In 1907: A fortune acquired from selling an opium-based tonic for children. An unhappy marriage. Poppy, a five-year-old girl, kidnapped.
In 1992: A young woman wonders if she can maintain the island with castle she inherited from her grandparents, along with their candy store. A secretive young girl appears on the island with a scrapbook linked to the mysteriously Pendleton family. A reporter is determined to uncover what happened to Poppy Pendleton.
Opium trafficking, human trafficking, kidnapping, murder all referred to, but not displayed on the page.
I had a hard time getting into this story. I even set it aside and forgot about it for several days. The main characters weren’t happy. They didn’t appeal to me. Not until I was halfway through did the story grab hold.
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🌷Women’s Book Club Kit🌷

‘The Wings of Poppy Pendleton’ by @melbdobson

“Flames whip in fury, royal embers caged in brass.
Soaring, searching, wondering, beating against the glass.
Secrets, she whispers in the storm.
Secrets, she boldly sings.
But no one hears her voice, they only see her wings.”
- Amelia Pendleton ✍️🔥

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is a time-slip mystery spanning 85 years with the rugged Thousand Islands of New York as the backdrop.

In 1907 Leslie Pendleton built a castle on Koster Isle, a gift for his daughter Poppy, and wife Amelia, purchased with his wealth made from selling an opium-infused tonic for children. But dealing with opium is dangerous and on the eve of Poppy’s fifth birthday, the legend of the murdered millionaire and his missing daughter is born. 
 
In 1992 Chloe Ridell dwells on Koster Isle in her late grandparents' cottage, under the shadow of the ruined castle. Chloe has never thought too much about Poppy, the castle, or the mystery surrounding her disappearance, not until young Emma washes up on her island during a storm, with her only possession being a notebook that links her to the Pendletons.
 
As Chloe desperately seeks answers, Logan, a journalist determined to figure out what happened to Poppy, shows up at just the right time. In the hunt for Emma’s true identity and family, Chloe unravels secrets that her grandparents kept and soon discovers that she, Emma and Poppy are somehow all connected. Chloe and Logan must work together to uncover the past and save Emma’s life.

This book had me at the edge of my seat! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Content Warning ⛔️
There is a lot of heavy content and themes in this novel. The author does a fantastic job of addressing these topics without being graphic.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

If you’d like to read this one with your book club, the FREE BTB Book Club Kit will be available on September 19th, the same day the book is released!

https://blossomingthroughbooks.online

Book club kit leaders guides include detailed content warnings, plot summaries, character profiles, discussion questions and spoilers 📚

Thank you @tyndalehouse and @netgalley for my arc copy in exchange for an honest review 📚

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson was a multilayered mystery that I found myself wanting to keep reading, even when I had to work or sleep, for inference.

Poor Poppy and her mother had such a tumultuous journey. They nearly broke my heart after all they went through. Chloe’s story and the sudden appearance of Emma were a great way to bring current events into a story that surrounded the past.

The subject matter, though daunting, was necessary—I won’t spoil it, but I commend the author for spinning such a web. I could go on, but I will just say that the writing was superb, with great symbolism. I cared for the main characters and extremely disliked (literally hated, but I’m a Christian) other characters. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a great puzzle of a plot that they have to unravel.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

Wow, this is a really good book! There’s so much going on and once I got a third of the way into it, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know what happened to Poppy. The story is told in two different timelines and from multiple points of view. Each of the characters has their own secrets and stories to tell. It’s hard to summarize the story better than what’s already written in the official blurb. The central event is the disappearance of Penelope “Poppy” Pendleton on the eve of her fifth birthday in 1907. There’s another timeline that takes place at the same location in 1992 with Chloe Riddell. A young woman who is uniquely connected to Poppy and her family. I was fascinated by the location in the Thousand Islands of New York. I’ve never heard of them before this and the setting is so captivating. The whole aura of the story is mysterious with a private island and the abandoned castle on it. That people actually lived in places like that seems unreal. The historical events are new to me also. I had read a little about the history of opium in America and the Pure Food and Drug Act, but I hadn’t heard of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. What a tragedy. Trigger warnings include child abduction, child neglect, and child sex trafficking. There’s nothing graphic, but it’s there. I like how the author weaves faith into the story without being “preachy”. Despite the sadness in the story there’s threads of hope and evidence that God has not forgotten those who are missing or have messed up in their lives. There’s a little romance sprinkled in both timelines, but that’s not the primary theme of the story. This is a powerful story and will probably be one of my favorites of this year. I preordered it as soon as I finished reading it and I recommend it to those who love a good character-driven mystery.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

** “The mistakes in one’s past, Nana had said, could be fired and sculpted and repurposed for something good. Her grandma firmly believed that God had a plan for every man and woman who followed Him.” **

Melanie Dobson delivers an incredibly gripping time-slip novel in “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton,” a story spanning more than 100 years and bringing together several families.

