Full of southern charm!
922455
Sassy Belles was a fun read, loved the way the author depicted all the southern charm and ways about Tuscaloosa  and its people. She really gave me a good idea of how it's like. The characters were great, funny and supportive. Vivi is Blake's best friend. She can count on Blake to help her find the man she loves- Lewis, who has disappeared or may be dead.
  My only issue is that Blake, the heroine, is in an unhappy marriage. Her husband Harry is running for office  which is his main priority and when an old flame Sonny, (a swoony hero) appears in the scene Blake is tempted to follow her heart. I'm a bit of a conservative reader so this was the only part I was uncomfortable with. Im not fond of affairs. Otherwise the rest of the story was fine. There was love, mystery, suspense and humor, lots of humor. I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion. I'm still eager to read the next book because I want to see what happens next. I give this book 3.5 stars
2579746
What a great read..easy, engaging, funny and just an all around relaxing read!  I hated for it to end!!  A little bit of magic mixed in with good old southern charm! The perfect combo!
1373639
I've been excitedly anticipating this newest Cottonbloom story and it did not disappoint. Once again, Trentham has paired a couple from opposites sides of the river: Sutton, the privileged daughter of a Mississippi judge and Wyatt, the blue-collar mechanic from the Louisiana side. At first glance, Sutton and Wyatt are completely mismatched, but both are much more complex than appearances would suggest. Wyatt, in particular, has hidden depths that not even his family has guessed and beneath her prim and proper exterior, Sutton hides the soul of a woman aching to break loose and have fun. I adored them both, individually and as a couple, and thoroughly enjoyed their journey.

As in her previous books, both the town of Cottonbloom and the quirky citizens on both sides of the river are featured prominently in Leave the Night On. Trentham brings them to life with her vibrant, realistic descriptions and spot-on southern dialog. In addition to creating intriguing communities, Trentham also excels at developing complex family relationships, the Abbott brothers being the most recent to take center stage. The dynamic among the four brothers is fraught with emotion, mistrust, and conflict. Trentham unveils just enough about each brother to leave me wanting more though I have to admit that at this point all I want to do with eldest brother Ford is drop-kick him off the nearest cliff. I'm sure there are swirling emotional depths within each of them to which we will eventually become privy. I can't wait to see where she takes them in upcoming books.

If you enjoy small-town stories true to their southern roots with sensual romance, emotional depth, likable couples, quirky secondary characters, and a splash of humor that wrap you up in a satisfied smile and sigh, then I recommend any of Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom novels. Leave the Night On is a great place to begin.
3221566
What an adorable, cute read! A true southern belle story! I was captivated with the city and the characters.
The characters were extremely southern in their quirky and eccentric behavior. The twists and turns kept me laughing and gasping throughout the tale!!
Extremely entertaining and enjoyable!!!
2989868
Stormy Surrender (New Hope Book 1) is a fantastic character study of a sweet Southern Everytown. Martha has moved to New Hope, South Carolina in an attempt to recharge her failing marriage after a horrible tragedy. Joey is a hottie trying to find his way in life. Together they are they are the perfect couple to introduce the reader to New Hope. Joey and Marti (Martha) make you want to root for them as they attempt to both build new lives. The secondary characters of Keely and Lauren are AWESOME watching and Mothering everyone but watch out for Miz Gracie and her garden hose. A definite winner to me :)
1942673
What a cute book!  I was definitely in the mood for something lighthearted and this book, full of southern charm and wit, was just perfect to float my boat.  Sisterhood, a bit of romance, mixed with some mystery, and huge belly laughs, these ladies of Cayboo Creek, South Caroline grew on me like white on rice.  Ups, beware, reading this book might just change your speech patterns.

Ladies from 20's to 80's meet and work in The Bottom Dollar Emporium, seeking everything from toilet brushes, to old fashioned toys and candies for just a dollar.  It's a place to meet, share a cup of coffee and discuss anything and everything that comes to mind.  Then dreaded news.  A big chain dollar store is coming to town and threatens to outshine and outsell their little gathering place.

Elizabeth, the store manager comes up with a few ideas to save the day.  She's also being set-up to meet a new man after the love of her life broke off their engagement.  Mix that in with some relatives that one might love but would rather keep to one self, and you've got a story that makes for fast and intriguing reading.

