Tag Archives: Southern Eclectic

A Few Pecans Short of a Pie / Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper-Reviews & Giveaway

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A Few Pecans Short of a Pie / Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper-Reviews & Giveaway

 

 

A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE
(Southern Eclectic 2.5)
by Molly Harper
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 4, 2019

Sexy school principal Kyle faces the biggest challenge of his career: getting his (pregnant) event planner girlfriend Margot down the aisle before the baby arrives!

Readers first fell in love with big city event planner Margot in the first Southern Eclectic novel, Sweet Tea and Sympathy, as she discovered a long-lost branch of her family—the McCreadys, of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home. To Margot’s surprise, she’s taken a liking to life in small-town Georgia…helped along by a romance with the hot elementary school principal.

The two of them have been taking it slow—or they were until Margot gets pregnant! Kyle wants to make an honest woman of her, but Margot’s still trying to proceed with caution. After all, she was the best event planner in Chicago before she ever came to Lake Sackett—her wedding has to be perfect, and perfect includes not having the baby halfway down the aisle.

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REVIEW: A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE by Molly Harper focuses on the continuing relationship between event planner Margot Cary, and her fiancé, elementary school principal/single father and widower Kyle Archer whom we met in book one-SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY.

Told from third person perspective (Margot Cary) A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE follows big city girl Margot Cary as the people of small town Lake Sackett try to take over the wedding plans for Margot and Kyle. Pregnant, and struggling with on-going morning sickness, Margot battles between head and heart as it pertains to the small town ideals, versus a quiet wedding alone on a beach, far, far away. When the busy-body ladies of Lake Sackett continue to ‘offer’ their opinions and ideas for Margot and Kyle’s-no date set-wedding, Margot is of the belief that eloping may be the solution to their current dilemma. Not only does Margot have to deal with family and friends, but Kyle’s ex in-laws chime in their opinions, as well as Kyle’s two school-aged daughters who have differing opinions and ideas of their own.

A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE is a fast paced, novella length story of family and friendship in small town America where everyone knows your name, your business, and your relationship history. We are witness to the struggling relationship between Margot, and Kyle’s two young daughters; as well as Margot’s battle with morning sickness, her family, and her fiance’s ex in-laws. A sweet, fun and honest look at blended families, grieving parents, and second chances at happiness and love.

A FEW PECANS SHORT OF A PIE introduces the heroine in the author’s next instalment- GIMME SOME SUGAR-about a young widow (Lucy Brewer) who returns to Lake Sackett to open a bake shop, and falls in love.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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GIMME ME SOME SUGAR
(Southern Eclectic #3)
by Molly Harper
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2, 2019

 

A young widow returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to face the ghosts of her past—and decide if she’s ready to take another chance on love.

Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.

Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.

In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town’s meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?

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REVIEW: 
GIMME SOME SUGAR is the third full-length instalment in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult SOUTHERN ECLECTIC romance series focusing on the men and women of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This is tour boat operator Duffy ‘Duff’ McCready, and widow/baker Lucy Brewer’s story line. GIMME SOME SUGAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person points of view (Lucy and Duff) GIMME SOME SUGAR follows the second chance romance between childhood best friends, tour boat operator Duffy ‘Duff’ McCready, and widow/baker Lucy Brewer. Years earlier Lucy Brewer fell in love with her best friend Duff McCready but life, and someone else got in the way. Fast forward to present day wherein Lucy, now a widowed, single mother has returned to Lake Sackett, Georgia to open her own bakery shop in spite of the obstacles, including her former in-laws, standing in her way. Duff McCready never stopped loving his childhood best friend but their individual marriages, and his eventual divorce sent our couple in different directions. Lucy Brewer’s return to Lake Sackett came with the possibility of second chances, a second chance that is all but destroyed by the overwhelming pressure Lucy places upon herself to be independent and never to rely on someone, again. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Lucy and Duff, and the potential fall-out as Lucy’s need to remain in control, and interference from her former in-laws, threatens our heroine’s peace of mind.

The relationship between Duff and Lucy is one of second chances; an unrequited love between two people whose lives went in opposite directions despite their life-long friendship, and lack of love for the significant others. Duff is desperate to rekindle his relationship with the woman he has always loved but convincing Lucy to take a chance is tempered by the drama that has become her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters are an eclectic mix of quirky, small town gossips, busybodies, family and friends. The requisite jealousy and rivalry comes from Duff’s ex-wife, as Lucy does battles with her former mother and sister in-law who is are desperate to prevent Lucy from succeeding.

GIMME SOME SUGAR is a story of family, friendship, second chances and love. The premise is fun and frenetic; the characters are energetic, sassy and eccentric; the romance is sweet, spicy and real. GIMME SOME SUGAR is an inviting and delightful look at small-town romance, family and friends.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
.5 Save A Truck,Ride A Redneck
Sweet Tea and Sympathy
1.5 Peachy Flippin’ Keen
Ain’t She A Peach
2.5 A Few Pecans Short of a Pie
Gimme Some Sugar

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

Molly Harper’s publisher (Simon and Shuster) are graciously offering a paper copy of GIMME SOME SUGAR to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and follow MOLLY HARPER on Facebook

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5. Please LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from April 2-7, 2019

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Ain’t She A Peach (Southern Eclectic #2) by Molly Harper-a review

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AIN’T SHE A PEACH (Southern Eclectic #2) by Molly Harper -a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 12, 2018

An Atlanta ex-cop comes to sleepy Lake Sackett, Georgia, seeking peace and quiet—but he hasn’t bargained on falling for Frankie, the cutest coroner he’s ever met.

