Echoes of Family

By: Barbara Claypole White

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Sometimes the only way through darkness is to return to where it began.

Marianne Stokes fled England at seventeen, spiraling into the manic depression that would become her shadow. She left behind secrets, memories, and tragedy: one teen dead, and her first love, Gabriel, badly injured. Three decades later she's finally found peace in the North Carolina recording studio she runs with her husband, Darius, and her almost-daughter, Jade...until another fatality propels her back across the ocean to confront the long-buried past.

In her picturesque childhood village, the first person she meets is the last person she wants to see again: Gabriel. Now the village vicar, he takes her in without question, and ripples of what if reverberate through both their hearts. As Marianne's mind unravels, Jade and Darius track her down. Tempers clash when everyone tries to help, but only by finding the courage to face her illness can Marianne heal herself and her offbeat family.

©2016 Barbara Claypole White. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Great stuff

original story line, great characters, love the writing and the narrator -a bit of language. however 5 stars!!

WOW. Portrayed raw and true

Claypole White knows what mental illness looks like and writes it so well. The reader is able to identify and understand because of how she portrays what her characters go through. Marianne is perfectly written of how someone with her illness would behave when in crisis. This book touched my soul and left me feeling for Marianne as well as her surrounding characters in her world. The setting is perfectly displayed as our lovely Brit author also resides in NC, just as Marianne does. Tragic, yet real, and with a twist that I didn’t see coming revealed in the end, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m grateful to be able to read such wonderful writing, but also to know this author in person, a gem and lovely person!

Heartbreaking

This book touched me heart and soul. Pulled me in so deep I could fell the emotions of each character. Get the tissues ready! Very emotional and touching story. #uglycry #heartbreaking #lovedit #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

Spot on in some BP 1 regards; VG narration

Mania was quite realistically written and narrated. I've seen people in this state. It's very difficult (sometimes dangerous) for many people to manage, to understand, "maintain their cool", not take personally. Unfortunately, many with Bipolar 1 and 2 aren't wealthy (or don't *stay* wealthy). People with this mood disorder lose careers, homes, spouses, family, friends - It's rare that it ends like a Hallmark special. In America I've seen severely manic people diagnosed with Bipolar for the first time in a hospital, medicated, then released several hours later into the care of an elderly parent. Sad the way "MJ" was so quickly thrown under a bus.

I can't get enough of this author's work

Another brilliant book by Barbara Claypole White.
Coleen Marlo was excellent in the main character's role.

Healing The Heart

As a teenager Marianne Stokes had a breakdown when her lover died and her best friend was injured in a car accident. She couldn't deal with her guilt so she fled England. Since then her life had been filled with suicide attempts, manic depression and hospitalizations. Thirty years later, she's happy with her career and her marriage to Darius. Now a second fatal car accident sends her spiraling out of control and she runs away to the small English village where it all started. Can she come to terms with the past? Marianne is a survivor. I admired her inner strength and her desire to help other lost girls. Echoes of Family is an emotional journey through the hell of mental illness. I couldn't put this book down. It was a revelation. Gabriel, her best friend and confidant, followed his desire and is now a Vicar. When he sees Marianne again, his world shatters, but old habits die hard and he takes care of her. When Jade, Marianne's self-proclaimed baby girl and Darius arrive, the situation becomes incredibly complex. The attraction between Jade and Gabriel grows as they try and help Marianne. Does it stand a chance? Barbara Claypole White has written an intense emotional story that is filled with despair, hope and second chances. As the truth is revealed after three decades, I hoped that there would be acceptance and healing, but I wasn't sure that was possible. Coleen Mario did a wonderful job with her narration. She intensified the emotional element which made me cry. I'm hoping that there will be a second book which continues Jade and Gabriel's story. I need answers.

It gets better

Started out very slow & I was kinda lost, but if you stick with it, it’s with it. It gets better, is all I can say!