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Leaves

4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 · rating details · 37 ratings · 27 reviews

Welcome to Oldham, CT, a small town rich in Colonial heritage while being utterly contemporary. Situated along the Connecticut River Valley, Oldham bursts with color every fall, as the leaves on its trees evolve into an unmatched palette of scarlet, orange, purple, yellow, and bronze. For more than three decades, the Gold family has been a central part of Oldham in the fal...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published September 25th 2012 by Story Plant, The (first published September 21st 2010)

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Dec 12, 2012 Gigi Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

I discovered this author, Michael Baron, about a year ago while visiting Cheryl @CMash Reads. I read her review of "Spinning" by Mr. Baron, it sounded so good I bought the book, read it and loved it. This past year I read two more of his books; "When You Went Away" and "A Winter Discovery." I also enjoyed those books. So...when "Leaves" was released I knew I just had to read it as well. I was not disappointed.

"Leaves" is the first in a series of novels about the Gold Family and some unforgettab...more I discovered this author, Michael Baron, about a year ago while visiting Cheryl @CMash Reads. I read her review of "Spinning" by Mr. Baron, it sounded so good I bought the book, read it and loved it. This past year I read two more of his books; "When You Went Away" and "A Winter Discovery." I also enjoyed those books. So...when "Leaves" was released I knew I just had to read it as well. I was not disappointed.

"Leaves" is the first in a series of novels about the Gold Family and some unforgettable family drama. It is a moving story about a family dealing with their parent's death and the selling of their Inn at Oldham, CT, a small town rich in Colonial heritage while being utterly contemporary. Situated along the Connecticut River Valley, Oldham bursts with color every fall, as the leaves on its trees turn into an unmatched palette of scarlet, orange, purple, yellow, and bronze. For more than three decades, the Gold family has been a central part of Oldham in the fall, its Sugar Maple Inn a destination for "leaf-peepers” from all over the country, and its annual Fall party a stirring way to punctuate the town’s most active month.

But this year, more than just the leaves are changing. With the death of their parents, the Gold siblings, Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina, and Tyler, have decided to sell the Sugar Maple Inn, and this year’s Fall party will be the last. As October begins, the Golds contend with the finality that faces them, and the implications it has for a family that has always been so close. For some, it means embracing new challenges and new love. For others, it means taking on unimagined roles. And for others, it means considering the inconceivable. Complicating it all is a series of comings and goings that touch each of the Gold siblings, a series of benign interventions that will remain a mystery until October draws to a close.

Even though this is the first book of the series, it is also a stand alone book. It introduced us to the Gold family, there background, the different personalities of each sibling, and the ups and downs each family faces throughout their lifetime. It was an enjoyable read and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series to read more about the Gold family.

This book reminded me of the Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove series, and I enjoyed that series, so if you are a fan of family series, I think you will enjoy this book.

This book was provided to me by the publisher and author, Michael Baron, to read and give an honest review. Thank you Michael for another enjoyable read. (less)

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Apr 15, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: connecticut-river-valley, love, autumn, michael-baron, leaves

Leaves is set in the Connecticut River Valley during the month of October, when the leaves on all the trees there turn into a vivid array of assorted colours and hues as autumn arrives and they begin to fall. Here we meet the Gold family siblings who were brought to the valley from Long Island thirty two years earlier by their parents. After they arrived Bethany and Joseph Gold decided to stay in the Valley with their five children and to open The Sugar Maple Inn .

The Inn has been the cornersto...more Leaves is set in the Connecticut River Valley during the month of October, when the leaves on all the trees there turn into a vivid array of assorted colours and hues as autumn arrives and they begin to fall. Here we meet the Gold family siblings who were brought to the valley from Long Island thirty two years earlier by their parents. After they arrived Bethany and Joseph Gold decided to stay in the Valley with their five children and to open The Sugar Maple Inn .

The Inn has been the cornerstone in the lives of Maria, Maxwell, Dorothy, Corrina and Tyler and all their partners and children. Now though, following the recent death of their mother and with both their parents gone they jointly decide to sell the Inn to an organisation which operates country inns all along the Eastern Seaboard. The inn will be officially handed over on November 1st. So as October begins the brothers and sisters prepare for the last days of ownership of the place which has played such a huge role in their lives and holds so many memories and ghosts from the past.

