Tag: Mary Kay Andrews

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Road Trip Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Light and Entertaining

Road Trip is a sweet romance by Mary Kay Andrews. And a reunion story as well. Maeve and Therese are estranged sisters reunited at the funeral for their mother. As different as night and day, neither want to fulfill their mother’s final request: a road trip through Ireland to determine the provenance of an oil painting handed down through the generations.

However, complications set in and they launch into a search for lost family across the ocean.

Flashback Story within Road Trip

Author Andrews reveals the story of the oil painting through a series of flashbacks involving the girls’ great-grandmother Kathleen. The backstory is as compelling as the conciliation of the sisters. Furthermore, both Maeve and Therese experience growth from their road trip travels and uncovering their family history.

Maeve, the protagonist, grows by taking chances. She abandons her safe career to fulfill her dream. Furthermore, she falls in love with the very Irish Liam. She finally takes time for herself.

Therese stops wandering from place to place. She finds peace of mind by returning home. And she finds a bit of romance herself. But she truly is a secondary character.

The exploits of Kathleen instill the two women with the strength to face the challenges of life. Maeve sums it up best by quoting a line from Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day; “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life.” (p. 402) The ending of Road Trip ties up all lose threads.

Nuances in the Plot

The richness of the story is derived from the many pitfalls experienced in everyday life. Mary Helen, the girls mother, not only suffered from dementia in her last months, but she also was scammed by a televangelist. To add insult to injury, the local bank overlooked warning signs of her altered state of mind. (The bank is taken to town by a local lawyer friend of Maeve’s that falls a bit for Therese.)

And Therese’s wild roaming life haunts her. The author touches upon social morals while explaining where Therese has been while Maeve tended to their mom in her final years.

Romance in Road Trip

The romantic focus of the novel centers on Liam and Maeve. He is as solid as a rock, yet she is uncertain. The chemistry between the two is strong and the readers pulling for the couple are rewarded in the end. Of course there are bumps in the road.

Recommendation

I thoroughly enjoyed Road Trip. Mary Kay Andrews writes a very well balanced story. Part romance, part historical mystery and heavy on personal growth, this book was fun to read and very satisfying. Billed as a summer read, I think it would make a great Christmas gift as well.

Summers at the Saint Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Summer Read

Mary Kay Andrews’ Summers at The Saint is an outstanding whodunnit just in time for summer reading. The veteran writer delivers once again with surprising plot twists, heartwarming characters and unexpected victims. So, if you need a good vacation read, find a copy of this page-turner.

The Saint is a family-owned resort along the Atlantic seaboard. The current general manager, Traci Eddings is the widow of Hoke Eddings. Since she grew up as an “Ain’t” and not a member of the high society social class frequenting The Saint, Eddings faces hostility from other members of the family. Except for her niece Parrish. The two are close allies.

Traci Eddings- Protagonist of Summers at The Saint

Widowed and childless, Traci Eddings is very close to Parrish. The younger Eddings never bonded with her stepmother and her birth mom has been missing from the scene for most of her life. So, the two women teaming up to stave off the red ink of operating the resort makes good business sense.

However, the financial woes stem from malfeasance. Thus, danger lurks for the two women and death strikes at The Saint resort once again. Traci’s memories of a tragic drowning from her first summer at the resort provide backdrop and a parallel story line. And secondary characters link the two plots.

Good vs. Evil in Summers at the Saint

Summers at The Saint presents a story of good versus evil. The many supporting characters are divided along this line in the sand. Furthermore, there are varying degrees of wrongdoing. And when tragedy strikes, characters on both sides of the spectrum suffer.

Since the story is contemporary in nature, drug use is a key factor in the storyline. However, embezzlement is at the core of the disastrous happenings occurring at the resort. Fortunately for Traci Eddings, new hires provide evidence of the misdeeds.

Wicked Good Twist

I truly enjoy a mystery containing an unexpected plot twist. Summers at The Saint is such a book. Perhaps other readers will have guessed how the past and present are linked. But, I did not. Andrews masterfully presents a plausible, yet unforeseen, turn-of-event melding the plot and the actions of the characters.

Furthermore, the character of Traci Eddings moves past death and grasps the hope of the future. A lesson for all seeking happiness. Summers at The Saint may make you cry, but the end is a “feel good” and full of positivity. This is great summer reading.

 

Bright Lights, Big Christmas Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Christmas Time in the City

Cover of Bright Lights, Big City novel featuring outline of city buildings and a string of Christmas lights as a backdrop to title and author name.I found Mary Kay Andrews’ Bright Lights, Big Christmas on the new release table at my local library. The book is perfect for getting one in the mood for Christmas. A heart-warming story of friendship and new love, you won’t want to put it down. In fact, I read it cover to cover even though I started the novel just after supper.

Setting for Bright Lights, Big Christmas

The novel takes place in New York City, specifically the West Village. Each year for decades, the Tolliver family from North Carolina sells their Christmas trees in the same spot. Fixtures of the neighborhood from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until the trees are gone.

However, this year there is a late start. Old Jock Tolliver is ill. His somewhat estranged daughter, Kerry, is roped into helping her older brother. Her brother Murphy is like a stranger. Both are casualties of divorce, each raised by a different parent. However, Kerry and Murphy grudgingly form a bond in a neighborhood known for creating ties. Much of the story focuses on the pair discovering the talents of the other.

Storyline and Characters

Multiple challenges complicate this year’s sales. In addition to the late start, competition has moved in bringing pitfalls. But as the siblings overcome the obstacles thrown their way, they also forge new bonds.

Key to the story are the many residents of the street. Most know Murphy and befriend Kerry as well. Another thread to the tale is the budding relationship of Kerry and divorcee Patrick. He and ex-wife Gretchen move in and out of their flat while young son Austin stays put. Thus, providing stability for the precocious kid.

The final piece is the mysterious Heinz. Scruffy and possibly homeless, Heinz captures the devotion of Austin and the respect of Kerry. The cantankerous old man constructively critiques her artwork, pushing her to improve. Heinz disappears and everyone in the neighborhood contributes to the search.

Feel Good Novel

Bright Lights, Big Christmas is an uplifting novel perfect for reading during the Christmas season. Caring characters serve as a reminder the importance of family and friends. Andrews skill weaving plot and persona results in a page-turning novel sure to please both her long-time fans and those just discovering her writing. I highly recommend Bright Lights, Big Christmas.