Wednesday, June 16, 2010

LOW COUNTRY SUMMER: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER

by DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Dorothea Benton Frank is a native of the South whose novels vividly capture the wild beauty, laid-back atmosphere, earthy characters, and charming eccentricities of life in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Written with compelling honesty and emotional depth, her stories have touched readers from coast to coast, and propelled her to the top ranks of bestsellerdom nationwide.

Now this remarkable writer revisits some of her most unforgettable characters in this enchanting new story sure to make you laugh and cry. Return with her to Tall Pines Plantation in this long-awaited sequel to her beloved bestseller Plantation. . .

When Caroline Wimbley Levine returned to Tall Pines Plantation, she never expected to make peace with long-buried truths about herself and her family. The Queen of Tall Pines, her late mother, was a force of nature, but now she is gone, leaving Caroline and the rest of the family uncertain of who will take her place.

In the lush South Carolina countryside, old hurts, betrayals, and dark secrets will surface, and a new generation will rise along the banks of the mighty Edisto River.

Wonderfully evocative, infused with humor and poignancy, and rich with the lyrical cadences of the South, Lowcountry Summer is vintage Dorothea Benton Frank, a deeply moving novel you'll want to savor and share.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dorothea Benton Frank is the New York Times bestselling author of Bulls Island (William Morrow, 2008), The Christmas Pearl (William Morrow 2007), The Land of Mango Sunsets (William Morrow 2007), Full of Grace (William Morrow 2006), Pawleys Island (Berkley 2005), Shem Creek (Berkley 2004), Isle of Palms (Berkley 2003), Plantation (Jove 2001), and Sullivan's Island (Jove 2000). Her last book, Return to Sullivans Island, was released by William Morrow June 30, 2009.

Ms. Frank has appeared on NBC's Today show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk, and many local network-affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues, such as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She has also been a guest speaker at the South Carolina Book Festival; Novello, North Carolina's Festival of Books; and the Book and Author annual event in Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by the Post & Courier.

Before she began her writing career, Ms. Frank was involved extensively in the arts and education, and in raising awareness and funding for various nonprofits in New Jersey and New York. At the present time she serves on the boards of The South Carolina Historical Society and The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League.

The author, who was born and raised on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, currently divides her time between New Jersey and South Carolina.


MY REVIEW:


Dorothea Benton Frank returns to her favorite place, South Carolina, to give a delightful story that follows her earlier TALL PINES PLANTATION. In this new book, LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER, Frank once again give us an entertaining summer read that revolves around Caroline Wimbly as the central character. She weaves her magic around the life of a family living on a South Carolina plantation. The family (like so many today) has its share of problems including a dominant sister whose brother’s alcoholic wife has custody of their four daughters, which isn‘t surprising considering the brother lives with his mistress. Frances Mae, the wife, drives while in a drunken state and crashes her car WITH their youngest child, Chloe, inside the car with her.

Frances Mae is sent off to a rehabilitation center out in California, leaving our main character, her sister Caroline, with four nieces to care for as well as her own son Eric. Caroline, meanwhile, was just trying to get her life on even keel and find a more meaningful existence hopefully back home in Tall Pines having been in New York for a while. Now along with the four nieces (who are not the perfect children by any means) she has her own son, Eric, to contend with. Eric has his own plans, however, and that is to move in with his older girlfriend (can you say cougar?) and her daughter.

The story moves into high gear when “The Mistress”, Rusty, has a tragic accident, and it seems that all the characters have problems facing them that only Frank, with her expertise, could bring into one comfortable story and have the ending be a satisfying one. Will Rusty be saved? Does Frances Mae complete her rehab and get, or even want, her husband back? What becomes of Caroline and those four children who are not little angels as readers will quickly find out about? As always, Frank writes an story full of interesting characters woven all together to result in a light but very enjoyable story just in time for summer!

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS WONDERFUL

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS REVIEW OR BOOK DESCRIPTION THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO READ THE BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ABOUT THE AUTHOR IN THE "FUN STUFF" SECTION ABOUT HER FROM THE HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE BY READING HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK, THAT IS FOUND ON HER WEBSITE HERE. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TELL IF YOU HAVE READ ONE OF HER BOOKS OR ABOUT ONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ OTHER THAN THIS ONE.

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
JULY 2!

GOOD LUCK

97 comments:

Colleen Turner said...

