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The God of Sno Cone Blue
*An award-winning, inspirational novel honored with a 5-star review and B.R.A.G. Medallion.
Story summary: Something is odd about Grace. She has mismatched eyes, one dark and one light. She thinks she's seen God. When her mother dies, she begins to get letters from her, as if from the grave. The letters tell of her mother's life before she married Grace's father, in time, confessing fiercely guarded family secrets. "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way."
Looking back, as a middle-aged woman, Grace relives those transformative years, coming of age in the 1960s as the daughter of The Reverend Thad Carsten and his much-younger wife, Sharon. When they move to a new neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, Sharon is healthy and Grace takes turmoil in stride: a new school, her backward neighbors, the simmering Vietnam War and political unrest. On the whole, life is sublime-until Sharon gets sick and dies. Then Grace's world turns upside down.
Days after Sharon is gone, the letters to her daughter start coming, delivered mysteriously in the dark of night. Grace finds them-addressed to her-and devours every word, desperate to figure out who's delivering them. As she struggles with questions of loss and faith, she begins to butt heads with the preacher, increasingly focused on the mysterious messenger and her mother's letters. The handwritten pages arrive periodically as Grace matures, fostering a strange mother daughter relationship.
Early on, the letters offer motherly advice, but increasingly they shift their focus to Sharon's early teens, eventually confessing a forbidden young adult romance. By then, Grace is desperate for the rest of the story, searching everywhere for her mother's writings, until finally there's a breakthrough. When she reads the last of the letters-and an astonishing truth-she embarks on a journey that changes her life and perspective forever.
What did Sharon confess in the last letter to her daughter? How does it affect their unusual mother daughter relationship? As Grace runs away to trace her mother's past and teenage romance, what will she find?
With its elements of romance and mystery, The God of Sno Cone Blue, sometimes searched as "Snow" Cone Blue is best described as contemporary women's fiction, though its strong central male character also appeals to men. The novel's storyline and mother daughter relationship are fitting Inspirational Fiction, and its passion and coming of age tale are appropriate for teenagers and young adults.
* USA Today Bestselling Author Linda Needham on this inspirational fiction story: "The God of Sno Cone Blue is a joyous celebration of a young girl's journey to womanhood. Grace is a modern match for Tom Sawyer, with a grand spirit and enough spunk to weather the heartache of losing her mother at a tender age. Along the way, she gains the wisdom to recognize the breadth of her mother's love through a series of posthumous, sometimes shocking letters delivered in the years that follow. With a driving style and a colorful cast of eccentric characters, author Marcia Coffey Turnquist fiercely delivers equal parts laughter, sorrow and the kind of joy that will stay with you long after you've finished the book."
*Author Rod Gramer on this novel fraught with family secrets: "Marcia has created a compelling character in Grace, one whose great personal loss is redeemed by a great personal discovery."
*Portland Society Page editor Elisa Klein on the story's mystery and romance: "Surprises abound and the twists and turns kept me flipping pages late into the night as I curled up in my favorite chair to drink it all in."
*Award-winning artist D.K. Lubarsky on this coming of age novel: "A masterful storyteller, Turnquist takes you on a magical journey of discovery in this poignant tale of innocence and growing up. The God of Sno Cone Blue is a delightful read."
Story summary: Something is odd about Grace. She has mismatched eyes, one dark and one light. She thinks she's seen God. When her mother dies, she begins to get letters from her, as if from the grave. The letters tell of her mother's life before she married Grace's father, in time, confessing fiercely guarded family secrets. "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way."
Looking back, as a middle-aged woman, Grace relives those transformative years, coming of age in the 1960s as the daughter of The Reverend Thad Carsten and his much-younger wife, Sharon. When they move to a new neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, Sharon is healthy and Grace takes turmoil in stride: a new school, her backward neighbors, the simmering Vietnam War and political unrest. On the whole, life is sublime-until Sharon gets sick and dies. Then Grace's world turns upside down.
Days after Sharon is gone, the letters to her daughter start coming, delivered mysteriously in the dark of night. Grace finds them-addressed to her-and devours every word, desperate to figure out who's delivering them. As she struggles with questions of loss and faith, she begins to butt heads with the preacher, increasingly focused on the mysterious messenger and her mother's letters. The handwritten pages arrive periodically as Grace matures, fostering a strange mother daughter relationship.
Early on, the letters offer motherly advice, but increasingly they shift their focus to Sharon's early teens, eventually confessing a forbidden young adult romance. By then, Grace is desperate for the rest of the story, searching everywhere for her mother's writings, until finally there's a breakthrough. When she reads the last of the letters-and an astonishing truth-she embarks on a journey that changes her life and perspective forever.
What did Sharon confess in the last letter to her daughter? How does it affect their unusual mother daughter relationship? As Grace runs away to trace her mother's past and teenage romance, what will she find?
With its elements of romance and mystery, The God of Sno Cone Blue, sometimes searched as "Snow" Cone Blue is best described as contemporary women's fiction, though its strong central male character also appeals to men. The novel's storyline and mother daughter relationship are fitting Inspirational Fiction, and its passion and coming of age tale are appropriate for teenagers and young adults.
* USA Today Bestselling Author Linda Needham on this inspirational fiction story: "The God of Sno Cone Blue is a joyous celebration of a young girl's journey to womanhood. Grace is a modern match for Tom Sawyer, with a grand spirit and enough spunk to weather the heartache of losing her mother at a tender age. Along the way, she gains the wisdom to recognize the breadth of her mother's love through a series of posthumous, sometimes shocking letters delivered in the years that follow. With a driving style and a colorful cast of eccentric characters, author Marcia Coffey Turnquist fiercely delivers equal parts laughter, sorrow and the kind of joy that will stay with you long after you've finished the book."
*Author Rod Gramer on this novel fraught with family secrets: "Marcia has created a compelling character in Grace, one whose great personal loss is redeemed by a great personal discovery."
*Portland Society Page editor Elisa Klein on the story's mystery and romance: "Surprises abound and the twists and turns kept me flipping pages late into the night as I curled up in my favorite chair to drink it all in."
*Award-winning artist D.K. Lubarsky on this coming of age novel: "A masterful storyteller, Turnquist takes you on a magical journey of discovery in this poignant tale of innocence and growing up. The God of Sno Cone Blue is a delightful read."
314 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 1, 2014
We are proud to announce that THE GOD OF SNO CONE BLUE by Marcia Coffey Turnquist is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
October 28, 2014
I have a new book to add to the books that I treasure. In all the hundreds, maybe even close to thousands, of books I have read in my 51 years of life there are only two books that have become my all time favorites and that I highly treasure. This book fits that bill. There are others that I have given a five star rating because they are that good, but this book stands even above that. It is a must read for everyone, even youngsters will take something important away from this book. And for those that like a little mystery to their books, this has some twists and turns that even I did not expect. There are few the books that have touched me as this book has. Don't think this is a religious book or I know that many will shy away from reading it; for even those who are not to keen on religion can find something very compelling about this book. The last few chapters will knock you for a loop, but don't be tempted to cheat and read the back chapters or even the synopsis on this book. Trust me, read this book without knowing what it is about and don't give up on it if its not quite your style. This is a rare book that will touch even the iciest soul! I would rate this one of the top hundred books that everyone should read in their lifetime! It is a true winner and even though it is a work of fiction it could have really happened during the time period it is in. This book is more geared to a younger crowd than me at age 51, so I ask those who feel this book is not sophisticated enough for their palette to give it a break and read it as you would have when you were a teenager. I can not praise this author enough. This book truly touched me in a way that only a very special book can. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone I know just as I have the other two books that I treasure and even though I hate to part with my copy I will pass this book to my friends and family and maybe some day it will find it's way home; or maybe it will never stop being passed to others because it is such a special book, then I will just have to purchase another copy because I can not see my library as being complete without this book next to my other all time favorites! I will definitely have to read more of Marcia Coffey Turnquist's books; but she has written a winner in The God of Sno Cone Blue. I can only, humbly, say thank you for writing this book! You have touched my heart and left an imprint there that will never go away!
January 1, 2015
Sentimental, very sentimental, but powerfully written and super engaging. Nearly all of the novel's characters are sympathetic and seem fully human. The story is a bit far-fetched in a way, but never seems wholly impossible. The story line isn't an entirely new one, but Turnquist does it in an interesting way. I don't always make it through review books easily, but the story in The God of Sno Cone Blue encouraged my continued reading. Rounding up to 4 starts because it was enjoyable and well-written.
