New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods explores the healing power of a love strong enough to join two wounded families
Single mom Lynn Morrow is determined to put food on the table for her son and daughter. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband has failed to meet his obligations time and againâbut it turns out that Ed is struggling with his own demons.
Enter contractor Mitch Franklin, an unlikely knight in shining armor. A widower with two grieving sons, Mitch once admired Lynn from afar. Now he sees in her not only the sweet girl who got away, but a woman desperately in need of support. While rushing to the rescue of Lynn and her children comes naturally, heâs also wise enough to encourage Lynn to find her own wayâ¦hopefully straight into his arms.
Praise for the novels of Sherryl Woods
âWoodsâ¦is noted for appealing, character-driven stories that are often infused with the flavor and fragrance of the South.â
âLibrary Journal
âWoods always thrills with her wonderful characters, witty dialogue and warm and loving family interactions.â
âRT Book Reviews
âCharming characters combine to create the interfering yet lovable OâBrien familyâ¦a satisfying, heartwarming conclusion to the Chesapeake Shores series.â
âRT Book Reviews on The Summer Garden
âInfused with the warmth and magic of the season, Woodsâs fourth addition to her popular, small-town series once again unites the unruly, outspoken, endearing OâBrien clan in a touching, triumphant tale of forgiveness and love reclaimed.â
âLibrary Journal on A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
âA whimsical, sweet scenarioâ¦the digressions have their own charm, and Woods never fails to come back to the romantic point.â
âPublishers Weekly on Sweet Tea at Sunrise
âWoodsâ readers will eagerly anticipate her trademark small-town setting, loyal friendships and honorable mentors as they meet new characters and reconnect with familiar ones in this heartwarming tale.â
âBooklist on Home in Carolina
âRedolent with Southern small-town atmosphere, this emotionally rich story deals with some serious issues and delivers on a number of levels.â
âLibrary Journal on A Slice of Heaven
Dear Friends,
So many people have been hit by hard economic times in recent years, but Iâve been particularly touched by women whose dire financial situation has been tied to a divorce. I wanted to write about one womanâs determination to get her family back on solid groundâ¦and the hero whoâs just as determined to stand by her. That theme, I thought, made a perfect Sweet Magnolia story, an example of the difficult periods in life when good friends can make all the difference.
Where Azaleas Bloom focuses on Lynn Morrow, neighbor to Carter and Raylene. So many of you have asked to read more about them and how theyâre doing since their marriage. It was a great way to put them front and center again, too. As books often do for me, this one took a surprising twist at the end, a twist that only adds to the complications faced by this struggling single mom.
I hope youâll be rooting for Lynn and her kids and that youâll fall just a little bit in love with Mitch Franklin, a man wise enough to let her find her own way, but strong enough to be there if she falters. Observant readers will remember that Mitch appeared in the very first Sweet Magnolia book, Stealing Home. Heâs the contractor who built The Corner Spa.
I hope you enjoy this wrap-up to the latest trilogy and that youâll also be looking for The Sweet Magnolias Cookbook, in stores now, too.
All best,
Sherryl
1
Lynn Morrow was at her witâs end. Her tiny desk tucked into a corner of the kitchen was piled high with bills and her checkbook balance was a stunningly low $24.35. Not since college had she seen such a scary balance.
The refrigerator held a half-empty carton of milk, five eggs and some rapidly wilting lettuce. There was a can of diced tomatoes in the cupboard, along with a box of spaghetti, a few spoonfuls of peanut butter left in a jar and maybe a bowlful of Cheerios in the bottom of the box. That, too, reminded her of college. But it was one thing to scrape by at nineteen, and quite another to try to do it in her forties with kids to care for.
âMom, Iâm starving,â Jeremy announced when he walked in the door from school. It was the standard cry of her ten-year-old. âWhat can I have for a snack?â
Lexie, who was right on his heels, took one look at her mother, apparently interpreted her dire expression for the near-panic Lynn was feeling, and turned on her brother. âYou donât need food. You need sensitivity training.â
Tears sprang to Lynnâs eyes as Jeremy bolted from the room. Lately, Alexis, who was only fourteen, had spent way too much time trying to protect her mother. Ever since the divorce proceedings had been initiated, Lynn had been struggling to make ends meet. She and Ed were still in court wrangling over everything from custody of the kids to support. The temporary order in place barely kept her and the kids above water and, by the end of the month, she was scraping bottom financially, even with the part-time job sheâd managed to find at her neighbor Rayleneâs boutique on Serenityâs Main Street.