Tag Archives: small towns

Top 10 Tuesday — Authors I Have Recently Met

7 Mar

Happy Tuesday! I am a little late posting today’s TTT — computer issues. Ugh! But better late than never. Today our topic is bookish people. I attended a small literary festival over the weekend, and thought I would introduce to you the authors that I met. Some of the authors were parts of panels or talks that I attended; others I met at the tables where they displayed the works of their hearts. It’s only been a few days, so I haven’t read any of the books. Yet. Take a look. I hope there is at least one that piques your interest.

For more great posts, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Authors I Have Recently Met

Candace J. Carter, author of Muddy Waters.

Candace J. Carter has walked many paths in life. She served in the military, earned a degree in veterinary medicine, and worked for the National Park Service. Much of her professional career was spent with Threatened and Endangered species, including the black-footed ferret, Florida scrub-jay, and four species of sea turtles.

Her stories are drawn from these experiences. Growing up in a rural town, she was often found fishing, hunting, or horseback riding. She shared a love of watching western movies with her father. Her stories reflect small town life and the feeling of family shared by people in rural communities. Thanks to her father, there’s a bit of the Old West in her stories, too.

She was awarded a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award from the South Carolina Writers Association for Novel First Chapter for Muddy Waters, which is the first in the Henry “Whispering” Smith mystery series.

Crystal Jackson by Left on Main

Left on Main is Crystal Jackson’s first novel in the Heart of Madison series, an ongoing southern romance set in the charming real-life town of Madison, Georgia, where she lives with her two wild and wonderful children. A former therapist turned author, her work has been featured on Medium, Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, and The Good Men Project. When she’s not writing for Medium and working on her next book, you can find Crystal traveling, paddle boarding, running, throwing axes badly but with terrifying enthusiasm, hiking, doing yoga, or curled up with her nose in a book.

Soniah Kamal author of Unmarriageable

Soniah Kamal is an award winning novelist, essayist and public speaker. Her most recent novel, Unmarriageable: Pride & Prejudice in Pakistan, is a a Financial Times Readers’ Best Book of 2019, a New York Public Library, a NPR Code Switch 2019 Summer Read Pick and a Georgia Center for the Book’s 2019 pick for ‘Books All Georgians Should Read.’ Her debut novel, An Isolated Incident, was a finalist for the Townsend Award for Fiction and the KLF French Fiction. Soniah’s TEDx talk is about second chances and her Keynote Address at a U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony talks about the real American Dreams. Soniah’s work has appeared in critically acclaimed anthologies and publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Buzzfeed and more. Soniah grew up in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and England and resides in Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.soniahkamal.com twitter & instagram: @soniahkamal

Renee Propes author of Duplicity

Perhaps the most significant legacy left to Renee was her mother’s love for the written word. 

From an early age, Renee knew she was destined to write. 

But, as is often the case, life got in the way of her pursuit of writing. After the birth of her son Zachary, she finally got started. One afternoon as she watched her four-year-old playing, she picked up a number two pencil and a pad and began to explore the craft of storytelling through the written word.  Her first book in The Abington Series is a culmination of that effort.

Renee was thirty-five years old when she started her first novel, Duplicity: A Story of Deadly Intent. Upon retirement from a career in accounting, she edited the original twelve chapters, and with a determined perseverance, completed the book. 

Other books by Author Renee Propes:

Fractured: A Story of Broken Ties 

Redemption: A Story of Grace

Kay Dew Shostak author of Backwater, Florida

After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay Dew Shostak lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.

After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband. 

Rona Simmons author of A Gathering of Men

Rona Simmons is an author of both historical fiction and nonfiction. Her first published works were novels, and primarily works of historical fiction set in the first half of the last century. “The sweep of events, from the First World War to the Great Depression, to World War II, had momentous impact on our lives,” she says, “and is a period we can still almost reach with our fingertips.” 

Her latest book, A Gathering of Men (to be released by Koehler Books in early 2022), combines her interest in the World War II era and her passion for history and research to tell another story with a unique perspective on the war. This time, the tale is historical fiction, but based on a true story and countless hours spent in the library and our nation’s WWII museum archives.

Simmons is a frequent speaker on WWII and veterans stories as well as writing, blogging, editing, and marketing. She blogs about World War II-related topics on Gone for a Soldier. Her stories, articles, and interviews have been published in literary journals and online magazines, and in local newspapers.

