FOLLY BEACH by Dorothea Benton Frank

Publisher:  Avon

Date published:  April 24, 2012 (reprint edition)

ISBN:  978-0-06-196128-1

Fiction

Paperback

Reviewed by Lynne

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061961280/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00A1AA7C0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=103KEWXMGXBJ9HSDKFNR

Obtained via publisher

 

Cathryn Mahon Cooper - or Cate, to her friends and family - is shocked and devastated at the sudden loss of her husband, Addison.  Yet it isn’t until his funeral she learns of the incredible web of deceit he has spun throughout their marriage.  Left with nothing, once the creditors take their due, Cate, at the advice of her family, returns to her roots, to the woman who raised her.  Aunt Daisy.  To her home at FOLLY BEACH, South Carolina.

As Cate starts a new life amid the glistening beaches and reconnects with childhood memories, it is then she begins sorting through her own fears and worries by taking comfort in the history of Folly Beach and the enticing Gullah traditions of the area. 

As fate would have it, Cate meets a man too good to be true, John Risley, who involves her with the history of an artist, a writer, and a sometime colleague of George Gershwin, the genius behind the famous play, “Porgy and Bess”.  Dorothy Heyward’s beloved husband, DuBose.  As Cate researches the couple’s poignant history, she soon finds herself intrigued and wants to learn more. 

As time goes on, her own relationship with Risley deepens, and he soon convinces her to write a play of her own.  Though the Heywards are long gone, ripples of their passion and spirit linger at FOLLY BEACH, which leads Cate into becoming her own person, the woman she has always desired to be.

FOLLY BEACH by Dorothea Benton Frank is a delightful book, with an interesting story to tell.  This edition is a reprint of the original FOLLY BEACH:  A LOW COUNTRY TALE, only with a different cover.

At first, I found FOLLY BEACH a bit strange, the way it started out.  But I soon learned that every other chapter was a flashback to a different time.  The time of the Heywards’ lives at FOLLY BEACH.  Once I figured that out, I understood what was happening.

I greatly enjoyed FOLLY BEACH.  It brought me to a time, a subject, I knew little about.  The time of when the famous “Porgy and Bess” was written.  The way Frank interweaved the lives of the Heywards with the life of Cate Cooper was done quite skillfully.  The fact that Frank is an extremely talented writer is demonstrated clearly in the way FOLLY BEACH is presented.

I empathized greatly with the main character, Cate Cooper, when she learns what her deceased husband did to her.  It was easy to relate to her circumstances and the feeling of hopelessness she must have felt at the devastating discovery, that he had left her penniless because of his greed and mismanagement of their money, and everyone else’s.  To have to lose everything, then move back home had to be very difficult for her.  It was an extremely low point in her life.  But I loved how quickly things changed for the better.

The turning point for Cate, when she meets John Risley, is a wonderful part of FOLLY BEACH.  John sounds like everything a woman would want in a man.  The addition of his nutsy wife was sheer genius, because it added a lot of conflict, perhaps even tension into this story.  John could never truly connect with Cate because of his marriage.  Although it seemed inevitable that things would work out in the end, it still was a bit of a wrench between Cate and John in the beginning.  Especially since John seemed so right for Cate.  I loved how they connected, of what they shared through humor, encouragement, and even history.

The variety of minor characters, namely Cate’s children, also added some conflict and a bit of tension in FOLLY BEACH.  Along with their many problems, then we have Aunt Daisy and her health problems.  She is a very likeable person, spunky, one that many readers can probably relate to, since they may have Aunt Daisies of their own they care about.

I did find it a bit strange about the addition of the autographed piano that was identical to the one in the museum.  I actually thought Cate might try to sell hers or donate it or check to verify that the one in the museum was authentic.  Regardless, it was a unique idea for FOLLY BEACH.  This scene does seem a bit contrived, yet it takes nothing away from the story.

Frank does a wonderful job of tying up everything at the end of FOLLY BEACH.  It is a happy, pleasant ever after for many of the characters.

