Sisters of the Soul is a brave book of historical fiction that looks unflinchingly at race relations on a Southern plantation in 1837. It’s an epic tale, with a wide sweep, spanning the decades to end on the west coast in 1906. Despite the painful reality of life on the plantation, the novel is charmingly told, with verve and humor. It crackles with snappy dialogue and very well-developed characters. The story moves through different time periods and situations, but as the story moves into the future it demonstrates the way the lives of the characters of both races have been impacted and distorted by the fact of slavery. This is an engrossing novel, well-researched and vividly told. The author's ability to bring historical periods to live is especially impressive. Highly recommended.

I loved the story of Sisters of the Soul. I thought it would be a book only about slavery but it was so much more than that. Kristin Fulton is a great story teller and she over achieved with this book. Not is it only about slavery but about women in general and how mistreated women have been by not having the equality that men had at the time. The "sisters" are strong and resilient women who have to be creative to get by in life. I would highly recommend this book and I will be looking for more books written by Kristin Fulton. ( )

On Sweetbriar Plantation in the Louisiana countryside, the Laurent family is struggling. A child born out of wedlock, Elizabeth Dumond is placed with the Washington family, slaves on the Plantation to be raised with their daughter, Sophie. As Elizabeth and Sophie grow, they are separated due to their race, but remain friends. When the same trauma befalls both Elizabeth and Sophie their bonds deepen with dark secrets they must keep. The two women decide to leave home and begin again. They set out on the Southern Trail to California where they will need to rely on each other's skills and knowledge. In California, the duo finds some luck and settles in Wayside Inn and Lodging House in San Francisco where they eventually take over ownership and Elizabeth, now called Liza, begins a profitable business selling women's companionship. Sophie cooks for the business and takes care of Liza's family, but Liza's decisions don't sit well with Sophie and drive a wedge in their relationship. Sophie's journey takes her far away from Liza, but they still care for one another and hope that time can heal their wounds.

Sister of the Soul is an epic, multigenerational saga of overcoming trauma, finding family, female resilience and healing deep wounds. Beginning with Elizabeth and Sophie's parents, the deep, generation wounds inflicted by power, control and trauma are clear in how they affect Sophie and Elizabeth as adults as well as helping their bond grow. The story was very character driven and I felt a strong connection to Liza, Sophie, their mothers and their children. Through all of their struggles, the women consistently chose to help one another. The writing creates an immersive setting, from the comforts of the Laurent's Sweetbriar Plantation house, to the fields and slave cabins, the harsh, wild beauty of the Southern Trail and the calming simplicity of Wayside Inn. The character's journeys, both separate and together weave an incredible story through 100 years of history.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Sisters of the Soul was just an okay read for me. I love historical fiction and enjoyed the historical details within this book but I did not have a strong connection with the characters. I give it three stars. ( )

An enjoyable journey following the lives of two girls (one white, one black) from the sugar plantations in the South of America in 1837 to the 1900’s in San Francisco.
A historical fiction which shows a lot of research and soul searching by the author to ensure as much realism is included as possible which gives us, the readers, a real sensation of walking beside these women and their families through their journey of life with all its trials and tribulations.
A most enjoyable read. Would wholly recommend it. ( )