Southern charm and second chances
936010
My Fathers House is an excellent debut novel that combines the elements of sweet romance, suspense, friendship, and Southern charm, and fits into the genre of womens fiction that I enjoy so much. Rose Chandler Johnson has created a story that is primarily easy, pleasurable reading, yet it will keep readers on the edge of their seats at other times. Sometimes a books setting has such a strong presence that it becomes a major character, as is the case here. The author vividly conveyed the essence of the South  from the food, hospitality, and friendliness, to the way the small community looked out for Lilys safety.

My Fathers House is told in the first-person voice of Lily, which worked well and fit this style of narrative. I fell in love with Lily Rose Cates from the very beginning  and while I understood how she was unwisely attracted to Manny, I wanted to reach out and shake some sense into her. I thought this description was totally accurate:  What a twenty-two-year-old girl in love feels, is more real than reality, stronger than reason.

Lilys husband, Manny, is a Detroit lawyer who thrives for power, competition and winning. Although hes a character that I hated to see walk onto the page, I wish more could have been revealed about his character, family, and the reason behind his actions. His physical and emotional abuse are portrayed realistically, but not overly graphic.

There are also some great secondary characters, my favorite being Annie Ruth, the family maid who practically raised Lily. This is a wonderful description of Annie Ruth (maybe you even know someone who resembles her):  She had a way of parading life down the middle of the road in the broad daylight and looking it straight in the face. She never sugar-coated reality, and she never white-washed the truth. In her own dignified way, she made the best of what the good Lord gave.

Neither does the author sugar-coat reality when it comes to serious issues such as abuse, spousal rape, depression, and divorce  all of which are handled in a graceful manner. At its heart, My Fathers House is a story of the healing and second chances found in Christ. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to more from Rose Chandler Johnson.

Recommended.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
4679777
I liked this book so much, it was hard to write the review! I just didn't know where to start. Southern Fried is the second book in the Kenni Lowry series and is every bit as good as the first. If you haven't read the first book, you can still enjoy this story. But I guarantee youll be looking for that first book (Fixin to Die  shameless plug) as soon as you are through.

I primarily read during my hour long commute to and from work and as much as I love getting home, there were a couple of times when I wished the train ride was longer. It has Southern charm, Southern humor, Southern manners, and a fierce Southern mama. The plot is captivating, funny, and chock full of twists. It keeps you guessing right to the last page. I cant wait to see what she does in the next book.
855100
Set in Atlanta and the Ohio farm region before, during and after World War II, First Love, Last Dance is the touching, heart-warming true story of Elise and Peter, a couple who first fell deeply in love in their late teens/early twenties but weren't able to reunite until their late seventies. It's refreshing to read about such real life stories.

Told from the point of view of Elise's daughter Nancy Rossman, this memoir begins in Atlanta in the late 30s and spans several decades all the way to the present.

Elise is a beautiful Southern girl from an upper-class upbringing. At the young age of 19, she meets Peter, the man who sweeps her off her feet. They fall in love. Unfortunately, Elise's controlling, domineering and old fashioned mother has other plans for her daughter. Believing that Peter isn't the right match for Elise, she does her best to influence her daughter's decision until, tragically, she succeeds. Instead of marrying Peter, Elise marries a Navy pilot who, though handsome and smart, isn't the right person for her. As a young bride, Elise's life changes radically: her new husband takes her to rural Ohio to work on a farm. Elise is soon torn with bittersweet feelings of frustration and, at times, unhappiness. Then something happens... Each year on her birthday, Elise receives a mystery call from the South... Could it be her long lost love?

Though I'm not a big fan of memoirs, I must say I enjoyed reading this one. Written with special attention to detail, First Love, Last Dance is a celebration of love that will warm readers' hearts. It is also a celebration of hope and second chances. True-love story lovers will relish the hope and optimism in it, while fans of Southern writing will take pleasure in the historical aspect of the setting and characters. The family dynamics in the story are interesting, too, portraying values and traditions particular to the South and the Ohio rural regions. Above all, this is the story of one strong woman, Elise, a woman who never gave up on a memory and a promise.

The author wrote the memoir as a gift and tribute to her mother Elise. What a wonderful gift to offer a mother! If you're a fan of true love stories, you must pick this one up. This book will also make a lovely gift on Valentine's Day.

About the author: Nancy Rossman has been a storyteller her entire life. Following a twenty-nine year career as a commercial real estate broker, Nancy turned to her first love of writing. Over the past eleven years she has studied with such notables as Alan Furst, Dorothy Allison, Abigail Thomas and Ann Hood. First Love, Last Dance is her first book. It is a memoir about hope and second chances.
3043215
Southern Charms includes three stories by three great authors. I have read all three books and loved each one. The stories are set in Magnolia Bay with lots of southern charm.  The authors truly grasp the down-home southern character.  The series introduces us to the Dunn sisters and their new romances.
I loved all three books.  I have read several books by these authors and have never been disappointed.
4924226
I had so much fun reading this book.  It is an absolutely charming and sweet romance.  There is a little mystery added in just to keep things interesting.  What would Adams Grove be without a little mystery?  I love this charming little southern town.

This is the third book in the series but, so far, it is my favorite.  This book really focused on the developing relationship of Connor and Carolanne rather than focusing on the mystery as in the past books.  My one disappointment was how the reconciliation between Carolanne and her father, Ben, was handled. I was honestly expecting more conflict and struggle between these two.