Filled with interesting characters and tidbits, humor, great dialogue, lots of family turmoil, a bit of mystery, and feel-good plotting, FOLLY BEACH is a sure charmer for anyone interested in whiling away an afternoon or just lounging on the beach with a good book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

LOW COUNTRY SUMMER by Dorothea Benton Frank

Publisher: William Morrow
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 978-0062020734
Trade Paperback
Women’s fiction
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Caroline Wimbley Levine returns to Tall Pines Plantation and a family, who are struggling after the death of her mother, the Queen of Tall Pines.Caroline’s brother, Trip, has two rather wild daughters and his wife is an alcoholic.He wants a divorce and is already dating the woman of his dreams.Caroline’s son is also dating, a girl who he is very secretive about.Trip’s wife gets involved in an alcohol induced car accident and injures one of their girls.And all this happens on Caroline’s birthday.Caroline decides to take a hand in the girl’s upbringing when Trip’s wife goes to rehab.As the new generation raises its head, hurts, betrayals and dark secrets will come to life, and before peace can settle, peace must be made with the past.

On the one side, this story takes you into the Deep South with all its smells, tastes and sounds.On the other side, you meet a family that seems so crazy it’s hard to believe they can be real.I was a bit surprised over the bigotry and racism going on and some of the actions by the family in front of others raised my eyebrows.But, maybe Ms. Frank wanted to run the full gamut of problems and show how this family dealt with it.It’s almost like a soap opera, and I must admit I did skip a few pages to get a bit further into the story.For example, Caroline becomes concerned that the girls are not eating well and wants to give them more healthy food.But, they are always presented with biscuits, ham, sausages and bacon.All in all, this is not a book that I would voluntarily pick up and read, but I think there are many who would enjoy it.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

BULLS ISLAND by Dorthea Benton Frank

Publisher: Avon
Date published: June 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-143846-2
Woman’s Fiction
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained by Publisher
Dawn


Elizabeth “Betts” McGee was not of the social caliber as the Langley’s but she thought with her engagement to perennial golden boy, J.D. Langley, her life would be all happiness and roses. Well it would have been if rumors and innuendos didn’t crash their engagement to pieces. Elizabeth fled Bulls Island and has reinvented herself in New York City as banking executive. Two years later, secure in her new life and in charge of a new project that contains her beloved Bulls Island, Elizabeth has to deal with secrets and lies as she goes back home to an estranged family and an ex-fiancée who is still the same….or is he?!

I have to say this is the first book I have ever read from Ms. Benton Frank and it was a nice light afternoon read. This is an author who makes you laugh and cry while flipping the pages to see what is next to come. It was a pleasant diversion on a rainy afternoon and it surprised me many hours later after I flipped the last page. Ms. Benton Frank has wit and it shows in her writing. The characters are vibrant and intriguing, especially that alligator that makes its appearance as well. BULLS ISLAND is a wonderful story of second chances and forgiveness even as the secrets come out in the open. Are you ready to go to BULLS ISLAND and see what happens when Betts comes home and finds a love worth fighting for?

Meet Elizabeth “Betts” McGee, a woman who thought her life was perfect. Wonderful family, perfect fiancé and a wedding coming up that is the talk of the town. That is until something happens that causes her to break her engagement, flee Bulls Island and her family. Elizabeth is a strong heroine who has reinvented herself in the two years she was gone from BULLS ISLAND. Now a banking executive, she is in charge of a special project that will transform her beloved island into something she doesn’t recognize. Heading back to the one place that has given her happy memories and a broken heart, Elizabeth has to deal with an estranged family, secrets, lies and one crazy alligator on top of being reunited with J. D. Langley, the one man who has a hold on her heart and won’t let go. Ms. Benton Frank captivates you with some complex and interesting characters that interact well with secondary characters. I loved how they all melded together and kept the story flowing smoothly. With the right touch of summer sun, flaws, and forgiveness, this author weaves a subtle spell around you and transforms you as you fip the pages of BULLS ISLAND.

If you are looking for a light read that will touch you on all levels, from laughter to tears, then grab BULLS ISLAND and settle in for a few hours of pure enjoyment. I definitely will be checking out other books on this authors backlist and see what other adventures she has in store for her readers.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS by Dorothea Benton Frank

Publisher Avon books
Date published April 2008
ISBN 9780060892395
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Penny



Miriam’s life has gone through a huge change. Her husband has left her for a young, sexy model and now her social life is suffering, her financial security is in jeopardy and her children have virtually nothing to do with her. And now her newest tenant, Liz is what Miriam can’t stand the most…a young woman sleeping with a married man! Miriam needs to escape it all and head back to the basics; to THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS.

