wasn’t frequent. Sometimes the chapters dealing with the present were a bit uninteresting because I just wanted to find out what had happened in the past with the mystery. That could be just me though, because it wasn’t necessarily like the author was just filling in space (at least not most of the time).
​All for a Sister is a great historical fiction book with a mystery twist. I will most likely be reading it again, and will recommend it. It is definitely written differently than other books I have read, and that made it even more likable.

http://emilyschroepferthebookshelf.bl...

[Rambling Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Pittman's gift for creating plots with depth and intricacies is evident in "All for a Sister," her latest novel set in 1920s Hollywood. There are numerous layers and several viewpoints to command readers' attention for the course of the story. When I pick up a book by Pittman, I know that I am about to immerse myself in words that will take me on a unique journey that I will remember. Pittman's plots are not different versions of the same story we've read before, they are unique and stirring. Her latest three works are perfect examples. "All for a Song," "All for a Story," and "All for a Sister" are all set in the intriguing 1920s with some of the same secondary characters, but they are each stand-alone with fresh main characters facing very different conflicts. "All for a Sister" proved my favorite novel of the three with all of its complexities and relationship dynamics.

This was a novel that required my complete attention and engagement. The perspectives switch between Celeste DuFrane as child, Celeste as an adult, Dana Lundgren living in the present and retelling her past, and the written confession of Marguerite DuFrane reflecting on her life-altering decisions. Each change in viewpoint is clearly delineated for the reader, making the shifts much easier to follow. The central mystery of the plot revolves around the death of the Dufrane's youngest daughter, an event that sent Dana to prison for 20 years. It is clear from the beginning that there is much more to the alleged murder, and as we learn more about the past events, a tangle of sinfulness, hatred, and deceit emerge. Pittman deftly weaves the silken web to show the disastrous trap that sin creates. All hope is not lost, however, as faith and love gradually loosen the tangles.

I can always count on Allison Pittman to deliver a story with depth and pain with lives that are far from idyllic. It is refreshing to depart from the happy love stories and delve into something with heartbreak. Dana's story in particular is full of woe - a childhood spent in a dark and often cruel prison, not unlike a setting Charles Dickens would create. While Dana reflects on her painful past, which is an integral part of the plot, it is balanced with the healing and promise of her future. Despite her meekness, Dana outshined the beautiful and vivacious Celeste, and quickly found a home in my heart. Celeste and Dana could not be more disparate women - one lived a life of comfort, the other a life of want. Celeste adds a needed vibrancy to the plot and a different perspective of life in the Dufrane household. I began guessing how the two women's lives would entwine before starting the novel. Although the resolution was not a complete surprise, the journey was full of unexpected revelations and the beauty of hope.

I received a complimentary of this book from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Renn Shearin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All For a Sister by Allison Pittman is her third novel set during the Roaring Twenties and connected in some way to the enigmatic Aimee Semple McPherson. While any of these novels can be read on their own, those who have read All for a Song will notice the familiar suave face of Roland in this novel. The formatting of this novel was a little odd, and it took me a few chapters to get into the story as a result. The chapters bounced between Dana's point of view as she is reintroduced into society and into Celeste's life at Ms. DuFrane's request, Dana's point of view as a young girl as she experienced different aspects of jail (but presented from the perspective of a movie script), Mrs. DuFrane's written confession of her wrongs, and Celeste perspective as a young girl. While it was a lot at first, as I learned more about the past and the present situations, the formatting worked well to tie the two time periods together. The author began to use this formatting to tie certain characters and situations into the story as a whole. The plot line was interesting and suspenseful. The way the story was orchestrated the reader was left in the dark about certain details and situations as much as Dana and Celeste were, though I was able to guess on a few things based on hints in Ms. DuFrane's confession.



While there was a lot of mystery and intrigue, there was also a great amount of greed, selfishness, sadness, and sin that was shown in this story. Mr. DuFrane's actions were never truly condemned as sin while Ms. DuFrane's actions were. I did not like this discrepancy as both sinned and needed to confess and ask forgiveness, especially as both sets of actions negatively affected many people. However, I did appreciate that Ms. DuFrane experienced remorse at the end, though I did not completely agree with McPherson (and therefore the author's) take on giving/receiving forgiveness. The characters in this book were interesting and intriguing, but I was not able to identify with some of them. I appreciated Dana's strength of character and her perseverance during the injustice served her. I also enjoyed experiencing the Roaring Twenties and California through her eyes after she had missed out on decades of society. I also really liked the producer/director that took her under his wing and showed such care for her. I was not as big a fan of grown up Celeste. She just seemed spoiled, but near the end of the story she did show a more adult side to her. I felt sympathy for the Celeste of years earlier who struggled to cope with fame hungry father, an almost insane mother, and the ghosts of her siblings' memories. Overall, I found All for a Sister to be a compelling read that really delved into the evils that exist in the heart and in society as a whole, even if it was not my favorite of the "All For" novels by Allison Pittman. I think my favorite was probably All for a Story, but I would still recommend this novel to those looking for a thoughtful novel about the Roaring Twenties.

I received this novel from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate (The Shelf Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been eying this series for a little bit now, I must admit. The covers are gorgeous! How could it have not caught my eye. The only reason I hadn't picked up one of the books is that I hadn't read much from the 1920's. Thankfully that has all changed and I have just fallen in love with this era! So, when I saw an opportunity to read this book, I jumped at the chance.

I hadn't read anything by Allison before this, but I will say, that her writing style hooks you right from the start and draws you in. I'm looking forward to going back and reading her previous stories in the All For series. Thankfully, each of these books can be read out of order.

All for a Sister was an interesting story that led you down a path to discover what the DuFrane family was truly like and the secrets that had been hidden for years. I loved how each point of view was told in a different way. We are introduced to Celeste, a young girl who had had everything handed to her and she is a might spoiled, but as you read through her life in this story, you can't help but feel bad for her and the life she really lived under all the glitz. Her life was far from perfect. And you got to watch her grow-up as the story progressed, literally and emotionally.

Unlike Celeste's character, when we are introduced to Dana and until the end, her story is presented like that of a screen play. We are set up for the scene. I loved how her story unfolded, bit by bit and with the little bit of extra description to her life at the beginning of her chapters. You ache for Dana and the life she is forced to live, but I couldn't help be love how she never looses herself despite the circumstances. She holds tight. Yes, she is a bit fearful from the changes in the world around her, but she is a sweet girl.

Finally we see the rest of the story, the holes that we can't figure out in Dana's and Celeste's stories, through Celeste's mom, Marguerite, by that of her will. What a character she is. At first, I felt sorry for her and her loss, but as her character unfolds and you witness her merciless actions, any pity that is felt disappears. The complexity to Marguerite was phenomenal, so when all was exposed, you could feel what Dana and Celeste felt when they to discovered the secrets that had been hidden.

All for a Sister kept me turning pages. Each chapter brought something new, whether it was a question or an answer, I had to keep reading.

I enjoyed all of these characters. They each played such an important role in the story. The attention to detail was another wonderful bonus to this story that really helped this story pop off of the page. And as I said before, the writing was fantastic. This story offered many twists and turns. When you thought you had it figured out, you were thrown another curve. It kept me glued to the pages.

Thank you to Tyndale Blog Network, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.




This review was originally posted @ http://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot....

[Kathleen E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday, August 3, 2014
All for a Sister by Allison Pittman, © 2014

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
--Psalm 16:5-6

While Lilly was lighthearted, bringing joy to others in Allison Pittman's novel Lilies in Moonlight, All for a Sister is a story of what happens when the focus is on self and not on the care of others.

Celeste DuFrane is a "replacement child." Not recognized for herself, she longs to be received. Her father, Arthur DuFrane, is experimenting with adding color to frames bringing in the early days of "technicolor" in films. Celeste is posed as a child in his film clips for his portfolio, with the women who come and go in his life, or desiring to do so. With the changes for women coming in the 1920s, Celeste hopes to be cast in a starring role at 20, instead of being what she considers a distant third as an actress.

Marguerite DuFrane is consumed with the loss of their daughter, Mary, born before Celeste. Celeste yearns for the attention that never seems to come for her.

