Blessing in Disguise

by Eileen Goudge

A story of family secrets revealed only at a terrible price is also the story of the transforming power of love. From the author of Garden of Lies and Such Devoted Sisters. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Womens Fiction

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

I began writing at the age of eight and wrote my way through the lean years before I found success as New York Times' bestselling author with my first novel GARDEN OF LIES. To date I have published 19 novels and a cookbook. Every life experience I've weathered has found its way into my novels in one form or another: bad exes, births, deaths, divorces, romances, and even true crime. My heroines are like me: tough cookies who don't crumble.

My latest novel, Book One of my Gold Creek series, ALL THEY NEED TO KNOW, is the story of a woman fleeing her abusive ex who finds refuge in a small California mountain town, where she's befriended by a group of women who call themselves The Tattooed Ladies and reinvents herself as a police sketch artist. Kyra "draws lines to stop crimes," as they say in the biz, never imagining she'll one day be forced to confront the biggest criminal of all: her ex.

I'm married to former entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon and the mother of two grown children. We live in Sacramento, California, where we remodeled a 1940's house for which I was the on-site project manager. Fortunately, multi-tasking is my superpower, so I was able to write a book and supervise a home remodel at the same time. The latter is sure to find its way into a future book. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see pics of my home remodel and other adventures.

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of Goudge books and have enjoyed them all. I really don't read books anymore about love, but this was more then that. It is about a senator, when died, his daughter writes a biography of his life and the sadness starts

[Amy Billman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the description looked interesting so I gave it a whirl. I’m still trying to figure out why I finished it beyond the fact that I try not to abandon books unfinished. This book wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read but it for sure isn’t up there on my list of the best books either. At the heart of the story is a senator who shoots and kills a black man in the 1960s and his daughter who witnessed it writing a book telling the story and revealing the truth around the shooting and why. The problem is there’s also all this back story with extra characters and it’s trying to be a romance book in the midst of it all. And I’m not sure there are truly any characters that are likeable. You generally want this in a romance. They’re all so dysfunctional that they ought to all just be single. It was a disappointing read that seemed to promise much in the description but couldn’t deliver it in the actual story.

[Janice Hurst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I expected so much more after reading the synopsis of this book. I expected more of a political fiction at the time of the civil rights movement of the 60's. Instead I had the big scandal figured out by chapter 6. The rest was about two dysfunctional families that have the same problems as any broken homes. I can't believe I read the whole thing. I did not like the authors style of writing. The chapters were too long and most irritating was the way one paragraph could have have two completely different conversations going on on different days. Had to do a lot of read overs to figure out who was talking to who and when. Also lots of careless misspelled small words. Overall, book could have easily been cut 100 pages and covered the same story. Way too many people to keep track off, as well.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of a southern matriarch and her two daughters living their lives after the death of their beloved father and husband and famous civil rights Senator. Their stories are intertwined with bickering, lack of communication, distrust, but also a sense of family and a desire to be loved and understood. At the heart of the novel is the accidental killing of a black man by the Senator that had been covered up and is now being brought to the public eye by one of the daughters who is a Pulitzer Prize writer. As you can imagine there is angst about what will people think as well as the very necessary need for the women to communicate and support each other now many years after the Senator's death. Oh and there is the illegitimate child of the Senator's from his black assistant. All the stuff for a true southern tale.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book on my shelf quite by accident. It had been there since 1994 buried in a stack purchased from a used book sale back then. I got up from my desk to stretch and glanced over and said to myself, “is that Eileen goudge?” I love this author as she is so good at making me feel emotion. This book takes your heart on quite a ride. Mother to daughter; sister to sister; woman to man; mom to children. When the book is over, there is a smile on your face and a wish to continue following these characters a little bit longer.

[Karen Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Dynamics

Families relationships can surprise, and the Truscott family delivers in this plot-driven, character-laden fictional story by Eileen Goudge. Blessing in Disguise is a study in how different perspectives can make a situation better or worse. The two lead characters, a mother and daughter are bound to each other even though they think they have nothing in common. As their lives unwind, and history unveils the truth of their family, each finds they are much alike and a path to discover who they really are.

