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20 Works 211 Members 24 Reviews 1 Favorited

Series

Works by Lin Stepp

When the Snow Falls (Anthology 4-in-1) (2014) — Contributor — 104 copies, 2 reviews
Down by the River (A Smoky Mountain Novel) (2014) 19 copies, 1 review
The Foster Girls (Smoky Mountain) (2009) 15 copies, 2 reviews
Makin' Miracles (A Smoky Mountain Novel) (2014) 10 copies, 1 review
Welcome Back (A Smoky Mountain Novel) (2016) 8 copies, 1 review
Light The Way (2022) 3 copies, 2 reviews
Happy Valley (2020) 3 copies, 2 reviews
The Interlude (2019) 3 copies, 2 reviews
Return to Edisto (Edisto Trilogy) (2020) 3 copies, 3 reviews
Downsizing (2021) 2 copies, 2 reviews
Eight At The Lake (2022) 2 copies, 1 review
Claire at Edisto (Edisto Trilogy) (2019) 2 copies, 2 reviews
Lost Inheritance (2018) 1 copy
Shop On The Corner (2024) 1 copy

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Canonical name
Stepp, Lin
Gender
female
Education
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Occupations
educator
teacher
writer
publishing
novelist
Short biography
Dr. Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator. She is on the faculty at Tusculum College where she teaches several psychology courses, including Developmental and Educational Psychology.

She resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, J.L. She and her husband began their own sales and publications business in 1989. The company publishes two regional fishing and hunting magazines and has a subsidiary that handles sports products and media sales in East Tennessee.
Places of residence
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Associated Place (for map)
Tennessee, USA

Members

Reviews

24 reviews
I cannot even begin to imagine losing a spouse suddenly and at a young age, but that is exactly where Claire Avery finds herself after her husband, a Methodist preacher, goes to work one morning, never to return, leaving her with nothing but two young daughters and nowhere to go. Parker, her husband's favorite brother, vows to help Claire get back up on her feet while she tries to figure out what to do with her life now that she is left with two little girls and no husband to help support show more their family.

Parker owns a beach house on the island of Edisto in South Carolina that he rarely uses and Claire decides to spend the summer there to clear her head and to prayerfully figure out what the next step should be for her and her girls. What was to be just a three month sabatical turns into two years as Claire and her girls forge friendships and awaken dreams and talents they didn't know they possessed all while enjoying the stunning beauty of Edisto.

During this time Parker is falling in love with Claire and is trying to fight his feelings, but the more time they spend together the more he can't deny his emotions, but can he follow his heart and if he does will Claire feel the same way? What do you do when you fall in love with your brothers wife?

Claire at Edisto was nothing like I was expecting, with little twist and turns throughout, and a nice, comfortable feel to it. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning and, though this book is not action-packed, you become so vested in the characters lives that you want to find out what happens, even if most of it is predictable.

The incredible detail that went into the description of Edisto is amazing! Not only can you visualize it, but Edisto almost becomes a character in and of itself! You can see the astonishing amount of research that must've went into this book on every page. There is even an actual map of Edisto from the 1980's at the beginning of the book which helps with the visualization even more. Claire at Edisto has a slower, laid back pace that fits perfectly with the breezy beach setting, and has a decent flow, though at times the incredible amount of detail can feel a tad heavy.

This is one of the books that I read during our spring break vacation and I can tell you it is the perfect spring/summer read. The cherry on top was the few recipes that were included in the back which I though was the perfect touch and an excellent way to end the book, leaving you hungry for the next book in the Edisto Trilogy.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
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Mirriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word interlude as "an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event," which is exactly what Mallory Wingate needed, and got, in more ways than she could've possibly imagined. After having a breakdown at work, and being admitted to the hospital, both her doctor and boss agree that Mallory needs a break, so Mallory heads back to the only place she's ever called home, her grandparents home, Millhouse Resort in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

On the show more flight there she meets ex-pro golfer Lucas James, and the two share an interlude that includes two flights, dinner, and a few passionate kisses to get Mallory's mind off her worries. Mallory and Lucas part ways knowing they'll never see each other again, but little do they know that this initial interlude is only the beginning.

I fell in love with this book from the very beginning and kept falling in love with every chapter. In true Lin Stepp style, the imagery and great attention to detail is just incredible! How I wish I could visit the Millhouse Resort, sample Nonnie's confections at one of her teas, go hiking through the mountains and stop to put my feet in the stream, or even play a few rounds of golf. The whole resort came alive for me, which paired so well with each incredible character. Your heart hurts, feeling empathetic for for what each individual had to endure in the their lives. Lucas was the only person that had me growling in frustration as he unknowingly pushed his emotional issues onto others, creating drama that clearly could've been avoided had he realized sooner. There were times I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into him!

The ending was perfection and actually left me feeling sad that this interlude had to end for me as well. There is a great discussion guide in the back of the book for book clubs and reading groups, though I was sad that there weren't any of Nonnie's recipes included in the back as well, like there were in Claire in Edisto, which is surprising since food is a major theme throughout the book.

The Interlude was a most enjoyable read with a wonderful story line and just enough conflict, amazing scenery, and a whole lotta love...and food.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
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I’ve never visited Edisto, but after reading Light the Way, I feel as if I have. I love the serene atmosphere the author created and enjoyed sinking into the coastal setting and story. Especially knowing it’s the first book in a new series!

Burke Deveaux is easy to connect with and I instantly liked her and her family. The connection and chemistry between Burke and Waylon is believable and unmistakable. Add in the historic family-cared-for inn, lighthouse, and lodge with over five-hundred show more acres on an island in South Carolina and I’m ready to move there!

This story has such an easy-going flow, with peaks, valleys, love, loss, tears, laughter, questions, and answers all cozily wrapped in a clean, well-written, memorable romance. There’s so much to enjoy, and I can’t wait to revisit this place in the following books in the series.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
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It felt so great to be back in Edisto! It's been quite some time since we've seen the Avery's! It's 2003 and the girls are all grown up, and all three women are living their own lives. In the first book the focus was on Claire, the suddenly widowed mother, trying to figure her life out with two little girls, Mary Helen and Suki, in the small costal town of Edisto.

Now it's Mary Helen's turn to run to the safe haven of Edisto after a very unfortunate event happens in her life. Hearing where show more everyone's lives have taken them since the first book was nostalgic, the author doing an incredible job of explaining the history of the characters and Edisto, so even if you didn't read the first book in the series (or just needed a refresher like myself) you never feel lost.

The book feels just as tranquil as Edisto and has a wonderful, laidback flow, like beautiful ocean waves lapping up on the shore, and you can't help but fall in love with every facet of this novel.

There is a hint of mystery in this novel that I felt was the perfect touch, adding just enough tension, and of course the love story was beautiful and natural, not feeling saccharin but realistic yet swoon-worthy at the same time.

I immensely enjoyed my Return to Edisto and hope Suki's story is released soon, as I can't wait to see Edisto through her adult eyes, and hear about her travels.
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Associated Authors

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Statistics

Works
20
Members
211
Popularity
#105,255
Rating
3.8
Reviews
24
ISBNs
60
Languages
1
Favorited
1

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