I really enjoyed being back in Adams Grove for this book.  It was fun spending time with these wonderful characters again.  This is such a great series of books and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a light, enjoyable read.  Although, the first two books can be read in any order, you will want to read "Sweet Tea and Secrets" before this one or you might find yourself a little lost.
124063
I enjoyed this fast moving cozy mystery set in the South. The dialog was so fresh and so much a part of the region that I felt that I was there. I love that the author took us back to the childhood of Millicent Anderson and her memories as it helped develop a well rounded character for the reader.
I felt a part of this collegiate community and it's characters. The story was so well written that I was never bogged down. The storyline was interesting and the characters were very believable. I would love to read more Cozies by Sylvia Nash
4827688
I received this book as ARC for my honest review. This is story is in small town about a girl named Dixie who decided to leave her town think it was the best the decision for her and her love living him.  After 10 years she has to come back and reconnect with old friends and her ex boyfriend. Deke who now is a handsome, smart and lovely guy who everybody loves in the town. This is heartwarming second chance story that you shouldn't miss.
2896023
Story Synopsis: on a whim, Tish McComb buys the southern historical mansion first owned by her Civil War era ancestors. Expecting to return to a community that would embrace her for her historical ties, she is surprised to instead receive a brutal cold shoulder. Taking in a prodigal local young woman off the streets and housing her was also not part of Tish's plan, but this needy young woman may be Tish's key to healing from her own past losses and granting the both of them a second chance.

What did I like about this book? That's a hard one, because I loved everything about this book. Being a Civil War reenactor, the historical bend found in this modern-day tale was enough to intrigue me into some of the little known post-war days, while also not overwhelming me with details and dates that distract from the power of the story. I also loved how different antiques and references to old vintage treasures wound there way subtly into the story line.

In many respects, this book read like a calm, sweet-tea sipping story straight out of Mayberry - there's no heaving bodices, kisses in the falling rain or tragic moments of bodily peril. But there's heart, oh so much heart, and substance in this story.  But never fear, heart and substance did not compromise it's read-appeal - the story keeps going at a speed that definitely keeps you engaged and in anticipation of the final ending.

The characters in Gone South read like real people, with real problems, real thought processes and real responses to life's lemons. It's no stretch of the imagination to imagine yourself in their shoes. Whereas each main character has something to learn, the flow of the story feels more like just living life than a heated and rushed drama to solve a problem. Maybe I'm just getting "old," but I find myself greatly appreciating the stories that touch my heart more than just a sensational drama that merely plays seeks to play with my female emotions.  But to those who really need some romance, don't worry - you can still find it here.

In the end, I found an old friend in this book and I know that this is one that I will find myself re-reading in years to come. I highly recommend it. Really.

I give it a 5 out of 5 with my full blessing.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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!
4471454
The Good Luck Sister is a heart-warming, second-chance romance story. It's always nice to read about second chance romance as it gives you the hope that with love, anything is possible, even if the person had hurt you deeply in the past. Definitely enjoyed Dylan and Tilly's story.  Generally, I'm not so fond of novellas as I prefer a story that is longer and not so rushed. This story is not too rushed but still wish it was a longer story.

** I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own
2052345
The characters in this charming southern romp are charming when they should be, witty when they should be, droll when they should be. The characters' voices are all clear-cut and it's a very fun read. Reading the other reviews, it appears that this is part of a series.  Good news for us all!
429682
Engaging and filled with southern wit and charm, this book makes for a delightful and entertaining read! While the story touches on life after a devastating divorce, it is anything but depressing. It takes you through a journey of faith and love, all the time chuckling your way through as you appreciate the characters' experiences. Highly recommend!
1486278
For a charming, romantic read, mix Cam, a small-town councilman with a penchant for gardening, and Norah, a high-powered marketing executive fleeing big city woes. They meet in a small, Southern town named Wishful, and the plot thickens from there as Norah commits to helping Wishful survive. Nolan offers a very real sense of the problems small towns face in a tanking economy, along with this heartfelt romance. I especially enjoyed the fully developed characters, depth of a behind-the-scenes look at how small towns make and implement decisions, the wit and humor throughout, and the misunderstandings, twists and turns that bring Cam and Norah together. For me, a 4.5 read.
2955273
What I liked most about this book was the main character's persona of "Telling it like it is." Julia Parks does not beat around the bush, and the reader gets to know her very quickly. Although, she does have a lot to learn about herself and her family during the course of the novel, and we get to learn along with her through a love triangle, a biography of a famous author, unraveling of family mysteries and a good old-fashioned shotgun scene. It is a great read featuring a mix of southern charm from Atlanta, GA and the laid-back life-style of the southwest coast of Florida.
877603
As a lifelong Southerner, it is almost imperative that I enjoy Southern fiction. The Hideaway exceeded my expectations. This book, while often poignant, expresses some of the best aspects of living in a southern small town, especially the residents.

The Hideaway is a charming yet revealing story about a young woman who returns home after her grandmothers death in order to take care of related business. Intending to return to her own business in New Orleans, Sara finds herself committed to restoring the family B&B. In the process, Sara learns who her grandmother truly was and in doing so discovers herself and possibly love.

It would be too easy to elaborate and reveal a few spoilers but I will refrain from doing so. I did love this book and after reading it would be most interested in relocating to a town like Sweet Bay, if such a place existed. Lovely book!

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book that was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
4820351
I really enjoyed this book about second chances and not rushing to judgement.  A dose of romance was good too
2450952
I enjoyed this read! Carlie is a down to earth, southern girl who loves southern food, single college student, who enjoys writing and she happens to be 32 years old. She has worked at Dollar General for 10 years, and she feels that she is stuck in a rut. An older gentleman whom she admires and respects gives her the email to his nephew and tells her that she should contact him as he is a "solid" kind of guy. She sends the first email and that is where it all starts for Carlie and Doug. This is really a delightful read and gives many life lessons on some difficult life events, and we see Carlie and Doug struggle and grow through it all. It has a sweet Christian undertone that is not overbearing, but just right and we are rooting for them the whole way through.