Frankie McCready talks to dead people. Not like a ghost whisperer or anything—but it seems rude to embalm them and not at least say hello.

Fortunately, at the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie’s eccentricities fit right in. Lake Sackett’s embalmer and county coroner, Frankie’s goth styling and passion for nerd culture mean she’s not your typical Southern girl, but the McCreadys are hardly your typical Southern family. Led by Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family, everyone looks out for one another—which usually means getting up in everyone else’s business.

Maybe that’s why Frankie is so fascinated by new sheriff Eric Linden…a recent transplant from Atlanta, he sees a homicide in every hunting accident or boat crash, which seems a little paranoid for this sleepy tourist town. What’s he so worried about? And what kind of cop can get a job with the Atlanta PD but can’t stand to look at a dead body?

Frankie has other questions that need answering first—namely, who’s behind the recent break-in attempts at the funeral home, and how can she stop them? This one really does seem like a job for the sheriff—and as Frankie and Eric do their best Scooby-Doo impressions to catch their man, they get closer to spilling some secrets they thought were buried forever.

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REVIEW: AIN’T SHE A PEACH is the second full-length instalment in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult SOUTHERN ECLECTIC romance (woman’s fiction) series focusing on the McCready family of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This is Lake Sackett Sheriff Eric Linden, and mortician/coroner Frankie McCready’s story line. AIN’T SHE A PEACH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Eric and Frankie AINT SHE A PEACH follows the building relationship between Lake Sackett Sheriff Eric Linden, and mortician/coroner Frankie McCready. Frankie and Eric have an acrimonious relationship in that Eric eyes every death as a potential murder forcing Frankie to go above and beyond the necessary requirements. When a local teen known to Frankie, begins terrorizing the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie must prove to our hero that it isn’t her imagination. What ensues is the slow building romance between Frankie and Eric, and the potential fall-out as Frankie disobeys Eric’s demands, placing herself in the line of fire.

Eric Linden is a former Atlanta police officer who’s hoping for a slower paced lifestyle in Lake Sackett, Georgia. From town drunks to mischief, bar fights and kittens caught in trees, the crime wave in Lake Sackett is the ideal situation for our story line hero. Frankie MCready is an only child, a little bit spoiled, but a woman determined to prove that sixteen-year old Jared Lewis is intent on doing damage to the family owned business.

The relationship between Eric and Frankie is one of immediate attraction but our heroine doesn’t believe there is a happily ever after in her future. A one-night stand, with Eric, months before, found Frankie walking away without looking back. The $ex scenes are all implied.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and fun as the town begins preparations for the annual Halloween Trunk R Treat. We are reintroduced to Frankie’s cousin Margot, and elementary school principal Kyle Archer (Sweet Tea and Sympathy #1), as well as Carl and Marianne (Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck .5). There is plenty of back and forth, snark, humor, quirky idioms, and southern charm.

AIN’T SHE A PEACH is an entertaining, sweet, spirited and delightful read. Clean romance, energetic characters, and an optimistic look at life in a small town.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Save A Truck, Ride a Redneck (Southern Eclectic .5) by Molly Harper-a review

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Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck (Southern Eclectic .5) by Molly Harper-a review

Save A Truck, Ride a Redneck

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 16, 2017

Carl and Marianne were high school sweethearts, loving the way only teenagers can—with no thought to logic or pride, just a bone-headed, optimistic frenzy of unicorns and hormones. That was all they needed. Or so Carl thought.

Scared of being stuck in Lake Sackett, Georgia, like so many of her friends—without a real shot at a future or achieving her own dreams—Marianne panicked and bolted to college after stomping Carl’s heart into the high grass. But when she returns to Lake Sackett for the summer with her family after years away, she and Carl are drawn together like moths to a flame. As they rekindle their old romance and remember what it was like to be in love, they have to wonder: is this, finally, their real chance at happiness?

Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Amy E. Reichert, this warmhearted and witty love story introduces Molly Harper’s new Southern Eclectic series set in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This story about second chances proves that “Molly Harper never lets the reader down with her delightfully entertaining stories. Humor, emotions, and romance are cleverly matched, and her likable characters are most appealing”

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REVIEW: SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is the first instalment (and novella) in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult SOUTHERN ECLECTIC sweet, romance series focusing on the men and women of Lake Sackett, Georgia. This is law student Marianne McCready, and auto mechanic Carl Dawson’s story line.

Told from third person perspective (Marianne ) SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a second chance story line between high school sweethearts and lovers Marianne McCready and Carl Dawson. Marianne had big plans after graduating high school with law school in mind, and Carl was willing to wait for the woman he had always loved but something spooked Marianne just days before leaving Lake Sackett, Georgia, and our heroine ran without looking back. Broken hearted Carl moved on with his life hoping one day that Marianne would acknowledge the love they once had. Fast forward four years, and our heroine, at the insistence of her mother, returns to Lake Sackett, Georgia to discover that old feelings burned deeply but a broken heart was harder to mend. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Carl and Marianne, as Marianne reconsiders her plans for the future.

SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a story of family and friendship; second chances and happily ever after. The world building looks at the usual assortment of townsfolk including the local gossip and busybody still intent on destroying people’s lives. There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Marianne’s extended family who own and operate the local funeral parlour. Be prepared with a spreadsheet to keep all of the characters organized and connected. The romance follows the rebuilding relationship between our leading couple. There are no $ex scenes-implied or otherwise. A majority of the story line follows Marianne as she reconnects with family and considers the next step in her life. SAVE A TRUCK, RIDE A REDNECK is a cute, clean story of second chances with an odd collection of eccentric family members, towns people, southern charm and figures of speech.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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