August 19, 2014
I am dying to have it :'(((
based on their reviews it's really nice :D
based on their reviews it's really nice :D
November 6, 2014
Sno Cone Blue-- a delicious read! So well-written: Each chapter holds a nugget of good reading and ends with an enticement to keep going. It is a mystery story as good as any "who done it."
The main character is Grace, a ten-year old girl when her mother dies. A week later, Grace begins receiving letters written by her mom, Sharon, during the last days of her illness. These letters appear in the mailbox randomly throughout five years following the mother's death. Grace longs to find out who is delivering these letters at seemingly unpredictable patterns, often months apart. Who is guarding and parceling out these letters? Grace seeks clues and engages her best friend Sandy in the effort. And what is the reason her mother wrote these letters that reveal secrets of her life before she married Grace's dad, a minister of a small Methodist parish in southeast Portland? There are clues in the letters that Sharon is trying to prepare or warn her daughter of something she will have to face in her future life.
As the mystery unfolds, chapter by chapter, there are other events taking place in the lives of Grace, her dad "Preacher Man," her brother and many loveable (and not so loveable) characters in the neighborhood. National events, such as the Viet Nam war, as well as Portland events ground the story and situate the community of characters in real time-- the 1960's and 70's. All of the main characters are drawn with unique personalities and quirks. There are very kind women who befriend Grace and her mom; there is also the local bully, a girl Grace's age, who lives with her grim family in a rundown house behind the parish. Sharon's letters to her daughter introduce another cast of characters from her past-- her vivid and disturbing parents, Astrid and Pops, and the boyfriend of her teen years and his wealthy parents.
A conflict brews between Grace and her dad during the stressful years following Sharon's death, a situation that blows up during Grace's teen years involving the arrival of the mysterious letters and Grace's reluctance to attend church. The resolution of this conflict was another strand in the evolving plot.
As a good novel often does, the story builds its own layers, possibly beyond what the author had in mind. For instance, there must be a back story to Preacher Man, Grace's dad, but we don't learn much about him. And how did the romance and marriage between him and Grace's mom happen so quickly? What were the contents of Sharon's posthumous letter to her husband? This letter was a surprise, included in the last letter Grace received. And were the mother's actions during the last years of her life fully explained, her blue hours every morning? And what happened to uncle Doug?
Had I been an editor of this novel, I would have only changed one thing, perhaps: Terrible Astrid would have been more believable as a stepmother. Birth mothers are usually not this cruel and unfeeling toward their children, but of course, it's possible in fact or fiction.
The main character is Grace, a ten-year old girl when her mother dies. A week later, Grace begins receiving letters written by her mom, Sharon, during the last days of her illness. These letters appear in the mailbox randomly throughout five years following the mother's death. Grace longs to find out who is delivering these letters at seemingly unpredictable patterns, often months apart. Who is guarding and parceling out these letters? Grace seeks clues and engages her best friend Sandy in the effort. And what is the reason her mother wrote these letters that reveal secrets of her life before she married Grace's dad, a minister of a small Methodist parish in southeast Portland? There are clues in the letters that Sharon is trying to prepare or warn her daughter of something she will have to face in her future life.
As the mystery unfolds, chapter by chapter, there are other events taking place in the lives of Grace, her dad "Preacher Man," her brother and many loveable (and not so loveable) characters in the neighborhood. National events, such as the Viet Nam war, as well as Portland events ground the story and situate the community of characters in real time-- the 1960's and 70's. All of the main characters are drawn with unique personalities and quirks. There are very kind women who befriend Grace and her mom; there is also the local bully, a girl Grace's age, who lives with her grim family in a rundown house behind the parish. Sharon's letters to her daughter introduce another cast of characters from her past-- her vivid and disturbing parents, Astrid and Pops, and the boyfriend of her teen years and his wealthy parents.
A conflict brews between Grace and her dad during the stressful years following Sharon's death, a situation that blows up during Grace's teen years involving the arrival of the mysterious letters and Grace's reluctance to attend church. The resolution of this conflict was another strand in the evolving plot.