This book sounds great! I love any books set in the south as that is where I am from! Always good to be able to relate to the people/places/characteristics described.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I found out from the website that the author's least favorite food is anything liver. I agree!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I learned from the author's website that she is very involved in organizations she feels strongly about, for example she serves on the Boards of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and The South Carolina Historical Society.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

traveler said...

I am captivated with this new book since it is a fascinating family saga which I enjoy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I read Sullivan's Island and enjoyed it greatly. Her books are great because of the locale and the characters.. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The author said that her desert island book would be about catching and cooking seafood. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Reading said...

Please count me in. The characters sound so interesting. I love books that take place in the south. I live in the Northeast but I have always loved the south.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Tea said...

I love reading about the Low Country. Dorothea Benton Frank is one of the best authors writing about this area including Pat Conroy and Mary Alice Monroe.

I have read and loved Sullivan's Island, Shem Creek and another one. The name escapes me.

I didn't know about Dorothea Benton Frank working closely with a Cancer group. I also didn't know she gave her time to the Friends of the Library.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tea said...

I tweeted at Topazshell about Bookin' Bingo's giveaway.

Tea said...

Low Country Summer is the sequel to Plantation. This is new knowledge for me.

I have also read The Christmas Pearl. I loved it.

Nan said...

I have to admit.. the first thing from this post that made me want to read the book is the picture of the cover! It just looks like such a nice place to be. I also love a book that makes you laugh and cry.

vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

debbie said...

It sounds like a good family drama. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

scottsgal said...

I love books that are character driven and you really learn who they are
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

She has been married for 25 years
msboatgal at aol.com

Margie said...

Looks like it has an interesting storyline here. And like many of the other commenters, I always enjoy books with the South as a background.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

scottsgal said...

I learned that she dislikes liver - yuck me too
msboatgal at aol.com

Margie said...

The author loves Italian food. I do too!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 for swag bucks signup
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I have never read anything by this author but I think I would enjoy her works. I'd like to read Sullivan's Island.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Linda Kish said...

What can I say? I enjoy reading about dysfunctional families.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

She and her husband collect wine.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 I like that it continues a previous book, Plantation, and that is set on a South Carolina plantation!!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 Loved the Shem Creek recipes - even saw a couple that I'm going to try.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 Her favorite food is anything Italian!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Cindy W. said...

The cover is fresh and the fact that the setting is in the South makes me want to read it. It's good to know there is humor in the book as well.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I visited "Fun Facts" and found that Ms. Frank's idea of a dream vacation is one with no agenda. I definitely agree. I would love to win her book.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Jackie S. said...

I love her books and the fact that they are about the low country. Funny, she dislikes liver...so do I. I have read all of her books so far and am anxious to read this one, too. Thanks for entering me.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

gcpeach17 said...

I almost purchased this book! I am anxious to read it and I love the southern settings, plantations, intriging family stories. Thanks, for including me in this great giveaway!

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

Dorothea Benton Frank is a very busy lady and very admirable. Also, I used to share her last name......hmmmmm.
gcpeach17 at aol dot com

LAMusing said...

I like the locations the characters move through from S. Carolina to California

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I learned Dorthea includes recipes on her website!

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

In fun stuff I found out the author would be completely, insanely depressed if she couldn't be a writer

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

I love Ms. Franks books and would love to win this one. I like that she is a speaker about creative writing for people of any age and also that she speaks at Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I signed up for Swagbucks.

Pamela Keener said...

One of her favorite authors is Jane Smiley. I love her books too.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Onher website you can find recipes from The Jackson Hole restaurant on Shem Creek. I can almost taste the grilled shrimp now MMMMMMMM.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Team JC said...

I would love to read this since it is described as a book that will make you laugh and cry! Thanks for the chance.

schaefer7382 (at) aol (dot) com

Debbie said...

Having never lived anywhere except the south, I love a good southern book!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

The book sounds very interesting. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

https://booksthoughtsadventures.com said...

I love anything about this topic and this author...summer makes you crave tons of beach reads...

pattyden2@aol.com

Unknown said...

This sounds like my kind of read! I love reading books about the south and can't wait to read this one! Nothing like a good southern read! I have not read this author but would love to. Please enter me, I am a follower!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I liked that fact in her review that you said that later on in the the book it moves into "high" gear" and has interesting characters.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

There must be a special "writers' drive" because the author said on her fun part of the website that she would "be insanely depressed" if she couldn't write.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I learned from the author's website that she is very involved in helping people with creative writing.

