Lauren K. Denton

Some individuals were born to be storytellers. Laura K. Denton proves with her debut novel that she was born to be a storyteller. The story flows seamlessly from past to present and present to past sharing the lives of Mags (originally named Margaret and also known as Maggie) and her granddaughter Sara Jenkins. As Sara was essentially raised by Mags, Sara doesn't think that there could be any surprises or secrets about her grandmother's life that she doesn't know. She is wrong!

I loved the show more name of Sara's shop of antiques, furniture, and unique items in New Orleans. Bits and Pieces sounds like a treasure chest just waiting for customers to make their own discoveries (or perhaps with a little sales pitch from Allyn). As the story unfolds, the reader learns Bits and Pieces about The Hideaway in Sweet Bay, Alabama. Sara had lived at the The Hideaway and no longer thought of it as a bed and breakfast but as the home of her grandmother and her friends. Upon learning of the death of Mags, Sara thinks she'll return to Sweet Bay for about a week. She is wrong!

The beautiful cover invites the reader to sit for a spell on the porch of The Hideaway and sometimes I felt like I was rocking on the porch waiting for Mags to join me and sometimes I felt like Sara would come out on the porch at any moment with a glass of iced lemonade.

I can't wait to read more novels crafted by this author. The discovery of this novel was a lovely way to begin a new year and to add a name to my list of favorite authors. show less

What a wonderful story that takes takes readers on a journey of discovery. Betsy is my favorite character because of her giving heart. She is a character that many can relate to due to her desire to have a child. Her husband Ty is a hard working man who makes a living by running the Franklin Dairy Farm. The farm reminds me of my granddad's farm I visited every summer. It was a lot of work for him but he was the happiest when he was outdoors.

Jenna who is Betsy's sister made me a bit annoyed. show more She is a single mom with two adorable girls barely making ends meet. When she gets a chance to maybe change her life, she jumps at the oportuity. She leaves her two girls with Betsy and Ty saying she would be back in two weeks. The story centers around the sisters and the emotional struggles they face. I loved how the author used Ty as a strong husband and continually supported his wife. It's hard to say what someone would do if given an opportunity to change their life, but at what expense will it do to the children?

The longer Jenna stays away, the closer the children become to their aunt and uncle. Ty could sense the emotional state Betsy was starting to fall in to. Could you leave your children for a period of time in hopes of a better future? There is no guarantee in life, so maybe Jenna had to risk everything to find happiness. I loved the tension the author built as a hurricane threatens Betsy and Ty's place. I have been through several; the last one being Hurricane Harvey. It did major damage to our land and we lost many things. It also made us realize how precious life is. I liked how the tension started rearing its ugly head between Betsy and Ty. When Ty say "I'm never going to be enough for you, am I?" , I cried. The aching in Betsy's heart for a child is consuming her. Is she starting to push her husband away?

Jenna is complicated at times. I questioned her decision but in a way I understood. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith and pray that things will work out. The more I got to know Jenna, the more I could identify with her. Is it so wrong to want a better life for yourself? Will Jenna make the correct choice for her and her girls? The book is skillfully written with a beautiful and touching ending. The author has written a story that reflects on faith and family. I loved the characters and how easily the story flowed. I look forward to the next book from this author who writes with beauty and grace.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion. show less

So what makes a book get a highly recommended rating from me? It must have something special that distinguishes it from the rest. Hurricane Season, the sophomore offering from Lauren K. Denton, is just such a novel. Great characterization, a wonderful sense of place, beautifully written prose, and a story line that is unique and fresh — those are the things that make this book stand out. Certainly it is one of the best books I have read this year.

Two sisters are the focus of Hurricane show more Season. They once shared so much, but have grown apart due to life and . . . neglect. Both are wrapped up in their own lives for sure, but it is the perceptions of what the other has, that has kept the two apart. When younger sister Jenna has the opportunity to find her creative center once again, Betsy, the protector of the two, agrees to keep Jenna’s children for the two week retreat session. But as days stretch into weeks and then months, the two sisters have to confront not only what their futures will look like, but what their pasts have created.