As a good novel often does, the story builds its own layers, possibly beyond what the author had in mind. For instance, there must be a back story to Preacher Man, Grace's dad, but we don't learn much about him. And how did the romance and marriage between him and Grace's mom happen so quickly? What were the contents of Sharon's posthumous letter to her husband? This letter was a surprise, included in the last letter Grace received. And were the mother's actions during the last years of her life fully explained, her blue hours every morning? And what happened to uncle Doug?
Had I been an editor of this novel, I would have only changed one thing, perhaps: Terrible Astrid would have been more believable as a stepmother. Birth mothers are usually not this cruel and unfeeling toward their children, but of course, it's possible in fact or fiction.
October 8, 2014
It’s tough enough being the preacher’s kid, without having to cope with your mother’s death as well. But Grace starts receiving strange letters from the grave, her mother guiding her into adulthood, and simultaneously telling the tale of her own childhood.
“I wasn’t always a Preacher’s Wife... I made mistakes...” says Grace’s mom in an early letter. Thus the reader is smoothly invited to follow Grace’s search for her mother’s past, and for the holder of these secretly delivered missives. Is it her father? Her mother’s best friend? Someone who works at the church?
Twin mysteries and a great narrator empower this tale of natural rebellion, coming of age, loneliness, anger and hope. There are surprises in store, for Grace and for the reader. And God proves both less and more than a wondrous face in the pale blue clouds of childhood.
Storms of family secrets, terrors of disaster, trials of rebellion and more... This novel soon morphs into an unputdownable read as Grace seeks answers to her final questions, and finds out so much more. I love the characters, I love the smoothly convincing voice of the writing, and I really enjoyed the story. Highly recommended.
Disclosure: I met the author at a Farmers’ Market!
“I wasn’t always a Preacher’s Wife... I made mistakes...” says Grace’s mom in an early letter. Thus the reader is smoothly invited to follow Grace’s search for her mother’s past, and for the holder of these secretly delivered missives. Is it her father? Her mother’s best friend? Someone who works at the church?
Twin mysteries and a great narrator empower this tale of natural rebellion, coming of age, loneliness, anger and hope. There are surprises in store, for Grace and for the reader. And God proves both less and more than a wondrous face in the pale blue clouds of childhood.
Storms of family secrets, terrors of disaster, trials of rebellion and more... This novel soon morphs into an unputdownable read as Grace seeks answers to her final questions, and finds out so much more. I love the characters, I love the smoothly convincing voice of the writing, and I really enjoyed the story. Highly recommended.
Disclosure: I met the author at a Farmers’ Market!
April 9, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book and often found myself thinking about something from the book. I attribute this to the great storytelling, character development and twists and turns that The God of Sno Cone Blue takes you through. I was always rooting for Grace and hope she got what was she wanted from reading her mom's letters from the grave. I think maybe she did. I would highly recommend this book and already have to family and friends.
January 25, 2015
What an amazing story! I love it when an author can write plot twists and turns that I never predicted. I'm also excited that the author will be at our February book club. It will be a great discussion! This was Lela's book club choice for February 2015.
May 31, 2019
This book started slowly but got more interesting as it went along. The letters are a way of having a two main characters, two time period narrative which sometimes made the main timeline seem like filler. The last part forced you to really suspend your disbelief but was satisfying.
I liked the writing style and 70's background quite a bit.
I liked the writing style and 70's background quite a bit.
November 17, 2015
*An award-winning, inspirational novel honored with a 5-star review and B.R.A.G. Medallion.
Story summary: Something is odd about Grace. She has mismatched eyes, one dark and one light. She thinks she's seen God. When her mother dies, she begins to get letters from her, as if from the grave. The letters tell of her mother's life before she married Grace's father, in time, confessing fiercely guarded family secrets. "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way."
Looking back, as a middle-aged woman, Grace relives those transformative years, coming of age in the 1960s as the daughter of The Reverend Thad Carsten and his much-younger wife, Sharon. When they move to a new neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, Sharon is healthy and Grace takes turmoil in stride: a new school, her backward neighbors, the simmering Vietnam War and political unrest. On the whole, life is sublime-until Sharon gets sick and dies. Then Grace's world turns upside down.