Rona Simmons graduated from Tulane University and received her post-graduate degree from Georgia State University. She spent thirty-years in business, ending with a period as a business consultant for International Business Machines and retired to north Georgia where she launched her second career in writing.

G. S. Singer author of The Cobbler’s Daughter

G. S. Singer grew up in South Florida’s Redland district where he camped, hiked, and devoured every science fiction novel he could find. At the University of Florida, he studied creative writing under authors, Harry Crews and Smith Kirkpatrick. After graduation, Singer co-founded a small-town newspaper filling the roles of reporter, copy writer, editor, and even cartoonist. Praised for his wry humor, intricate plotting, and unforgettable characters, Singer’s fiction has been honored in both the Daphne du Maurier, Kiss of Death competition and the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. When he isn’t plunging unsuspecting heroes into impossible situations, Singer enjoys the tranquility of the North Georgia Mountains where he lives with his wife and children.

Jan Slimming coauthor of Captured at Singapore

Jan Slimming is a publishing professional with a former career in London’s educational and international publishing industry. Codebreaker Girls: A Secret Life at Bletchley Park is her first book. As Director of three companies, she chaired committees and fund-raising initiatives in aid of children’s education before delving into historical research. She was six when she first heard of Bletchley Park, but it was decades later when secrets about the wartime work there were revealed and she was compelled to research and write about this little-known part of her mother’s life. Jan is a member of Atlanta Writers Club (Est.1914) and an active member of her community in local events and WWII matters, of which she also writes with her twin sister. Jan has first class-qualifications from the Royal Society of Arts in English, Business and Publishing from Wimbledon College and the the University of the Arts (formerly London College of Printing and Graphic Arts). She lives in Atlanta with her husband and growing family.

Top 10 Tuesday — Cozy Reads

29 Nov

Happy Tuesday! Have you recovered from your Thanksgiving festivities yet? We have extended our fun with a two week visit from our not quite 3 year old granddaughter. Whew! I am old! 😉 I keep reminding myself that when our oldest was her age, I had a 14 month old and another on the way. But I was a lot more agile back then.

Blogging has taken a backseat to the care and feeding of a preschooler, but I didn’t want to miss a TTT. This week’s theme is Cozy Reads. That could take all forms — from mysteries, to romances, to small town reads, and Christmas books. I am featuring some from all those categories so that you have a good mix to choose from. Hope you find a book to love!

For more favorite cozy reads, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Cozy Reads

Cozy Mysteries

Belinda Blake And The Snake in The Grass by Heather Day Gilbert

Crime And Poetry by Amanda Flower

Cozy Romances

Bookshop by The Sea by Denise Hunter

Just Let It Go by Courtney Walsh

Stay with Me by Becky Wade

Small Town Cozy Reads

High Cotton by Debby Mayne

Home to Hickory Lane by Deborah Raney

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

Cozy Christmas

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere

The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson

Book Review: The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek

13 Jul

Upon his arrival, Butternut Creek Christian Church’s newly-minted minister is met by a welcome committee led by Miss Birdie and her friend Mercedes, a.k.a. “the Widows.” Their first order of business, to educate him on how things should be done, quickly gives way to a campaign to find him a wife.

When their matchmaking efforts fizzle, the Widows turn to another new bachelor. Amputee and Afghan vet Sam simply wants to be left alone– a desire that’s as good as a red flag to the Widows! Soon they’re scheming to pair him up with Willow, his beautiful physical therapist, a divorced mother of two who is afraid of commitment, Perrine’s small-town tale is a big-time triumph of gentle humor, fast-paced plot, and wonderfully engaging characters.

 

Jane Myers Perrine started writing while in grade school. Although her spelling was terrible — she blames that on dyslexia — her third-grade teacher predicted she’d be an author. Jane attended Kansas State University. Majoring in both English and Spanish, she read the best literature in both languages. After years as a Spanish teacher and minister, she began writing. Her novels include Regency settings and Western historicals as well as stories which take place in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas where she now resides. An award-winning author, she writes about a young minister, Adam Jordan, and his life in Butternut Creek, TX as well as humorous mysteries.

 

My Impressions:

I am a sucker for a small town book. You know, the kind that Jan Karon made famous. I sort of collect them — they reside in stacks on my TBR shelf. With a little bit of time between must-reads for reviews, I picked up The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek. This book is the first in a 3-book series and has been out a few years. Its hometown flavor, quirky and endearing characters, and sometimes tough subject matter, made this a surprisingly good read. Surprising because I wasn’t expecting depth, but a fun bit of fluff. While it often made me chuckle, it also grabbed my heartstrings. I can recommend this one.

