It’s been awhile since I got to sit down and read a book from cover to cover…remember the post I wrote: Oh Reading, How I Miss Thee? Part of the reason I wrote it was because I was trying to get through The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy and it was killing me that I wanted to finish it so badly, but couldn’t find the time!

The book is being released this month, however I was lucky enough to get a copy to review earlier this year. From page one, I immediately fell in love with the story…here’s how Amazon.com describes the book:

For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway’s dream to elevate the family name – no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways – and the once prosperous farm.

Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died – alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land, or the memories.

Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia’s youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family’s once-great name. Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family… and her own part in their mottled history.

I really loved how Nelle Davy introduced us to the family (both the living and the dead). Towards the end of the book, I did feel like it was starting to drag, but even saying that, I couldn’t put it down. The book was well written and draws you in to each character enough so you’ll want to know more about them. The timeline does jump from past to present it’s easy to keep track of what’s going on and it was not at all confusing.

Here’s an excerpt from the book:

Just before it broke for commercial I said aloud, “This is madness.”

Swift in reply, she answered, “Only if you expected a different outcome.”

It was at this point that I decided to call the lawyers.

“Good afternoon, Dermott and Harrison, how may I help you?”

“Yes, this is Meredith…” I hesitate. What name do I use? And then with a sense of weariness I think, what’s the point in trying to pretend. “…Hathaway. May I speak with Roger Whitaker, please?”

“Will he know what it’s regarding?” the receptionist asked.

For a second I was struck dumb. “Yes.”

I was sitting down this time. I took a deep breath and leaned back into the headrest as I was put on hold. After a few seconds the line was picked up and a male voice answered the phone.

“Miss Hathaway, so good to hear from you.”

“Is it?” I asked.

“Of course. I assume you’ve had time to think over what we detailed in the letter?”

“What part? The part where you told me my cousin was dead or the other bit where the farm’s going to be sold off and auctioned to the highest bidder to settle against his debts?” 

If you enjoy sagas and/or gothic stories, The Legacy of Eden will suck you write in. But I’m not the only one who thinks so! Many other bloggers are participating in the blog tour and revealing pieces of the story and their own reviews. Tuesday, head over to http://www.tammystwocents.com/ and see what she has to say!

Are you ready to run out and put this book on your To Read list? If you are, you’re in luck! I am able to giveaway a copy of the book to one lucky reader! Simply leave a comment and tell me what interests you about the story. The winner will be randomly chosen next Monday. Good luck!

This giveaway begins on Sunday, February 19th and will end on Monday, February 27th, 2011 at 8:30 pm. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced on Friday and must respond within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. US/Canada residents only.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Legacy of Eden in order to write this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.