Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT’s topic is one word reviews. This was so hard! My short and sweet list uses a lot of hyphens to simulate one word. They are really more descriptions than reviews, too. Again, hard! The list includes the last 10 books I have written reviews of, so at least that is on topic. I hope you find a book to love.
I really liked my book club’s October selection, The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter. While it does have a great second-chance-at-love story, it deals with the hard issues of abandonment, rejection, and forgiveness. If you liked it too and want another great book with similar vibes, I have a few recommendations for you. Happy reading!
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt–and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.
While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than her outspoken colleague, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and has found a renewed sense of purpose within its walls.
When Madeline’s professional life falls apart, and a handsome gardener upends her life, she questions her plans and her future. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop? And even if she has, the women’s best efforts to save it may be too little, too late.
The Stories We Carry by Robin Pearson
A small-town bookstore owner finds herself at odds with a newcomer bent on disrupting her quiet life in this Southern women’s fiction novel by award-winning author Robin W. Pearson.
Glory Pryor has carved out a life for herself in Gilmore, North Carolina, cultivating a community around her bookstore, By the Book. While her business is a success, she carries the weight of stories of her own she’s never told anyone. She holds out hope that one day her estranged brother will turn up on her doorstep so she can finally learn where he’s been all these years. Glory’s husband Eli thinks she has her arms wrapped too tightly around the could-have-beens, and that it’s time for them to let go of the store as they head into their retirement years. Glory has different opinions on that—she’s not ready to give up the dream she’s built just yet. Then Adelle Simonette shows up with her young son, Bennett, and Glory’s carefully controlled life begins to crumble.
Newly widowed Adelle Simonette is a single mother trying to find her footing and navigate parenting her young son. Lost in her grief, one thing she’s certain of is that she needs to confront Glory Pryor and everybody who knows her because the woman’s been living a lie. Adelle thinks it’s high time Glory made things right. But Adelle’s finding it hard to tell the truth . . . and there will be no going back once she does.
In the wake of deeply personal grief and loss, two women reckon with a lifetime of silence and secrets to find a path forward toward healing, hope, and restoration.
Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox
A mysterious package. A name she thought she’d erased. And the one person she never expected to see again.
Tess Holcomb has built a new life in Alabama, repairing timepieces and avoiding her troubled past as she restores her customers’ family heirlooms–treasures she never had. When a mysterious package arrives addressed to Teresa Baker, the name she abandoned, Tess finds herself drawn into a puzzle that threatens her delicate peace.
Then Elliot Sullivan appears at her door after eighteen years, and Tess knows he’s after more than just forgiveness. She doesn’t trust his motives, but he could be the key to uncovering the origin of the mystery package and its cryptic contents.
Tess has found safety in her simple life, but to reunite this lost heirloom with its rightful recipient she will have to come out of hiding. Each clue leads her further from the security of home, and each story reveals hidden truths. The question is whether she’s brave enough to face what she might find–and whether the man beside her can be trusted with what matters most.
Happy Tuesday! Here in the sunny South, our fall leaves have yet to change. We have a bit of color from the Japanese maple in our yard, but our azaleas are still blooming! It’s gonna be a while. So I have to content myself with book covers repping the colors of autumn (though not necessarily autumn-inspired artwork). Thank goodness for TTT! The books on my list are recent-ish reads (or soon-to be read books) whose colors remind me of the upcoming glorious colors in nature. Hope you find one that interests you.
The Spring in Trulee Holler by debut author Jana Hutcheson is magical. You can apply that to the autumn setting of the small Alabama town of Trulee, or the romance between main characters Jess and Silas. Or, you can settle into the magic that is the spring that is rumored to be the fountain of youth. Or is that just God being God? You’ll have to decide for yourself, but I found the book totally enchanting and a recommended read.
