My Review
In Orchard Grove, nestled in the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Piper Landry is excited about buying a beautiful, historic
building so she can expand her antique business and include a coffee
shop and bookstore. Then a friend is found murdered just behind the
building, and her life changes. She works to solve the mystery as she
juggles time with friends, her aunt, and a new romantic interest, Mike.
I
wanted to read Blueprint for Murder because I love cozy mysteries. I am
a native Georgian so the North Georgia small town setting was very
appealing. The author is a good friend since childhood and I know she is
a very talented writer, so I was especially excited to read her new
book.
This is the first book in the Orchard Grove mysteries and
it is a wonderful start for a new series! Penni does a wonderful job at
describing the town, with its seasonal festivals and activities, the
townspeople, and day-to-day life in the town. I love a fictional small
town that becomes part of the story, and Orchard Grove is one of those
towns.
Orchard Grove is a charming town, as seen in descriptions like:
"The
following day, Piper stepped outside, breathing in the crisp autumn air
as she looked up and down Main Street. Visitors flocked to the
mountains for the vibrant fall foliage this time of year. The Apple
Festival had broken attendance records, and Piper had made record
profits at Hometown Antiques and Décor. Next weekend's Halloween in the
Streets was expected to draw more locals than tourists, and soon, the
part- timers would return to their cabins, bringing extended family to
celebrate Thanksgiving.
But it was Christmas that Piper loved
most. She'd already filled half her front windows with holiday
decorations - her bestselling items, even in October. With its tight-
knit charm, Orchard Grove always pulled out all the stops: lights,
parades, and parties that made everyone feel like they belonged." (eBook
locations 1790 - 1792).
Piper is a likable protagonist. She is
fairly new to town, moving the same time as her Aunt Violet, but she is
already well liked and very comfortable in Orchard Grove. As a lifelong
antique person, I loved the antique and restoration details in this
book. They added to the storytelling and showed Piper's passion for
antiques and history.
Aunt Violet, Piper's friend Lucy, and her
new love interest, Mike, are all great characters and I enjoyed their
interactions with Piper. There is even a lovable older Great Pyrenees
dog named Maddie!
The mystery is well done - the mysterious death
happens early on and Piper works to eliminate suspects and find out
what has happened, sometimes putting herself in a dangerous position
along the way.
I am excited about Blueprint for Murder and
enthusiastically recommend it for other cozy mystery fans. It will be
especially appealing for readers who love southern settings and small
town atmosphere (my favorite for cozy mysteries!). I really look forward
to the next book in this series.
Book Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F6MJ2969
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232211993-blueprint-for-murder
Author Interview
What inspired you to write Blueprint for Murder?
Since
moving to the North Georgia mountains in 2016, I’ve felt a strong pull
to write about rural life and the charm of our small town of Ellijay and
Blue Ridge. It’s a world apart from the fast-paced Atlanta area where I
had spent most of my life. Unfortunately, shortly after relocating, I
found myself frequently traveling back and forth to care for my mother,
who passed away in 2018, all while managing my business remotely. With
so much on my plate, writing had to take a backseat for a while.
During
the pandemic, however, I returned to school at Southern New Hampshire
University to pursue a degree in Creative Writing and English with a
concentration in Fiction Writing. It was during one of my courses, where
we were tasked with writing the first and last chapters of a novel,
that Blueprint for Murder was born. I completed the book after
graduating, and the story reflects both my love for small-town life and
my journey back to creative expression.
I mostly write on
weekends, since my weekdays are filled with running my music
entertainment agency from home. My brain is usually busy juggling tour
dates, social media, and radio campaigns. Every now and then, I manage
to squeeze in some writing early in the morning or late at night,
depending on how cooperative my coffee and calendar are. I’m also always
making notes or thinking up new ideas for my characters - whether I’m
at my desk, in the car, or outside working around the house.
This is the start of a new series. How far ahead have you planned the upcoming books?
When
I first started writing Blueprint for Murder, I naturally began
imagining what these characters would be doing during different seasons
of the year. Since the first book takes place in October, I quickly
started brainstorming ideas for a holiday-themed sequel, All Wrapped Up
In A Mystery, and beyond. For instance, the Apple Blossom Festival is
mentioned in Blueprint for Murder, and I’ve already started thinking
about how a future mystery could take place during that springtime
event. Luckily, I am inspired by all our area attractions like orchards,
wineries, mountain biking, festivals, and river rafting.
Was there a place that inspired Orchard Grove?
Yes.
