One Mountain Away

Jan 31, 2013 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: women-s-fiction

3.5 stars (very good)

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

I’ve been known to complain about author blurbs on books, but in the case of One Mountain Away the cover quote is fitting indeed. Not only does it warn you up-front about the box of tissues you might need handy, but the quote comes from highly regarded women’s fiction author Diane Chamberlain, of whose work this book is strongly reminiscent: it contains all the intensely personal narratives, the cross-generation...more 3.5 stars (very good)

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

I’ve been known to complain about author blurbs on books, but in the case of One Mountain Away the cover quote is fitting indeed. Not only does it warn you up-front about the box of tissues you might need handy, but the quote comes from highly regarded women’s fiction author Diane Chamberlain, of whose work this book is strongly reminiscent: it contains all the intensely personal narratives, the cross-generational relationships, and the big, bold themes I’d expect from Chamberlain’s work, and given that Richards has some seventy novels under her belt, it’s little surprise that this is a confidently, richly constructed read.

After a slightly awkward beginning, one featuring a first person journal entry that feels less mysterious and intriguing than unanchored and out of place, the novel starts to settle into its stride when we switch over to a third person perspective. (The journal entries to continue to interperse the present day narrative, but they’re less intrusive as the story progresses.) Charlotte, who’s both our diarist and our protagonist, arrives at the local chapel, and the awkwardness and untimeliness of her appearance there makes us wonder just why she’s returned. We soon get the sense that Charlotte’s success as a property developer is one that’s put her at odds with many in the community, and that her arrival at the chapel is a sort of capitulation, perhaps an olive branch. Immediately we’re driven to wonder for what reason, and why now.

The narrative slowly pans away from Charlotte, giving us a broader sense of her personality, her background, and where she fits in with the small semi-rural community of Asheville. We learn that she’s a woman who has fought all her life for the success and status she now enjoys, but though both of these have helped obscure her impoverished, working-class roots, they’ve also had a deleterious effect on her personal life. Her marriage and her relationship with her daughter Taylor have both been effectively destroyed not so much by Charlotte’s career, but what her career represents: a deep fear of somehow regressing to her lowly background.

Charlotte’s intransigent, vehement mindset about her daughter being raised to have the opportunities that she herself lacked is a huge part of the wedge that has been driven between them. On some level, it was Taylor’s rebellion against Charlotte’s narrow outlook about the appropriate ways to live a life that led to the former becoming pregnant as a teen. After the birth of Taylor’s daughter, Maddie (aside: why are all kids in this genre called Maddie?), the two become estranged, ostensibly over some harsh words spoken by Charlotte, but in reality probably because it’s a rift that’s just been waiting to be formalised.

It’s now ten years later, and Charlotte is attempting a reconciliation with both her family and the town that is so ambivalent about her. A life-changing diagnosis means that time is running out for Charlotte, but she’s come to the painful realisation that though she now has the financial clout she has longed for all her life, the problems she wants to solve can’t be solved solely using money. They require getting involved on a personal level. And curiously, when Charlotte commits to wanting to do good in the world, events and situations conspire so that she can: it’s like what my husband says about the universe always giving you what you ask it for. When you realise that you have only one mountain left to climb, as Charlotte puts it, your focus and approach starts to change. And so Charlotte soon finds herself looking after a young pregnant woman, a situation that lets her “do over” her past with Taylor, helping an injured farmer by taking in a litter of pups, and smoothing over some of the difficulties that have arisen between her and her ex-husband Ethan.

This isn’t an unpredictable novel by any means, and the narrative plays out pretty much in the manner that you expect it to, as well as along the time-frame that you’d imagine. In addition to that, I did feel that some of the parallels were a little too-heavy handed, in particular the several (!) subplots involving young pregnant women or young mothers, and I did feel that the fact that Maddie was given a non-threatening but chronic condition was both a little familiar and possibly an unnecessary way of raising the stakes.

That said, this is a richly imagined read, and the characters in it come alive. I appreciated the complexity of the relationship between Charlotte and Taylor, and how that relationship was shown to have its roots in Charlotte’s childhood; and how its influence threatened to undermine Taylor’s relationship with her daughter’s father and with Taylor’s own father. Richards does an excellent job of teasing out the push and pull of these relationships, and the way that they can play such an enormous role in shaping who we are. I also appreciated the space given to developing the character of Ethan. An issue I often have with this genre is that male characters can be underdeveloped, but I felt that Richards not only fleshed out Ethan’s character, but gave him a difficult and demanding role requiring the negotiation and navigation of a number of difficult situations.