October is traditionally a very busy month in the Valley, especially as tourist (locally known as “tree peepers”) come from all over the country and indeed the world, to see the phenomenon of the beautiful Autumn leaves. The rooms at the Sugar Maple Inn are usually all taken way ahead of time and this year the restaurant, which is run by Deborah Gold, is fully booked too. Deborah is renowned for her culinary skills, particularly her sauces which always surprise and delight. Since the Gold’s opened the Inn, all those years ago, they have hosted a Halloween Party for all the people in the town as well as their guests. It is a tradition that has never been broken and this year is no exception. The show will go on even though head organiser, Mrs Gold, is no longer there. The children join together to make it happen, but, tempers fray and tensions rise as the event gets closer. We join the Gold’s on October 6th, 25 days before the party.

This is a lovely story of love and loss and family ties. It looks at people experiencing various stages in their life and relationships and examines how these events affects them. The Gold family have always been close and Michael Baron explores what happens to that closeness when the pivotal anchors are no longer there. The story does have a large cast of characters but because the focus stays on them, it is easy to keep track of who’s who. I really wanted to know what happened next by the end of the story and was delighted to read that Michael Baron plans to write more books about the Gold’s. As each of the siblings is at the beginning of something when this first book ends, is it easy to see where the material might come from.

Intriguingly, Michael Baron is the pseudonym of a well known author whose work is of a different genre than the books penned by Michael Baron. On his website he doesn’t show a photo of himself and says that the work he writes under his real name is much at odds with this work. I REALLY want to know who he is.............

I did enjoy reading this book. It is mostly warm and feels good. An ideal story to read sitting in front of the fire in late autumn or winter, especially as it also has a little touch of magic thrown in.

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Feb 21, 2013 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it 5 of 5 stars

After decades of being a family-run business, the Sugar Maple Inn has been sold and will soon transfer to the new owners. The Gold siblings, Maxwell, Deborah, Maria, Corrina, and Tyler, are hosting one last Halloween party at the Inn. October has arrived and the family members are dealing with the changes in their lives in their own individual ways. As it looks as though they may go their separate ways, unexplainable happenings trigger memories of happier times and remind them of their family bo...more After decades of being a family-run business, the Sugar Maple Inn has been sold and will soon transfer to the new owners. The Gold siblings, Maxwell, Deborah, Maria, Corrina, and Tyler, are hosting one last Halloween party at the Inn. October has arrived and the family members are dealing with the changes in their lives in their own individual ways. As it looks as though they may go their separate ways, unexplainable happenings trigger memories of happier times and remind them of their family bond.

This is not a fast-paced, action-packed, "can't put it down" book; but that's a good thing, in this case. This novel is the literary equivalent of a leisurely drive through the country, winding around country lanes and enjoying the scenery. Each time I picked up the book, it was like a visit with old friends. I couldn't wait to find out what was going on in their lives.

The storyline is linear, beginning with October 6, twenty-five days before the party. The narrative is clear, always in the third person, and is told from the point-of-view of the various family members. The countdown to the party is a nice touch; the chapter headings and subheadings give the date and time remaining to the party. Of course, as the time drew closer to the party, I grew sadder as I realized my time in Oldham, CT was coming to an end.

Each of the characters was interesting in their own way. Often, a novel with this many characters suffers because they lack enough individuality to stand out in the reader's mind, but this was not the case with the Gold family. Deborah was, of course, my favorite. For a food blogger and "foodie", the scenes set in the kitchen while she was cooking were fascinating.

As I stated earlier, this was a book that I returned to eagerly each time. As the date of the party grew closer, I hated to see it end. The only bright spot: this is the first in a series. I eagerly await the next installment in the Gold family saga.

Appropriate for adolescents and up, but probably enjoyed and appreciated more by adults.

5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Providence Book Promotions. 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.

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Jan 06, 2013 Ruth Hill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, e-books

I feel like I should be giving this a much higher rating than I did. After all, this is basically a clean book. Hardly any profanity--very, very mild. No bedroom scenes although implied sex scenes. It is all about a quaint place, and it is a nice story. There was really nothing wrong with it. I just did not connect with it, and I wish I had been able to. This will be a book that many people would like. It has romance, memories, and sweetness. I found myself only interest in two portions of the b...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

“…they’d exchanged the sense of intimacy they always had between them for the assumption of intimacy.” This profound remark is a theme that resonates throughout the story.

