Synopses & Reviews
Praise for The Kingdom of Childhood
"[An] enthralling read...recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult's realistic, ethics-driven novels."
-Library Journal, starred review
"Coleman creates a stark psychological drama in this charged story...it's dark, fast-moving and nicely creepy."
-Publishers Weekly
"[A] sure-to-be-controversial...gutsy debut novel. Nimbly exploring such hot-button issues as the abuse of power, betrayal of trust and predatory nature of sexual obsession, it is poised to generate major book-group buzz."
-Booklist
"There are powerful statements made in Rebecca Coleman's stunning debut novel.... I strongly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers and literature."
-Bookreporter
"The Kingdom of Childhood had me hooked from the first line. It's gripping, upsetting, thought-provoking and beautifully written, the kind of book you'll want to talk about with everyone you know."
-Eleanor Brown, New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters
"Wow, what a book! The story just spirals and I completely got caught up in the madness."
-Carol Fitzgerald, Bookreporter
"From start to finish, The Kingdom of Childhood kept me riveted....Coleman is a gifted storyteller with the ability to breathe life into characters so real I felt bereft saying goodbye to them at the end."
-Elizabeth Flock, New York Times bestselling author of Me and Emma
Rebecca Coleman is the critically acclaimed author of The Kingdom of Childhood, a semifinalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel competition. A native New Yorker, Rebecca now lives and works near Washington, D.C.
Visit her website at www.RebeccaColeman.net.
Alone since her mother's death, Jill Wagner wants to eat, sleep and breathe Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her life-golden, handsome and ambitious. E
Review
"[An] enthralling read...recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult's realistic, ethics-driven novels." -Library Journal, starred review for The Kingdom of Childhood
Review
"The Kingdom of Childhood raises messy and controversial questions, making it a natural pick for book clubs. Coleman does not demand sympathy for her main character, and in fact, Judy's break from reality and obscured moral barometer stokes the tension even further....Coleman writes with a flair for capturing the underbelly of the human psyche and the all-consuming nature of desire."--BookPage (5-star review)
Review
"Coleman creates a stark psychological drama in this charged story...it's dark, fast-moving, and nicely creepy."--Publishers Weekly on The Kingdom of Childhood
Review
"[A] sure-to-be-controversial...gutsy debut novel. Nimbly exploring such hot-button issues as the abuse of power, betrayal of trust, and predatory nature of sexual obsession, it is poised to generate major book-group buzz."--Booklist on The Kingdom of Childhood
Review
"The Kingdom of Childhood had me hooked from the first line. It's gripping, upsetting, thought-provoking, and beautifully written, the kind of book you'll want to talk about with everyone you know."--Eleanor Brown, New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters
Review
"Wow, what a book! The story just spirals and I completely got caught up in the madness."--Carol Fitzgerald, BookReporter
Review
"In Rebecca Coleman's entrancing debut, the scars of one woman are slowly revealed as she weaves memories from childhood over present day, like a stitch poorly attempting to sew over the truth of her own past. Intoxicating and surprising, Coleman has crafted a novel that is as astounding as it is unforgettable. This must-read will haunt the reader long after the story has leapt from the page."--Examiner.com
Synopsis
Alone since her mother's death, Jill Wagner wants to eat, sleep and breathe Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her lifegolden, handsome and ambitious. Even putting college on hold feels like a minor sacrifice when she discovers she's pregnant with Cade's baby. But it won't be the last sacrifice she'll have to make.Retreating to the Olmsteads' New England farm seems sensible, if not idealthey'll regroup and welcome the baby, surrounded by Cade's family. But the remote, ramshackle place already feels crowded. Cade's mother tends to his ailing father, while Cade's pious sister, her bigoted husband and their rowdy sons overrun the house. Only Cade's brother, Elias, a combat veteran with a damaged spirit, gives Jill an ally amidst the chaos, along with a glimpse into his disturbing childhood. But his burden is heavy, and she alone cannot kindle his will to live.
The tragedy of Elias is like a killing frost, withering Cade in particular, transforming his idealism into bitterness and paranoia. Taking solace in caring for her newborn son, Jill looks up to find her golden boy is gone. In Cade's place is a desperate man willing to endanger them all in the name of vengeance
unless Jill can find a way out.
Synopsis
Alone since her mother's death, Jill Wagner wants to eat, sleep and breathe Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her lifegolden, handsome and ambitious. Even putting college on hold feels like a minor sacrifice when she discovers she's pregnant with Cade's baby. But it won't be the last sacrifice she'll have to make.Retreating to the Olmsteads' New England farm seems sensible, if not idealthey'll regroup and welcome the baby, surrounded by Cade's family. But the remote, ramshackle place already feels crowded. Cade's mother tends to his ailing father, while Cade's pious sister, her bigoted husband and their rowdy sons overrun the house. Only Cade's brother, Elias, a combat veteran with a damaged spirit, gives Jill an ally amidst the chaos, along with a glimpse into his disturbing childhood. But his burden is heavy, and she alone cannot kindle his will to live.
The tragedy of Elias is like a killing frost, withering Cade in particular, transforming his idealism into bitterness and paranoia. Taking solace in caring for her newborn son, Jill looks up to find her golden boy is gone. In Cade's place is a desperate man willing to endanger them all in the name of vengeance
unless Jill can find a way out.
Synopsis
From the critically acclaimed author of
The Kingdom of Childhood and
Inside These Walls comes a heart-wrenching story of a family's devotionto each other and to their country.
Alone since her mother's death, Jill Wagner believes she's found the perfect partner in Cade Olmstead when he bursts upon her lifeidealistic, handsome and motivated. He dreams of becoming a congressman and changing the world, and Jill is ready to stand at his side for the journey. When she discovers she is pregnant with Cade's baby, Jill accepts that she must put college on hold for the sake of their new family. But it won't be the only sacrifice she'll have to make.
Relocating to the Olmsteads' New England farm, Jill is excited to welcome the baby surrounded by Cade's family. But life on the farm isn't the idyllic retreat she'd imagined. Cade's brother Elias, a soldier newly returned from Afghanistan, is struggling to recover from the experience of war, and Jill is unsettled to find the family home is no less a battlefield than the one Elias left behind.
When unexpected tragedy strikes, Cade is afflicted most of allhis idealism quickly transforms into bitterness and paranoia. Before she knows it, Jill's once-ambitious husband becomes a desperate man willing to endanger them all in the name of vengeance
unless Jill can find a way out.
If you love emotionally charged, issue-driven novels, don't miss Inside These Walls and The Kingdom of Childhood, available now.
About the Author
Rebecca Coleman received her B.A. in English literature from the University of Maryland at College Park and speaks to writers' groups on the subjects of creative writing and publishing. A native New Yorker, she now lives and works near Washington, D.C. Visit her at www. RebeccaColeman.net.