Orchard Grove is primarily inspired by the North Georgia towns of
Ellijay and Blue Ridge. I’ve always loved the mountains, whether in
Georgia or Colorado. Over the years, my husband and I have been
fortunate to travel frequently for both family vacations and our
business trips, exploring many beautiful spots throughout the Blue Ridge
Mountains - from North Carolina and Tennessee to South Carolina,
Virginia, and West Virginia. Those experiences really deepened my
fascination with small-town life and the peacefulness of life away from
the big city.
In addition, we live on 18 acres of land in a
wildlife preservation area, which has offered its own kind of
inspiration. One character in the Orchard Grove series, Hopalong, the
injured deer, is based on a real deer who began visiting our property
several years ago. When he first appeared, his hoof was in terrible
shape (I’ll spare the graphic details), and I called the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division to see if
they could help. They explained that they couldn’t intervene and
reassured me that deer are incredibly resilient and often recover from
injuries like his. I wasn’t convinced at the time, but remarkably,
Hopalong did survive and has continued visiting us for about five years
now. With permission, we and a few neighbors provide deer feed for him
during the winter months, though our neighborhood generally discourages
feeding wildlife. He’s become a bit of a legend in our area - and now,
in the fictional town of Orchard Grove, too.
Who would play Piper and Mike in a movie or TV adaptation?
My
first choice for Piper would be Lily James. She’s portrayed as a smart,
relatable, and likable woman in both modern and period settings, like
in Cinderella and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She
has that wholesome yet quietly strong energy I see in Piper. Another
great choice would be Taylor Cole. She often plays sweet, small-town
women in Hallmark movies like A Reason for the Season and Aloha Heart,
and I think she’d be a natural fit.
For Mike, I think Matt
Lanter, who starred in Pitch Perfect 3, and a time-travel show I
enjoyed, Timeless. Turns out Matt also has a Georgia connection. He
moved to Georgia when he was eight years old and attended the same high
school as my daughter (although not when she was there), and attended
the University of Georgia, where two of my three children graduated
from.
The antique details in your book are fascinating. Do you have a personal interest in antiques?
Absolutely.
I’ve refinished many antique pieces over the years. I love giving old
furniture a new life. While Piper isn’t based on me, her love for
antiques and the peaceful escape she finds in her workshop are
definitely drawn from my own experiences. I even included references to
real pieces I own, like an old wardrobe inherited from a great-aunt and a
folding mahogany game table that now serves as an entry table, both
passed down from my mother.
What do you enjoy reading? Who are some of your favorite authors?
That’s
my favorite question! I love sharing book recommendations because I
read across a wide range of genres - cozy mysteries, historical fiction,
and mystery/spy thrillers.
Some of my recent favorites include
The Keeper of Hidden Books and The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline
Martin. I also loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Diamond
Eye by Kate Quinn. I’m drawn to stories with strong women and roots in
real history.
As for cozy mysteries, I love relaxing into series
where you really get to know the characters. Some of my favorites
include The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, the Julia Bird
Mysteries by Katie Gayle, the Cat Latimer and Tourist Trap Mysteries by
Lynn Cahoon, and Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries by Lauren Elliott.
I’ve
had a long-standing love for spy thrillers that dates back to the early
1980s, when I bought The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum while on a
family vacation to Myrtle Beach. That book sparked a lifelong interest
in the genre. These days, I really enjoy the Slough House series by Mick
Herron and The Martini Club by Tess Gerritsen.
When it comes to
mystery and thriller series, I highly recommend the DCI Evan Warlow
series by Rhys Dylan, which is set in Wales, Matterhorn by Christopher
Reich, set across Europe, and the David Wolf series by Jeff Carson,
which takes place in the mountains of Colorado. I’m drawn to gripping
stories in vivid settings, especially when they feature layered
characters and unexpected twists.
Can you tell us more about your upcoming writing projects?
I’m
close to finishing the second book in the Orchard Grove Mystery series,
All Wrapped Up In A Mystery. After that, I plan to release a WWII
historical fiction novel next year. It’s loosely inspired by my family’s
stories in a small southern Georgia town. That one requires a great
deal of research, so it’s coming along a bit more slowly.
I also
have several ideas in the pipeline, including a novel set in Atlanta
during the 1960s and 1970s. And I’ve started a children’s book, though
it’s on hold for now while I focus on the Orchard Grove series.
Author Bio
Penni
Justice is a lifelong book lover and storyteller at heart. An Atlanta
native, she now lives in the scenic North Georgia mountains with her
husband in a certified wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by nature and
inspired by the charm of a nearby tourist town, Penni crafted her debut
cozy mystery, Blueprint for Murder. The beauty of mountain living, along
with cherished memories of traveling across the country and hearing
true-life stories from family and friends, often spark ideas for her
writing.
Her love of books began early, nurtured by frequent
trips to the libraries in Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker, Georgia, where
her mother introduced her to the magic of reading. She fell in love with
fiction after discovering Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As the
church librarian, her mother also provided a treasure trove of young
adult fiction and mysteries that further fueled Penni’s passion.
An
avid reader, Penni devours around 60 fiction books each year, favoring
cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and spy thrillers. In May 2023, she
graduated with honors from Southern New Hampshire University with a B.A.
in Creative Writing and English, focusing on fiction writing. Her
coursework included numerous workshops that helped her hone her voice
and narrative style.
For the past 24 years, Penni has
owned and operated a music entertainment agency, specializing in public
relations, writing, ghostwriting, and marketing. Alongside her fiction,
she is also working on a historical novel set during the 1940s in South
Georgia and overseas during World War II.
Penni and her husband
are the proud parents of three grown children, a son-in-law, and a
daughter-in-law—each of whom inspire her with their humor, intelligence,
and love. They are, in her words, “the absolute joys of my life.”
My Review
The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop is a sequel to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The Wonder Boy is Bud (Buddy) Threadgoode. He is the son of Ruth Jamison, and is later adopted by Idgie Threadgoode and her family. After losing his arm in an accident as a young boy, he grew up in Whistle Stop, Alabama with Ruth, Idgie, and their extended family and friends. The novel goes back and forth in time, and much of the plot centers on Bud's daughter, Ruthie, a widow who is living in Atlanta and looking for her next chapter in life. Bud impulsively travels to Whistle Stop, an abandoned town at this point, and that trip leads Ruthie to join him in Alabama, where they meet and befriend Evelyn Couch.
I wanted to read The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop because I love Fannie Flagg's books! She is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely love Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
This is the most delightful book. It moves back and forth in time, like memory, from the 1930's to the 1960's, the 1980's, and into the present day. The chapters are short, punctuated with humor, occasional poignancy, and Dot Weems' little newsletter about the town of Whistle Stop.
It felt like visiting with old friends again seeing what happened next to the characters I loved in Fried Green Tomatoes. I really enjoyed the continuation of Ruth and Idgie's story in the lives of Bud and Ruthie.
The storytelling is fun and lively, with passages like this (about Bud):
"One afternoon, when Ninny was over at the cafe visiting with Ruth, she said, 'That boy of yours is a real wonder boy.'
Ruth smiled. 'Why do you say that?'
Ninny laughed . “Because he’s always a wonderin’ about somethin’ or another. Why do kittens purr, or why do rabbits have long ears? This morning, when he was over at my house, he says to me, “Aunt Ninny, I wonder why chickens have feathers and wings , but they don’t fly off anywhere?” So I said, “That’s a good question, honey. If I was a chicken and I saw Sipsey headed toward me with her five-pound skillet, I’d sure fly away if I could.” (Kindle location 235).
I enjoyed getting to know Bud and Ruthie in this book. Bud is an especially likable character, with his lifelong love of animals (he is a retired veterinarian in present day) and his abiding love for all things Whistle Stop. Ruthie is also an interesting character, with many parallels to Evelyn's storyline from Fried Green Tomatoes. The scenes with Ruthie and Evelyn together are pure gold.
I cannot recommend The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop highly enough for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, southern fiction, and especially the novels of Fannie Flagg. Settle in with a glass of iced tea and a long afternoon of good reading. You will not be disappointed!
My Review
The Key to Everything is a historical novel that begins in 1947 Savannah. Peyton Cabot is 15 years old when a family tragedy prompts him to retrace his father's long ago bicycle ride from Savannah to Key West. Over the summer trip he discovers his dreams, a sense of family, and first love.
I wanted to read The Key to Everything because I am originally from Savannah and was intrigued by the setting. I also love vintage Florida and was curious about that aspect of the novel.
This novel is such a lovely, leisurely road trip! Peyton is such a likable, kind-hearted young man and I enjoyed his pursuit of an unlikely dream - to travel to Key West on bicycle. My father was just a little older than Peyton during this time period and I found the novel particularly interesting because of this connection.