Even though this is a remark made about one couple’s relationship, it is evident in many of the ‘so-human’ characters’ relationships. The change from one type of intimacy to the other happens so subtly that it is hardly noticeable until suddenly despair and disconten...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

“…they’d exchanged the sense of intimacy they always had between them for the assumption of intimacy.” This profound remark is a theme that resonates throughout the story.

Even though this is a remark made about one couple’s relationship, it is evident in many of the ‘so-human’ characters’ relationships. The change from one type of intimacy to the other happens so subtly that it is hardly noticeable until suddenly despair and discontent set in. The reader sees the people, once so in tune with each other, no longer share meaningful conversations. They let awareness of each others’ needs slip away. They stop feeling contented pleasure in doing things together or just ‘being’ together. They no longer feel that special jolt of joy in just seeing each other across the room and their lovemaking loses the all-consuming sharing that engages body, mind, and spirit and transports them as one to ecstasy. How they cope and overcome or succumb keeps one’s rapt attention.

While the Gold siblings are still grieving the death of their parents, life goes on and must be dealt with. The Sugar Maple Inn that seems a symbol of their lives with their parents is sold and a last hurrah—the traditional Halloween party—is to be organized and the community invited. The reader is pulled into the fray and sees personality traits emerge that intrigue.

Tyler, the youngest of the Gold siblings, not only grieves the loss of his parents; he also is adrift after Patrice, his love for the last five years, steps away from their relationship; added to that his photography business is alarmingly slow. His less than enthusiastic interest in being in charge of the decorations for the Halloween party is understandable. Even his relationship with the siblings he has been closest to through the years seems to be on shaky ground. The ups and downs of his coping process range from heart-breaking to humorous. Just when he needs it most a memory comes—in a most unusual way. He remembers his special relationship with his sister Deborah. It seems to bring peace and helps him get his act together.

Deborah, the head chef at the Inn, has lost her anchor. How does she move on? The near panic she feels at times and the “foodie” (so much like her) that she meets keeps her life on a rollercoaster through much of the story. Of course, dealing with Corrina, her bossy sister who feels compelled to order everybody around, often without the desired results, is one of the most complicated of the siblings. Her hurts that she keeps to herself are overwhelming. With a husband who begrudges her his time and a stepson that needs more help than she can or knows how to give, she is stressed to the max much of the time with no relief to come. Maybe in another book Mr. Baron will help her find a happy-ever-after.

Maria, though suffering from empty-nest syndrome, brings music and hope to the story. Her husband has lost touch with her as a person, but she perseveres and bridges some gaps while still reaching for her own dreams and connecting with their daughter Olivia in a special way. The music she brings to mind brings back great memories for this reader. Lots of good things ahead it seems.

Maxwell, the oldest sibling, and his wife Annie, a discontented soul that longs for more in life than to be Joey’s mom and Maxwell’s wife, weave a discordant note through the story that keeps the reader a little on edge. Maxwell’s political life absorbs his time. He seems not to see the seriousness of Annie’s need. He just takes care of little two-year-old, hyper Joey when she says she has to be away for awhile and makes plans for his future. His blindness to Annie’s need does not bode well for their future.

Michael Baron takes these complex characters, places them in a quiet little town in Connecticut among people they have known and have known them all their lives; sprinkles in a few newcomers; adds October the most colorful, beautiful month of their year; and invites the reader in for a enthralling vicarious experience. The special memory that each sibling has that helps them repair the frayed relationships with each other is a touch of supernatural that gives a haunting quality the story. The precious memories the reader gets to vicariously share with each of the Gold siblings and the “joint hallucination” they all share is heart-warming.

