String of Pearls

The Mulligan Sisters #3

by Melody Carlson

By 1943 the world is in the thick of war and the home-front continues to play a vital role. The Mulligans of San Francisco do their part in the war effort, but hardships and deprivations are taking a toll and each the four Mulligan sisters are tested in their own way. The war years urge young Molly to grow up quickly. Besides playing family 'war correspondent,' Molly manages the victory garden, finishes high school, and takes an internship at the newspaper. Meanwhile Bridget, an Army nurse in a dangerous region of the South Pacific, is attracted to a young doctor but so are all the other nurses. Margaret runs the family store, but suffers the loneliness of a single parent as she cares for her young son and frets for the welfare of her husband Brian as he serves on the European front. As an up-and-coming movie star, Colleen's life might appear glamorous, but film making comes with its challenges she tries to conceal her grief over her lost flyer as she helps out in the famous Hollywood Canteen. Each of the Mulligan sisters grow stronger more capable as the war wages on working and hoping and praying for victory.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, World War II

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2017

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, and am thrilled that there will be one more book after this one.

Molly has always been my favorite, but I really love Colleen now, too. Margaret is still annoying, and Bridget is a total mystery. Will we ever have a chapter from her, or even see brief glimpses of her life?

I did think certain (very important) scenes were basically fast forwarded through in this book, however. There was one particular scene that I really wanted to see through Colleen's eyes, and I felt a bit let-down that it happened completely off-screen. (I'm keeping it vague as to avoid spoilers.) It didn't stop me from loving this book, though.

I can't wait for the next and final book to see how all the sister's lives end up!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The war continues: Colleen's career takes off more, Margaret continues to struggle, Molly holds everything together. The pacing on this was odd--big events took place entirely off page, and bland minutia was detailed. I have so much empathy for Margaret, who really seems to struggle with anxiety and depression and has no one to turn to, she's so afraid of causing added stress to anyone so she holds more in than she ought. And now things are sure to get even harder. Molly remains pretty perfect and Colleen has become bland. I'm so disappointed in where the book left her. There really wasn't much conflict here, just a lot of people interfering in each other's lives. I'm glad Molly called Patrick out on some of his crap at the end, which gives me hope for her, at least. And what was up with the 2 pages of Bridget POV? So weird.

[GABRIEL LOMBARDO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love following the Milligan sisters.

It is 1943 and the sisters lives are getting more comp!icated. Molly the youngest graduates early and gets involved with an internship. Colleen is an actress who not only gets into a few movies but also married. Life is getting exciting for all 4 sisters. I can't wait to read book 4.

[Khanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I like the book, and although I could do without the many references to religion, they were not so overpowering that they took away from the story. I know that this took place in a very different time, but I found myself snorting in disgust at the attitude that it is wrong for a married woman to enjoy the companionship and friendship of a man who isn't her husband, which is what Margaret, the oldest sister does. She strikes up a friendship with Howard, a salesman who is divorced. Their relationship is one of companionable friendship, but Margaret's sisters are indignant.
What a bunch of crap! Who the hell cares what people think? I know that this kind of attitude still stands today, but I just don't get it. guess this means I will never marry since I do have men with whom I'm very close but not romantically involved. Snicker

I am glad to see that Colleen, the third sister, begins to pursue her career in Hollywood. Molly, the youngest, graduates from high school a year early and in many ways is more mature. Bridget, the second sister, is off serving the country as a nurse, so she is still a bit of a mystery.
Overall, I enjoyed the character development, and I think melody Carlson did a great job writing about the war. I suppose I could give this a higher rating, but the whole thing with Margaret and her friend bugged me enough to take away some of my enjoyment.

[arlenesametz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept my interest always wanted to find out what Was going to happen loved the series she is a very good author love her books I would recommend her books to anyone and especially this series.I just loved it.Thanks alot Melody Carlson for your books.I will continue reading her books I love the book for the simple reason she kept me wanting to know what was going to happen I can't say anything more but that I love the book

I can't get enough of her books.kept my interest always wanted to know what was going to loved the series she is a very good author
Love all of her books so far.I would recommend her books to anyone young or old.I will continue reading her books for the simple reason she kept me wanting to know what was going to I can't say anything more but I love the book

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the war rages on many fronts the Mulligan family experiences joys and sadness in day to day life. Molly becomes the victim of vicious gossip from the other girls in her class. Colleen remembers how someone was able to graduate a year early from high school and passes the idea along to Molly. With lots of hard work and extra evening classes Molly is able to do just that. Colleen is offered another part in a movie. She uses her income to help the family pay bills. Margaret is having a difficult time. She is lonely, tired of managing the grocery store and overwhelmed with taking care of the baby on her own. News of the men in service is both good and bad. I will not say what happens because you need to read it for yourself. Excellent book. Can't wait for the next in the series.