The details of life in Savannah and vintage Florida (especially St. Augustine and Key West) were lovely. The author does a beautiful job at evoking another time and place, with passages like:
"St. Augustine was a marvel. Peyton had grown up around historic architecture in Savannah, but this place was seriously old. Everywhere, you could see remnants of Spanish buildings— and others still intact and in use. Tourists swarmed the centuries-old fort on the waterfront. He picked up a map in a candy shop, where he couldn’t resist the aroma of chocolate, and wandered cobblestone streets while he nibbled on fudge. Eventually, he made his way to the Ponce de Leon, a grand hotel built by the man who had dreamed up the railroad to Key West. It looked like something out of Arabian Nights." (Kindle location 1242)
The coming of age aspect of this book and the iconic nature of Peyton's journey (and his father's journey years ago) was so moving. This passage encapsulates the family legend:
"The boys listened as their Uncle Gil retold his favorite story, the same one he told at every spring picnic. 'Marshall says to me, he says, ‘I believe I’ve seen all this ol’ camp has to offer.’ And I says, ‘What you plan on doin’ about it ?’ That’s when he pointed at the bicycles Papa had left for us. He says, ‘I’m gonna ride my bicycle to Key West and see what those islands look like.' The cousins finished the story with their uncle, repeating his favorite line in unison: 'And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the last time Marshall Cabot ever let anybody tell him what to do.'" (Kindle location 120).
I truly enjoyed The Key to Everything and recommend it highly for fans of historical fiction, southern fiction, and for anyone interested in life in Georgia and Florida during the 1940's.
Book Synopsis
"Promise me you'll never come back here, Peyton. It's too much--it's just way too much."
Peyton
Cabot's fifteenth year will be a painful and transformative one. His
father, the heroic but reluctant head of a moneyed Savannah family, has
come home from World War II a troubled vet, drowning his demons in
bourbon and distancing himself from his son. A tragic accident shows
Peyton the depths of his parents' devotion to each other but interrupts
his own budding romance with the girl of his dreams.
Struggling
to cope with a young life upended, Peyton makes a daring decision: He
will retrace a journey his father took at fifteen, riding his bicycle
from St. Augustine, Florida, all the way to Key West. Part declaration
of independence, part search for self, Peyton's journey will bring him
more than he ever could have imagined--namely, the key to his unknowable
father, a longed-for reunion, and a calling that will shape the rest of
his life.
Author Bio
Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of the Christy Award-winning Missing Isaac and Almost Home, as well as an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living,
where she is currently senior travel editor. Specializing in stories
about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse received the 2009
Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society for her
editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and
Louisiana. A graduate of Auburn University and Baylor University, she
lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave.
Book Synopsis
The Lowcountry of South Carolina is where By Invitation Only
begins at a barbecue engagement party thrown by Diane English Stiftel,
her brother Floyd, and her parents to celebrate her son’s engagement. On
this gorgeous, magical night, the bride’s father, Alejandro Cambria, a
wealthy power broker whose unbelievably successful career in private
equity made him one of Chicago’s celebrated elite, discovers the limits
and possibilities of cell phone range. While the mother of the bride,
Susan Kennedy Cambria, who dabbles in the world of public relations and
believes herself deserving of every square inch of her
multimillion-dollar penthouse and imaginary carrara marble pedestal,
learns about moonshine and dangerous liaisons.
Soon By Invitation Only zooms to Chicago, where the
unraveling accelerates. Nearly a thousand miles away from her
comfortable, familiar world, Diane is the antithesis of the bright
lights and super-sophisticated guests attending her son Fred’s second
engagement party. Why a second party? Maybe it had been assumed that the
first one wouldn’t be up to snuff? Fred is marrying Shelby Cambria,
also an only child. The Cambrias’ dearest wish is for their daughter to
be happy. If Shelby wants to marry Frederick, aka Fred, they will not
stand in her way—although Susan does hope her friends won’t think her
daughter is marrying more than a few degrees beneath her socially. At the same time, Diane worries that her son will be lost to her forever.
By Invitation Only is a tale of two families, one struggling
to do well, one well to do, and one young couple—the privileged
daughter of Chicago’s crème de la crème and the son of hard -working
Southern peach farmers.
Dorothea Benton Frank offers a funny, sharp, and deeply empathetic
novel of two very different worlds—of limousines and pickup trucks,
caviars and pigs, skyscrapers and ocean spray—filled with a delightful
cast of characters who all have something to hide and a lot to learn. A
difference in legal opinions, a headlong dive from grace, and an abrupt
twist will reveal the truth of who they are and demonstrate, when it
truly counts, what kind of grit they have. Are they living the life they
want, what regrets do they hold, and how would they remake their lives
if they were given the invitation to do so?
By Invitation Only is classic Dorothea Benton Frank—a
mesmerizing Lowcountry Tale that roars with spirit, humor, and truth,
and forces us to reconsider our notions of what it means to be a Have or
a Have Not.
Purchase Links
My Review
By Invitation Only is the story of two very different families coming together for the wedding of their children. Diane English Stiftel is a divorced single mother who lives on the peach farm in South Carolina where she grew up, along with her aging parents and her brother. Diane is the mother of the groom, Fred. Susan and Alejandro Cambria are wealthy socialites from Chicago. They are the parents of the bride, Shelby. Although most of the novel is told from Diane's perspective, there are chapters from Susan's perspective as well. It is heartwarming and sometimes humorous seeing the adventures of this new extended family over the space of a couple of years (August 2016 to Spring 2018).