[M. Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable novel

This novel revolving around a courageous man who changed history was engaging and well written. Not being a fan of romance, there was a bit more of that then I normally like, but I got through it . Excellent character development .

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected out of this book but I wasn't necessarily enthralled with it. It was interesting that all the characters could get over their fears of commitment to realize what they needed in their lives.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

easy quick read, very predictable plot

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Another hit by Eileen Goudge. I will read every book she writes because she never fails to make me think and feel.

[Sherrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tale of family squabbles and jealousies. I didn't much like it.it was full of drama and jealousies.

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully executed story & characters that kept me anxiously turning pages! Quite entertaining and intuitive throughout! Enjoyed this one immensely!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book.

[Debbie Stirling]

audiobook

[Erin Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much better than I thought it would be. Very predictable ending, but told very well. A book you read when you want to feel good about something.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging and compelling story!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far, I am disappointed. The setting is Washington, DC, and the author mentions a character's trips to the Maryland shore for lobster rolls. Unless my memory fails me, having been visiting the MD shore since I was a small child, and having been to NE and had their lobster rolls, this is a mistake. As far as I know, lobster rolls are New England's claim and not Maryland's. A crab cake would have been more appropriate. I hate it when an author gets a detail like that wrong. Of course, I could be wrong but...don't think so. So far, that has tainted my opinion of the book. I almost stopped reading it at that moment. But, I'll give it a chance...grudgingly.

I can't believe that I actually finished the book. The premise of the story was good and I found myself liking the characters. However, in addition to the lobster roll thing, there were details that were not consistent throughout the book that really bothered me. It could have been a lot better with such an interesting plot line, but it turned out to be only mildly entertaining.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goudge transcends her blockbuster bestsellers Garden of Lies and Such Devoted Sisters with a rich and moving tale of a family torn by conflict and bound by a love that is put to the ultimate test. Blessing in Disguise tells of a daughter and her father's shocking secret . . . and a mother who would risk anything to protect it.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre book and I don't know if that's because it's abridged. The outcome was predictable and unless they threw in babies and a lottery win couldn't have been more HEA. I don't think I've read this author before and think I'll just keep her to the cheap cassette audiobook category and not move beyond that unless another of her books changes my mind. Who knows!

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, fun read though some of it was reliving the 90s fashions and considering the mid-postmodern architecture of the era. Tapestry vests! Baggy pants, flannel shirts! Love might be messy, relationships take time, patience, and faith, with lots of forgiveness to go around. laughter also helps.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really held my curiosity, but at the same time I found it unbelievable. At some points the book was really drawn out and at others, characters would get over something in a paragraph all to end up with everything working out perfectly and a happily ever after for all... blah. I can't act like I hated it, but I also wouldn't recommend it, so I give it 3 stars.

[Mary Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

The accidental death by gunshot in the prologue is disguised as a suicide and seeds the actions of the leading characters in the rest. Very soap opera. I wonder if that was what the title refers to.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was different; more fiction than any particular genre, it seemed. I'd read another by her but I'm not rushing out to find one. Then again, I'm at a place where I want quick reads more than good fiction and that might change my opinion.

[Pr Latta]

Dated but I suppose one could now view it as historical fiction. Took place in my back yard (the DC parts) but I didn't actually get a sense of place. I'm not *not* recommending it, just saying other things cried out more to me so I never got beyond page 18.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eileen Goudge, PB-B @ 1995, 4/98. The daughter of a Southern U.S. Senator writes a biography of him after his death, and discovers a black half-sister, jeopardising her relationship with her Southern mother who has put her dead husband on a pedestal. Okay.

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blessing in Disguise by Eileen Goudge probes racism and relationships in 60's -90's U.S.A. The points of view of the three central women converge, leading the reader to a satisfying ending for all three.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Truscutt is a writer who reveals her father’s great secret and alienates her mother. Nola Emory is guarding her own secret

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book. I would recommend it.

[Tom Hooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of family secrets revealed only at a terrible price is also the story of the transforming power of love.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a woman writing her father's biography and finds that she doesn't know everything about her dad.