The charm of Michael Baron’s writing brings a special polish to a poignant story, making it sparkle and enchant like October leaves in New England.
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Aug 22, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Leaves by Michael Baron
ISBN: 9780984190546
Foliage of autumn leaves along Connecticut, breathtaking!
That and other things made me want to read this book as I love being able to see the colors now and love the scenery.
The siblings sat around the kitchen table to discuss plans for the annual tradition. No spouses or children, just the immediate family. Everyone would have a job to fulfill.
The Sugar Maple Inn had a yearly October Halloween open Inn event that both Bethany and Joseph Gold had taken...more Leaves by Michael Baron
ISBN: 9780984190546
Foliage of autumn leaves along Connecticut, breathtaking!
That and other things made me want to read this book as I love being able to see the colors now and love the scenery.
The siblings sat around the kitchen table to discuss plans for the annual tradition. No spouses or children, just the immediate family. Everyone would have a job to fulfill.
The Sugar Maple Inn had a yearly October Halloween open Inn event that both Bethany and Joseph Gold had taken special pleasure in bringing to the community. Now that they were gone the children were going to make sure it continued this year before the Inn was sold.
Love the references to the musical artists that I still follow.
Each of the children have their own lives and are at various stages of relationships and some have children of varying ages.
Love the photography and culinary skills.
Love how she experiments with herbs and spices to perfection.
The book is very detailed, descriptive enough and warm and welcoming that I feel a part of the family. Many of the events that do take place I've lived through myself so I know the pain and sorrow and joy and happiness.
Love how some things that occur bring up memories of the past, the siblings getting along and being a family.
Even though there are a lot of characters in this book they are very easy to keep track of and I love how the chapters are set up. Nothing in confusing in this book.
First you start out just meeting them and as time goes on you discover the relationship problems they are having, sometimes it's just the kids problems.
Love how the brothers and sisters can just drop in on another sibling and talk about their problems.
One thing I do when I find a new author to read and like what I'm reading is to go visit their site, which I did and I can't wait to find the other books he's written so I can read them as well. This book also includes a chapter of Micheal's other works.
Happy to learn this is one of a series, oh sweet!

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Jan 03, 2013 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Gold family's Sugar Maple Inn has been a popular tourist destination in Oldham, Connecticut for thirty-two years. Autumn in New England, where the leaves change their glorious colors, draws a faithful legion of "leaf peepers" to the area every fall season. But for the five Gold siblings, this is the final autumn that they will own the inn. After the death of their parents, Joseph and Bethany, who had moved their family from Long Island to Oldham to start a new life, the five Gold siblings: M...more The Gold family's Sugar Maple Inn has been a popular tourist destination in Oldham, Connecticut for thirty-two years. Autumn in New England, where the leaves change their glorious colors, draws a faithful legion of "leaf peepers" to the area every fall season. But for the five Gold siblings, this is the final autumn that they will own the inn. After the death of their parents, Joseph and Bethany, who had moved their family from Long Island to Oldham to start a new life, the five Gold siblings: Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina and Tyler have made the reluctant decision to sell the inn to an organization that operates country inns all along the Eastern seaboard. The Gold family will hold their final traditional Halloween party before the inn officially changes hands on November 1st.

Leaves follows the Gold siblings throughout the month of October as they count down the remaining days of owning the Sugar Maple Inn, culminating in the hosting of the inn's traditional Halloween party. As the days count down, the siblings struggle to let go, move on, and start anew. Each sibling has their own individual memories and issues that they are dealing with in their lives, but the ending of their family owned business adds a bittersweet element to the tumultuous and emotional time that they are going through. Will the upcoming sale of the family inn tear the family apart? Will the once close family bond loosen as they focus on their individual personal lives? Or will the family traditions and bonds of love forged by their beloved parents bring them closer together?

Leaves is a poignant story of a New England family's changing dynamic ... similar to the autumnal seasonal leaves changing of colors in their hometown. Author Michael Baron weaves a heartfelt and riveting tale of loss, rebirth and renewal for the siblings in the Gold family, who each struggle with life changes within their family relationships. As the month of October counts down the days to the inn's final traditional Halloween party, the story chronicles the sibling's ups and downs of their individual lives, as they move towards the end of the ownership of their family inn. Just like the seasonal changes, life also changes, and for the Gold family, the changes will redefine their lives and family relationship.

The reader is drawn into the Gold siblings lives, magically transported to the scenic New England town of Oldham and the quaint family owned Sugar Maple Inn. As the individual life stories of the Gold siblings (Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina and Tyler) unfold, the reader can't help but become emotionally invested as if they were their own family members. The author builds upon the drama of the siblings personal lives and their family relationship with the calendar countdown of the final days of their family inn. Like a emotionally charged roller coaster ride, the author keeps the reader engaged with the riveting twists and turns of the changing Gold family dynamic, only to leave the reader emotionally spent with a bittersweet cliffhanger ending as the Gold family saga continues in the next book in the series.

Author Michael Baron's storytelling is reminiscent of my favorite author, Nicholas Sparks. His thoughtful creative style of writing simply captivates the reader and holds them spellbound.