Hurricane Season is told in the third person point of view with the emphasis on sisters Jenna and Betsy and Betsy’s husband Ty. This format gives the reader a view of what makes each of these characters act and react. I loved how real each of the characters became to me. The dairy farm on which Ty and Betsy live and the primitive nature preserve that serves as the setting of the artist’s retreat are brought to life in simple, yet elegant descriptions. I felt I was really there experiencing the daily life of the dairy farm and the wonder of an untouched wilderness. Difficult issues that are part and parcel of the human experience — infertility and single motherhood — are uniquely explored. There are no stereotypes here. But it is the relationships between Jenna and Betsy and Betsy and Ty that form the nucleus of the story. And I loved how the author brought about growth and healing for them all. The book does not end in a neat and tidy fashion. There are still lots of questions as to the future of this family. But that is okay with me. I have certain expectations for Jenna, Betsy, and Ty, and I am happy that the author has let me create my own happily-ever-after for the three. 😉

As stated above, Hurricane Season has it all to provide a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience. This novel lends itself to discussion, so if your book club is looking for a great book, Hurricane Season should top your list.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to TLC and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton
Source: NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing
Rating: 5/5 stars

I think I could legitimately spend far too much time waxing poetic about Lauren K. Denton and novels! In Denton, I have found an author who has, to date, made every book worth the wait and Glory Road is certainly no exception to that rule!

For most of her thirty-eight years, Jessie McBride has lived on Glory Road, the long dusty stretch of road occupied by herself, her mother, her daughter, a whole show more host of neighbors who, like the McBride’s have lived in the area for generations. Glory Road is comforting, comfortable, a place of refuge, and a place those who leave often come back to. Jessie is a prime example. After far too many years in a bad marriage, Jessie has built a life she quite loves in Glory Road. She owns a moderately successful garden shop, works with her delightfully spry mother, and is raising an all-around good kid. While Jessie may sometimes feel a bit lonely as far as romance goes, overall, she has little to complain about.

Oh, how fate and the universe just love to step in and shake things up. . . .

As if the universe just understands loneliness, within a few weeks of one another, two men come into Jessie’s life. Sumner Tate is the epitome of southern charm and he is hell-bent on having Jessie work for him in the form of florist for his daughter’s wedding. Additionally, Sumner makes it clear (in a totally charming way) he is interested in Jessie beyond her flower arranging abilities. Though Sumner is certainly interesting, it is the other man who truly sets Jessie’s emotions aflame. Ben Bradley, the one who could have been and should have been so many years ago is back on Glory Road and he’s looking to, at the very least rekindle the friendship he and Jessie once had.

In addition to the men in her life, Jessie also has some disconcerting concerns over her mother, Gus. Physically, Gus is as spry as ever, loves to putter around in the garden shop with Jessie, and cooks and bakes for the family on a regular basis. Gus is kind, friendly, devoted to her girls, and, of late showing some signs of her age. With increasing frequency, Gus becomes lost in her own mind and memories and when she comes out of these states, she refuses to speak of them with Jessie. Though she’s not hurt herself or put herself or anyone else in danger, the episodes are troubling and need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

For someone who has long valued and protected her comfort zone, Jessie suddenly finds herself, with two men and her mother, very much outside her comfort zone. Gus is completely encouraging of Jessie’s resurrected love life and ridiculously excited for the future possibilities the wedding flower project may bring for the garden shop. More than anything, Gus wants to see Jessie happy and though she can’t make the ultimate choice for her daughter, she can share some her own life experiences and wisdom. In turn, Jessie is passing on what she knows of life and love to her own daughter who is just beginning to understand the complexities of both.

The Bottom Line: At its core, Glory Road is the story of three generations of women who are, no matter their age finding their way in life, adjusting to the changes the universe likes to bring, and learning to truly lean on and rely on others when they need help. This is the aspect of this read I loved the most! Denton knows how to weave together lives, stories, events, and emotions that aren’t fictional at all and certainly not confined to her books. Glory Road may be classified among fiction books, but its story is real, relatable, and completely engrossing because it is a story so many among us can identify with at least on some level. As I generally do with Denton’s books, I blazed through this read and came away almost totally satisfied. They only thing I found lacking is an epilogue; if ever there was a book that simply begs for an epilogue, Glory Road would be that book. With that being said, the lack of an epilogue isn’t enough to keep me from, yet again adoring this beautifully written family saga. To get more like this, I will gladly wait until the next release this time next year. show less