I wanted to read this book because I love southern fiction and always enjoy Dorothea Benton Frank's storytelling. This novel was no exception! It is told with great warmth and humor. By Invitation Only was a quick read for me because I read in any spare time I had over a weekend -- just because I did not want to put the book down.
Shelby and Fred, the bride and groom, were sweet characters but the novel really focuses more on their families.
I loved the character of Diane. I related to her in many ways, and she is a character I would choose as a friend. She is kind and empathetic and really cares about others; she's also very down to earth. I enjoyed reading the passages of the book about the peach farm and the farm stand business that the family runs, where they sell peach jam, baked goods, and fresh produce.
Susan is initially not an empathetic character; she presents as materialistic and shallow. However, as the characters' lives change over the course of time, she also evolves as a person. I especially enjoyed her changing relationship - and friendship - with Diane.
There are some great secondary characters in this novel as well, like Diane's delightfully outspoken mother, Virnell, her brother Floyd, who always livens up a party, and her long time suitor, Alden.
There are many twists and turns in this novel, as fortunes change and unexpected romances develop, and things change over time - as they do in real life. I found the lively nature of the storytelling, along with these twists and turns, particularly engaging.
I recommend By Invitation Only as a weekend or vacation read. You will get to spend some time in both small town South Carolina and with the glamorous set in Chicago, and meet some characters that you will not soon forget!
Author Bio
New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank was
born and raised on Sullivans Island, South Carolina. She resides in the
New York area with her husband.
Find her on the web at www.dotfrank.com, or like her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.
Book Synopsis
The only thing certain is change—even in a place as steady as Perry, Alabama, on a street as old as Glory Road.
Nearly a decade after her husband’s affair drove her back home to
South Alabama, Jessie McBride has the stable life she wants—operating
her garden shop, Twig, next door to her house on Glory Road, and keeping
up with her teenage daughter and spunky mother. But the unexpected
arrival of two men makes Jessie question whether she’s really happy with
the status quo. When handsome, wealthy businessman Sumner Tate asks her
to arrange flowers for his daughter’s lavish wedding, Jessie finds
herself drawn to his continued attention. Then Ben Bradley, her
lingering what-could-have-been from high school, moves back to the red
dirt road, and she feels her heart pulled in directions she never
expected.
Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching
the start of high school and navigating a new world of
emotions—particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in
just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, is suffering
increasingly frequent memory lapses and faces a frightening, uncertain
future. Once again, Jessie feels her protected and predictable life
shifting.
In one summer, everything will change. But for these three strong
Southern women, the roots they’ve planted on Glory Road will give life
to the adventures waiting just around the curve.
Purchase Links
My Review
Glory Road is the story of three women. Jessie has moved back to her hometown in South Alabama, and is back living on the road where she grew up. She has a small gardening business, and two unexpected men who intrigue her -- Ben, her high school sweetheart, and Sumner, who has hired her to do flowers for his daughter's wedding. Jessie's daughter, Evan, is 14 years old and has a new interest in Ben's son Nick. Meanwhile, Jessie's mother, Gus, is starting to show signs of forgetfulness. Everything is changing for these women - three generations of one family.
This is my third read by Lauren K. Denton. I loved her previous books, The Hideaway and Hurricane Summer. I am from the deep south, Georgia born and raised, and I cannot think of another current writer who captures small town southern life quite as perfectly as Ms. Denton. From the sound of peas being shelled into an aluminum tub, to a screen door closing, wisteria growing in profusion, and an old rocking chair with peeling paint on a front porch -- it is all here.
I really loved Glory Road. I loved the sense of place, the feeling of summer (the book takes place over the course of a summer), and especially the characters. Jessie is a warm, likable, relatable character. She wants something new in her life, but she's not quite sure what (or who!). She wants to protect her daughter and her mother but everything is changing.
The storytelling is just perfection. For instance, Gus is described succinctly: "My mother had obsessions, but at least they were harmless - potted succulents, Johnny Cash, and peach cobbler" (p. 2).
The book is told from the viewpoint of Jessie (most chapters), Evan, and Gus. The author does a fine job of developing and delineating characters. The sense of southern voice is strong in this novel; it would adapt well to a movie or short-run TV series.
I recommend Glory Road as a summer read. Fans of southern fiction will especially enjoy this book! Five stars from me.
Author Bio
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband
and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to
her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith,
and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d
rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. Her debut
novel, THE HIDEAWAY, was a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon
Charts bestseller. Her second novel, HURRICANE SEASON, released in
spring of 2018, is a USA Today bestseller. GLORY ROAD will release in
March, 2019.
