Cellestine Hannemann

I was intrigued with the concept of The House on Moody Avenue when I read the book description. It was an interesting plot that was rather thought provoking. Reminded me of Amy Grant's song, If These Walls Could Speak.

There are five stories within this one book; each an incarnation of family and friends who lived within the Moody Avenue house. The first story was about Lisette, an orphan girl who went from rags to riches through marriage and whose husband built the Moody Avenue house as a wedding present for her. There's more to her story but I don't want to spoil it for you!

Out of all five stories included in this book, Lisette's story was my favorite. The initial story was a lengthy one but rather enjoyable. The author's development of the story line and characters were very good and it can be read and enjoyed a stand alone story.

Unfortunately, the other four stories were not as well developed and due to the length of each one, it was too many stories in one book. In addition, the attention to character and plot development declined with each subsequent story.

I dislike having to give a review such as this. I am only doing so as my commitment with a review book requires me to give an honest review, whether that review is good or not so good. Furthermore, I wish to share that I see some creative promise in this book. The first story was promising and the author clearly has talent.

I encourage you all to make your own decision about this book and not be swayed by this review. Other reviews of this book indicate that some readers have have liked it.

I received a free copy of this book from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)

The House on Moody Avenue

By Cellestine Hannemann

Published by WestBow Press

From booklookbloggers.com
Book Description:
Homes are the embodiment of memories. Each house has its own unique story to tell, but no house story is quite like the house on Moody Avenues. Surviving for 90 years, the house kept many individuals and families safe. Whether it was Lisette with her unshakable faith sustaining her or Julia, a social-climbing snob who sees her world crumble when her children marry inappropriately, each memory was saved. Join Cellestine Hannemann as she brings out all the memories that were housed in the house on Moody Avenue.

Leona's Review.

Read the title of the book, The House on Moody Avenue, as this in more about a house and some about the occupants. It was not clear to me at the beginning of the book.

I liked the first story about the first occupants the best but the last chapter was a bad conclusion for a grand home that bothered me. The house goes from a mansion to a boarding house to an abandoned house.

The author uses some language that was used in the time eras and interesting history.
Read about Victoria Woodhull at http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-should-know-about-victoria-woodhull.

The first chapter, The Victorian Era, begins partly with the orphaned children of the street and how one girl got out. Then we have The Roaring Twenties and this author added such places as the Cotton Club and the book ends with the Sixties. I found hope in the first chapter and doom in the last.

The calico cat was present from beginning to end and I gathered it was watching history made.

The reader goes through time eras with carriages, strikes by workers, gas jet flames, people from the Old World, drugs, cars and women using cigarettes.

The story was moving too fast for me but then I realized it was supposed to be more about the house and not the people. I would have liked to have had more on the house but there must be an ending to a book.

I am giving The House On Moody Avenue a three and a half star rating. The author used words of description and had history in the book which I always like. It is not quite a four star because sometimes the book left me somewhat confused.

From Wikipedia:
Cellestine "Sally" Hannemann (born March 28, 1924) is an American author and pioneering figure in the methodology of Oshibana art. Hannemann, nee Hofmann, born in Chicago, Illinois, and currently living in California, is best known for developing new processes in the pressing of botanical materials to reduce discoloration and shrinkage. She manufactured a unique press incorporating polyester materials to cushion the plants that became known as "Cellestine's Press," and authored a book that is a popular reference guide for plant pressers and Oshibana artists. Hannemann also wrote two novels.

I received a complimentary copy from www.booklookbloggers.com to read and review. The opinions are my own.

Leona Olson
http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com… (mehr)

The House on Moody Avenue, by Cellestine Hanneman, is the story of both the house and those who lived in it. The New York house was built in the 1800's by Ray, a businessman, as a wedding gift to Lisette, his bride. It was to be a home to the couple where they would raise a family and grow old together. While on their honeymoon, tragedy strikes and the house becomes a home to relatives for a time. Eventually Lisette moves in, but does not take the roll her husband had intended for her. While living in the house Lisette comes into her own, so to speak, and this helps to shape her future. The story then jumps to the 1920's. An enterprising woman buys and restores the house and turns it into a boarding house. Her tenants are a memorable and varied group and the author brings them to life by using smooth prose. From the 1920's the novel moves to the 1960's where we learn the final fate of the house that meant so many different things to so many different people.
Even though there are time lapses in the novel, I found it easy follow. This is a multilayered and well written novel.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review… (mehr)