The Twelfth Child
Bette Lee Crosby
Literary / Southern Women's Fiction
Synopsis:
Be prepared to be swept away into the life of a
girl who will tug at your emotions while never leaving your heart.
Crosby has crafted a story that will enchant readers.
Steena Holmes, bestselling author of Finding Emma
Trust, love and friendship—Abigail Anne
Lannigan searched for these things all her life. Now, when she is at the
tail end of her years, she teams up with a free-spirited young woman. A
nobody from nowhere, who suddenly moves in across the street. This
unlikely friendship comes under suspicion when a million dollars goes
missing and a distant relative, claims embezzlement. Abigail knows the
truth of what happened, but she’ll never get the chance to tell..
Reminiscent of Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green
Tomatoes, the unlikely friendship of these two women is sure to settle
in the soft spot of your heart.
Strong Female Characters without the “I am
woman hear me roar” mentality. Crosby writes in a way that puts readers
within the story so that they can visualize themselves experiencing the
hurts and joys of the protagonist. A Book and A Review
I rarely give 5 stars for a book, but this book
definitely deserves 5 stars! Crosby deals with timely issues such as
caring for the elderly, greed, forgiveness, isolation, love,
selfishness, and selflessness. If you like novels about strong women and
relationships, you would probably enjoy this book. I have already lined
up my next Bette Lee Crosby novel. Amazon Review
Bette Lee Crosby is a storyteller
extraordinaire. She has honed her craft, and shares it in this well told
novel. McGuffy’s Reader - Blogspot
A deeply moving story that touches the core of your heart…Layered Pages
Characters with an emotional depth that compels
the reader to care about their challenges, to root for their success
and to appreciate their bravery. Goodreads Review.
Author Bio
Guest Post by Betti Lee Crosby--The Book Club Experience
Half the people you know probably belong to some sort of book
club. Most love it, some tolerate it, some claim they're far too busy to read a
book every month, and others find fault with the quality of books selected.
Still the number of book clubs in existence continues to grow, as does their
popularity. Why?
I, of course, belong to one and although I can't speak for other
groups, I can tell you a bit about our book club. Our members almost never miss
a meeting unless it is absolutely, positively, on-my-deathbed unavoidable.
We all read
the book, and we discuss it at length. We don't simply decide we liked or
disliked it. We study the characters' actions and alternatives, compare their
experiences to our own, laugh at the similarity of missteps and sometimes shed
a tear because of their plight. At times a meeting will start with a negative
comment about the book but, even that, inevitably leads to an exploration of
the protagonist's motives and ultimately a greater understanding of the story.
Although I am a voracious reader myself, my book club buddies have introduced
me to a number of new authors and wonderful stories that I probably would not
have discovered on my own.
We have over
twenty women in our group, and several others waiting to join, but members
seldom leave, because book club is more than just a discussion group, it's an
afternoon of unbridled friendship. Of letting go of things you may not have
talked about for years and knowing that not one of your friends will think less
of you, or carry the tale elsewhere. It's having a glass of wine, and
conversation that is thoughtful, intelligent and stimulating. Book club is
having twenty wonderful friends, any one of whom I could turn to for help, even
in the dead of night.
Sure, I've
had occasions when I was so rushed that I barely had time to shower before
dashing out the door, and we've read a few books that were rather forgettable
...but I still would not have missed the experience of a single meeting. The
books we’ve shared have taken me to places I may never visit, introduced me to
people I will never know, and with the turn of page they’ve transported me back
and forth through time.
So if you’re
not a member of a book club, my advice is join one. You may not like every
book, but you’ll love the experience.
Author Bio:
Bette Lee Crosby
Award-winning
novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern
Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor,
mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal
your heart away.
Born
in Detroit and raised in a plethora of states scattered across the
South and Northeast, Crosby originally studied art and began her career
as a packaging designer. When asked to write a few lines of copy for the
back of a pantyhose package, she discovered a love for words that was
irrepressible. After years of writing for business, she turned to works
of fiction and never looked back. “Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby
laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating
storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most
everything I write.”
Crosby’s
work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League
of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since
that, she has gone on to win several more awards, including another
NLAPW award, three Royal Palm Literary Awards, the FPA President’s Book
Award Gold Medal and most recently the 2011 Reviewer’s Choice Award and
Reader’s View Southeast Fiction Literary Award.
Her
published works to date are: Cracks in the Sidewalk (2009), Spare
Change (2011), The Twelfth Child (2012), and Life in the Land of IS
(2012). Life in the Land of IS is a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a
woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as the world’s longest living
quadriplegic.
Crosby
newest novel Cupid’s Christmas is scheduled for release in early
October and following that, What Matters Most will be released in early
2013.
CONTACT
Twitter - @betteleecrosby
Purchase Links
My Review:
This is the story of Abigail Anne Lannigan, the twelfth child of William Lannigan. Livonia Lannigan was Abigails mother. Abigail was smart and she was born at the time of changing times. Women who virtually had no rights were beginning to be recognized as people in their own rights. Her mama would tell her stories of brave and courageous women and Abigail heard and clung to those stories. She forever sought her daddy's approval, but he was old school and saw no reason for change in the status quo. She wanted to be a teacher; her father wanted her to marry a rich farmer boy. She ran off to Richmond Virginia...alone. She learned much in her young independent life and encountered her true love, but it was not to be hers. She served 48 years as the head librarian and when retired made a friendship with a young neighbor. The characters are unforgettable, the story undeniable. Relationships and non-relationships, proving that the best of intentions if left undone, are nothing but an unprovable intent. The story of Abigail Anne Lannigan and the lessons learned throughout her life will forever be etched in my heart and soul. The book was just that good!
Definitely a 5 wink review!
This is the story of Abigail Anne Lannigan, the twelfth child of William Lannigan. Livonia Lannigan was Abigails mother. Abigail was smart and she was born at the time of changing times. Women who virtually had no rights were beginning to be recognized as people in their own rights. Her mama would tell her stories of brave and courageous women and Abigail heard and clung to those stories. She forever sought her daddy's approval, but he was old school and saw no reason for change in the status quo. She wanted to be a teacher; her father wanted her to marry a rich farmer boy. She ran off to Richmond Virginia...alone. She learned much in her young independent life and encountered her true love, but it was not to be hers. She served 48 years as the head librarian and when retired made a friendship with a young neighbor. The characters are unforgettable, the story undeniable. Relationships and non-relationships, proving that the best of intentions if left undone, are nothing but an unprovable intent. The story of Abigail Anne Lannigan and the lessons learned throughout her life will forever be etched in my heart and soul. The book was just that good!
Disclosure
of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a
copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have
been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in
exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with
those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This
disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part
255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
1 comment:
I loved this book. My review is up on November 15.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
Post a Comment