Days after Sharon is gone, the letters to her daughter start coming, delivered mysteriously in the dark of night. Grace finds them-addressed to her-and devours every word, desperate to figure out who's delivering them. As she struggles with questions of loss and faith, she begins to butt heads with the preacher, increasingly focused on the mysterious messenger and her mother's letters. The handwritten pages arrive periodically as Grace matures, fostering a strange mother daughter relationship.
Early on, the letters offer motherly advice, but increasingly they shift their focus to Sharon's early teens, eventually confessing a forbidden young adult romance. By then, Grace is desperate for the rest of the story, searching everywhere for her mother's writings, until finally there's a breakthrough. When she reads the last of the letters-and an astonishing truth-she embarks on a journey that changes her life and perspective forever.
What did Sharon confess in the last letter to her daughter? How does it affect their unusual mother daughter relationship? As Grace runs away to trace her mother's past and teenage romance, what will she find?
With its elements of romance and mystery, The God of Sno Cone Blue, sometimes searched as "Snow" Cone Blue is best described as contemporary women's fiction, though its strong central male character also appeals to men. The novel's storyline and mother daughter relationship are fitting Inspirational Fiction, and its passion and coming of age tale are appropriate for teenagers and young adults.GR description
This was a book club choice for a NW author. It did not disappoint. Her descriptive writing and depth to the characters is enjoyable. I like books that hook you in right away and take a believable twist. I anxiously waited for the minute I could pick it up to read. I look forward to her second book.
Story summary: Something is odd about Grace. She has mismatched eyes, one dark and one light. She thinks she's seen God. When her mother dies, she begins to get letters from her, as if from the grave. The letters tell of her mother's life before she married Grace's father, in time, confessing fiercely guarded family secrets. "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way."
Looking back, as a middle-aged woman, Grace relives those transformative years, coming of age in the 1960s as the daughter of The Reverend Thad Carsten and his much-younger wife, Sharon. When they move to a new neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, Sharon is healthy and Grace takes turmoil in stride: a new school, her backward neighbors, the simmering Vietnam War and political unrest. On the whole, life is sublime-until Sharon gets sick and dies. Then Grace's world turns upside down.
Days after Sharon is gone, the letters to her daughter start coming, delivered mysteriously in the dark of night. Grace finds them-addressed to her-and devours every word, desperate to figure out who's delivering them. As she struggles with questions of loss and faith, she begins to butt heads with the preacher, increasingly focused on the mysterious messenger and her mother's letters. The handwritten pages arrive periodically as Grace matures, fostering a strange mother daughter relationship.
Early on, the letters offer motherly advice, but increasingly they shift their focus to Sharon's early teens, eventually confessing a forbidden young adult romance. By then, Grace is desperate for the rest of the story, searching everywhere for her mother's writings, until finally there's a breakthrough. When she reads the last of the letters-and an astonishing truth-she embarks on a journey that changes her life and perspective forever.
What did Sharon confess in the last letter to her daughter? How does it affect their unusual mother daughter relationship? As Grace runs away to trace her mother's past and teenage romance, what will she find?
With its elements of romance and mystery, The God of Sno Cone Blue, sometimes searched as "Snow" Cone Blue is best described as contemporary women's fiction, though its strong central male character also appeals to men. The novel's storyline and mother daughter relationship are fitting Inspirational Fiction, and its passion and coming of age tale are appropriate for teenagers and young adults.GR description
This was a book club choice for a NW author. It did not disappoint. Her descriptive writing and depth to the characters is enjoyable. I like books that hook you in right away and take a believable twist. I anxiously waited for the minute I could pick it up to read. I look forward to her second book.
November 11, 2014
When Grace thinks back on her childhood, she sees it split into two: the time before her mother got sick and died, and the time after, when the letters her mother wrote to her started to arrive. Before, even though she was the child of a preacher and felt the pressure of being considered a “goody two shoes,” Grace felt like she knew what to expect of the world. After, her mother’s letters reveal stories from her own teen years and the events that set her on a path to become a preacher’s wife. The letters reveal things Grace never expected to know about her mother, information that sends her on a journey of discovery that will change the rest of her life.