This reader thought at first she was not going to like Miriam. What an uptight snob! But if you hang in there, readers soon travel with Miriam though some life altering changes. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

I absolutely loved Miriam’s mother, Miss Josie. Not your typical grandmother type. She is sassy and free spirited and can teach her daughter a thing or two about loosening up. As can Harrison, a man who spends a lot of time with Miss Josie and who Miriam has developed something of a crush on.

Ms Frank has a clear winner here with THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS. This story holds many life lessons such as not judging people by their first impression. Turns out there is more to Liz than meets the eye. And how holding grudges just hurts you, not who you are angry at. Miriam discovers there is more in life than just teaching her bird to say that Charles, her ex-husband, is a horse’s ass. Although, I had to admit that part was really funny!

So sit back and laugh and learn as you read THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS. Nobody should miss this one!

THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS by Dorothea Benton Frank

Publisher Avon
Date published April 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-089239-5
Women’s Fiction
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Ratmammy





THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is a story that in part revolves around a woman and her relationship with her elderly mother, but it’s mostly about a middle-aged woman who comes to terms with her life, and the relationships that are most important to her.

Miriam Elizabeth Swanson lives in New York. She's divorced, and rents out her apartment to help make ends meet. Her good for nothing husband had run off with a much younger woman and good riddance to him! Miriam's best friend is her gay renter Kevin, who is the only man in her life that she can trust and depend on. At the start of the story, she is trying to find another renter, to replace the one that had recently passed away. After much interviewing, Kevin and Miriam eventually agree on a young woman from Alabama, whom they feel will fit right in.

Miriam's personality is that of a very stuffy southern belle. The reader may assume at first that Miriam is an elderly woman by the way she behaves. Part of the story line has Miriam writing thank you notes obsessively and diligently, and I kept imagining an elderly spinster sitting at her desk. She writes these thank you notes for almost everything, and most of them have to do with the social groups she participates in, groups that at one time held her in high regard. But since the divorce, her standing has fallen. Miriam’s husband had the money and evidently once the money left she was now considered a nobody.

Miriam's heart belongs in the south, in the Low Country. After discovering her new boarder is not as pristine and high class as she had hoped, Miriam goes home to escape and visit her mother, and soon her troubles melt away. However, when the new renter Liz encounters troubles of her own, Miriam brings Liz home with her to recuperate and to get some mothering as well.

While visiting home, Miriam meets her mother's boyfriend, a much younger man named Harrison Ford, of all names! Miriam notices her mother's changed lifestyle, too. She's eating organic, raising her own chicken for eggs, and basically she's a transformed woman. This southern-bred woman is now a hippie, thinks Miriam. Her mother must be crazy or it could be just old age.

With encouragement from her mother and Harrison, Miriam goes out with a man that Harrison was acquainted with, Manny, who brings out the wild side in Miriam, and she even accepts a new nickname, Mellie. Mellie loosens up her hair so to speak, and to the surprise of everyone she becomes a much less stodgy person and a more relaxed woman. However, she actually has her eyes on Harrison, but she knows Harrison is off limits.

Closer to home, Miriam regrets not having a strong relationship with her two sons. She had a falling out with one son due to the awful names he had given to his two children, and the other son Miriam wrote off because he moved in with a woman of color who also happened to be boring, and she wasn't even from this country! But something happens to alter Miriam's view on life. She vows to change. To prove that she's transformed into a new woman, when Miriam's son Charlie announces that he and Priscilla are finally getting married, she gives him the shock of his life by congratulating him and his fiancée, and opens up her arms and heart to both of them. Thus starts their adventure as they plan the wedding, and Miriam hopes that this wedding will be celebrated by the entire family, including her estranged son.

Ultimately, however, THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is about Miriam (Mellie), who starts off as a person that many people find harsh and stuck up and not very fun, and turns into a changed person. Her struggles to unite her family will strike a chord with many people, just as her relationship with her mother will bring out the tissues. I am going to say, without having read all of her books that THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is probably one of her best books yet. As a story told with humor (Miriam’s bird is a riot!), a review of this book cannot fully describe the wonderful journey the reader will take as they start from the first page and end on that last happy, albeit sentimental, paragraph. THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is highly recommended.