[Gerald M Griswold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up to read some time after the others...

..and it was just as good! Melody's writing is so effortless. I feel like I can picture where her character's are and who they are, even besides the fact I am from California and familiar with San Diego, LA and San Francisco. I have stayed up way too late reading this particular book (as I did the others.) I just don't want them to end! Could there be a sequel?

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, this Author really has the ability to capture the emotions and family dynamics that were happening during WWII. She was able to show the fear, pain and anxiety of both the wounded and the family at home. She didn't shy away from the gritty truth of how the men (and women who were nurses) came home. Even if there wasn't a combat injury, there was the mental and physical toll that was hard for all to deal with. Great writing!

[Angela Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sequel

I have now re as d all the books so far. Love every one of them. Storyline is captivating. I am a huge ww2 fan and SFO is absolutely my favorite city
Anyway so how could I not love theses books?

From the endingg of this one I look forward and to knowing about
More about Margaret and Brian, colleen . And Geoff as well as Molly and patrick.

[Chris Unwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all just let me say although this appears negative I love the series. The typos in the kindle addition are a hundredfold! It spoils the reading but I love the characters so I keep reading to find out what happens next. There are words that I think the author over uses. For example the word "chuckle". Does no one in the series just laugh? I have not seen the word laugh used at all in the whole series. Everyone chuckles!!! 😂🤣😂🤣Every other sentence someone chuckles. Clean read

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this brought me back in time to the fiction I was reading in the late 1950's/early 1960's. The style, characters, and subject matter are all reminiscent of those of Leonora Mattingly Weber, Janet Lambert, and Betty Cavanna, authors whom I've adored for many decades. I don't want to be a spoiler, so I won't go into more detail! Just read this series! Thank you, Melody Carlson!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd book in the Mulligan Sisters series. Exemplary book. Ms. Carlson very realistically describes the WW II era and the stresses and joys of this era. Hoping that there will be a 4th book. My guess is that she will finish this series with a 4th book that deals with the end of WW II.

[karen crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good reading. Kept me captivated throughout the entire book.

Really good book. Number 3 of the series. Kept me captivated throughout the book. Loved the history. I will continue the series.

[Linda Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the whole series!

Love the stories about families during WW2,and this series is one of the best! Down to earth stories about family love, sharing hardships and happiness. You get to know the characters and can sometimes empathize with them.

[Cynthia Siermienski · Rating 5 out of 5]

String of Pearls

What an amazing story. This series will be my all time favorite. The good news, the sad news and the happy ending. As happy as it can be in a war. I truly recommend this series to anyone who knows about WWII or loves a great love story.

[Lorraine lepel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pearls

A well written novel of an Irish family , their lives together during an uncertain time in our history. A fast moving story of 4 sisters, their growing up and one brother 's death during W W11.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this series carried on the story line of the three sisters, although Bridget's story was somewhat neglected. The storyline went from one book to the next so that you felt you needed to continue on the story when you finished one.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

FoUnd romantic read!

This is a real page turner. I actually wanted to continue to read it when I had the chance. The author should write another one continuing with the same people and storyline.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am gobbling up this Mulligan Sisters' series like crazy! I'm already sad I only have one more to go! The icing of the cake is to listen to the songs mentioned in the story such as "A string of pearls" by Glenn Miller!

[Tracy Edgmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Romantic

I loved this book. All of them so far. I love period stories and this series is wonderful, so far. There is nothing that I didn’t like about this book. I would recommend this to anyone with love of history and romance and the Center on God above.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader of this author and loved the multiple storylines in it. Was looking for a new author to read that had a continuing story in several books. I picked up Books 3 & 4 at the library. But rest assured Books 1 & 2 will be read too! Fast moving and heartfelt!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute. I love this mulligan sisters series

[Peggy Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

This was a great read I couldn't put it down made me feel i was there and living it. I would recommend this book to anyone to read especially WWII buffs.

[Elayne K. Wieker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pearl of good reading

I love The Mulligan Sisters! Melody Carlson is so skilled in her writing that I feel part of the family. What a great read!!

[Lucinda Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love in the midst of trials.

Love the Mulligan sisters. There stories are so true to life and keep you reading, couldnt put it down. Very well written and researched.

[Michelle Sweeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I love how these stories are woven together. I enjoy all the sisters. The characters are very well developed and refreshing.

[Constance Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially liked this book which is the third in The Mulligan Sisters series.

[Karmen Dahnke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of the Mulligan sisters! One the book four...thanks Melody Carlson, superbly done.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this third book in the series. Can't wait to read the fourth and final book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing.