House Arrest by Ellen Meeropol Book Review and Quick Giveaway (3 Winners)

Retail Price: $24.95
ISBN: 978-1-59709-499-3
Size: 6x9
Pages: 216
Binding: Tradepaper
Release Date: 2/1/2011   

Summary:

Home-care nurse Emily Klein can’t get out of her new assignment – weekly prenatal visits to Pippa Glenning, a young cult member under house arrest for the death of her daughter during a Solstice ceremony. But Emily takes her work seriously and plays by the rules, so she is determined to take good care of her high-profile and unconventional patient.

With two other cult members in prison, Pippa Glenning struggles to keep the household intact. If she follows the rules of her house arrest, she may be allowed to keep her baby; but as the pregnant woman in the family it’s her duty to dance for Isis at the upcoming winter Solstice ceremony. To escape the house arrest without being caught, Pippa needs Emily’s help.

My Review:

4 stars out of 5

I can't believe that this is the debut novel from nurse/activist, Ellen Meeropol. Tackling many issues, including what constitutes a family and religious cults, Meeropol takes us for a ride through this thought-provoking novel.  We are introduced to each complex and flawed character, and can't help but be intrigued to see what lies ahead for each.  The plot centers around Emily and Pippa's unexpected friendship, and follows them as they learn to trust one another, grow and forgive others, in order to move forward in their lives.

I couldn't put this book down.  I loved how Meeropol weaved her own passions of nursing and activism into the story and characters backgrounds.  I have now added Ellen Meeropol to my must-read authors.  If you like debut novels, this is definitely a book to pick up and read. 

About the Author: 

A literary late bloomer, Ellen Meeropol began writing fiction in her fifties when she was working as a nurse practitioner in a pediatric hospital. Since leaving her nursing practice in 2005, Ellen has worked as the publicist and book group coordinator for an independent bookstore and taught fiction workshops. She is a founding member of the Rosenberg Fund for Children and author of the script for their dramatic program "Celebrate," which has been produced in four cities, most recently in 2007 starring Eve Ensler, David Strathairn and Angela Davis. Drawing material from her twin passions of medical ethics and political activism, her fiction explores characters at the intersection of political turmoil and family life.

Ellen holds an MFA in creative writing from the Stonecoast program at the University of Southern Maine. Her stories have appeared in Bridges, Portland Magazine, Pedestal, Patchwork Journal, and The Women's Times. House Arrest is her first novel. She lives in Western Massachusetts.

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Buy Now: You can purchase this book from the publisher, Red Hen Press.

Disclosure:  I won an advanced copy of this book from along blog back in December, and was offered the opportunity to give 3 additional copies away to my readers.  The opinions stated above are mine and mine along.

---GIVEAWAY---

This giveaway will be quick.  If this books interests you, please send me an email, with the subject: House Arrest.  The first 3 people to respond will win a copy of this book.  So act fast if you want to add this book to your collection today.