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Showing posts with label Debby Mayne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Debby Mayne. Show all posts

Monday, March 26, 2018

High Cotton



What do you think when you hear the word "Family Reunion?"

For some, it might be the opportunity to get together with those wonderful members of the family that are separated by the miles on rare moments like a family reunion.

For others it might be cringe worthy. Those are the times when you know family drama is about to become a full-blown theatrical production and that is just what Shay Henke has on her mind when she receives another invitation to the Bucklin Family Reunion. It seems like her family is always finding a way to bring everyone together even though its not all that it is cracked up to be. But then again, it's probably like that for most families. Time to reunite, share some beloved family memories and traditions and leave the drama hopefully in the closet for now and just smile and get along right?

Well if you have read any of Debby Mayne's novels, you know you are about to join in, whether you're ready or not to join in with the Bucklin clan. So grab a glass of sweet tea and sit back and unwind as all the wonderful characters she has created in her latest novel High Cotton is unveiled in the first of her series, the Bucklin Family Reunion! This is truly all about bringing a bit of the South and all it's traditions, sayings, accents and more to those who have never been privy to such a family affair. And you just know its not going to go off without a hitch either.

Just the cover alone is what got me wanting to read this, besides the premise of a wonderful drama filled family reunion that doesn't involve me personally and being a fan of anything Debby Mayne rights just makes me pick it up without having to know if it's going to be good or not. That's the thing with exceptional authors that write books that take you into the story line transporting you right in the middle of things. You've got those well-meaning elderly women who are wondering when you are going to find the right man and settle down before one becomes an old maid, the men in the family who would rather be doing anything but attending another one of these lively events and those in the family who believe it is their job to be a personal savior to anyone needing help.

I received High Cotton by Debby Mayne compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Gilead Publishing. I can't wait to read the very next novel Fit to Be Tied coming on the heels of this one, but as all exceptional series are, they are never soon enough for those of us that want even more. This is a wonderful summer novel and one I highly recommend and that is why I am giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If this is your first Debby Mayne novel, you will want to check out everything else she has written, they are all wonderful novels that would definitely make it to my summer reading list.

For more information about High Cotton, Debby Mayne or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:


You can find Debby Mayne on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on High Cotton, please visit Gilead Publishing's website. 


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

For the Love of Pete



Ever since Bethany Hanahan moved back to Bloomfield after her husband Charlie passed away two and a half years ago, people have been after her to get rid of the clutter - first her mother Naomi and then a few other garden club members who meant well. But until recently, she didn't see it as clutter. To Bethany, it was all about the memories. Charlie had been a wonderful husband and father before he found out he had advanced stage prostate cancer. After he passed away, her mother had tried to talk her into returning to Bloomfield, but she decided to wait until Ashley finished high school before moving into the modest house Charlie's parents had left them.

Charlie and Pete both worked for their families' businesses part-time during high school, with the understanding they'd eventually go full-time until their parent retired. Bethany and Charlie hung around for a couple of years, but he grew tired of Bloomfield and the small-town quirkiness. Leaving her family and friends, she moved away with him as soon as he could find a job. She compensated for her homesickness by finding joy in Charlie's happiness.

Bethany once thought they might eventually move back to Bloomfield, but after Ashley was born, that changed. Bethany and Charlie didn't want to pull their daughter away from the church-based social life that kept her busy with so many activities. But now all of that changed with Charlie's death. If only she could find a way to part with the many knick knacks that now filled her small home literally to overflowing leaving no room for movement or cleaning. If only she knew a way to do that, she just might more than light at the end of the tunnel in moving on.

In the novel For the Love of Pete by Debby Mayne, Bethany Hanahan remains at the center of what her mother Naomi believes is best for her and trying to find a happy medium to keep her sanity in tack. She just isn't ready to part with the overflowing keepsakes from Charlie's mother, the gifts that Charlie and Ashley have helped her collect over the years they had with one another, but now it seems that everyone knows what's best for Bethany without taking her feelings into consideration. All except Pete, who has always carried a torch for Bethany since he and Charlie vied for her heart so many years ago. But Pete isn't sure when will be the right time to tell her how he felt even though everyone else in town can see it as plain as day. Is there hope for Pete to find a way into Bethany's already cluttered and overflowing life? Only time will tell!

