Hope Jones, a young girl from British Columbia, uses the uniqueness of her mixed cultural heritage, Gitxsan and Canadian, to create her repertoire– for life and music. Hope is the daughter of an Aboriginal single Mother who struggles financially to support them, but what the... more

Hope Jones, a young girl from British Columbia, uses the uniqueness of her mixed cultural heritage, Gitxsan and Canadian, to create her repertoire– for life and music. Hope is the daughter of an Aboriginal single Mother who struggles financially to support them, but what they lack in money they gain in family bonds. Hope is raised with love and is given the gift of music. Hope is taught to play the fiddle by her Grandfather and her treasured fiddle is special to the family as it has been passed on through the generations of her family. The origins of the instrument however, create as much a mystery as that of the young girl herself. Hard work, faith and persistence allow Hope to see her talent blossom into international opportunities. Making friends easily the talented musician spreads her wings into new ventures but never far enough that she leaves her small hometown behind or those she loves. Her ever- faithful Mother and childhood sweetheart, Peter John, thread through story like a melody. Summer is as much a mystery as it is romantic story about a young girl’s life. And it’s evident that the author has a strong knowledge of music and how it affects people’s lives. The writer’s style combines people, their stories and music in a unique blend. The allegory between the provenance of the violin and that of the main character adds a wonderful flow and displays a rare writing skill. Emily-Jane Hills Orford was born in Toronto, and although she has lived throughout Canada, she again resides in Ontario. She has written several articles, short stories, children’s picture books and two other novels. She currently lives in Eastern Ontario and balances teaching music in her busy life. Recommended by Reviewer: Darlene Rich, Allbooks Review.