In 1907, Amelia Pendleton is preparing to celebrate her daughter Penelope’s fifth birthday when tragedy strikes. Her daughter, also known as Poppy, goes missing during the massive celebration at their castle on Koster Isle in the Thousand Islands, seemingly never to be seen again.

In 1992, Chloe Ridell is living in Koster Isle’s caretaker’s cottage, left to her by her Grandpa Cade, while also running her grandparents’ candy shop on the mainland. When reporter Logan Danford comes asking questions about Poppy’s disappearance so many decades ago, she wonders what the story has to do with her. And when she finds an unexpected surprise on her island, her world is quickly turned upside down.

Filled with many twists and turns, Dobson brilliantly creates two interwoven worlds filled with mystery and intrigue. She develops great characters that are inspirational and purely evil.

She also fills “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton” with a number of great themes, like mistakes can be reshaped for good; God will never let us down and He has a plan and purpose for us all (“While Chloe’s earthly father might have failed, Nana liked to say, her heavenly father would never fail her. Instead of scattering the pieces of her life, God would help her mold them into something good”); you need to clear away the weeds for your heart to heal; God gives us a choice to bring either good or evil into the world; we need to embrace peace and healing; and only a seed of courage is needed to overcome fear. The story does contain some tough subject matter dealing with abuse and exploitation, so be aware if this is a triggering matter.

Fans of dual-timeline novels, as well as authors like Amanda Dykes, Jaime Jo Wright and Kate Morton will love “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton,” which is due out Sept. 19.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

A very well written time slip novel. The author has woven the two time periods together seamlessly. If you enjoy time slip book I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

The cover of this book and the intriguing synopsis immediately grabbed my attention. I’m happy to report that it was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end.

What I Loved:
•A thread of redemption runs throughout this family saga.
•The imagery of birds and flight play an important role in the novel.
•I was so intrigued and at times was on the edge of my seat in suspense.
•The book is a wonderful blend of historical fiction and mystery which is my favorite genre combination.
•The story, the characters, and the gospel truth all come together for a wholly satisfying conclusion.
• The author includes a detailed historical note that details her inspiration for the novel and the fascinating history of the Thousand Islands.

Read if you enjoy:
•Family mystery
•Family bonds
•Dual Timelines
•Romance
•Found family
•Christian fiction

Content warning: Know that this book does include some heavy subject matter, but the author is careful to avoid detail that would make the descriptions too difficult to read while still shedding light on a very important issue.

Many thanks to Tyndale House for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! Look for this one from your favorite bookseller September 18, 2023.

Poppy, the heir to the Pendleton wealth, mysteriously disappears from Koster Isle the night before her fifth birthday. Nearly a century later, the mysteries persist, and Chloe, the new owner of Koster Isle, has little time for conjecture. She worries about running the sweets shop that belonged to her late grandparents. Emma, a strange young woman in need, then appears on Chloe's shore. Chloe starts to piece together Emma's past with the assistance of the endearing reporter Logan and quickly realizes that it holds the key to solving the case of Poppy's abduction.

The book seamlessly integrates evidence from Poppy's past with Chloe's present, shifting between timelines between 1907 and 1992 to focus on various characters' thoughts. Poppy spends hours daydreaming about flying in her mother Amelia's aviary, while Emma appears to be holding a scrapbook with pictures of birds on it. This recurring flying motif alludes to the characters' longings when they feel imprisoned by brutality.

Amelia, who is devastated by Poppy's passing, discovers new meaning as a nun. Logan both protects Chloe and forces her to confront the truth about her grandparents. And in order to take care of Emma, Chloe faces her worries about becoming a mother. The narrative also touches on serious issues like drug use and human trafficking, but ultimately it is about triumph. Both Emma and Poppy experience horrific maltreatment as children but never lose hope in the kindness of others.

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton is a captivating book that tells the experiences of two women who are separated by a century yet are linked by hidden memories. Beautiful, Haunting and Intriguing. An exciting read with unforgettable and troubled characters adding tension with a dual time setting.

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher ‏Tyndale House Publishers for a digital complimentary copy for my honest review.

Smitha Agy: Novel Nerd Blog: https://smithareading.blogspot.com/

Dobson delivers in this time slip novel that intertwines generations of families to a particular castle. Chloe has lived in the shadow of this castle most of her life with no knowledge of its real history nor the secrets it harbors. Only when a mysterious child, Emma, arrives to the island and then a reporter intent on uncovering some of the castle’s secrets, does Chloe start to explore her hidden past. This time-slip novel explores romance, mystery, and the ties of familial bonds that bind through the decades.
This clean read has some chaste kisses and very mild violence off page. God’s theme of redemption and grace for past mistakes is prevalent in the characters’ journeys. This story is a solid read for someone who enjoys both historical and contemporary books set in a small town.