.
Connect with Lauren
Book Synopsis
Welcome to Safe Haven, where love—and a second chance—is just around the corner…
Sunny, carefree days splashing in the ocean—it’s the life Anna George
has always wanted for her five-year-old twins. And now that they’ve
made it to Safe Haven, South Carolina, she won’t let anyone stand in her
way. Not the abusive ex she’s just escaped and not the rugged
contractor who caught her setting up house in the shuttered beachfront
cabins he’s refurbishing. When he offers Anna and her daughters a place
to stay in exchange for her help with renovations, she’s tempted. His
gentle way with her girls makes her want to trust him, but she’s been
wrong before…
A family is the last thing contractor and former military man Sean
O’Dwyer wants right now. But when he discovers Anna and her girls, he
recognizes kindred spirits. They’re survivors who’ve seen the worst of
people, just like he has, and he’ll do anything he can to help them. As
he and Anna spend their days bringing the cottages back to life and
their nights sharing kisses in the warm bayou breezes, Sean must choose
between the life he always wanted and the family he can’t live without.
Purchase Links
My Review
Low Country Hero is the first book in Lee Tobin McClain's new Safe Haven series. It is a southern novel set in the small coastal town of Safe Haven, South Carolina. Anna George comes to live in Safe Haven with her young twin daughters after escaping her abusive husband. While she is staying in an empty cottage by the beach she meets contractor Sean O'Dwyer, who has been hired to renovate the cottage and surrounding community. A slow friendship and romance begins as Anna struggles to escape her past.
I was interested in reading Low Country Hero because of the setting. I love southern novels, and especially love books set on the coast. The author captured the Lowcountry coast perfectly - from the warmth of the people to the delicious southern food.
Anna is a very sympathetic protagonist. She is a warm, kind person, a devoted mother, and she really works hard to make a new life for herself and her daughters. Sean is also a very likeable character. He is working, too, to put his past behind him (his mother was an abused woman and he was raised in foster care). I found their romance that began as a slow building friendship very realistic.
The novel explores domestic violence, including Anna's story, her new friend who runs a women's shelter in town, and the story of Sean's mother. I felt this more serious storyline was handled very sensitively and it brought some real depth to what would otherwise have been a light romance.
This is the first of three books and I already look forward to continuing this series. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys women's fiction or romance with a more serious theme. The southern setting is sure to appeal as well!
Author Bio
Lee Tobin McClain read Gone With The Wind
in the third grade and has been an incurable romantic ever since. When
she’s not writing emotional love stories with happy endings, she’s
probably driving around a carload of snarky teen girls, playing with her
rescue dog and cat, or teaching aspiring writers in Seton Hill
University’s MFA program. She is probably not cleaning her house.
Connect with Lee
Book Synopsis
Betsy and Ty Franklin, owners of Franklin Dairy Farm in southern
Alabama, have long since buried their desire for children of their own.
While Ty manages their herd of dairy cows, Betsy busies herself with the
farm’s day-to-day operations and tries to forget her dream of
motherhood. But when her free-spirited sister, Jenna, drops off her two
young daughters for “just two weeks,” Betsy’s carefully constructed wall
of self-protection begins to crumble.
As the two weeks stretch deeper into the Alabama summer, Betsy and Ty
learn to navigate the new additions in their world—and revel in the
laughter that now fills their home. Meanwhile, record temperatures
promise to usher in the most active hurricane season in decades.
Attending an art retreat four hundred miles away, Jenna is fighting
her own battles. She finally has time and energy to focus on her
photography, a lifelong ambition. But she wonders how her rediscovered
passion can fit in with the life she’s made back home as a single mom.
When Hurricane Ingrid aims a steady eye at the Alabama coast, Jenna
must make a decision that will change her family’s future, even as Betsy
and Ty try to protect their beloved farm and their hearts. Hurricane Season is the story of one family’s unconventional journey to healing—and the relationships that must be mended along the way.
Purchase Links
My Review
Hurricane Season tells the story of two sisters. Betsy, the older sister, is the "good girl" in the family who married a kind man, Ty, and lives with him on their family dairy farm in south Alabama. Jenna, the younger sister, is a free spirit who is a single mom living with her two young daughters in Nashville. When Jenna has an opportunity to go to an artists' retreat in a remote location in Florida, she drops her young daughters off with her older sister and heads off. The planned two week visit stretches on, and lives are changed over the long summer.
Lauren K. Denton's first book, The Hideaway, was one of my favorite reads of 2017 (my review here), so I was very eager to read Hurricane Season.
