In this first book of the Tales from the Goose Creek B&B series, you’ll fall in love with a small town that feels like coming home. Its quirky characters and their many shenanigans will make you laugh out loud as they touch a place in your heart.
Even though retirement is still three years away, Al Richardson is counting the days. He anticipates many enjoyable years in which every day feels like Saturday. But Al’s wife, Millie, has different plans for their retirement. When she learns that a Victorian-era home is up for sale, Millie launches a full-blown campaign to convince Al that god’s plan for them is to turn that house into a B&B.
But a B&B won’t be the only change for the small Kentucky town. A new veterinarian has hung up her shingle, but she’s only got one patient – the smelly dog belonging to her part-time receptionist. And sides are being taken in the issue of the water tower, which needs a new coat of paint…but no one can agree who should paint it.
The situation is coming to a head. Who could have imagined a town protest over a water tower? And who would believe it could culminate in an illegal parade?
Virginia Smith is the bestselling author of thirty-one novels (an counting!), an illustrated children’s book, and more than fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Her books have been named finalists in many international awards. Two of her novels have received a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. The first book in her latest series, The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade, was Library Journal’s top pick of the month, and a finalist for the prestigious Bookseller’s Best Award.
In addition to writing, Ginny is an active inspirational speaker and frequent presenter at schools and conferences. A Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, Ginny’s messages are always well-received by a variety of audiences in conferences, retreats and churches across the country. Her speaking ability, groomed through years of presenting dry material to bored corporate employees, has been described as entertaining, yet spiritually encouraging. “She keeps her audience enthralled through her high-energy presentation,” according to Pastor Amy Barkman, director of Voice Of Joy Ministries.
When she isn’t writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature – snow skiing in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads in central Kentucky, and scuba diving in the warm waters of Mexico and the Caribbean.
My Impressions:
I was looking for a light-hearted audiobook during a particularly stressful week. I figured a few laughs along with my morning walk couldn’t hurt. The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade certainly fit the bill. Filled with endearing characters (and a few cranks) the book takes you to small town Kentucky where gossip reigns supreme! The novel revolves around married couple Albert and Millie as he tries to resist her dream of owning a B&B. Albert never stands a chance! In addition there is a new veterinarian in town who starts off on the wrong foot, literally! Add a hideous water tower and politics gone awry, and you have the makings of a crazy and hilarious read. The book is fast-paced and easy, great for times when you want entertainment above all else. I had a bit of trouble adjusting to the narrator (her emphasis on the last words of a sentence or paragraph got on my nerves initially), but either she got better or I got used to it 😉 , because I found myself in the story, not pulled away by her inflections.
So if you are having a stress-filled week, consider giving the zaniness of The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade a go.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Tags: audiobook, contemporary fiction, Virginia Smith
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