Intriguing dual timeline story about a young girl in the early 1900s who vanished from her parents' island mansion on the same night her father was found dead. In the early 1990s, a young woman is living on the same island and uncovers the mysteries in her family's past, with help from a young runaway and a handsome newspaper reporter.

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson is another great read from one of my favorite authors. Her latest time slip historical novel is well-researched and full of imagery, mystery, suspense and even a little romance. Her description to detail of The Thousand Islands and the castles built there during the Gilded Age is mesmerizing. Melanie expertly weaves the stories of the generations of girls/women into a story of hope and restoration. She gently tackles the sensitive issues of smuggling and trafficking of goods and people while giving the reader her trademarked story of hope and faith. I found myself playing the role of detective as I too tried to uncovered the truth to what happened to Poppy Pendleton. The novel is full of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing till the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House for an advance copy of this e-book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this story soon after a friend of mine had spent some time in the 1000 Lakes area. She texted me some of the information on the castles and history of the area. It was fascinating! A couple of days later this book was mentioned on IG. I just finished it today and all I can say is that I am even more intrigued by the historical significance of this beautiful part of the world. Melanie Dobson does a wonderful job in creating the story of privileged Poppy Pendleton, would be heiress to a fortune founded on the marketing of "opium" back in the early 1900s (it was "legal" to use it then, just as cocaine was used in CocaCola), and how her kidnapping changes the lives of many...even decades later. Dobson weaves between those early years of the 1900s and the early 1990s. "Present" day Chloe lives in the caretaker's cottage on the island where the Pendleton castle is loftily situated, She has been raised by grandparents who are closely tied to the original Pendleton family. And then one day a young girl, with a seemingly non-existent past, shows up on her property. Who is she? Where is she from? And why does she have a scrapbook that connects her to the Pendletons? This story had me guessing the whole time. I was constantly in for a little surprise and that kept the pages turning. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loved suspenseful historical fiction.

I thought the Wings of Poppy Pendleton looked and sounded intriguing and it lived up to my expectations. This is a great dual time story with enough complexity that you can start to get bits of the mystery figured out but not see the whole picture yet so it was a satisfying read from beginning to end. There are historical events from the early 1900's woven in and I appreciate the authors afterward that shares the real life events that influenced her story’s events. The modern day story line is set in 1992 but I didn't get a real sense of the culture or time and would have liked a little bit of that -- this part of the story felt more generic compared to the earlier time that is described with some atmospheric detail. This is the second of the author’s novels that I’ve read and I plan to read her backlist and watch for upcoming releases. I received an advanced copy from Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. This book will release September 19, 2023.

I became immediately engrossed in the author and this story, and my curiosity was stirred. My experiences with Melanie Dobson's novels have been amazing, and I always look forward to them. I like that I am constantly learning new things. in every adventure. This trip takes place in mysterious Gilded Age mansions amidst the St. Lawrence River's Thousand Islands.

I was unable to put down this family drama since it had so many twists and turns. The author's words in the author’s notes to readers indicate how personal this narrative was to her. I was shocked to learn that the opioid epidemic we currently face was a serious problem back then. I’m grateful for the package labels and how we are increasingly aware of the ingredients in the products we use, such as the original cocaine content of Coca-Cola.

I adore how the mystery of the little girl named Poppy develops until it all comes together at the conclusion. I found these characters to be so endearing that I dreaded having to say goodbye after I finished the novel.

Because the young child was interested in birds, I appreciated how the author has the reader learn about them. I adore how this remarkable narrative seamlessly and naturally incorporates a Christian message throughout. This author does extensive research creating an unforgettable tale filled with mystery(s), suspense, and a dash of romance to create an unforgettable novel that will stay with you long after finishing the last page. Congrats, Melanie. This is a fantastic getaway and one that will have book clubs raving about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

"In this compelling new time-slip mystery, a little girl goes missing from her family's castle in the Thousand Islands of New York. Eighty-five years later, a journalist teams up with a woman living on Koster Isle to find out what happened to Poppy, once and for all.

1907. On the eve of her fifth birthday, Poppy Pendleton is tucked safely in her bed, listening to her parents entertain New York's gilded society in their Thousand Islands castle; the next morning, she is gone, and her father is found dead in his smoking room.