I really loved everything about this novel. The heart of the story is the lives of the two sisters who are both seeking happiness and fulfillment in different ways. I found Betsy much more likeable and sympathetic. I loved her relationship with her husband Ty and the kind and mindful way that she lived her life on a daily basis on the farm. The farm details were lovely. Jenna, on the other hand, was much more selfish, and was very determined to follow her passion for photography no matter how much her impulsive actions inconvenienced her young daughters and her sister and brother-in-law.
I stayed up late reading to see what would happen with these women and with the precious little girls who were left in Betsy and Ty's care. To say that this is an engrossing novel is an understatement!
I also loved the Southern setting, the food, the iced tea, the long hot summer days, the casual Southern speech patterns. I am a native Southerner and have lived through many hurricane seasons; I found this aspect of the book very relatable.
Lauren K. Denton has a way with creating characters who are distinct and well rounded. The chapters alternate, mostly Betsy and Jenna, but some from Ty's perspective too. This is very well done and added to my enjoyment of the book.
The storytelling and descriptions are so graceful. This is a Christian novel but the faith message is subtle. It is all about grace and love. I really liked the following passage. Betsy has been gardening and a friend talks to her about the garden and the incoming storms:
"As far as your garden, sometimes storms can be helpful. ... All that wind and rain shows you which plants are the strongest. Those are the ones you keep, plant more of next season. But the ones that break under the force of the storm -- well, you just toss those and pretend they never set foot in your garden in the first place. Eventually you learn to choose strong ones from the get-go. You know how it is around here. Everything needs to be strong. Plants and people" (p. 316).
I rate Hurricane Season an enthusiastic five stars, and recommend it highly to fans of Southern fiction, women's fiction, and Christian fiction. It would be a perfect Summer read!
Author Bio
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren K. Denton now lives with
her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In
addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about
life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given
day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books.
Connect with Lauren
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.
Book Synopsis
Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy.
Shay
Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On
the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama's family—folks she
loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more
drama than you can shake a stick at.
The days leading up to the
event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her
sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the
childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high
school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have
been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become
doesn’t know what to make of this.
Shay’s contentment is
challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she
find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers
her quiet and predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the
Bucklin family is never boring.
My Review
High Cotton is a southern novel set in the small town of Pinewood, Mississippi. Shay Henke is at the heart of the novel. She receives an invitation to a family reunion at the same time that she reconnects with her high school crush. And then there is a lot of family drama, especially from a secret her sister-in-law asks her to help keep and her younger twin cousins, who seek her advice. This is the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion Series.
This was a really enjoyable read! The author, who has clearly spent a lot of time in the south, captured small town southern life perfectly. I am a native southerner and loved that aspect of this book -- the southernisms of the language, the pacing, the food, the family dynamics.
The book is told in alternating chapters by different members of the family. At first I was a little wary of this, because it really seems to be Shay's story at heart, but as the novel went on I really got to know the other characters (Missy, Punkin, and Sally) as well and cared about them. I enjoyed their storylines and seeing the way all the stories fit together.
The dialogue was particularly strong in this novel. I could just visualize scenes, like a movie, because it was so engaging and well written.
I recommend High Cotton for fans of Southern fiction, women's fiction, and Christian novels. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
I received a copy of this book from Gilead Reviewers.
Book Synopsis
NYT bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert returns to Depression-era
Darling, Alabama…where the ladies of the Dahlias, the local garden
club, are happy to dig a little dirt!
In the seventh book of this popular series, it looks like the music
has ended for Darling’s favorite barbershop uiquartet, the Lucky Four
Clovers—just days before the Dixie Regional Barbershop Competition.
Another unlucky break: a serious foul-up in Darling’s telephone
system—and not a penny for repairs. And while liquor is legal again,
moonshine isn’t. Sheriff Buddy Norris needs a little luck when he goes
into Briar Swamp to confront Cypress County’s most notorious bootlegger.
What he finds upends his sense of justice.
Once again, Susan Wittig Albert has told a charming story filled with
richly human characters who face the Great Depression with courage and
grace. She reminds us that friends offer the best of themselves to each
other, community is what holds us together, and luck is what you make
it.
Bonus features: Liz Lacy’s Garden Gate column on “lucky” plants, plus
the Dahlias’ collection of traditional Southern pie recipes and a dash
of cookery history. Reading group questions, more recipes, and
Depression-era info at www.DarlingDahlias.com.
My Review
The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover tells the story of the ladies in a garden club in Depression era Alabama. The book gives glimpses of their lives and follows them as they solve a mystery.
