The Seven Sisters

April 1, 2015

In this first book in a new series about adopted sisters who explore their pasts, Maia, the first sister, travels from the family's estate in Switzerland to her native country, Brazil, and the dual story line of Izabela, her great-grandmother, begins in 1927. A Brazilian beauty who was expected to make an aristocratic marriage, Izabela instead falls in love with a French sculptor while visiting Paris. When the sculptor, Laurent, comes to Rio de Janeiro to oversee the statue of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) project, they begin a secret affair. Riley (The Orchid House; The Midnight Rose) has written another intricately plotted, compelling family saga, which presents historical and cultural attitudes of the time and place in which her characters live. Like the famous statue that brought the lovers together and hovers over Rio today, the story is elegantly sculpted and rich with history. VERDICT The poignant love story is the meat of this charming tale, so the book will please fans of romance as well as historical fiction lovers.--Sonia Reppe, Stickney-Forest View P.L., IL

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