Leaves is an emotionally moving story about family relationships and life changes that will simply tug at your heartstrings. I just know that the Gold Family series is going to be one that will resonate with the readers long after the last page has been read.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Providence Book Promotions.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...(less)

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Jan 20, 2013 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Leaves tells the story of the Gold siblings who own the Sugar Maple Inn in Oldham, CT. The siblings, Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina and Tyler have decided that the inn is not the same as when their parents were alive. They have decided to sell the Inn and they will be having one more Halloween party at the inn. This party is the main premise of the story but it is also about each of the siblings and their respective family's. Oldham Connecticut draws 'peepers'(tourists) each fall for the beaut...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Melina rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review
This book was very well written, very enthralling. It is hard for me to describe how this book made me feel. I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m very glad that it is the first in a series. I feel like I know the Gold family on a personal level. This book really explored the feelings of the Gold Family very well.
The Gold family: Maxwell, Maria, Deborah, Corrina, and Tyler recently lost their parents and have made the decision to sell their parents Inn. The story focuses on each sibling and the...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis: The Sugar Maple Inn in Oldham, Connecticut has been owned by the Gold family for decades. After the parents death the adult children sell it. The siblings gather one last time for a Halloween party before the inn is sold. The tourist area is home to vibrant leafy trees in the autumn: hickory, beech, sumac, sassafras, maple, and oak. "Leaf peepers" travel to this area of the Connecticut River Valley in order the see the colorful show of leaves each autumn. The inn is where the five sibl...more Synopsis: The Sugar Maple Inn in Oldham, Connecticut has been owned by the Gold family for decades. After the parents death the adult children sell it. The siblings gather one last time for a Halloween party before the inn is sold. The tourist area is home to vibrant leafy trees in the autumn: hickory, beech, sumac, sassafras, maple, and oak. "Leaf peepers" travel to this area of the Connecticut River Valley in order the see the colorful show of leaves each autumn. The inn is where the five siblings grew up, they have wonderful memories of a close-nit family. Their grief is evident as the closure to this last bit of their parents and family history come to an end. Marie is the eldest of the siblings, she is a parent facing an empty nest. Maxwell the eldest son has a rising political career, and a wife who still thinks of herself as the "it" girl from her high school days. Deborah is head chef at The Sugar Maple Inn. Corrina is married to an attorney and has an angry step-son. Tyler the youngest of the Gold family, is a photographer of these famous autumn leaves.
Each sibling has angst over career choices, parenting roles, marriages, the unknown after the inn sells, and grief after their parents death and the sell of their beloved childhood home.

Review:
Positive Points:

This is a story that most readers will be able to relate to in some way. Whether it is through the various issues that the adult children have, or plainly through their loss of what they held most dear.
This is an endearing story. I felt invested and involved in the outcome of these characters. Even though I did not always agree with their choices, I had compassion for them.
There is a nostalgic quality in this story. Each adult child looks back on their past with fond memories, all of them contemplate a future with the absence of this inn.
There is a bit of magic in this story. The author calls them "hauntings." I call them epiphany moments---meaning a vision of their past with a teaching principle.

Negative Points:
I'm ready to read part two! I could not find any negative points in this story, I tried. I loved everything about this story, and can't wait to read the next installment in the Gold family.

Thank you to Michael Baron, The Story Plant, Providence Book Promotions for my free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Feb 09, 2013 Yvonne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Once in a while a book that touches your heart comes along and that's what Leaves is for me. I loved every minute of this book. Each character is crafted in a special way that weaves a place in your heart. I found myself truly caring for these fictitious characters. I wanted to know what was going to happen to them.

The story moved along at a nice pace. I never felt one minute of boredom. I truly wanted to know what would happen to each character and if they would each get their happily-ever-aft...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Leaves' is a story of love and loss, of family and friends and of the fluidity of relationships. The Gold children were raised in Oldham, CT, learning the ins and outs of small town life. They grew up in and helped their parents run The Sugar Maple Inn. Now that both of their parents are gone, the kids have decided it's time to sell the inn and move on. Before the sale goes through the family is going to throw one last huge Halloween bash, after all the Sugar Maple is famous for them. That is i...more 'Leaves' is a story of love and loss, of family and friends and of the fluidity of relationships. The Gold children were raised in Oldham, CT, learning the ins and outs of small town life. They grew up in and helped their parents run The Sugar Maple Inn. Now that both of their parents are gone, the kids have decided it's time to sell the inn and move on. Before the sale goes through the family is going to throw one last huge Halloween bash, after all the Sugar Maple is famous for them. That is if they don't drive each other crazy first. They have always been a close family, has the loss of their parents and the pending sale of their childhood home changed that?