In all, this is an extremely solid read, and I’m pleased to have discovered Emilie Richards–even if it is some seventy books into her career. Richards writes assuredly and with practised skill, and her ability to create well-drawn and sympathetic characters is commendable. As noted above, comparisons with Diane Chamberlain are apt, and fans of the latter should enjoy One Mountain Away.(less)

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Jul 02, 2012 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Emilie Richards has always given me a sense of completion when I’ve finished one of her novels, she has a unique way of telling a story and this story is her 70th published novel, and a debut in a brand new series. What a grand accomplishment. Maybe it’s her perspective from being a minister’s wife, maybe it’s she was born with that storytelling spoon in her mouth, whatever it is this story is special, unique and very emotional. As I recall her past novels I remember laughter and I remember a ce...more Emilie Richards has always given me a sense of completion when I’ve finished one of her novels, she has a unique way of telling a story and this story is her 70th published novel, and a debut in a brand new series. What a grand accomplishment. Maybe it’s her perspective from being a minister’s wife, maybe it’s she was born with that storytelling spoon in her mouth, whatever it is this story is special, unique and very emotional. As I recall her past novels I remember laughter and I remember a certain way she gave me life lessons, I’ve seen her mature as a writer as she’s matured as a woman and all of those things culminate in this most amazing read. The story is one any of us women of a “certain age” can empathize with, with all of our accomplishments but especially our regrets, it’s what Emilie did with the regrets part that will always stay with me. Her characters are as in depth as if they were my neighbors or friends, even enemies and she takes time to establish each one in her or his own part of her tale. Her narrative is what I’ve come to expect from her, her quiet and calming words that tell of explosive situations that’s easy to read and understand, she brought me the sights, smells and sounds of her story and I saw each scene with only her dialogue needed for my guide. This is much more than a love story although there is certainly that as well, but it’s a lesson to us all that it’s never too late to change and to remember that memories are sometimes flawed by emotions.
If you like the writing of Karen White or Patti Callahan Henry you'll love Emilie Richards.
Ms. Richards I'm so looking forward to where you take this series from here and thank you for always taking me on a trip worth remembering.

I'm also proud to announce that Emilie has graciously agreed to be my featured author for the Barnes & Noble General Fiction forum's September group read, so please pre-order the book now below and join us when we read and discuss this wonderful piece of literature together. Check the link for future details http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...

Charlotte Hale has always had to be in control, little does anyone know it stems from uncontrollable fear in her past. She’s done everything to get to where she is today, but she’s suddenly reminded of the costs she paid to get here. Now at a painful crossroads in her life she’s vowed to make amends, the trouble will be to convince those she needs that a leopard change her spots and the hope that she’ll have the time she needs to accomplish these difficult but important things.
Taylor has always relied on her father’s support ever since her mother’s words cut her heart out, but now at a crossroads of her own Taylor learns of her mother’s attempt to be a part of her and her daughter Maddie’s lives.
Ethan Martin is about to have a revelation when he sees his first ex-wife watching their grand-daughter from a bench in the park where she’s playing, is his heart willing to listen or has it become hardened to her voice.
Harmony Stoddard has escaped a hopeless situation at home only to find herself in the middle of another one, she’s about to meet a woman who will change her life. The question is will she recognize it for the miracle it is or will she let her past relationships rule her future ones too.
Reverend Analiese Wagner is going to be given an opportunity to practice what she preaches when she sees Charlotte sitting in an empty pew waiting for her.
With Devine intervention and human tenacity this unlikely group will have the possibility to make a change for the better in not only their own lives but also their community, the question is will they recognize it as a gift or will they let what came before predict their futures as well.

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Aug 06, 2012 Judy Collins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Must Read For Every Woman!

I have read all Emilie Richards' books so had pre-ordered on Nook and could not wait to read it. I finished it one day as could not put it down! It is one of the most powerful stories about life, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, fathers, forgiveness; Life is too short to hold grudges, and how people come into our lives with great meaning and purpose.

