Grounded

When you think of the term "grounded" often times you associate it with what happens when you have a flight scheduled and something affects that flight, whether it's a weather delay or technical issue. Your flight has been "grounded." To others the term means simply to find roots where you can stay, often times making it a permanent home. In the debut novel from author Angela Correll, both of these terms work when applied to Annie Taylor, a flight attendant who has been working for TransAir for well over ten years. By accepting whatever schedules are available, she has managed to travel to places in the world, most never get to but dream of often like Italy during her international flights. However like all companies in a worrisome economy, TransAir is no stranger to corporate takeovers and that is just what happens, leaving Annie with no job.

Force to abandon her apartment when she was considering moving in with her boyfriend Stuart, she learns during a conversation with a passenger that Stuart isn't all he claims to be. Besides being afraid of commitment, she learns that her entire relationship with him has been built on lies that he has spoon fed her. Now she isn't about to waste anymore time with him and heads back home to her grandmother's home on the farm in Kentucky for some time to consider just what lies next for her.

Beulah Campbell believes her greatest gift is hospitality and to prove that point she hosts a dinner party with close friends every Saturday night. Mostly it is her chance to share with others the bounty of her garden, pot roast, green beans, macaroni and cheese, homemade biscuits and of course pie during most of the meals. Her close friends always came and offered to bring a dish or stay and help cook. It was truly a wonderful time to sit around the table and share not only great food but friendship and conversation. She just never expected her granddaughter Annie to return to the farm after living in New York.

But perhaps God has a greater plan in all of this and thus the reason for the timing. Beulah, now 70 is facing the need for knee surgery but has put it off because she has no one to care for her. Annie is the only family she has left. Annie's plans are to hope that her old boss will be able to find a position available for  her soon with the new airlines so can resume her busy life once again. But there is something healing about not only coming back to her roots but the change of pace she finds here simply smelling the fresh air and listening to the sounds that only country living can provide. Yet will the call of a new life involve a close friend Jake Wilder that is just now returning home as well? Only this time he has brought his new girlfriend home as well.

I received Grounded by Angela Correll compliments of McAllister PR and Koehler Books for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This is such an incredible story that anyone can relate to. It's about finding out where your home truly is. For some, they feel they must spread their wings and search for it somewhere else, but for others it simply means coming back to those who love and accept you for who you are and a different change of pace. This is such an outstanding book because of how well it's written, I could smell the fresh soil as Annie and her grandmother worked in the garden, feel the breeze on my skin as the birds from the field were calling their music. Just the picture alone calms the soul and creates a longing for a simpler life. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for many more books from this author. She is definite on my must watch list and this novel joins my permanent collection of great books to enjoy over and over again.

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Grounded by Angela Correll

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• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Koehler Books (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1938467566
• ISBN-13: 978-1938467561
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches