women’s fiction

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

a place at the tableSusan Rebecca White’s A PLACE AT THE TABLE is a story that is entertaining- it has family drama, social issues, being at peace with yourself and your past and food- glorious food.

The main characters of the story are Bobby, a young gay man originally from Georgia and Amelia, a posh woman from Connecticut. Alice, a chef and author, originally from North Carolina- is a character that is also very central to the story. While at first the reader will not understand the connection between the 3 characters, Susan Rebecca White creates a story that connects them in a way that is memorable.

Bobby and his life in Georgia is good- but Bobby knows as he grows older that he is different. Being different is not something he wants, and yet- he must be true to himself. As his story is revealed bit by bit, the reader finds out exactly how he came to live in New York City- and how love and acceptance of him made a difference in Bobby’s life.

Amelia, a mother of teenager girls, is living with her husband in Connecticut. Amelia suspects things about her husband- and yet, she loves him. With the girls being out of the house, Amelia has a firsthand look at how her life could be and how it is- and she makes a choice.

A Place at the Table takes characters that on the surface have nothing in common- except that they are humans- and yet as the story goes- each character has plenty in common- a need for nourishment for the stomach and soul, a need to find a place where they can be- no judgments. These characters face trials and tribulations- but, they form connections with the reader- and the reader wants to know what happens next and wants them to find their “place at the table”.

A Place at the Table is a book that makes the reader think, think about social issues, think about love, finding yourself, being true to yourself. As you read, you’ll find that you understand the characters and their need for nourishment, their desire to find places of love and acceptance. After the book is finished, it will be a book that stays in a person’s thoughts for days.

Recommended.

 

A Place at the Table was provided to me by Touchstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Guest House by Erika Marks

the guest houseSometimes the greatest secrets are those we keep from ourselves.

 

The Guest House by Erika Marks

The folks of Harrisport know that when summer arrives- the influx of summer visitors will bring in a different ambience to Harrisport. Traffic, more people; but yet townsfolk do not mind much because while summer visitors turn the sleepy town to a busy area- they also being cash to help line the wallets of Harrisport residents. Summer brings some inconveniences, but it can be overlooked. For 2 women of Harrisport, though, summer is a reminder of the heartbreak they suffered at the hands of Moss men.

Lexi, returning home to Harrisport after 2 years in London, is connecting with friends and reliving summer traditions when she gets a random phone call. Cooper Moss, younger brother of Hudson, is looking for an experienced photographer for the Moss home. Lexi agrees to take the job- knowing it’ll be good for her photography portfolio. Even though hearing from Cooper reminds Lexi of her last night with Hudson, she is determined to be professional. Being professional with Cooper Moss may be tougher than Lexi anticipated, though.

Edie, Lexi’s mother, is looking for work for her all-women construction crew. With the Moss’s guest house needing renovations- it seems Edie’s crew has found a great job. However it may be more than Edie can handle- between the ongoing feud between her family and the Moss family and the uncovering of heartfelt sentiment.

Told in alternating tales, current time and the summer of 1966, The Guest House has themes of love, family secrets, growing up, letting go and finding that happiness can and should be embraced whenever possible.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

The Guest House is a beautiful story. Wonderful characters. The reader will want to know more about Lexi, Edie, and others. Be warned: After reading The Guest House, two things may happen: a longing to be at the beach and finding a new #literarycrush.

Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

looking for meLooking for Me by Beth Hoffman is a sweet book that combines family, antiques, love of rural land and the charming town of Charleston.

Teddi Overman is a girl that likes garage sales, estate sales, and finding broken pieces and making them beautiful again. Teddi, while living in Kentucky with her family, dreams of a life elsewhere- a life where she can restore antiques and sell them. Teddi’s brother, Josh, wants a life where he is at one with nature- that is his place, where he is truly happy. Teddi always figures that Josh will become a park ranger- a job where he could help animals, keep the wildlife safe and have a hand in keeping the evils of modern life from the sanctuary of nature. Then Josh disappears- and people begin to fear the worst.

Teddi is living her life in Charleston, owns her own antique store, and has friends and generous people in her life.  Josh’s disappearance is still a hole in her life- a hole that she hopes to be able to fill one day by finding out once and for all what happened to Josh. Even though common sense dictates that Josh met an untimely death- Teddi’s heart will not let go of the thought that he is alive somewhere.

When Teddi finds herself back in Kentucky, dealing with unexpected issues- she begins to look at her family’s belongings- and in the process of deciding what to keep and toss- Teddi finds things that show different sides to the family she thought she knew everything about. Learning new things puts her relationships in different lights- and let’s Teddi know that even if love is not expressed in the ways one would want, it is there. Once she arrives back in Charleston- Teddi knows that it is time to live life- to not hold back. With that idea- she finds life in Charleston becomes a richer, more fulfilling experience, and one she was more than ready for.

Beth Hoffman, writing about love, loss, finding yourself, and letting go, creates a story that is a reader’s dream. It has something for everyone, is well-written and very enjoyable. Grab a copy of Looking for Me, sit down and read Teddi’s story. You can thank me later.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Photo Credit: William Morrow Paperbacks

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Orphan Train

 

Vivian Daly- a 91 year old woman. Outlived every person in her life that has meant something to her (and outlived the people that did not mean anything to her, as well). Vivian, as you see her today, appears to have lived in the lap of luxury. A nice house, money, fine things filling the house. But looks can be deceiving.