Dana Lundgren is being released from prison after serving 20 years for Mary DuFrane's death. She is dispatched to the DuFrane home upon her release. Can you imagine what that must have seemed to her? Before dying, Mrs. DuFrane penned detailed writings granting Celeste and Dana to share her inheritance, as her husband had died previously.

A movie producer wants to make a movie about Dana's life, and her story is told through her remembrances as a script. Celeste is wanting to play Dana's part and feels this will be a breakthrough for a step forward in her career.

The story is told in the three-part first persons, omitting the part of Arthur DuFrane. Inconclusive as he isn't there, other than in the house trial of Dana that quickly accuses her without a jury trial or public awareness. There are controversial missing pieces, as all of the players are not voiced. In real life, not everyone's thoughts are exposed, and being omitted would result in the same as this crafted story by the author. It is knowing only the parts revealed. The best witness is Mrs. DuFrane. Through her own self-imprisonment, she sets forth freedom.

Allison Pittman has penned more than twelve novels, including her series set in the Roaring Twenties––All for a Song, All for a Story, and All for a Sister. Allison resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Mike, their three sons, and the canine star of the family––Stella. For more information, visit allisonkpittman.com.

***Thank you to The Book Club Network for offering a review blog tour and to Tyndale Publishing for sending me a copy of Allison Pittman's novel ~ All for a Sister. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father's work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she's always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste's baby sister before Celeste was even born.Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance? As Celeste and Dana learn each other's stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane's written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives--most of all, their own--the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.



About the Author:

As far as I know, I have always been a writer. Before I could put words to page, I would dictate stories to my mother. I have always lulled myself to sleep by crafting stories--a new chapter each night. When God called me to write, I was thrilled to answer His prompting. And so it was, after a long conversation with my husband, I left a 20-year teaching career to pursue a new direction. It called for a HUGE step of faith, but God has kept me and our family safe.

I count every single one of my readers as one of God's blessings in my life, and I like to think of my stories as being the first step in a conversation. Please visit my website, www.allisonpittman.com and send me an email. It is one of my greatest joys to hear from you!



My Review:

Celeste DuFrane, a talented movie star, feels like she can have it all. To be the lead in a world renowned up coming movie--she is overjoyed at the thought. But after her mother dies she is expected to share her home with a baby-killer. She can't understand why her mother would of done such a thing, something like this in her will it was in her will that this be done. But she keeps asking herself why.

Dana Lundgren, accused of killing an infant, spent most of her life behind bars. After her release she is so new to some many things in society--it is often terrifying to her. Then of all things she finds out that she was named in someones will, but why? Together these two women find the truth and thruth is not at all, what you would expect.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Tyndale.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Pittman in her new book, “All For A Sister” Book Three in the All For A series published by Tyndale House Publishers brings us into the lives of Celeste DuFrane and Dana Lundgren.

From the Back Cover: In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father’s work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she’s always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste’s baby sister before Celeste was even born.

Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance?

As Celeste and Dana learn each other’s stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane’s written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives—most of all, their own—the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.

Secrets, treachery, tragedy and deceit, you wouldn’t think that with ingredients like these you would find an uplifting story of hope. Well Allison Pittman is an extraordinary writer and she has assembled a unique cast of characters to bring this highly interesting story to life. Celeste has guilt that her mother framed an innocent person for the death of Celeste’s sister. Dana has bitterness and unforgiveness as she was the person who was framed. Now these two have to join together to uncover and understand just what happened and what made the mother do such a horrendous thing. Hope, restoration, healing and destiny are all brought to the table as Celeste and Dana work with what they discover. This is a page-turner as the story is highly interesting and you do not want to miss a moment of what is going on. Allison Pittman knows how to weave a captivating story with wonderful characters that breathe. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from this highly talented author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but the author's style of writing kept me so frustrated throughout the reading of this story, that I could not. This was the 3rd book in a series, and I did not read the previous two. Since I received this book from the author in exchange for my review, I read this as a stand alone book, but, I believe, after having dealt with much confusion, that the previous books might have helped. From the very beginning of this book, it was necessary for me to keep going back to the previous chapters to figure out and make clear what was happening. This went up right into Chapter 14! That is how long it took me to try to get the characters straight and their place in the story. This was very frustrating, and if I had not promised to write a review, I doubt that I would have finished this book. I wanted to give up so many times. The author kept skipping back and forth in time where the character is a child, then, an adult, then, a different character as a child and then, that character as an adult, and on and on. The entire book was written in this fashion, so, if you are like me, and hate stories relayed in this way, I do not recommend it.

