This is a big week for me. Today my little sister goes off to college. (Since she was just starting first grade when I went off to college, this makes me feel very, very old). And on Tuesday, my third book, The Deception of the Emerald Ring, comes out in paperback. These events aren’t quite so unrelated as you might think. The relationship between the heroine and her sister plays a crucial role in Emerald Ring.
In the book, the heroine, Letty, has spent a lifetime trying to distinguish herself from her beautiful and poised older sister. She knows she’ll never be able to compete with Mary in terms of looks, so she’s made up for it by making herself useful, taking over the running of the household from her dotty parents and generally managing everything and everyone– except her sister Mary. There’s a useful irony in the fact that it’s the way her character has developed through her interactions with Mary that leads Letty to interfere when she finds out that Mary plans to elope. Naturally, Letty’s interference backfires, and she winds up married to her sister’s suitor before you can say “compromised”.
Even though Emerald Ring is primarily about Letty and her accidental husband, I found myself unexpectedly fascinated by the dynamic between Mary and Letty. For all her complaints about Mary’s selfishness and shallowness, Letty still secretly longs for the attention and affection of her big sister. Under her haughty facade, Mary (although she would never admit it) misses the uncritical adoration of the little sister who used to be so endearingly grateful when Mary would deign to do her hair. But because neither of them will admit it, they becomes their worst selves with each other, unconsciously exaggerating the very traits bound to needle the other most. When Letty, trying to get Mary’s attention, adopts a bossy, hectoring tone, Mary responds by slapping on a glacial facade– which, of course, just makes Letty hector more. You get the idea. I was so fascinated by watching the interplay between the sisters that I decided on the spur of the moment to write a companion book to Emerald Ring, all about Mary and her reaction to her betrothed winding up head over heels in love with her freckled, bossy little sister. (That book, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose, will be coming out in February– so stay tuned!).
Do any of your favorite books have interesting sibling dynamics? One poster, chosen at random, will receive a copy of Emerald Ring, fresh off the presses.
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I have several favorite books, or you might say it’s the authors who wrote the books. I have all Johanna Lindsey’s books and most of Bertrice Small’s books. I loved every one of them. I’ve read all of Dorothy Garlock’s books, my mother-in-law collects her books. Theywere very good too. There are several other authors who’s books are keepers as well. It would be very hard to name just one favorite book.
by Tammy G.
on August 31st, 2007 at 6:31 am
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I know I have plenty of series books over there on that shelf that have either friends or siblings in them. . . love all of them. 
Alas however, my memory this early in the morning stinks and I can’t think of a lot of them. LOL The first to pop in was Karen Hawkins’s St John brothers (right, St Johns. . . I hope! LOL). . . and there are the Bridgertons. . . oh yeah, and Victoria Alexander’s Effingtons and their friends. . . hmm, that’s all that coming to mind right now. But there sure are plenty out there.
Oh yeah, there is always Sense and Sensibility. . . now that’s a great one to see the sisters together. And yep, Lizzie and Jane in P&P. . . But S&S’s relationship I think is even more important and bigger than in P&P.
Lois
by Lois
on August 31st, 2007 at 7:57 am
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Secret Language by Monica Wood is a favorite of mine which depicts two sisters Connie and Faith. I enjoyed this novel greatly.
by pearl
on August 31st, 2007 at 11:18 am
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A memorable novel that concerned sisters was, Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. A rift between sisters, Meghann and Claire which had been long term is addressed in this novel and healed.
by pearl
on August 31st, 2007 at 11:36 am
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I love the Drake sisters in Christine Feehan’s books. The psychic connection is fascinating, and their love and support of each other is a constant in all her stories.
by Cathy
on August 31st, 2007 at 12:36 pm
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When I was young I was always competing with my older sister. I remember wanting to borrow her clothes and of course, she wouldn’t let me. On ocassion, I would just sneak a top or her shoes to wear out but I usually got caught. She was the nice, always proper smart one and I was the wild child.
