Tag Archives: Southern fiction

Top 10 Tuesday — Fall Colors

13 Oct

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.

For more cover art with the colors of fall, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with Fall Color Covers

Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen

Spies, Lies, And Alibis by Natalie Walters

The Spring at Trulee Holler by Jana Hutcheson

Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

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Book Review — The Spring in Trulee Holler

5 Oct

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.)

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Top 10 Tuesday — Fall TBR List

22 Sep

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.

For more terrific TBRs, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books on My Fall TBR List

Cascade by Linda K. Rodante

Fatal Finale by Nancy Mehl

The Heartfelt Formula by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Jayna Breigh, and Kimberly Woodhouse

Point of Revenge by DiAnn Mills

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

South of Somewhere by T. I. Lowe

The Spring in Trulee Holler by Jana Hutcheson

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Twelve Days And Twelfth Night by Sarah Sundin

Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow

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First Line Friday — Things We Cannot Keep

21 Aug

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

To get a free short story featuring characters from The Edge of Belonging visit: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fuj7mlfd83.

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Book Review — Things We Cannot Keep

18 Aug

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.

To get a free short story featuring characters from The Edge of Belonging visit: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fuj7mlfd83.

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Happy Release Day — Things We Cannot Keep

18 Aug

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.

To get a free short story featuring characters from The Edge of Belonging visit: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fuj7mlfd83.

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August Book Club Pick — South of Somewhere

3 Aug

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.

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First Line Friday — The Spring in Trulee Holler

31 Jul

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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Top 10 Tuesday — Wearing o’ The Green

17 Mar

Happy Tuesday and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today TTT bloggers are sharing books with green covers. I am hitting the review archives and my TBR shelves to bring books featuring greens of all shades. Some of the covers have more green than others, but I felt that green is what first strikes the eye.

Today’s topic is fitting not only for the holiday, but because my yard is GREEN! It’s cold today (for central Georgia) but flowers are in bloom and the trees are full of new leaves. Such a beautiful day! I hope you have one too, plus some reading inspiration.

For more green book covers, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Green Book Covers

Ambush by Colleen Coble

A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth Strong

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

A Place to Land by Lauren K. Denton

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

Stealing Magnolias by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

The Sweetness at The Bottom of The Pie by Alan Bradley

Under The Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

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Top 10 Tuesday — Southern Fiction Set in A Coastal Location

3 Mar

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is a Genre Freebie with a little something extra. Basically authors are choosing a genre which incorporates a specific element. I am going with Southern Fiction that has a coastal location. So if you love a southern novel and want a book with a beach-y vibe, I have you covered. I hope you find one to love!

For more fun genre choices, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Southen Fiction Set in A Coastal Location

Between The Sound And Sea by Amanda Cox

The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock

Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton

Indigo Isle by T. I.Lowe

The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Still Waters by Lindsey Brackett

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight

What We Found in Hallelujah by Vanessa Miller

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