I was completely captivated by this story! The author does a wonderful job setting the scene in each of the locations, though most of the story does take place in Oldham. With his descriptions of the scenery, I really felt like I was there in the moment with the characters. The fact that Tyler, the youngest of the Gold children is a photographer by trade gave the author more room to be descriptive without overwhelming the reader. I will admit that after reading 'Leaves' I have added “Connecticut during Autumn” to my places I need to visit list.

In my notes, I referred to the story as a sampler platter. Throughout the book we are introduced to several characters the main ones being the Gold children, and the supporting cast their significant others, children, love interests, etc. Because there are so many characters to get familiar with, it felt like I didn't get to know them as well as if there had only been two main characters. That being said, I do think the author did a fantastic job developing the ensemble cast and I was excited to learn that we haven't heard the end of the Gold children. Michael Baron made his characters real. They are believable and best of all they aren't perfect! Some of my favorites are Deborah, Tyler and Sage (love that name). My least favorite was Corrina, and that's just because I wasn't fond of the type of person she was. She was extremely well written though and at times very punchable (to me at least). I cannot wait to learn even more about this family.

All in all I was extremely happy with this book and I'm so glad to have Michael Barons on my radar now. I will most definitely be reading more of his work. (less)

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Feb 04, 2013 Serena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Leaves by Michael Baron has the makings of a family saga, with its large Gold family in Oldham, Ct. Tyler, a budding nature photographer; Corrina, a controlling older sibling; Deborah, the resident foodie; Maxwell, who seems to have it all and leads the town’s Chamber of Commerce; and Maria, a young emptynester, must close a chapter in their lives and begin anew after deciding to sell the family business, the Sugar Maple Inn — a popular destination for “leaf-peepers.” Baron alternates between ch...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-books

The Sugar Maple Inn has been a fixture in the small town of Oldham, Connecticut for 32 years, but the era is coming to an end. After the death of their parents, the Gold children have decided to sell the inn and move on with their lives. But first, Corinna, Deborah, Maria, Maxwell and Tyler are hosting the last annual Halloween party. And as the party preparations commence, each of them faces not only their memories of the inn but also the anticipation of a future without it.

Leaves by Michael Ba...more The Sugar Maple Inn has been a fixture in the small town of Oldham, Connecticut for 32 years, but the era is coming to an end. After the death of their parents, the Gold children have decided to sell the inn and move on with their lives. But first, Corinna, Deborah, Maria, Maxwell and Tyler are hosting the last annual Halloween party. And as the party preparations commence, each of them faces not only their memories of the inn but also the anticipation of a future without it.

Leaves by Michael Baron is an exploration of family, their interactions and the impact of change on them. For Deborah, who has been chef at the inn for her entire career, the future is uncertain. Where will she work? What will she do with her life? Corinna is stressed about the party, while dealing with a workaholic husband and a stepson who is pushing the limits. Maria is working through the empty nest syndrome and rediscovering her love of music. Then there's Maxwell who is considering a political run, but his wife has very different ideas about their future. And finally, Tyler, a recently single artist who is trying to find his groove.

But it's not just the five siblings that we get to know. We also meet their significant others and children who have their own issues going on. Each character seems very real and clearly defined, but I will say there were a few too many for me. I found myself struggling to really keep track of who was married to whom and how they related to all the others. In the end, I got it down and found that I enjoyed most of the storylines. But I do think Baron might have taken on a few too many characters in this one!

Leaves is a wonderful novel to read during the Fall; I could just picture the beautiful, colors of this New England town. It is written as the beginning of a series, and these stories definitely need to continue. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger in some respects. Now that I know all of these characters, I am anxious to read what happens next in their lives. (less)

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Sep 25, 2012 Karielle Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog

Leaves (Gold Family #1) by Michael Baron
Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Publisher: The Story Plant
Page Count: 366
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

The five Gold siblings' lives – their loves and losses and new beginnings – in their parents' wake come alive in Baron's newest novel. We unravel their deepest of fears and strongest of desires as we follow their daily proceedings leading up to the annual Halloween party the Golds have bee...more Leaves (Gold Family #1) by Michael Baron
Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Publisher: The Story Plant
Page Count: 366
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

The five Gold siblings' lives – their loves and losses and new beginnings – in their parents' wake come alive in Baron's newest novel. We unravel their deepest of fears and strongest of desires as we follow their daily proceedings leading up to the annual Halloween party the Golds have been known to throw in Oldham; the first one they've had to host since their parents have died.