Now, as far as the story is concerned, I must say that it kept me intrigued and was the one bright spot that fought my back and forth frustration. I loved the story! That is why I say that I really wanted to give it 5 stars. The mystery that purveyed throughout the timeline, was magnificent. I won't go into details about the story, as other reviewers have revealed it in great detail, however, I do agree with another reviewer that the night of Mary's death, there were puzzling comments made that hinted in another direction, that were never addressed. Examples are Dana's ripped dress, what the father was doing out of his bed for so long (as the bed was cold), what made him wake up, to name a few.

I do not know if reading the prior two books in the series would have helped eliminate my confusion, but, if I were to recommend this book, I would certainly recommend that the previous two books be read before this one.

I received this book through bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

[Gayle Pace · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW

SETTING: Roaring Twenties: Third in a series. The targeted audience is Christian readers, It is a clean read, no swearing, but it does references to adultery. I wold say that this historical fiction is for more mature readers. At the ending, there are 10 questions for discussion,, the author's biography and an author's notes. Celeste and Dana have one thing in common, they were both children, at one time. Later, they are both grown women. If they held something in common as children maybe they can find something in common as women.Family secrets, being born into a wealthy family, Celeste DuFrance has not only wealth but love and parental devotions. She is living in California, wanting to be an actress.Even though the parents love her, there are some deep dark secrets with the mother and father. There had been an accusation by Celeste's mother, before she was born that a servant's daughter had murdered the older sister, baby Mary. At such a young age, Dana Lundgren suffocates the infant and is sent to Bridewell Prison for an indefinite time. Here she grows up and loses all the dreams and hopes she had ever had.

When the evil mother dies, the state divides the wealthy inheritance between her daughter and Dana. Found was a 100 page story of they years of hurt and sins. When Dana is released form jail, she is 32. She goes to Los Angeles to meet Celeste. The women discover they have more in common than they thought. All through this a film producer wants to make a film of their lives. The author wrote a fast paced novel that kept the pages turning as fast as you could turn them.

The book is based on God's ever loving forgiveness and leading us in the right direction is we only listen and talk to him. The author describes the confession of sins and the redemption of souls that are lost in sad and terrible past.

I was given a complimentary copy of ALL FOR A SISTER by Allison Pittman and Tyndale publishing for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

All for a Sister by Allison Pittman is the first novel I have read by this author. It is the third book in the "All for" series but you don't need to read them in order as the only thing that is similar is the fact that they are all set in the roaring 20's. I was excited for the chance to read this book for review. I have never read a novel set in the 20's and thought it would be a pleasant read. I don't like to give negative reviews but I just did not care for this book.

First of all I must say that one thing that really bugs me is when a book is classified as a "christian" novel but has a story line that is not christian material. There are no curse words and that is good, but there are a lot of references of adultery. I do think the story could of been written without a lot of that and it really irks me when I get a book from who I think is a christian author only to find it full of worldly sins.

Second of all, I really disliked the set up of the book. It jumped around so much that it kept me confused most of the time. It jumped form character to character and time period to time period. I found it confusing when it went from past to present to past again and again. Some of the chapters were set up like a movie script and I didn't care for that either.

Thirdly, it was fairly predictable. I pretty much figured out where the story was going after just a few chapters and the longer I read the more I realized that there were no surprises.

The story is about Celeste and Dana who have found out that they are sisters. Celeste's mother was an evil woman who put Dana in jail at the young age of 12 years old. Now Dana is 32 and out of prison. Celeste's mother has died and her inheritance has been split between the two girls. Also left is a 100 page confession of sins and regrets. As Celeste and Dana share their stories and begin to get to know each other a movie producers wants to make a film of their lives. Each chapter jumps between Celeste, Dana, the producer and the mother's confession.

[Emma Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Allison Pittman has brought her very best to the stage with her newest release, All for a Sister. I had such high hopes for this book, and was not disappointed in the least. The usual captivating and detailed historical edge left me breathless, right along side the well-crafted plot that held my attention till the very last page. While reading this story, there were times when I couldn't make heads or tails of what I knew and didn't know. The mystery was splendid and well planned. The characters were lovable, fresh, and perfectly believable. I also found the change in perspectives exciting, as you do not see that style very often. It added to the mystery, and I thought the author handled the challenge beautifully! Some may think I am bias from previous reviews I've posted, but I know a good story when I read it. All for a Sister is an attention-getter from the very beginning, and leaves you wondering right up until the last chapter.

Although all of the characters spoke to me in some way, it was Dana Lundgren that truly stayed with me long after I would stop reading. She had such a tamed spirit, even after everything thrown her way. I was very pleased, as well, with the ending to Marguerite DuFrane's side of the story. From the minute I started reading I was looking for that one moment where I would feel God's hand, and I was not left disappointed.

It is sad to think we are saying goodbye to the twenties now that Allison has finished up this series, as well as some very beloved connecting characters, but I know this author's books will only get better and better from here. If you like a good historical novel that brings mystery and intrigue--and she even threw in a little bit of romance-- All for a Sister is no doubt going to bring you much pleasure. If I could give it more than five stars I would. Loved it, and can't wait to see what Allison Pittman's got coming up next.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

All For a Sister
By Allison Pittman

Celeste DuFrane has lost her mother to cancer. At 20 she is now alone, but she has just found out that she a coheir to everything her parents left. And the woman she is to share everything with is the woman who killed her sister more than 20 years ago. But Dana Lundgren doesn't seem like a cold-blooded killer.

Celeste and Dana are bound by secrets that are over 20 years old. The question is will these secrets destroy them or bring them together? And why did the truth have to wait so long to be revealed?

When she was 12 years old Dana was accused of killing the Dufrane's baby daughter Mary. A crime for which she was never tried, but for which she lost 20 years of her life. The world as she knew it no longer existed. Every new experience is frightening in the very its very newness.

Celeste can't understand why the woman accused of killing her older sister would be given a share in her parents possessions. Dana too can't understand the reasoning behind this. But Marguerite DuFrane left behind a confession written almost from her deathbed and a lifetime of secrets begin to come to light.

It is amazing the power hate can have over one's life and the power money and prestige can hold. One woman's power and hate were the driving force that shaped the lives of those around her. I think of the books in this series I like this book the best. I like the glimpses of Celeste and Dana together and the growth of their characters as they live together and discover who they both truly are. I like the character of Werner Ostermann who sees Dana for who she was and who she can become. He understands her fears and is there to help her get past them.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher Tyndale through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

[GothChickVibing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: All for a Sister.

Author: Allison Pittman.

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Drama.

Plot: When twelve year old Dana Lundgren goes up to the big house to help the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. DuFranes with their party, she doesn’t expect her whole world to turn upside down in a terrible tragedy. Locked away for twenty years for a crime she didn’t commit but felt deeply sorry for all the same, the world changes without her and Dana loses hope of ever being free again. Just when she has grown content with her life, the unthinkable happens and Dana is not only free, but also an heiress. But along with the wealth and fame comes a bucket load of deceit and heartbreak. Both Dana and her newfound friends – co-heir Celeste DuFrane and Mr. Werner – begin to dig into Mrs. DuFrane’s past and start to uncover the secrets that their lives were built upon.

Likes/Dislikes: This is my first book by Ms. Pittman and I rather like what I read. This story is a complicated one, involving the lives of three primary women and spanning twenty years. Filled with heartbreak, plenty of scandal and lies, and a sweet touching love story, this is a wonderful book. It’s beautifully written, the pace is even and smooth as it jumps from the perspectives of three people, and it wraps up beautifully at the end. It’s an examination of one person’s decisions and the consequences of their actions. I really highly enjoyed it, though I didn’t like Mr. DuFrane at all.

Rating: PG-17 and up, mainly for content {adulterous husband, lots of lying, manipulation, death of a baby, hints of scandal, but nothing graphic}.

Date Review Written: December 23rd, 2014.

I received a copy of this book free courtesy of the publishers in exchange for an honest review. I wasn’t required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.