I love historical fiction, southern fiction, and mysteries, and cannot believe I am only now discovering the Darling Dahlias series! This book was such a delight. I grew up in the Deep South, and love the nostalgic, evocative small town that comes to life in this book. I could almost smell honeysuckle and hear the screened doors closing!
I also loved the details of gardening and old time cooking. From the Letter to Reader:
"We know that flowers nourish the heart and soul, but a big plate of stewed okra with tomatoes, buttered corn on the cob, and potato salad go a long way to comfort a body, especially these days, when jobs don't grow on trees and money is as scarce as hen's teeth. Every Dahlia agrees: If you've got a garden, you'll have all the wealth you need -- and good health to boost" (p. viii).
This is my first Darling Dahlias read. It took me a while to get all the characters straight, but the Autumn 1934 Club Roster, included at the front of the book, helped a lot with that. I really got invested in the characters easily and enjoyed following their stories. I especially loved the story of Liz Lacy's work at the law firm -- and re-emergence of her old beau.
The mystery aspect of the story was well written and well paced, with good little clues here and there. I am very eager to catch up with the previous books in this series -- and to read upcoming Darling Dahlia books too.
The historical details were also well done, and brought a lot to the small town, 1934 Alabama setting. I find the Depression Era fascinating, and rarely get to read books set during this time period.
For foodie fans, there are also some delicious sounding pie recipes at the end of the book! They include some unique, old fashioned recipes like Vinegar Pie and Liz Lacy's Green Tomato Pie.
I recommend The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover highly for fans of historical fiction, southern fiction, and mysteries. It is a delight from start to finish!
Author Bio
Susan Wittig Albert is the NYT bestselling author of over 100 books.
Her work includes four mystery series: China Bayles, the Darling
Dahlias, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the Robin Paige
Victorian mysteries. She has published three award-winning historical
novels, as well as YA fiction, memoirs, and nonfiction. Susan currently
serves as an editor of StoryCircleBookReviews and helps to coordinate
SCN’s online class program. She and her husband Bill live in the Texas
Hill Country, where she writes, gardens, and raises a varying assortment
of barnyard creatures.
For more information please visit Susan Wittig Albert’s website. Visit the Darling Dahlias Facebook Page. You can also find Susan on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away one paperback copy of The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover to one lucky winner! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 16th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Darling Dahlias
I received a copy of this book from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.
Book Synopsis
Three best friends met every Tuesday for twenty-six years. And then they stopped.
From the author of the bestselling Sweeney Sisters Series comes a novel of friendship, family, and hope.
When new next-door neighbors Georgia, Midge, and Lula first assembled
on Georgia’s porch in Charleston for sweet tea, they couldn’t have
known their gathering was the beginning of a treasured tradition. For
twenty-six years they have met on Tuesdays at four o’clock, watching the
seasons change and their children grow up, supporting each other in
good times and in bad. With their ambitions as different as their
personalities, these best friends anticipate many more years of tea
time. And then, one Tuesday, Georgia shares news that brings their
long-standing social hour to an abrupt halt. And that’s only the
beginning as unraveling secrets threaten to alter their friendship
forever.
Purchase Link
My Review
Sweet Tea Tuesdays tells the story of three friends named Lula, Georgia, and Midge who met on Georgia's front porch every Tuesday for 26 years for sweet tea and a visit. When life changes suddenly one summer, their friendship is tested. This novel tells the story of their friendship as well as their individual stories.
There is so much that I enjoyed about this book. It is set in Charleston during the summer, and Ashley Farley captures summer in the south perfectly. (I will admit that the constant mention of sweet tea made me make crave - and drink - more sweet tea than usual!)
At its heart, this is a book about friendship. Lula, Georgia, and Midge have been great friends for many years. They have been together through ups and downs in their marriages, through watching children grow up, and finding their own place in the world with work and life passions. I really liked these three women. The author did a beautiful job at delineating the characters and giving them each a unique voice. The book is told from different viewpoints -- each of these women, as well as Lula's youngest daughter.
There is warm and unexpected kindness and some heartbreak in Sweet Tea Tuesdays. I would recommend it for fans of books like Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe or movies like Steel Magnolias. It was a wonderful summer read that found me reaching for the tissue box a few times. Put this one on your summer reading list!
Author Bio
Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are
mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her goal
is to keep you turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning. If
her story stays with you long after you’ve read the last word, then
she’s done her job.
After her brother died in 1999 of an accidental overdose, she turned
to writing as a way of releasing her pent-up emotions. She wrote SAVING
BEN in honor of Neal, the boy she worshipped, the man she could not
save.
Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she’s
lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, part of her heart
remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry where she
grew up. Through the eyes of her characters, she’s able to experience
the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kind-hearted folks with
lazy drawls that make the area so unique.
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.