I received For the Love of Pete by Debby Mayne compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B and H Publishing Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. I can understand the conflicts that Bethany is facing with each object that has filled her home. It carries with it the time and place of someone close to her, the day she got it and most importantly the love she feels by touching it and remembering. Her mother only wants to see her moving on with her life instead of remaining locked away in her home with only things from the past keeping her company. Pete is the perfect hero to come along at a time when she really needs a true friend! I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars and love how well Debby Mayne put all the elements together to create a truly remarkable series readers will love.

For more information For the Love of Pete, Debby Mayne, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:


You can also find Debby Mayne on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on For the Love of Pete from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, click here. 
  • Series: A Bloomfield Novel
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: B&H Books (January 15, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 143367730X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1433677304
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Pretty Is as Pretty Does




"We are thrilled to announce
Piney Point High School's 
10-year reunion
on June 7, 2003, at 7:30 PM
in Piney Point High's
newly renovated gymnasium. 
Attire: Sunday best
RSVP: Laura Moss 601-555-1515
PS: There will be a preparty
at Shenanigan's in Hattiesburg
starting at about 5:00 PM


WOW. Ten years. As I read my high school reunion invitation a second time. I can't help smiling. Although I own one of the most successful businesses in my hometown of Piney Point, Mississippi, I've lost track of most of the people I graduated with.

Knowing the people I went to high school with, this is going to be one crazy event - that is, if everyone attends. I'm not surprised Laura added a preparty to the invitation. Her husband has never attended any social event before prepartying his face off - even in high school. Pete Moss graduated with the dishonor of high school lush, and as far as I know, he continues to hold that honor, which is ironic since I don't remember seeing Laura touching a drop of anything stronger than her mama's two-day-old sweet tea." (pg 11).

As Priscilla Slater anticipates her upcoming high school reunion, she also hopes that she will run into an old high school crush as well, Marcus whom she hopes might just cause a spark to ignite between them. As owner of three beauty salons in the area, Priscilla sees herself as a success while her overbearing mother still believes she has sold herself short of what she could have become. Now armed with hope that she can hold her head high, she takes up invitation of her local beauty supply sales, Tim Puckett, to serve as her "date" for the event. Only Tim has hopes that he might just convince Priscilla that they would make a great couple together and he vows to do whatever it takes to make her see him as more than just a convenient date.

I received Pretty is as Pretty Does by author Debby Mayne compliments of Abingdon Press and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is the first novel in the Class Reunion Series and anyone who has ever attended their high school reunion can probably relate to at least one of the characters in this book. The book is based around Priscilla Slater who can never be good enough in her mother's eyes no matter what she does, and the chapters alternate with each of the main players attending the class reunion.

 Laura Moss who is the reunion chairperson who chases away all the other classmates who have volunteered to help her in the past due to her ability to expect things to be perfect. She is overworked and deals with the drinking of her high school sweetheart, Pete and their four children. There is also Trudy Baynard, the former Miss Piney Point who believes she still needs to uphold her good looks despite the fact that ten years have passed. She has recently divorced her high school sweetheart and husband, Michael who is living another life with his latest girlfriend who is much too young for him. What transpires over the book is sheer genius and I was captivated til the very end. I am also fortunate to have the additional sequels which I will be reviewing shortly, Bless Her Heart and Tickled Pink each showcasing a 15 and 20 year reunion respectively. I rate this one easily a 4.5 out of 5 stars and look forward to adding Debby Mayne to my author watch list.

For more information about Pretty Is As Pretty Does, Debby Mayne or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:


You can also find Debby Mayne on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Pretty Is As Pretty Does from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour, please click here. 

  • Series: Class Reunion Series (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1426733585
  • ISBN-13: 978-1426733581
  • Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches