Audrey Whitman's dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey's daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she's pulling makes it clear she's not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn's husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
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I went from full-time stay-at-home mom for 20 years to pretty much full-time author. My passion is my family-my husband and I have been married for 40 years and have four kids, five darling grandkids--so far! But since, if a mom does her job right, she eventually puts herself OUT of a job, I'm delighted to have the privilege of working as a novelist. I could not enjoy the writing life more.
I've had a couple of non-fiction books published and contributed to some anthologies, as well as writing magazine articles. But my first love is fiction. I have written more than 25 novels and since The Face of the Earth for Howard/Simon & Schuster released in May 2013, I am now working on a new five-book series for Abingdon Press. Home to Chicory Lane releases August 2014.
A typical writing day for me begins early--often before 6 a.m.--with the business side of things: answering e-mail and reader mail, updating my Web site, reading for research. We're now empty-nesters so our routine is much quieter than it was when we had four kids at home. When my writing time begins, I have a routine that sets the stage, starting with lighting scented candles, choosing mood music on Pandora, and brewing a pot of coffee. Lately I've been enjoying coffee our son sent me from Germany. I have a cozy office that looks out over our front yard. But since I write on a laptop, I often take my computer to the kitchen counter, a chair by the fireplace, or, if the weather is nice, out on the deck where the birds, squirrels, ducks, geese, and an occasional egret, provide entertainment. I try to wrap up the day's words (usually 1000-1500 a day) by suppertime.
Believe it or not, my first choice of activities for the evening is READING--a great novel, of course! As much as I enjoy the actual process of writing, I am an extrovert by nature, and doubt I'd last long in this business were it not for the company of several wonderful online writers' groups, the joy of connecting with other authors at retreats and conventions, and meeting aspiring writers when I teach at conferences around the country.
Probably the most exciting event in my writing life so far was when my first novel was made into a film by World Wide Pictures. Certainly a dream come true and I feel blessed beyond words to still, 20 years later, get to be doing what I love as my day job.
I've had a couple of non-fiction books published and contributed to some anthologies, as well as writing magazine articles. But my first love is fiction. I have written more than 25 novels and since The Face of the Earth for Howard/Simon & Schuster released in May 2013, I am now working on a new five-book series for Abingdon Press. Home to Chicory Lane releases August 2014.
A typical writing day for me begins early--often before 6 a.m.--with the business side of things: answering e-mail and reader mail, updating my Web site, reading for research. We're now empty-nesters so our routine is much quieter than it was when we had four kids at home. When my writing time begins, I have a routine that sets the stage, starting with lighting scented candles, choosing mood music on Pandora, and brewing a pot of coffee. Lately I've been enjoying coffee our son sent me from Germany. I have a cozy office that looks out over our front yard. But since I write on a laptop, I often take my computer to the kitchen counter, a chair by the fireplace, or, if the weather is nice, out on the deck where the birds, squirrels, ducks, geese, and an occasional egret, provide entertainment. I try to wrap up the day's words (usually 1000-1500 a day) by suppertime.
Believe it or not, my first choice of activities for the evening is READING--a great novel, of course! As much as I enjoy the actual process of writing, I am an extrovert by nature, and doubt I'd last long in this business were it not for the company of several wonderful online writers' groups, the joy of connecting with other authors at retreats and conventions, and meeting aspiring writers when I teach at conferences around the country.
Probably the most exciting event in my writing life so far was when my first novel was made into a film by World Wide Pictures. Certainly a dream come true and I feel blessed beyond words to still, 20 years later, get to be doing what I love as my day job.
This was the first book in the Chicory Inn Series, book 2 is Two Roads Home.
Is was different not one that I would normally read.
It was slow for a bit and pick up just over half way.
I connected with Chase and found him to be one of the better characters in this book.
I gave this book 4 stars and I will try book two out and see how it goes.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Great review!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review Mary. I am looking forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Judy B
Thanks for the review Mary, but I have always trusted your judgement with the book reviews and I don't think that I would actually enjoy reading this book!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your life as an author.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary, for sharing these wonderful books.
ReplyDelete