I loved the characters and how 3 different women find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy and how each was handled....more

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Oct 07, 2012 Regina Spiker rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cancer, mothers-daughters, north-carolina, forgiveness

A story of pain and forgiveness, attrition and healing..Charlotte Hale is fighting cancer but fighting it alone. Charlotte is estranged from her ex-husband and daughter, definitely not a favorite at her church or the business she built from the ground up. Friends - none. Charlotte swore when she left the mountain the day after graduation that she would never be poor or looked down upon ever again - to be in total control has made her enemies and lost her family. But when she receives the diagnos...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Lauren Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

One Mountain Away is a family drama that slowly unfolds, sweeping across three generations of women.

Charlotte Hale is in her 50’s, ill and attempting to atone for the many mistakes she has made in life, in particular her estrangement from her daughter Taylor and ex-husband Ethan. Dealing with a teenage pregnancy, Taylor was abandoned by her mother at her most vulnerable period in her life- following the birth of her daughter prematurely.

Charlotte has taken to watching her granddaughter...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-arc

This was a very bittersweet story that dealt with regrets, making amends, and forgiveness. Many of the characters were flawed, but even so, they were sympathetic and likeable. Some of the relationships were enjoyable to read about, and others were sad. I liked the way that love and friendship come through in the book. Emilie Richards is a must read author for me, and this book is a good example of why I enjoy her work so much.

Charlotte Hale has many regrets in her life, none more than the severi...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Mel Mayberry rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When asked about this book, my reply was "if it was a movie, it would definitely be a 'chick flick'." The story of Charlotte, an overbearing wife, seemingly uncaring mother and relentless boss who changes her entire focus when faced with a life-threatening illness caused me to call upon my own experiences and develop a jaded opinion of whether a leopard can truly change her spots. The end of the story sets up brilliantly, however, for sequels to follow.

This was a selection for my book club, oth...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Sheree rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, general-fiction, read-in-2012, reviews

I'm drawn to stories of complex family relationships and One Mountain Away is certainly that but there was something special about this book. Something that touched me to the core ... Emilie's insight, the lyrical writing, the life lessons, Charlotte's character. It all came together so beautifully and had me smiling, sighing and crying a bucket load at the sheer goodness.

This was my first Emilie Richards novel and I seriously cannot wait to read more. Her characterisation rings clear and true....more

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Jan 24, 2013 Darlene rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: family, southern, women

Wonderful story of strong women who've made mistakes along the way, have regrets and want to right them but how?? One of the reasons that I like Emilie Richards is the way she makes you love the mountains or maybe I just love the mountains and she just takes you home. I have never lived in the Appalachians but always had a love of them and am always drawn to them but Ms Richards just makes me feel like I have returned to my roots when I read her books. Really liked this book and the closer I got...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

This was a wonderful touching story. It reminded me somewhat of "A Christmas Carol". Charlotte has everything that she thinks she's always wanted but then when she faces her own mortality she realizes that her ambitions have driven away her chance for true happiness. She decides to make amends, not just with her money but by getting involved personally. She also tries to mend her relationships without telling her family why, so that they would not feel obligated to repair their relationship.

All...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved this book! Once again Emilie Richards has written a story in which I find myself drawn to the characters, feeling their heartaches and joys. Carefully interweaving the past with the present, each person is defined by their past and on some level seeking forgiveness and a desire to be a better person. A few misplaced and misinterpreted words caused a divide between Charlotte and her daughter Taylor that festered for years. It left Charlotte and her husband divorced, and Charlotte estranged...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Kristilyn (Reading In Winter & Winter Distractions) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: physical-book, read-in-2012, review-books-completed

Why I Read This Book
Normally, if I win a book from Harlequin, I expect something completely hot and steamy, so when I won this ARC, it automatically went to the bottom of the pile because it just wasn’t a priority. Then one day I was going through my ARCs to see what was getting released soon and I read the back of this book and was blown away — it had nothing to do with sexy times at all! I was immediately intrigued, seeing that it seemed similar to a lot of the adult contemporary books I love....more

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Jul 02, 2012 Dorine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-women-s-fiction, favorites

Recommended Read ~ For women's fiction at its best, Charlotte's journey through her past and present is inspirational as well as a deeply emotional look at life. With a good dose of faith mixed in, you can't help but be affected by the diverse characters in this thought-provoking first book in the contemporary GODDESSES ANONYMOUS series.

Charlotte Hale is a savvy, very successful, business woman with a quirky instability ‒ the inability to park a car within an allotted space, no matter how hard...more

Recommended Read ~ For women's fiction at its best, Charlotte's journey through her past and present is inspirational as well as a deeply emotional look at life. With a good dose of faith mixed in, you can't help but be affected by the diverse characters in this thought-provoking first book in the contemporary GODDESSES ANONYMOUS series.