There is an ensemble cast in The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek — the Widows (self-proclaimed helpers of the church and community), pastor Adam Jordan (newly minted seminary graduate), Sam (a wounded Marine), and Willow (a physical therapist). These characters interact as only those living in a small town can. Everyone knows your business and everyone cares. Struggles are real: finding a niche in a new community, dealing with PTSD, overcoming divorce, and raising grandkids. The small community of Butternut Creek is not a cliche, but a slice of real life. Although published by FaithWords, it does not have an overt spiritual message. Rather, many of the characters live out their faith in natural ways. Other characters are very worldly (sexual innuendo and drinking are their MO) and don’t have any time or patience for the God thing. Many have not come around to the ways of church at the end of the book, but a lot of progress has been made. There are 2 more books to tie up all the ends.

All in all a quick read with a great deal of depth.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE. (It is currently $2.23 for the paperback on Amazon!)

(I purchased this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review: Downtown Green

9 Mar

When the highway bypass around Green opens with much fanfare, downtown dries up faster than cement on the roadway. Businesses close and the hospital becomes a clinic. While the road is progress to some, it seems to be leading Green toward a national trend–a town that is merely a shadow of itself.

With the town going backwards, Lois Barker Craig is determined to save Green while juggling life as a new mom and owner of The Green News-Item. But can her plan rescue the town from the path it’s on? And what about Dr. Kevin and her son, Mayor Eva, Coach Chris and other familiar Green faces? How does this affect them?

Author Judy Christie loves to help busy people slow down and enjoy each day more – in her series of novels about Green, Louisiana, and her Hurry Less Worry Less nonfiction books. Judy started her writing career as the editor of The Barret Banner in elementary school and has kept a journal since she was nine (and still has all of them). She likes strolling around flea markets, walking in the park near her North Louisiana home and visiting friends and family on her vintage green Kitchen Couch. Her most recent books are Downtown Green, fifth in the Green series, and “Hurry Less Worry Less for Moms.” For more information, see www.judychristie.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook.com | Abingdon Press

My Impressions:

I love small town stories.  I have not read one in a very long time — I just have not come across a book that has piqued my interest.  Until Downtown Green. Green is a small town in north Louisiana that is suffering from what a lot of small towns across the country are facing — a dying downtown.  Lois Barker Craig, owner of the local twice weekly newspaper loves her adopted hometown and the people who live there.  So she takes on the challenge of bringing Green back.  Not an easy task for a new mother, wife and business owner.  But Lois charges in full steam.

Green is filled with lovable residents.  But the town has had to face difficult challenges in the past, and more are one the horizon.  Change is inevitable, but Downtown Green portrays change as a chance to grow and grow up.  And just because Green is a small town, doesn’t mean big town problems like crime don’t show up.  But the residents of Green rally together to meet all that the world brings at them.

Downtown Green is a fun and faith-filled book.  And although it is the 5th(!) book in the Green series, I never once felt lost.  I  did, however, long to get to know the characters better, so I have the first couple of books in the series downloaded on my Kindle ready to go!  I now have another small town series to read!

Recommended.

(I received Downtown Green from Pump Up Your Book in exchange for a review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Monday, March 5

Book reviewed at Carlybird’s Home

Tuesday, March 6

Book reviewed at Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Wednesday, March 7

Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books

Thursday, March 8

Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama

Friday, March 9

Book reviewed at By the Book

Monday, March 12

Book reviewed at WV Stitcher

Tuesday, March 13

Book reviewed at Splashes of Joy

Wednesday, March 14

Book reviewed at Reviews by Molly

Thursday, March 15

Book reviewed at A Cozy Readers Corner

Friday, March 16

Book reviewed at A Book Lover

Monday, March 19

Book reviewed at Ashley’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, March 20

Book review & book giveaway at Libby’s Library

Wednesday, March 21

Book reviewed at Every Day Is An Adventure

Thursday, March 22

Book reviewed at Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Friday, March 23

Interviewed at Blogcritics

Monday, March 26

Book reviewed at A Word’s Worth

Tuesday, March 27

Interviewed at Examiner

Wednesday, March 28

Book reviewed at Mary’s Cup of Tea

Thursday, March 29

Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama

Friday, March 30

Book reviewed at A Room Without Books Is Empty