Baron's style is lyrical, smooth, and casual. I don't think it's particularly beautiful or mesmerizing, but it's definitely not bad. I feel some of his dialogue is rather stilted, but eh... at least it makes sense. Same thing goes for the overall plot too: I like the idea of the trials and tribulations of the stressful party-planning sans mom and dad – especially the way it's so organized and straightforward – but in the end, it's nothing riveting.

Although Mama and Papa Gold may be gone, their presence remains powerful in the spirits and minds of each brother and sister. It was interesting to be able to shadow each individual sibling dealing with the same hell but different devils, but I found it a little dissatisfying that none of them were necessarily connected. Rather, there are just five separate story lines that only have supporting characters in common.

We've got Tyler who, as a character, I didn't care much for, but whose story I loved. It's the quintessential narrative of naïve lovers and first heartbreaks. He as a character was dislikable (i.e. short-tempered and curt), but I think that's mostly because he was so superficial. I felt this way about the others too; I wish Baron would have gone into more depth with all of them. Then there's Deborah, who's reasonable and realistic – the inspired and bequeathed chef of the family. Her story of new love and new hope is exciting and heart-melting; I loved it through and through. Corrina is another relatable character, the under-appreciated wife and stepmom with true-to-life frustrations. She's probably my favorite character; Baron does an excellent job at bringing her flaws, and her beauty, to life. Maria is a recent empty-nester who's got nothing but good in her heart. I liked her as a character, but couldn't find myself connecting with her as much because her appearance was, again, so superficial and short-lived. Last, there's Maxwell, the politician of the house, who's supposed to be portrayed as a strong leader of a character. I, however, couldn't find much to like about him, though I did find myself aching for him anyway. His personality is presented poorly (not that he's a bad person, but that there's not much said about him), but his situation is mournful, and it's one I wanted to reach out myself to help mend.

The most compelling aspect of Leaves is that we, as readers, do not know which story will end happily and which will end in tragedy. The best we can do is hold on, even when the ride gets bumpy, and hope to be able to find out. While I can't say Leaves was anything spectacular because it seemed just like a shallow collection of stories about each Gold sibling, it's a pretty easy read that flows well and is full of the sentiments in life that matter most: being resilient, finding and maintaining love, and always keeping hope.

Stephanie Loves: "[Tyler] lay back in bed, thinking, this isn't a convenient time for me to lose my mind."

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. (less)

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Feb 13, 2013 Monique rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-books, books-read-in-2013, fiction

Overall Recommendation:

I would not hesitate to recommend Leaves by Michael Baron. In fact, I think I would not have a problem with reading other books by him in the future. At the end of the book Baron mentioned writing follow-ups or sequels for Leaves, featuring some of the characters and what happens to them. I probably wouldn't read it because I felt that the story had a prefect ending, loose strings and all.

Final Grade: B-

Disclaimer: I reviewed a free copy of Leaves by Michael Baron in ex...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Mattie rated it 5 of 5 stars

"LEAVES" leaves you aching for the next installment of the Gold family. The family is as colorful as the leaves that fall every year in Oldham, Connecticut. The characters are believable and you feel as though you have truly met them. These characters could easily be a part of your life. The events that occur with the Gold's keeps you turning the pages. This is a book that I can honestly say is amazing. Descriptions are vivid and true to the minds eye. You can almost feel the leaves crunching un...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Michelle Devon rated it 3 of 5 stars

I hate when reviewers give spoilers, but I also hate it more when I read a book and then realize there's no ending. WARNING: This book doesn't end.

It is the build up of a story of a family, a family drama or saga, that follows several members of a larger family as they transition into their lives once the patriarch and matriarch of the family pass away. The story tries to have a slight supernatural bent to it, but it's not a big part or really all that important part of the story. We watch the f...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Teena in Toronto rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by this author that I've read and I really enjoyed it..

After their mother dies in the summer (their father died a couple years earlier), the Gold brothers and sisters decide to sell the inn in a small town their parents had started many years ago. A chain has bought it and will take over right after Halloween. It had been their parents' tradition to throw a Halloween party for the locals and this will be the last one.