1992. Though Chloe Ridell lives in the shadows of Poppy's castle, now in ruins, she has little interest in the mystery that still captivates tourists and locals alike. She is focused on preserving the island she inherited from her grandparents and reviving their vintage candy shop. Until the day a girl named Emma shows up on Chloe's doorstep, with few possessions, save a tattered scrapbook that connects her to the Pendleton family. When a reporter arrives at Chloe's store, asking questions about her grandfather, Chloe decides to help him dig into a past she'd thought best left buried. The haunting truth about Poppy, they soon discover, could save Emma's life, so Chloe and Logan must work together to investigate exactly what happened long ago on Koster Isle."

A more time-slippy Truly, Devious.

What happened to Poppy?
The whole book weaves you back and forth between 1992 and 1907. Chloe is a candy shop owner and lives on the island with a "haunted castle" infamous for the disappearance of Poppy Pendleton on her birthday back in 1907. Chloe has connections to the castle as her grandpa has worked there as a groundskeeper for many years. She needs somethign to save her candy shop, but now a mysterious little girl arrives--washing up on her island in a storm. Who is she? Who does she belong to?

Then you have the reporter who is asking questions about the history of the castle that Chloe just wants to leave alone. But he is pushing and she's trying to preserve her grandparents history with the land and save the shop--not unearth old secrets. And then things all start having cobwebs of connections and she decides to accept his help and see if they can find what happened to Poppy...or at least Poppy's mother.

Throw in some opium traffiking in 1907, some human traffiking in 1992...a whole lot of secrets and you've got the Wings of Poppy Pendleton.

Out of all the books I've ready by Melanie Dobson so far...I actually enjoyed this one the least. I don't know. Something just didn't connect with me.

4 Stars.

*I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I wasn't required to write a postiive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

This was a really wonderful dual-timeline book. From the turn of the century just after the Gilded Age to the 1990s in the Thousand Island region of New York State. The earlier era deals with the disappearance of a very wealthy little girl and the 1990s deals with a found little girl who appears to have nothing but a scrapbook, a well-worn nightgown, and a kitten to her name, and a young woman who was herself lost at one point when her parents both died and she came to live with her grandparents. Chloe Ridell lives on Koster Island, the home to the Pendelton Castle where little Poppy Pendelton disappeared in 1907. She returns home in a storm one night to find Emma, a ten-year-old little girl on her doorstep. How the three lost girls' lives twist and turn into each other is masterfully written. The story has intrigue, sadness, danger, and hope all blended beautifully well. I received an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and I can honestly say that I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery ... or, in this case, two good mysteries that have been woven together.

Another beautifully written dual timeline novel by Melanie Dobson. Though this was a bit heavier than I prefer, the story was both heart-rending and beautiful. And did have a happy ending and satisfactory conclusion. When Poppy Pendleton disappears the day before her 5th birthday in 1907, the area turns on its head and the news stories can't write about anything else. By the time Chloe is the caretaker of Poppy's castle on Koster Isle in 1992, Poppy is all but forgotten. But locals still want to know what happened to Poppy Pendleton. When a journalist from Syracuse decides to research Poppy's story in preparation for her 90th birthday, more answers come forth than ever before. Filled with fun historical facts about the Thousand Islands, the FDA, Trafficking along the borders and a little known shipwreck that actually happened, this story both educates and entertains.

This book had ALL the feelings going for it. With brilliant writing, well developed characters, great character growth, a solid faith thread, some background romance and a lovely way to bring about a satisfactory ending that tied the story lines together, Ms. Dobson has masterfully woven this tale through both timelines. I had difficulties setting this one down and going to bed at night. If you enjoy dual timeline stories with depth and character driven themes, this is one I'd definitely recommend. Special thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

My first thought looking at the title was this story might be fluff, it is definitely not that. While some of the major storylines deal with incredibly painful circumstances the story is not heavy or dark, it is actually quite hope filled. The characters are likable, complex and full of depth. The dual time story line flows very smoothly, is filled with intriguing twists and turns and
Interesting historical events. Melanie Dobson paints beautiful detailed pictures with her words. I could clearly see the settings as I read. The Gilded Age is not one of my favorite choices for historical fiction but The Wings of Poppy Pendleton has quickly jumped to the top of my favorite reads for the summer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson took my breathe away. I love how she creates a pathway that readers might think be the solution to the missing Poppy, but then Dobson threw another twist into the story. I love how "Poppy" has a redemption plotline. The modern, Chloe, character took in a little girl with no question asked. Dobson does a wonderful job at bringing readers into the setting. I would have loved to visit this castle and roam the expansive setting. The hidden passages filled with jewels was never really explored. I would have loved to have seen Chloe stubble across a pathway with many of the jewels left by Amelia. The two timelines mixed and mingled nicely. I kept flipping through the pages of the story. I could not wait to see what happened to Poppy and what this has to do with Chloe. The historical mystery and the contemporary mystery wrapped nicely at the end of the story. I LOVED this story, and I can't wait to have a physical copy on my bookshelf.

I received a complimentary copy of The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.