The God of Sno Cone Blue by Marcia Coffey Turnquist is a story of mothers and daughters and the profound impact they can have—both good and bad—on each other’s lives. Grace’s mother, Sharon, tells stories of her own mother, a woman with no tenderness to show her children. Astrid is a mother to be feared rather than loved, and Sharon vows to be different. Dying young, she wants her daughter to truly know her, so she writes the letters and directs that they be delivered over time, as Grace turns from a pre-teen to a teen.
The God of Sno Cone Blue brings up many issues to discuss in book clubs with teens aged older than 15 or those with adults only. Why does grief often make people question their religious faith? How does knowing someone with physical or mental challenges change peoples’ perspective of others who are challenged? How important is the image we create of ourselves and the person we believe ourselves to be? What defines a family?
I purchased my copy of this book from the author.
The God of Sno Cone Blue by Marcia Coffey Turnquist is a story of mothers and daughters and the profound impact they can have—both good and bad—on each other’s lives. Grace’s mother, Sharon, tells stories of her own mother, a woman with no tenderness to show her children. Astrid is a mother to be feared rather than loved, and Sharon vows to be different. Dying young, she wants her daughter to truly know her, so she writes the letters and directs that they be delivered over time, as Grace turns from a pre-teen to a teen.
The God of Sno Cone Blue brings up many issues to discuss in book clubs with teens aged older than 15 or those with adults only. Why does grief often make people question their religious faith? How does knowing someone with physical or mental challenges change peoples’ perspective of others who are challenged? How important is the image we create of ourselves and the person we believe ourselves to be? What defines a family?
I purchased my copy of this book from the author.
October 15, 2014
This book has quickly become a favorite of mine. I put it down many times just to make the story last, a sign of a good book in my opinion.
The characters are so believable that they could be somebody you know. The story caught me right from the start and it carries on right to the very end.
This is the story of a girl who loses her mother to cancer when she is only ten. She never thought that she would get to know her mother any better than the memories that she had. Her mother takes care of that by writing her a series of letters to not only get her through growing into a woman but to also tell the incredible, beautiful and often times sad tale of her own girlhood and her daughters birth.
A great coming of age read with a varied cast of characters. My advice is read it because you won't want to put it down.
You can check out the author, Marcia Coffey Turnquist on Goodreads and her website Marciacoffeyturnquist.com for updates on her writing.
The characters are so believable that they could be somebody you know. The story caught me right from the start and it carries on right to the very end.
This is the story of a girl who loses her mother to cancer when she is only ten. She never thought that she would get to know her mother any better than the memories that she had. Her mother takes care of that by writing her a series of letters to not only get her through growing into a woman but to also tell the incredible, beautiful and often times sad tale of her own girlhood and her daughters birth.
A great coming of age read with a varied cast of characters. My advice is read it because you won't want to put it down.
You can check out the author, Marcia Coffey Turnquist on Goodreads and her website Marciacoffeyturnquist.com for updates on her writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2015
The author self-published this book based in her hometown and neighborhood of Portland. After retiring from KOIN-TV as a news anchor to be a stay-at-home mom, her interest in writing grew and this book is the result of a ten-year project.
After Grace's mother dies in the 60's when she was 10 years old, she begins receiving mysterious letters from her mom. There were 22 letters where her mom, Sharon shared her childhood in California and a closely guarded family secret -- "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way." The story includes mystery, romance and takes place in a SE Portland neighborhood where her father is the pastor of Good Shepherd Methodist Church.
I enjoyed reading this Book Club pick from the town/time period of my childhood.The only thing that made the book hard to read was the font and size of her mom's letters to Grace. I would definitely read her second book when it's released.
After Grace's mother dies in the 60's when she was 10 years old, she begins receiving mysterious letters from her mom. There were 22 letters where her mom, Sharon shared her childhood in California and a closely guarded family secret -- "I wasn't always a Preacher's Wife... I made mistakes along the way." The story includes mystery, romance and takes place in a SE Portland neighborhood where her father is the pastor of Good Shepherd Methodist Church.
I enjoyed reading this Book Club pick from the town/time period of my childhood.The only thing that made the book hard to read was the font and size of her mom's letters to Grace. I would definitely read her second book when it's released.
