Painted Dresses: A Novel
“Painted Dressesis both wise and witty, full of living, breathing people, rather than cardboard characters. I'msureI went to high school with Gaylen, dated Braden, partied with Delia, and ran away from Freddy–that's how convincingly they leaped off the page. Amusing at one turn, sobering the next,Painted Dressescaptures life in all its messy glory. A wonderful novel from a uniquely gifted storyteller.”–Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author ofGrace in Thine Eyes“Gaylen is the responsible sister; Delia the impulsive younger. With only parentage in common, and a vague but troubling memory, the two find themselves thrown together, chasing clues to their childhood angst while staying two steps ahead of a hired killer. Patricia Hickman writes from the heart. I could not put it down.”–Lawana Blackwell, author of The Gresham Chronicles“With engaging characters–quirky, flawed, but endearing–a vivid sense of place, and a wonderfully droll, tell-it-like-it-is narrator in Gaylen Boatwright,Painted Dressesis the ideal book to lose yourself in on a rainy–or any–day.”–Naeem Murr, author ofThe Boy, The Genius of the Sea,andThe Perfect Man“Don’t missPainted Dresses! Through Patricia’s pen pours passion and playfulness. The energy in her writing alone will sweep you off your weary feet and into an adventure that you won’t soon forget!”–Patsy Clairmont, author ofI Second That Emotion"I can still see those painted dresses in my mind…sensing the hidden pain behind the layers of paint. As usual, Patricia does an artful job of developing realistic characters, transporting them to those somber places where it’s not always easy to travel.”–Melody Carlson, author ofThe Other Side of Darkness, Finding Alice,andCrystal Lies“Award-winning author Hickman weaves a wonderful tale of women who have triumphed over adversity in this sensitive, caring, heartfelt story. It's a story readers will remember long after they have finished the book.Summary: Gaylen Syler-Boatwright heads to her late Aunt Amity's house to get her life back on track. She discovers a gallery of dresses in frames with the names of her relatives on them and hits the road with her sister to find some of them. Gaylen discovers long-buried family secrets and, through the grace of God, learns the hardest lesson of all -- to forgive and move into the future with a clean slate.”–Patsy Glans,Romantic Times