Book Description:
Fifth in the acclaimed series set in the enchantingly offbeat town of Lumby.
Pam and Mark Walker are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a week-long family reunion and a ceremony renewing their vows. But when Mark's brother-in-law starts broadcasting his radio talk show from Montis Inn, his disparaging remarks about small-town life cause immediate rifts that only widen when he sides with a real estate developer who wants to turn Lumby into an asphalt Aspen. As the controversy pits family against family, and neighbor against neighbor, will the spirit that defines Lumby triumph once again?
Pam and Mark Walker are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a week-long family reunion and a ceremony renewing their vows. But when Mark's brother-in-law starts broadcasting his radio talk show from Montis Inn, his disparaging remarks about small-town life cause immediate rifts that only widen when he sides with a real estate developer who wants to turn Lumby into an asphalt Aspen. As the controversy pits family against family, and neighbor against neighbor, will the spirit that defines Lumby triumph once again?
Gail Fraser was born and raised in Rye, New York, and attended the Rye High School and then majored in English and received an AA from Colby Sawyer College. After graduating, Gail studied at the University of London and returned to Skidmore College where she earned her BA in English Education. She completed her MBA at the University of Connecticut, with graduate work done at Harvard University.
Prior to changing her life and becoming a novelist, Gail had a long and successful career in 'corporate America' holding senior executive and upper management positions in several Fortune 500 and start-up corporations. During her career, in addition to living throughout the east coast (from northern Vermont down to central Florida), Gail also lived in Colorado, Montana and Oregon for several years and had extended stays in Australia, Japan, Brazil and Europe.
Gail and her husband, nationally renowned folk artist Art Poulin (www.artpoulinstudios.com), are building their own Lumby on Lazy Goose Farm in rural upstate New York. Featured in several magazines, newspapers and on television, Lazy Goose is a 40-acre gentleman's farm that is demarcated by a 200-year old stone wall, and has views of the Catskills, Adirondack and Vermont mountains. They share their lives with Emma and Yoda (a kind and gentle German Shepherd from New Skete Monastery), and several other four-legged friends. Art spends his days in the studio while Gail writes in her library, overlooking their trout pond. Gail is also an avid stoneware potter, an heirloom gardener and a cook and enjoys tending to their orchard and bee hives most every morning. Please visit her at http://www.lumbybooks.com/.
Here's What I Think:
Prior to changing her life and becoming a novelist, Gail had a long and successful career in 'corporate America' holding senior executive and upper management positions in several Fortune 500 and start-up corporations. During her career, in addition to living throughout the east coast (from northern Vermont down to central Florida), Gail also lived in Colorado, Montana and Oregon for several years and had extended stays in Australia, Japan, Brazil and Europe.
Gail and her husband, nationally renowned folk artist Art Poulin (www.artpoulinstudios.com), are building their own Lumby on Lazy Goose Farm in rural upstate New York. Featured in several magazines, newspapers and on television, Lazy Goose is a 40-acre gentleman's farm that is demarcated by a 200-year old stone wall, and has views of the Catskills, Adirondack and Vermont mountains. They share their lives with Emma and Yoda (a kind and gentle German Shepherd from New Skete Monastery), and several other four-legged friends. Art spends his days in the studio while Gail writes in her library, overlooking their trout pond. Gail is also an avid stoneware potter, an heirloom gardener and a cook and enjoys tending to their orchard and bee hives most every morning. Please visit her at http://www.lumbybooks.com/.
Here's What I Think:
Normally I am leary about reading a book in the middle of a series, as this on is, but both Fraser's and the publishers website state that the books are only recommended to be read in order, not required. They are more a collection of specific events, than an on-going and progressive tale as many series tend to be. I was pleasantly surprised by the breezy style of the book. This novel is entertaining as well as heartfelt. I was amazed at how quickly Fraser emmerses the reader into the town of Lumby. You meet and fall in love with a variety of characters - especially Mark, and his absolutely hilarious stunts and innoncent, but nevertheless poor judgement. I think at some point down the line I may have to go back to the beginning and read the whole series. And I know by then there will be even more books in this series, as the sixth one is already in the works and you can learn more about future installments as well as sign up for the Lumby Newsletter on Gail Fraser's Website.
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Disclaimer: Although I did receive a copy of this book from FSB Associates, I was in no other way compensated to write this review.
Teresa from Teresa'a Reading Corner first introduced me to this series. I have the first one, but I haven't read it yet. Great review!
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