August 22, 2014
I have not been this impressed with a first novel since Michael Chabon's Mysteries of Pittsburgh. The characters, the plot, the pacing...all spectacularly well done. The writing is mature, confident, lyrical...it reminds me of Mark Helprin, an author whom I think writes like an angel. But the thing that impresses me most is how the narrator, who is only a child for most of the book, comes across as a child in her understanding of the adults around her and in her friends, while also conveying the angst of her mother, who is dying and writing of her own life to serve as guidance to her daughter. Marcia Coffey Turnquist juggles these counterpoints so successfully she makes it look easy, and natural, which lets the universal themes of family, life and death, friendship, and growing up shine through. This is an astonishing, beautiful book. Everyone should read it.
June 16, 2014
The God of Sno Cone Blue is a most compelling read. For a person who has not read a fiction novel for many years, this was a book I could not put down until I absorbed every page. Marcia Coffey Turnquist is a phenomenal writer and storyteller. The main character, Grace, drew me in from the very beginning, and mirrored many of our own personal life journeys – one of struggle, imperfections, and unexpected and unanticipated unfoldings. As a native of Portland, Oregon, the Beverly Cleary-esque references to SE Portland provided yet another strong multi-strand cord that intertwined me into the fabric of the story, and left me literarily footsore from walking the rock-laden road with Grace. Congratulations, Ms Turnquist, on a wonderful first novel, and I look forward to future offerings.
June 8, 2014
I was not able to guess the ending of the book and that always makes me happy! This book makes you think about your childhood and your children. It keeps you interested and the letters keep you from putting the book down because you just need to know more! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and wanted it to keep going!
Marcia came to our book club last night and answered every question we had. She is so real and personable! If you have a book club I highly suggest you use this book because it provides a great discussion and if you are lucky you too can have Marcia visit your book club. Check out her website: marciacoffeyturnquist.com
Marcia came to our book club last night and answered every question we had. She is so real and personable! If you have a book club I highly suggest you use this book because it provides a great discussion and if you are lucky you too can have Marcia visit your book club. Check out her website: marciacoffeyturnquist.com
February 14, 2015
I could not put this book down. It was engaging, energetic, and beautiful to read. The three speakers, Older Grace, Younger Grace, and Grace's mother are utterly charismatic. I only wished I got to hear more of the Preacher's and Grace's mother's stories, and found myself wishing the epistolary montages continued throughout. When I was back in Portland recently (where the book is set), I had a chance to talk to Marcia Turnquist, and told her how inspiring I found her and her book. She told me I was one of her youngest readers (at 24) to enjoy her novel so thoroughly, which very much surprised me. This is a book for all ages, about family and the ties that bind, by deed more than by blood.
September 28, 2014
The God of Sno Cone Blue! So many fun and interesting characters in this book.
Marcia Coffey Turnquist does such a flawless job of transitioning all the characters of present and past, that there is excitement and an anticipation of 'what's going to happen next?' with the turn of every page!
Grace is a young character growing up in Portland, OR, and as the reader, you quickly get swept up into the life of Grace and the many twists and turns she experiences along the way with her family, friends and neighbors and how these relationships are all intertwined by the hard decisions made by so many!
Highly, highly recommend!
Marcia Coffey Turnquist does such a flawless job of transitioning all the characters of present and past, that there is excitement and an anticipation of 'what's going to happen next?' with the turn of every page!
Grace is a young character growing up in Portland, OR, and as the reader, you quickly get swept up into the life of Grace and the many twists and turns she experiences along the way with her family, friends and neighbors and how these relationships are all intertwined by the hard decisions made by so many!
Highly, highly recommend!
June 16, 2016
3.5 stars. During the first half of the book I was sure it wasn't going to pick up, but it did! About half-way through, it became a page turner. And it ended heart-warming, probably a little too perfectly, but I like happy endings. A good clean story, but too light to be life-changing. Perfect for light happy entertainment.
It could have used more rigorous editing to spot repetitive descriptors and phrasing (eg "clothespins on my throat"), and the over-explaining in the first half.
Even though the protagonist is a teenage girl, I sympathized most with the parents and adult mentors of the book. I wondered how would I behave as her mom. Or what should the dad have said there.
It could have used more rigorous editing to spot repetitive descriptors and phrasing (eg "clothespins on my throat"), and the over-explaining in the first half.
Even though the protagonist is a teenage girl, I sympathized most with the parents and adult mentors of the book. I wondered how would I behave as her mom. Or what should the dad have said there.
May 6, 2014
If you're looking for a good novel then you need not look further than The God of Sno Cone Blue. This book has all the elements of a classic story: intrigue, suspense, humor, and mystery. The God of Sno Cone Blue holds your attention from beginning to end. The cast of characters are well developed and fascinating. The God of Sno Cone Blue is a well organized book with small chapters. It's a very easy book to pick up and put down. The God of Sno Cone Blue is without a doubt one of the best new novels to come along in a long time.
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December 12, 2015A touching story about loss and coming of age. After Grace's mother dies, she continues to connect to Grace through letters she has written while her health declined. Each letter reveals more to Grace about her mother and a life she knew nothing about. The story keeps you guessing about who is delivering the letters and what new information Grace will receive from them.
As this spans over years, the reader grows up with Grace, and her experiences with other characters in the story.
A good read. Marcia does a good job of creating characters.
As this spans over years, the reader grows up with Grace, and her experiences with other characters in the story.
A good read. Marcia does a good job of creating characters.
April 5, 2014
A wonderfully written first novel. Mercy Grace is a captivating character, both emotional and temperamental, who will make you laugh as much as cry. A thoughtful and fascinating look at how a mother chooses to reveal her surprising past - and pass on lessons learned - to her daughter through a series of posthumous letters. The journey is emotional, but joyful, and engages the reader right up to the end. A lovely read!
January 4, 2015
Loved this book. Really loved it. Marcia is an incredible story teller with a gift for descriptive writing and fantastic character development. I could hardly put the book down until I finished it. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read with a creative back and forth of present vs past. I wanted to jump ahead and read all the letters just like Grace! Really well-written.
July 17, 2014
This book realy touched me. It is beautifully written. And it is also a very clever story. It is a book you will not want to put down. There's a mystery here that compells you to read on. It will also surprise you. If you are a mother of a daughter like I am, you will find yourself thinking a lot about your relationship with your own daughter and your mother too. To me that was the most valuable part of the book and that value has staying power!
March 10, 2015
Just read this one for book club. Local Portland author. Set mostly in Portland during the 1960's with lots of reminiscences, nostalgia and local references. A compelling tale with some intrigue and startling revelations as well. Prose that flows smoothly and sucks you into the story. A surprisingly good read for a first time author. I'm looking forward to her second book, which is supposed to be set in the Oregon high desert.
April 7, 2015
For some reason, I resisted reading this book initially. Maybe because I thought it looked like a Young Readers Choice and my children are grown, so I rarely read those books anymore. I was wrong. After a friend of mine read it and recommended it, I have to say, it was a wonderful surprise! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters, the settings, Marcia's storytelling ability; all make for a book I didn't want to stop reading. Well done. I look forward to Marcia's next book.
April 21, 2015
I loved this book, the writing was very well done and the characters well developed. I could identify with the main character, a girl growing up in the sixties and seventies in the Pacific Northwest. The end of the book just slammed me!! That is all I will say, no spoilers here. It is so worth reading and I have recommended it to two book groups in our local area. A wonderful, well written story!
May 17, 2014
It was a great read. I was so excited to see the story unfold I wanted to jump ahead but I didn't!
I love how most books have two or three different storylines that intertwine, but in this book there was really just one story line, told from different points in time, and the book put them together. Loved it.
I love how most books have two or three different storylines that intertwine, but in this book there was really just one story line, told from different points in time, and the book put them together. Loved it.
August 27, 2014
What an amazing book! The plot goes back and forth in time between a mother's youth, and her daughter's, and there are numerous characters in both time frames, yet I never got confused.
I loved the characters I was supposed to love, and hated those who deserved it. And the plot rounds out nicely in the end, in spite of a few shocking twists and turns.
All in all, a very satisfying read.
I loved the characters I was supposed to love, and hated those who deserved it. And the plot rounds out nicely in the end, in spite of a few shocking twists and turns.
All in all, a very satisfying read.
October 15, 2014
I've got this book as a goodreads giveaway. Many thanks. This book touched me in a special way. Great story, perfectly build characters, A journey I enjoyed from the beginning to the very end. And imagine, it is not a book of some series. It is a perfectly build fiction. Thnaks again to the Goodreads and to author for gaving me the chance to have this book.
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