To answer your question…the first book that comes to mind is Pride and Prejudice and the differences between Jane and Elizabeth. I just love that story!
by Kim
on August 31st, 2007 at 1:10 pm
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Candy, Annie, Tammy and Sabrina in Danielle Steel’s ‘Sisters’. A beatiful story of siblings and family.
by RobynL
on August 31st, 2007 at 1:13 pm
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One of my favorite books Much Ado About You by Eloisa James has four sisters who sometimes do and sometimes don’t get along but you could see how much they cared about each other. My daughter started college this week so you definitely shouldn’t feel old.
by Maureen
on August 31st, 2007 at 1:28 pm
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Danielle Steeles ‘Sisters’ comes to mind.
by Estella
on August 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
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Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen which I just read this week has major characters who are sisters. They have been estranged for a lengthy period and then reunite. Loved this special and unique story.
by anne
on August 31st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
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A book that resounds with me is Dragonflies and Dinosaurs. This beautiful novel gripped me throughout and has such meaning. Two sisters whose lives intertwine and the ending is sweet and special.
by jenna
on August 31st, 2007 at 2:54 pm
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Julia Quinn’s historicals have some fun sibling dynamics.
by Little Lamb Lost
on August 31st, 2007 at 3:13 pm
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So many great books and siblings already named but I thought I would post in my opinion too. Someone already mentioned the Drake sisters in Christine Feehan’s novels. Reading about them always made me want to be sister number eight. I also enjoy reading Catherine Coulter’s books. She has many siblings in her books with my favorite being the Sherbrooks. Brothers and sisters in those novels but I love the way they can bicker in good fun with another.
by April
on August 31st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
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Off the top of my head My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult comes to mind. I really recommend it.
by catslady
on August 31st, 2007 at 7:03 pm
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I love Carly Philips’ Hot Zone books. There are a series of books that are based on three sisters.
by Patty L.
on August 31st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
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Montana Sky by Nora Roberts is very good. She has written other books about sisters, too. I’m trying to collect as many of her books as I can.
by Carol M
on September 1st, 2007 at 1:22 pm
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I can’t recall any current books so I have to pick a classic instead and that would be Little Women. One of the reasons why I wished I had sisters.
by Sue A.
on September 1st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
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I loved reading Johanna Lindsey books on the Mallory”s, Christine Feehan’s The Drake Sisters Series, Cindy Gerard”s The Bodyguards Series. There are so many good series books out there.
by Loretta
on September 1st, 2007 at 11:24 pm
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Lauren Royal immediately comes to mind: The Flower trilogy! Violet, Lily and Rose Ashcroft.
She also has the whole Chase family! Love all of her stories!
by Laurie
on September 2nd, 2007 at 6:59 am
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OOPS! I forgot to include the dynamics!
Violet is the oldest, the plainest ,the smartest with no desire to wed. She’s supposed to marry first and is also afraid that any man would only marry her for her dowry.
Lily is the youngest, quietest, gentlest, lover of animals who tries to assist her middle sister Rose, in her pursuit of Rand.
Rose the vivacious beauty, middle sister who feels that she has to hide her intelligence to get a man.
They all love each other and are willing to sacrifice their indepenence, their love interests, their intelligence for the good of their sisters.
I found them to be interesting characters and believable!
by Laurie
on September 3rd, 2007 at 6:14 am
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Practical Magic had a great sibling dynamic. The book, to me, was way better than the movie, Although I loved the movie as well. One sister was practical and sensible vowing nevewr to fall in love. The other dreamy and romantic, falling in love with the wrong man. But tjey were a unit supporting each other.
by Angie T
on September 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 am
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I’ve always enjoyed the interaction between sisters Hannah and Andrea in Joanne Fluke’s Murder series.
by Christy H.
on September 3rd, 2007 at 5:43 pm
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Thank you all so much for the wonderful book suggestions! The winner of the copy of “Emerald Ring” is Anne. Congrats! If you email me at willig@post.harvard.edu with your address, I’ll send the book along to you….