We meet the Golds about a month before the party:

* Maria...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Jody rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

Summary
Oldham, Connecticut is your classic New England tourist town. When the leaves begin their autumn display of colour, the ‘leaf-peepers’ come out in full force. The Sugar Maple Inn is one of Oldham’s most popular tourist destinations, and their annual Halloween party is always the highlight of the season. But after the death of their parents, the Gold siblings have decided to sell the Inn and this year’s Halloween party will be their last. With frayed nerves and sibling squabbles straining...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Athena Nagel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Leaves was a comfortable story to read. Since I live in CT I was familiar with all the local small New England town references. That added a certain comfort with the story. Five siblings lose their parents and are faced with selling this small New England Inn which has long been a popular tourist destination. Characters are well thought out and relationships are very detailed. Each of the characters have very different personalities and very different issues to deal with. I have not read any oth...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Monica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

Originally posted on my blog...
http://asoutherngirlsbookshelf.blogsp...

I was really excited to read this book. After reading this I felt really connected to the Gold family. Their closeness and troubles can resonate with many of us. Although there is a large cast of characters in the book you never lose track or get confused by it at all. To me that's a sign of a great writer. Each and everyone has a story of their own. Their stories intertwine and flow so seamlessly. The way the author describe...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Paula Mitchell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: virtual-book-tour

This was a great story about a family moving on after the death of their parents and selling their inn. Hosting one last party before the inn is turned over. This book was deep in CT information and foliage. I really enjoyed reading this book and the characters were great. This author reminded me of authors like Sherryl Woods and Debbie Macomber with the story telling. I also enjoyed how the story didn’t end which allowed for more to be written about the Gold’s. Definitely a great book that ever...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Angieleigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, bc11-12, rtb

review to be posted at romancing-the-book.com shortly.

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Oct 29, 2012 Sandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nook, 2012

Nothing too exciting but I think this is the beginning of a nice series about a nice family.

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Feb 15, 2013 Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, kritter-reviewed-2012

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

A family of five children and an inn that has been left in their possession as they have both passed away. Each has played their own role, but with the inn going to corporate hands, they must each give up a piece of their childhood. Throughout the book there are references as to memories in the past - I loved how each memory was introduced and shared by each character.

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Jan 13, 2013 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

review to come

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May 20, 2013 Kathryn marked it as to-read

May 19, 2013 Adriana Rodrigues rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 11, 2013 Kris marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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About Michael Baron

Pseudonym for Michael A. Kahn

I grew up in the New York area and I’ve lived there my entire life. I worked in retail and taught high school English before I got my first book contract. I have gotten several additional book contracts since then, which is fortunate because I didn’t have the patience to work in retail and, while I quite enjoyed teaching, my approach was a bit too unconventional for mo...more Pseudonym for Michael A. Kahn

I grew up in the New York area and I’ve lived there my entire life. I worked in retail and taught high school English before I got my first book contract. I have gotten several additional book contracts since then, which is fortunate because I didn’t have the patience to work in retail and, while I quite enjoyed teaching, my approach was a bit too unconventional for most school systems. One school administrator told me that, “there are more important things than being a dynamic teacher.” Since I couldn’t name any of those things (at least in the context of school), I figured I didn’t have a long-term future in the profession. Hence, I became a writer, where I believe people appreciate a certain level of dynamism.

Though I started with nonfiction, I have always loved fiction and I have always wanted to write it. I’ve always had a particular affection for love stories. In fact, the very first book-length thing I ever wrote, when I was thirteen, was a love story. Mind you, it was the kind of love story that a thirteen-year-old boy would write, but it was a love story nonetheless. I have a deep passion for writing about relationships – family relationships, working relationships, friendships, and, of course, romantic relationships – and I can only truly explore this by writing fiction. These novels have given me a way to voice the millions of things running through my head.

My wife and kids are the center of my life. My wife is the inspiration for all of my love stories and my children enthrall me, challenge me, and keep me moving. One of the primary reasons I wrote my first novel, When You Went Away was that I wanted to write about being a father. Aside from my family, I have a few other burning passions. I’m a pop culture junkie with an especially strong interest in music, I love fine food (and any restaurant shaped like a hot dog), and I read far too many sports blogs for my own good.

You might have noticed that I haven't published a photo of myself. This isn't because I'm involved in the Witness Protection program or because I have an innate fear of cameras. It's because Michael Baron is a pseudonym. I'm writing these novels “undercover” because they're not entirely compatible with the nonfiction books I write and I didn't want to confuse readers. We're all different people sometimes, right? I just decided to give my alter ego another name.

My third novel, The Journey Home, has just come out. It’s a love story, too. Naturally.(less)

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