Charlotte Hale is a savvy, very successful, business woman with a quirky instability ‒ the inability to park a car within an allotted space, no matter how hard she tries. She's bossy and brass, as well as used to getting her own way. She has built an empire from very modest beginnings and no one knows more than her family what she's sacrificed to be at the top of her field. For all her self-confidence, how can she feel so small waiting on her minister at this very moment? Could it be that she's not as self-assured or as perfect as she believes?

Reverend Analiese "Ana" Wagner pulls into the parking lot at Asheville's Church of the Covenant and discovers that someone has parked partially in her designated parking place. Once she recognizes whose car it is, she finds another spot and prays for patience amongst other things. Charlotte Hale and Reverend Ana don't usually see eye-to-eye on most subjects and since Ana needs to prepare for a memorial service beginning within an hour, patience isn't the only virtue she'll need. Reverend Ana is nothing but honest, and the big question will be ‒ is Charlotte ready to hear her?

Ethan Martin does his best to help his daughter care for her ten-year-old child who has epilepsy. As a single mom, Taylor works two jobs to help support herself and Maddie. She receives financial support from Maddie's father, but raising her daughter in a safe environment takes every moment that she's not working. Luckily, she has her best friend, Samantha, and her daughter, Edna, to help make life seem as normal as possible. Can life really always be normal, or is a bit of a shake-up just what this single mom needs?

Ethan finds his mind wandering, thinking about his ex-wife, Charlotte, because he's sure he saw her watching Maddie at the park today. For ten years, since the day Maddie was born, Ethan and his daughter have successfully avoided Charlotte. Now he's not sure why his ex-wife has surfaced and how he's going to tell his daughter about it. Taylor still holds a great deal of anger toward her mother and Ethan doesn't blame her. Has Charlotte always been lurking unseen around the corner, and if not, why would she start now?

Harmony Stoddard works at the coffee shop that Charlotte frequents. After a bad night dealing with rude customers, Harmony just needs some rest. Charlotte had witnessed the situation and hopes to assure Harmony that the incidents weren't her fault. What she doesn't expect is to find the young woman sleeping in her car and decidedly offering her own home as a refuge. Is this unexpected gift to a stranger really a wise thing to do?

These are just a few of the intriguing characters you'll meet in book one of the GODDESSES ANONYMOUS series by author Emilie Richards. Charlotte has taken up journaling, so while the characters weave in and out of Charlotte's life, so do the memories of her past, much of which she needs to atone for. What I loved best about this novel is the interaction between the characters scattered amongst Charlotte's spiritual growth. Most of the women are quick-witted and sometimes smart-mouthed to the extent of being very funny at the most unexpected moments. I'm especially fond of Harmony and hope to find her in future novels. Reverend Ana is a hoot and so perfect for Charlotte at this time of her life. And Ethan. What an amazing man.

I need to mention that ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY may not meet the expectations of those who read mostly romance, even though it has a beautiful love story within it. It's women's fiction and definitely follows a different drummer, which is why I love it. I highly recommend this novel as an inspirational journey well worth the box of tissue you'll go through while reading, and even though there's a great deal of love within this novel, it's more about women's relationships and their personal growth. ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY is filled with sorrow, optimism, forgiveness, faith and a deep love that transcends a lifetime.

Emile Richards' talent for characterization makes this novel a pure joy to read. Every moment spent with each of the characters seems completely in-tune with how you'd imagine they'd act or sound if you could meet them. They're a diverse lot, from young to old, and then divided up as wise to cranky to quirky or hilarious.

ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY by Emilie Richards is mesmeric, lulling you into the lives of its characters so thoroughly that your heart will break and mend, then mull over in amazement for hours afterward. Emilie Richards' flair is how she can reveal human frailties mixed with hope that is inspirational without feeling as though you've been taught a lesson ‒ even though you have. This novel will take your breath away in sorrow and joy. The end is thought-provoking and I wished Reverend Ana was real and sitting next to me at that moment. There's so much I can't wait to find out in the next book in the GODDESSES ANONYMOUS series. In truth, I was hoping one of the characters would give me a tidbit but none of them have been forthcoming ‒ yet. ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY by Emilie Richards earns a recommended read status for its divergence, for how it inspires and hopefully, for how it empowers women to be who they're meant to be ‒ for themselves and for each other.