CarolNWong(at)aol.com

Anonymous said...

I still have not have the pleasure of reading any of her books yet. But I would really love it.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Kristin said...

The cover alone is what draws me to this book, plus the description on the front, saying 'get ready to laugh and cry' - this seems like my kind of book.

Please enter me in your giveaway.
k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

Of course, if I am going to read this book, I would need to read the one before it, Tall Pines Plantation. I've never read anything by this author yet, but have a few of her books on my TBR list - Sullivan's Island and Return to Sullivan's Island.

k2reader@gmail.com

Katia said...

I'd love to read this one because I really like when dark secrets are revealed.
kr_moreau(at)doglover(dot)com

degood said...

I like books that are set in the south since I live in the pacific northwest which is the opposite end of the country. I think this would be a great beach read for summer.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I think it is interesting that Dorthea Benton Frank doesn't like liver.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I would like to read her Bull's Island book.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Unknown said...

I like the fact she's a best selling author. chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff H said...

+5 swags bucks jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

+5 swag bucks jeff72768@yahoo.com

Erika Powell said...

I just moved to the Carolinas so I really want to read more books set here
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book because i am fascinated by the South.

bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

bison61 said...

old hurts, betrayals, and dark secrets will surface, that sounds good-I love to read storeis about the south

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Christine H said...

+5 swag bucks

rubynreba said...

I like to read about plantations and this sounds like a very good book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

She doesn't like liver and I don't either!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I would like to read Sullivan's Island and Return to Sullivan's Island.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/16921568317

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 sawg bucks chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/43346262/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=124301660945165&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Dorothea Benton Frank is a new author for me and one whose books I would really like to read. I love stories about families and the personalities and eccentricities that make up each member especially southern families since, for some reason they often are more interesting. This story reminds me a little bit of books by the author Anne Rivers Siddons which were also about a large family and their interactions with eachother.
Please enter me in this giveaway!

Thank you!

~ Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I love the Dorothea Benton Frank's list of her 5 favorite authors, it's a great list and I totally agree with her about her least favorite food since liver, in any form, is hands down my least favorite food!


Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I think it's fantastic that Dorothea Benton Frank is so active in the community and involved in so many organizations and sits on the board of many charitable groups. I also admire that she often gives talks on creative writing nd the writing process to students. I think it's invaluable for up and coming writers to hear what an established, best-selling author has to say about writing.
I cannot wait to start reading her books!

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

holdenj said...

It sounds like a good family drama type story, thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Tina said...

One of my favorite authors. Please enter me.
tbranco(at)hughes(dot)net

Unknown said...

I always enjoy Dorothea's books. I lived in the lowcountry for many years and love reminiscing about the places she references in her books.

Shirley said...

I love a novel that can make me feel happy and make me cry. It's a great book that can move you so much. But I guess I better get the first book now. Thanks!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/17171936887

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6672305443&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/43428511/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=131181106912535&ref=mf shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5 swag bucks shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I've never cared for liver either

My least favorite food is…
liver in any form.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

She's a best selling Author and has to kids in college.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'd love to read any of her books, I need to start with the first one in this series though.
shundelt@yahoo.com

Benita said...

I love books that take place in the South, so this book sounds great to me!

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I'd love to read the author's desert island book; she promises it will be about food and desserts.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this book because the person who wrote the book actually lives there so I'm sure she know a lot about summers there. Sounds great I'l love to read it.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001144971475&v=wall&story_fbid=133978619959270&ref=mf christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Christina101092/status/17205302564

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593981&messageID=6673384638&hash

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

She must really love writing if she says this:

If I couldn't be a writer, I would be…
completely insanely depressed

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/christina101092/review/43437337/

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 swag bucks

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

She's appeared on NBC's Today Show

christina101092@yahoo.com

Jenna said...

I love her smart answer to the infamous "stranded on an island" question! Clever!

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I think the interesting family dynamics make this a good read

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

+5 swagbucks

Jenna said...

I am amazed at all the boards she sits on as a trustee... it is amazing all she does and supports.

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Pamela Keener said...

I absolutely love to read southern fiction and Ms Frank is a favorite author of mine.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
Swagbucks + 5

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this because it takes place in the lowcountry of South Carolina near the Edisto River and that is where I'm from.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

After visiting the fun stuff page, I think it's interesting that her favorite food is any kind of liver. I have to agree.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

After visiting the author's website I'm now interested in reading her books Shem Creek and Isle of Palms.

peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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