Jess Lockhart thought she’d fought her hardest battle when she beat a rare form of lymphoma. But months into remission, it’s fear of the unknown-especially of cancer’s return-that’s stealing her future. Once an aspiring fashion designer, she’s lost her drive to create and now spends her days working at her father’s hardware store in rural Trulee, Alabama.
When a young botanist rents the barn-loft apartment on her family’s property, Jess thinks she’s finally found something to take her mind off her mortality. Not only is Silas Haney strikingly handsome, but he’s irresistibly mysterious. His cryptic remarks and odd behavior suggest he’s hiding something. Then an accident exposes his secret: Silas once drank from a spring that made him immortal. Now he’s searching for the spring once more, hoping the tree that legend says grows from it can reverse the eternal youth he now sees as a curse. And that spring lies hidden in the woods behind her house.
Convinced the spring is the answer to her problems, Jess blackmails Silas into taking her along on his quest. But as forced companionship turns into affection, Jess begins to question whether escaping the fear of death is the same as truly living. When a crisis arises, Jess must decide: Will she trust God with her future or scoop destiny into her own hands?
Jana Hutcheson lives and teaches in the same small Alabama town where she grew up. A public-school teacher for over thirty years, she holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education from the University of North Alabama. The Spring in Trulee Holler is her debut novel. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found taking long afternoon walks, reading on her patio bed swing, and spending time with her family.
My Impressions:
I am so impressed with the debut novel The Spring in Trulee Holler by Jana Hutcheson. This general fiction offering with a good dose of magical realism is so well-crafted, I couldn’t believe it was the first of what I hope is many more great books. Hutcheson crafts a mythology surrounding the small Alabama town of Trulee. There’s the legendary Goat Man and the rumored spring that brings those who taste its waters immortality. This reader can just imagine the tales being told on long summer evenings on the porches of local houses or around the campfires of autumn. When main character Jess is actually confronted with the truth of one of her hometown tales, she must decide if she can take control of life or whether she should trust God for his best for her. That is the main question of the novel, and one that this reader dwelt upon long after the last page. If we trust God, do we trust Him all the way, or only for those things we think He will handle correctly. Jess is struggling with the unknown — will her cancer return, will she have the life she used to dream about, or will fear take the reins? When confronted with Silas, a young man who is afraid he will never die, Jess must change her way of thinking and living. The Spring in Trulee Holler is a love story, an homage to small Southern towns, a myth come true, and a testament to God’s sovereignty. But don’t worry, this book isn’t preachy — rather it takes very believable (and lovable) characters on a faith journey that allows questions and doubts.
I got to read this book while at my cottage in the woods — the crisp night air and the sounds of barred owls made the reading a little sweeter. It’s perfect for fall reading, but really, you will love this book anytime you pick it up. Which should be soon. 😉 You should probably grab a reading buddy too — you are definitely going to want to talk about this book!
Highly Recommended
Great for Book Clubs
Audience: Adults
(I bought the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Happy Tuesday! Does it feel like Fall where you are? Are the mornings cooler, the trees sporting colors of red, yellow, and orange? Is there a scent of pumpkin spice in the air? LOL! Even if none of those things are appearing where you live, you can always count on a book to take you wherever you want to go.
This week bloggers are sharing their Fall TBR Lists. I have some fun books on mine, with some early Christmas vibes included. Tell me what you are reading.
Happy Friday! Today I am featuring a very special novel — Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox. During the days that I read this book, my family was walking through the grief of losing my mother-in-law. At 98 years old she had lived a very full and faith-filled life, so the past 2 weeks have been bittersweet. The main character of the novel restores cherished heirlooms specifically because of the stories attached. We have been recounting stories that have made us laugh and made us cry, pain and joy making the memories special– a truth that Tess discovers for herself . I highly recommend this book!
Here’s the first line:
People always used the phrase “can’t see the forest for the trees” like it was a bad thing, but Tess Holcomb had learned to survive by letting the big picture fade into meaningless blur.
A mysterious package. A name she thought she’d erased. And the one person she never expected to see again.
Tess Holcomb has built a new life in Alabama, repairing timepieces and avoiding her troubled past as she restores her customers’ family heirlooms–treasures she never had. When a mysterious package arrives addressed to Teresa Baker, the name she abandoned, Tess finds herself drawn into a puzzle that threatens her delicate peace.
Then Elliot Sullivan appears at her door after eighteen years, and Tess knows he’s after more than just forgiveness. She doesn’t trust his motives, but he could be the key to uncovering the origin of the mystery package and its cryptic contents.
Tess has found safety in her simple life, but to reunite this lost heirloom with its rightful recipient she will have to come out of hiding. Each clue leads her further from the security of home, and each story reveals hidden truths. The question is whether she’s brave enough to face what she might find–and whether the man beside her can be trusted with what matters most.
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at http://www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes
I read Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox during an especially difficult time in our family’s life. My MIL passed away over a week ago. At 98 years old she lived a very full and faith-filled life, but the last year has been a struggle. She went home to Jesus surrounded by those who loved her. The past weeks have reminded us of the stories we have shared — both the bitter and the sweet. This novel sets its foundation on the stories that surround precious heirlooms, in particular, a mysterious pocket watch delivered to main character Tess Holcomb. As Tess takes a journey to discover the stories behind the watch, she faces the demons she left behind in her home town 18 years before. Joining her is her longtime, ex-best friend Elliot. The boy who she loved and who betrayed her. Together they work towards a place that Tess has long since ceased to believe in. Things We Cannot Keep is about the courage to face the hard parts of life. It has themes of forgiveness — a hard thing to give and receive — and redemption. I loved everything about this book. The characters, both main and supporting, are well-developed. The plot is intriguing and really kept me turning the pages. And the spiritual themes are naturally developed. There’s no quick and easy resolution, but there is peace at the end. This is a special book that I can’t keep from thinking about. I know it will be with me for a long time. It is also a book that you really need to read. It’s a novel that also needs to be shared, so grab a buddy or your book club and schedule a lengthy meet-up. You will need to talk about it. It’s a 5-star for sure and very highly recommended.
Very Highly Recommended
Great for Book Clubs
Audience: Adults
(Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
A mysterious package. A name she thought she’d erased. And the one person she never expected to see again.
Tess Holcomb has built a new life in Alabama, repairing timepieces and avoiding her troubled past as she restores her customers’ family heirlooms–treasures she never had. When a mysterious package arrives addressed to Teresa Baker, the name she abandoned, Tess finds herself drawn into a puzzle that threatens her delicate peace.
Then Elliot Sullivan appears at her door after eighteen years, and Tess knows he’s after more than just forgiveness. She doesn’t trust his motives, but he could be the key to uncovering the origin of the mystery package and its cryptic contents.
Tess has found safety in her simple life, but to reunite this lost heirloom with its rightful recipient she will have to come out of hiding. Each clue leads her further from the security of home, and each story reveals hidden truths. The question is whether she’s brave enough to face what she might find–and whether the man beside her can be trusted with what matters most.
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at http://www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes.
Happy release day to Amanda Cox. Her latest novel, Things We Cannot Keep, is now available. While I always say when finishing a new book by her that it is my favorite, this one is so very special. My mother-in-law passed away last week. At 98 years of age she had a very full and spirit-filled life. But the past 13 months have been especially hard as we watched her fade away from the woman we remembered. A couple of days later we were walking through the home she lived in for over 70 years, seeing all the things she cherished and recalling the stories attached to those heirlooms. This is the foundation of Amanda’s story. It also has wonderful themes of forgiveness and redemption that brought tears to this reader’s eyes. Again, this one is special! I was privileged to read an advanced copy, and now you can read it too!
A mysterious package. A name she thought she’d erased. And the one person she never expected to see again.
Tess Holcomb has built a new life in Alabama, repairing timepieces and avoiding her troubled past as she restores her customers’ family heirlooms–treasures she never had. When a mysterious package arrives addressed to Teresa Baker, the name she abandoned, Tess finds herself drawn into a puzzle that threatens her delicate peace.
Then Elliot Sullivan appears at her door after eighteen years, and Tess knows he’s after more than just forgiveness. She doesn’t trust his motives, but he could be the key to uncovering the origin of the mystery package and its cryptic contents.
Tess has found safety in her simple life, but to reunite this lost heirloom with its rightful recipient she will have to come out of hiding. Each clue leads her further from the security of home, and each story reveals hidden truths. The question is whether she’s brave enough to face what she might find–and whether the man beside her can be trusted with what matters most.
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at http://www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes.
My book club skipped in July. I think that’s the first time ever in over 20 years. Even during Covid we met online when we couldn’t in person. But life is busy and a break was needed. In August we will be back at it with South of Somewhere by T. I. Lowe. This book is a personal book for the author, and I know it will definitely spark some great conversation. If you’ve read it, we would love to know what you think. Find out all about it below.
When Juniper Wilder’s grief spiraled into addiction, leading first to an arrest for drunk driving, then jail and court-ordered rehab, she lost the most important thing in her life: her baby girl. Now, sober and on probation, Junie is determined to prove she can be the mother Fern deserves. But she’s burned a lot of bridges, ones that can’t be easily rebuilt.
Not every road is closed to her, however. Exiled to her late grandmother’s South Carolina beach house, Junie starts over, ready to pay off her debts and prove to her brother that he can safely return custody of Fern. She works hard and finds surprising grace in an eclectic recovery community. There’s an unexpected friendship, too—and maybe more—with her neighbor, Henry, a quirky college professor who helps her believe in second chances.
Still, it’s hard for Junie to imagine ever forgiving herself, let alone receiving forgiveness from those she’s hurt . . . particularly when her past rears its ugly head and threatens to undo every bit of progress she’s made.
T. I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She is the author of 21 novels, including the #1 international bestseller and critically acclaimed Under the Magnolias and her debut breakout Lulu’s Café. Her novel Indigo Isle won the prestigious Christy Award in the contemporary romance category and was subsequently named Christy Award Book of the Year. She lives in coastal South Carolina with her husband and family.
Happy Friday! Today I am featuring a novel by a new-to-me author — The Spring in Trulee Holler by Jana Hutcheson. This book has everything that thrills my reader heart — a small, Southern town, tough issues, and an intriguing plot. Give it a look. I’ll be reviewing this book in September.
Here’s the first line:
If you’d asked a few months ago, I would’ve told you Trulee was the most ordinary place on earth.
Jess Lockhart thought she’d fought her hardest battle when she beat a rare form of lymphoma. But months into remission, it’s fear of the unknown-especially of cancer’s return-that’s stealing her future. Once an aspiring fashion designer, she’s lost her drive to create and now spends her days working at her father’s hardware store in rural Trulee, Alabama.
When a young botanist rents the barn-loft apartment on her family’s property, Jess thinks she’s finally found something to take her mind off her mortality. Not only is Silas Haney strikingly handsome, but he’s irresistibly mysterious. His cryptic remarks and odd behavior suggest he’s hiding something. Then an accident exposes his secret: Silas once drank from a spring that made him immortal. Now he’s searching for the spring once more, hoping the tree that legend says grows from it can reverse the eternal youth he now sees as a curse. And that spring lies hidden in the woods behind her house.
Convinced the spring is the answer to her problems, Jess blackmails Silas into taking her along on his quest. But as forced companionship turns into affection, Jess begins to question whether escaping the fear of death is the same as truly living. When a crisis arises, Jess must decide: Will she trust God with her future or scoop destiny into her own hands?
Jana Hutcheson lives and teaches in the same small Alabama town where she grew up. A public-school teacher for over thirty years, she holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education from the University of North Alabama. The Spring in Trulee Holler is her debut novel. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found taking long afternoon walks, reading on her patio bed swing, and spending time with her family.
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