My Old True Love
By Sheila Kay Adams
Algonquin, 2004, $23.95
This debut novel is based on the oral history of the author’s family. I loved every page of it.
We follow the saga of two cousins, Hackley and Larkin, over the course of several years and as the Civil War begins.
The Stantons live in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The narrator of the story is Arty, Hackley’s brother, and she is just the kind of character I love — feisty, but funny.
Adams’ words just jump off the page and make the story seem as though it’s happening right now. And then you can’t wait to see what happens, so you’ll keep right on reading. The good news (or maybe bad news) is that the book isn’t too terribly long.
Adams is a performer of Appalachian ballads (as are some of her characters).
Poe and Fanny
By John May
Algonquin, 2004, $24.95
Edgar Allan Poe has always been a fascinating literary figure to most readers. John May has taken information he has learned in his research about Poe and his relationship with Frances “Fanny” Osgood, and given readers his vision of what might have gone on between these two poets.
The focus is on the year 1845. Poe published “The Raven,” founded a magazine and was a favorite of New York writers. But, he was constantly out of funds, his wife was sickly and he drank too much.
As much as he loved his wife, when he met Fanny Osgood, Poe apparently didn’t back away from their mutual attraction. Although we can’t be sure of exactly what happened between them because most of their correspondence was destroyed, May has probably read between the lines pretty well.
It makes perfect sense to me.
A Blessed Event
By Jean Reynolds Page
Ballantine, 2004, $22.95
Friendship is the focus of this novel set in a small Texas town. Joanne Timbro and Darla Stevens have been friends since childhood.
When Darla finds she is unable to have a baby, Joanne offers to have one for her. Joanne is involved in accident when about four months along, and Darla finds out some secrets that she would rather not have known.
Page grew up in North Carolina. This is her first novel.
Heat Wave
By Jill Marie Landis
Ballantine, 2004, $19.95
Kat Vargas was introduced to readers in “Lover’s Lane.” She is a private investigator who has recently been hurt while on a case.
Her friends in Twilight Cove offer her a place to recuperate while they are out of town.
It’s here that she meets Ty Chandler, who asks for her help in locating the 19-year-old daughter he just learned he had.
Kat finds herself falling for Ty, but a bad experience with a man has her a little leery of getting involved.
This is a mystery, but it’s very relationship-oriented. It’s a good read.
