Hello, hello!
Welcome back to another week here at the site that aims to please your reading palette, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're taking a stroll through the pages of a Willow Hill novel that introduces us to the work of author Susan Schild. She's actually getting ready to celebrate the release of her second book in a matter of weeks, but I simply couldn't resist getting this title on the table for a potential addition to your Summer Reading selections,; I mean, just look at the cover! It's practically begging you to come along for a summer stroll through the pages. It's got a leading lady to love, relationships to bond over, and enough stumbles along the way to shake a stick at for a REALLY long time, but all are delivered with good humor and a full heart. Ready or not, please join me in welcoming today's book of choice...
by
Susan Schild
9781616509422
Lyrical Press
About the book...
Thirty-eight year old Linny Taylor should have known that Buck - a Golden Boy driving a vintage Caddy - was not good husband material, but she married him anyway. The marriage goes South fast, and Buck steals all her money.
Linny is forced to move into a rundown mobile home right next door to her church lady mother, and rebuild her life from scratch. She makes a list of things that might make her sweet dreams come true. A porch swing. A job that makes her happy. Maybe even a date or two.
Good ole boy veterinarian, Jack Avery, comes into her life, and seems like the real deal, but so did her thieving husband. Jack comes with baggage, too - an exquisite ex-wife who seems just a little too chummy with him, and a moody young son. Can Linny learn to trust love again, and find her happily ever after?
Linny is forced to move into a rundown mobile home right next door to her church lady mother, and rebuild her life from scratch. She makes a list of things that might make her sweet dreams come true. A porch swing. A job that makes her happy. Maybe even a date or two.
Good ole boy veterinarian, Jack Avery, comes into her life, and seems like the real deal, but so did her thieving husband. Jack comes with baggage, too - an exquisite ex-wife who seems just a little too chummy with him, and a moody young son. Can Linny learn to trust love again, and find her happily ever after?
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This is a story of second chances and new beginnings, even if we didn't ask for them. It's about blessings in disguise, the power of COMMUNICATION, and the unwavering love of family. It reminds us in the sweetest way possible to explore all life has to offer, never settle for second best, and keep chasing our dreams. There...a review in a nutshell, but if you thought you were getting off that easy, than you haven't been to my site very often. ^-^ Allow me to illuminate my adventure through the pages a bit more closely...
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| A few scenes of Willow Hill from the author's site... |
My first reaction to the plight of our leading lady...poor Linny! I mean, whose Cheerios did she leave the milk out of (though dry, it's still pretty tasty)? Widowed twice over and having to start a new phase once again, definitely not something every little girl dreams about, that's for sure. It was one thing for her first love to leave permanently in the prime of their lives; it certainly wasn't his choice and the times they shared were heartbreakingly beautiful. The time she gave to her second marriage though could have been much better spent. The long version is revealed in the book, but the short version...the guy was a tool, a player, a middle-age-crisis-case-that-didn't-know-when-he-had-it-good, and Linny was definitely when he had it good. His death while mourned was more of a door-closes-window-opens situation and while not welcomed with open arms, at least she has a good friend, loving family, and a sweet new pup to help her get by. She'll need it too because what happens at her job was totally for the birds...so is Annalise and her boss for that matter. Ugh! *shakes head* Moving forward....
The challenges she faces in the coming days will test her fortitude, ambition, and strength...both bodily and of heart. It's not easy getting the heave ho from your "dream job" in the best of times, let alone when you're dealing with the death of a "loved" one, but Linny and friends have it all worked out. Get Linny out of the sitch she's in come heck or high water, knock out the mountains of debt incurred from the recently deceased, get Linny focused on rebuilding her work AND love life, and have LOADS of fun along the way. Does it work? Um, yes and no. Let's just say pitfalls and our girl Linny are best friends to a degree, but the way she bounces back (almost) every time makes her truly shine.
The challenges she faces in the coming days will test her fortitude, ambition, and strength...both bodily and of heart. It's not easy getting the heave ho from your "dream job" in the best of times, let alone when you're dealing with the death of a "loved" one, but Linny and friends have it all worked out. Get Linny out of the sitch she's in come heck or high water, knock out the mountains of debt incurred from the recently deceased, get Linny focused on rebuilding her work AND love life, and have LOADS of fun along the way. Does it work? Um, yes and no. Let's just say pitfalls and our girl Linny are best friends to a degree, but the way she bounces back (almost) every time makes her truly shine.
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About the author...
Susan has an undergraduate degree from James Madison University and a master's degree (MSW) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has used her professional background as a psychotherapist and corporate trainer to add authenticity to her characters. Susan
Susan is a wife, a stepmother, and a dog lover. She and her family live near Raleigh, North Carolina where she is busy finishing up the third novel in the Willow Hill Series.
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Special thanks to author Susan Schild for the print copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those works forthcoming, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Lyrical Press, and imprint of Kensington Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing. Speaking of those forthcoming titles, be sure to check out BOOK 2 in the Willow Hill novels entitled Sweet Carolina Morning, set to hit store shelves August 2, 2016! I know I will be...
Until next time...happy reading!
LOVED your review of my heartwarming Southern novel, LINNY'S SWEEET DREAM LIST. Your language/descriptions were colorful and apt, and am glad you rooted for our gal Linny as she struggled to rebuild her life and find her happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteSo appreciate you taking the time to read and review my book, and others.
Best,
Susan Schild