This first book in The Bottom Dollar Series was a charmer for me.  I notice that these books come in Audible too, so think I'll try that version for the next book.  The accents should add another flavor to an already fun series!
1507409
This is a wonderful book!  The characters are fully developed and complex.  I laughed & cried, and really found myself caring about these people!  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good (Southern) story.
2166118
What a wonderful journey back to a time when life was a slower pace and teenage fun centered around a dance, a date, and young love.  A great mixture of Southern charm, small town quirks and intriguing mystery.  The author has a way of engaging your interest in the character's life stories to a point where you can't put the book down! Great summer read!
2708304
Set in the South, I loved how charming all of the characters were. Even in anger they were mostly polished and polite, but not prudely so. Based in first pov, we go back and forth between or two main characters..Ashton/ Grace and Dane/ Woody....why the two names..you have to read it to see. Although we follow a true love formula plotline..I still thought there were some unique little twists and I fell in love with the South and the fabulous characters that lived there. This is my first book by Mooney and I plan on purchasing many more!!!
3285595
This is a great read! I would recommend reading Lisa Patton's other two novels first in this series prior to reading this one. You'll love the southern touches throughout!
3075558
I loved this book from the beginning. The humor between Ginny and Jared had me laughing out loud, especially the skunk scene. The banter between the two was great, some sizzling sexual tension. Beth Albright bring out the true southern flavor of the south. This is the perfect summer read, full of family, romance and drama.
88273
This is a story about Maggie Fortenberry, a 60 year real estate agent and a former Miss Alabama who is preparing to "leave" on November 3, 2008.  She misses her dear friend, the always optimistic Hazel, regrets never marrying or having children, and is saddened by the ever changing city of Birmingham. All of these details are told with humor and a gentle sadness.  The problem with her plan to "leave" is something always happens and she must delay.  Her biggest problem is the sale of Crestview, a beautiful old home that becomes Maggies mission to save from the wrecking ball. Lots of fun, laughter, history and a little mystery for good measure!

This is a sweet southern story about loyalty and hope.  As Hazel Whizenknott said "It's always the darkest just before the glorious dawn."
4389947
I loved this book! I am a proud Southerner and this author just cracks me up. There are many truths to this book- though some are exagerrated. If you are wanting a light and funny read and especially if you're Southern- you'll enjoy this!
2938407
This was my first read by Dorothea Benton Frank and enjoyed it.  It took me a while to get into it; and listened to the audio and Robin Miles did an outstanding job with the narration.  As a native of NC, and spent most of my adult life in Atlanta (been in Florida for years), and having worked in Charleston, SC area--love the southeast and the mentions of the places I have visited in the Lowcountry area.  I enjoyed the humor of the southern women and Beth a young college grad who returns to SC to housesit for her mother and family.  My favorite character was Cecilia as though she could be your best BFF!  Some history, fun, ghost, Ponzi schemes, romance, and learning to trust.  I look forward to reading more from Dorothea!
2510807
Like Flannery O'Conner and Bailey White, Marian Carcache has a most distinctive Southern voice and a gift for introducing tiny details to illuminate her characters and her settings.  Her stories are peopled with mechanics, waitresses, exterminators and the like, all of whom loom larger than life, drawing the reader into their blue collar drama.  Her gift for depicting small-town Alabama--indeed, small-town South--is a reader's delight.  I look forward to more--much more!
2031354
Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon is one of my favorite books because I fell in love with the characters in the town of Sinful, Louisiana.  I want to pack up a suitcase and spend the spring with those folks!  I also want to take my daughter and mother with me there to Sinful for an extended visit.  We will have a grand ole time with the elderly women of Sinful as we enjoy that banana pudding with the rest of the Baptists after church  did I mention that my daughter was on the Track Team in high school?  I cant wait to pet that old dog and sit on the porch sipping lemonade while we watch the events unfold.

The only thing Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon lacks is a map to that fascinating small southern town.  It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry.  When I first started the book, I wasn't sure if I would even finish it; then Fortune Redding got to Sinful and it was a fun rollercoaster ride from the first step into that town.  Many thanks to Jana DeLeon for taking me to the fabulous town of Sinful and introducing me to those wonderful people.
1429291
I am a southern woman to the core and I love this book!  ... Suddenly, our region is filled with as many non-Southerners as it is with Southeners. As a result it is increasingly hard to keep our traditions and cultures completely intact. ... I am thankful that Ronda Rich took the time to sit down and write a book that reflects the beauty of the South and our women. A land of women who write thank you notes, bake casseroles for those who are ailing and who know that charm and hospitality are the essence of kindness. If you are a true southern woman in your heart and your mama raised you to be lovely, charming and thoughtful, this book is for you. If you're looking to celebrate the greatness of a culture that is interesting and intriguing, this book is for you. If you need a good laugh, you'll get it when you read about the author's Cousin Wilma and an array of other characters who are eccentric, funny but heart warming. This book beginning with the chapter called "It's More Than The Drawl, Y'all" delights, entertains and inspires. The author reminds us of a southern woman's persistence and never-give-up attitude coated with sugar and a bit of spice. I'm proud to be one of these women and I, for one, hope that a sequel is soon to come. For those who have been a bit envious of southern women and their allure and never understood it, read this book! But especially for southern women who want to celebrate their inheritance of graciousness and femininity, you cannot miss out on this sparkling gem.