Vivian, in her early years, was aboard a train called the Orphan Train. It was a way to help orphans find new homes instead of living at the orphanage till they were adults. Of course, the orphan train was a nice idea in theory only. People would come to where the train would stop to find kids to be part of the family, or farmhands, or girls to clean and sew. Some did have honorable intentions- but some did not.

When 91 year old Vivian meets Molly, a teenager who has been shuttled from house to house in an attempt to find a suitable foster home, Molly thinks that she and Vivian have nothing in common. As Molly helps clean Vivian’s attic, though, she is surprised to find that not only do they have things in common; but that Molly feels a connection with Vivian. Continue reading →

Interview with Kimberly Freeman author of Lighthouse Bay

Recently, a copy of LIGHTHOUSE BAY was sent to me so I could read and review. Not being familiar with Kimberly Freeman’s other book, WILDFLOWER HILL, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I recieved LIGHTHOUSE BAY. Within  a few pages, I learned to expect a nice story, characters that are interesting- flawed, but well-meaning; with their own hidden stories just waiting to be revealed. The more I read, the more I wanted to know the backstory, how Kimberly Freeman created these characters, this setting. Luckily for me, an opportunity presented itself and I was able to ask Kimberly Freeman a few questions about writing process, the characters of LIGHTHOUSE BAY, and more.

Interview with Kimberly Freeman:

1. The characters in Lighthouse Bay- were any based on people you know in real life? Or were they just characters you created?

They were all characters I created except one. Lady Berenice is based on a friend of mine. She has such a big heart, and she doesn’t suffer fools gladly, that I thought she’d make an excellent character in a book. I sometimes think that Matthew, the lighthouse keeper, is a little bit based on my boyfriend though they’ve nothing much in common than a lovely steady maleness (and beards! they both have beards!). Isabella is like nobody I know, and she was quite difficult to spend time with, as she had such a wildness about her.

2. How long did it take you to write Lighthouse Bay -from the beginning of the idea to publication date?

About eighteen months. I wrote Lighthouse Bay during one of the worst years of my life. My marriage had broken down, I was recalibrating my duties towards my two young children, and I had to take on extra work because divorce is so expensive. So I was terribly distracted while writing it. But at the same time, it was also one of the best years of my life. I met a lovely new man and I spent a lot of time at the Sunshine Coast, looking at the sea, and writing down ideas for the story. So there was a lot of emotional ups and downs writing it. I’m a lot calmer now, and can write a lot quicker.

3. When I read author interviews, most speak of having a routine to their writing. Do you, Kimberly, have a writing routine that you would care to share?

I used to, but my life is very full and busy and I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old, so my routine is write whenever I find the time. If I waited around for long stretches of free time, I wouldn’t write another thing.

4. If Lighthouse Bay was to be made into a movie, do you have any ideas about the cast? Would you prefer to have famous actors or unknown ones?

I never picture actors as my characters because actors are all so perfect and beautiful, and I always think of my characters as being more real, with flaws, imperfections, texture. Having said that, if a big Hollywood studio wanted to give me money to make a movie, I would happily take the money and buy a lot of great shoes.

5. Have we, the readers, heard the last from Juliet and Libby? Or might they be featured in another book one day?

No, I’m done with them. We had a great time, but now they are going to get on with life and I have new imaginary friends to play with.

6. What is next on the agenda as far as writing? Do you have any ideas for another book?

I have just finished the first draft of a novel called “Ember Island”, about a young woman who becomes the governess to a prison superintendent’s daughter in the 1890s. There is intrigue, crumbling manor houses, a feisty little girl with a big imagination, and a wooden cat named Pangur Ban.

 

 

A special thanks to Kimberly Freeman for answering the questions and to Saraciea for presenting the opportunity to interview.

 

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Julie Kibler’s debut novel, Calling Me Home, is a story that will make the reader think- how far a person is willing to go for love,  choosing between what you want and what your family expects of you, and standing on your own in the world.

They were two unlikley friends- one an aging white woman and the other a younger black woman. Hair helped them make each other’s aquaintance and friendship grew. However, a road trip for the two showed that they have more in common than one ever thought. Isabelle McAllister asks her hairdresser and friend Dorrie to accompany her on a road trip to a funeral in Cincinatti. Dorrie, feeling the need to escape from her worries for a few days, agrees to drive Isabelle.

As the 2 ladies embark on a journey- one heading toward a past that has painful memories and the other leaving her present for a few days- Isabelle begins to share the story- the story of Isabelle far before Dorrie ever knew her. Isabelle tells a story about her first love- her great love. A boy who was the son of the housekeeper that worked for Isabelle’s family. As Dorrie listens- Isabelle tells of Robert and the love they shared- a love that the town Isabelle lived in could not understand.

Calling Me Home– it’s a story that has sadness, much sadness at times. It’s also a story of love and hope- and being true to yourself.  Looking for a good book to read- a story of love, friendship, family consisting of the people you choose and much more? You have found the book then.