5 Blue Ribbons and Recommended Read, review courtesy of Romance Junkies.
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Sep 14, 2012 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One Mountain Away – a touching and powerful story of one woman’s final months that will live in my memory for quite a while I think! This book effortlessly weaves itself between past and present as we see Charlotte righting some wrongs from her past as we travel along this heartbreaking journey of life, forgiveness and reconciliation.

This book is special……with wonderful characters that we become friends with along the way. This was my first Emilie Richards book, but won’t be my last…..highly re...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Diana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are a bunch of great reviews on here and I just want to say that I agree with them all. This book was one that was hard to put down and told the story of a family that had started in the mountains in poverty and made it to Asheville and prosperity. The ups and downs and the estrangement of a family that is so true to life and very thought provoking just adds to the excellence of the book. Thank you for writing and sharing this story with us.
Diana

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Nov 16, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this book up at a costco not expecting much. This was a wonderful story about overcoming ones own weaknesses and learning to change. It is inspiring that the main character Charlotte was able to make such drastic changes in her life when faced with her own mortality. I love the forgiveness factor and the sweet relationships that were formed and some that were salvaged. Uplifting yet sad story!

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Jan 07, 2013 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a moving, thoughtful story!!! I loved it. Emilie Richards has such a deep understanding of relationships, love, and spirituality. Plus, she has the ability to express that understanding in writing as she's proven in so many of her books. "One Mountain Away" is a lovely, lovely book. I highly recommend it. Going to be hard to get this one out of my system and on to my next read!

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Sep 21, 2012 Juanita Kees rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is novel touches on so many emotions you almost feel you are a part of the characters lives. It is a sad yet heart-warming story that has you pondering your own life. We tend to spend so much time trying to make a living that we actually forget to live!

Read the full review at
http://www.kees2create.com.au/the-oth...

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Mar 14, 2013 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The only word that I can think of to describe this book is AMAZING! Few books touch my soul as this one did. The depth of the story, the search to rectify ones mistakes in life and the power of forgivness, the foundations of this story are so profound that one may actually find themselves conducting a serious search of their soul. This was my first Emilie Richards book but I guarentee it won't be my last.

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Sep 16, 2012 Kathy Roling rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If I could give this book more stars, I would. Intriguing from the very first page. I love all Emilie Richards books, but this one went to my heart. I cried when it was finished. The characters are so well drawn with faults and strengths that we can all identify with. A terrific book!

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Nov 30, 2012 Jenna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A great, thought-provoking book. I think it could have been a little shorter with less detail about minor characters. However, I enjoyed the lessons taught and the emotional aspect of the story. It teaches a lot about taking offense and learning to forgive.

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Sep 25, 2012 Ginny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Is life a series of mountains? If so, we are just one away from the last one. Charlotte thought she had the world figured out until she was told she had cancer. She works to repair relationships with her estranged family before she cross the last mountain.

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Jul 24, 2012 Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One Mountain Away is an emotional novel that is a heartbreaking yet uplifting journey of love, forgiveness and redemption. To ready my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy....

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Oct 30, 2012 Cynthia Allen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm probably not going to start another book right away. This book was so thought provoking regarding family relationships and what a waste of time mis-communication is I need to digest it for several days before moving on.

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Oct 15, 2012 Vicki Mohr rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wasn't sure I wanted to read this once I started, but I am glad I did. The story about a lady dying from cancer and how she fixes some of the things she regrets in the past. It was sad but a good story.

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Aug 07, 2012 Patricia added it · review of another edition

Adored this book. Cried in a good way and would recommend it to women who have daughters and women who have a troubled relationship with their moms. Cannot wait for the next book in the series which probably won't be until next summer.

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Jul 24, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One Mountain Away is an emotional novel that is a heartbreaking yet uplifting journey of love, forgiveness and redemption. To ready my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy....

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Oct 29, 2012 Maureen added it · review of another edition

I have enjoyed all of this author's books written in the past eleven years. Realistic fiction.
The protagonist learns what is important life after confronting a serious illeness.

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Feb 05, 2013 Doris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

End-of-life brings Charlotte to truth and search for setting relationships aright. Thoughtfully, carefully, selflessly Charlotte faces her disease and mortality.

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Sep 10, 2012 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an interesting novel of a family's ups and downs while living in current day Asheville, NC. We see the action thru different characters eyes. Well written.

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