I am impressed with T. I. Lowe’s latest book, Under the Magnolias, Lowe has progressed to the major league with this Southern story. Lowe’s earlier Carolina Coast series is sweet, but Under the Magnolias is a tough, gritty family story that will stick with you. If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing, this is a must read. This heart-wrenching story will get you rooting for the kids living on a tobacco farm in South Carolina in the 1980s.
Austin Foster is forced to grow up at age 13 when her mother dies giving birth to twins. Austin is left the responsibilities of raising six siblings, running the house and helping her father, Dave Foster. Her father battles the darkness of a mental health issue while trying to make a living off his tobacco farm. When Vance Cumberland, the mayor’s son, shows interest in Austin, Continue reading “Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe”
If you are a fan of the beach read and enjoy sweet, clean, Christian stories, this series is for you. T. I. Lowe has created a group of women friends – Opal, Josie and Sophia – who’ve dubbed themselves The Sand Queens. Each of the three books in the Carolina Coast series focuses on one woman’s story while the other two play secondary character roles. Once you’ve read one, you’ll want to read the others to fill in details hinted at. All of the books demonstrate the value of support from friends. Each story is unique because the three women have very distinct personalities. Readers will come to love their uniqueness as the women learn to appreciate who God has made them and the gifts they have to offer others. I thought each book in the series was even better than the one before it.
Book 1 – Beach Haven
Opal is an artsy, quirky, hippie. She may walk to the beat of her own drum, but her joyfulness is contagious. Bless This Mess is her funky, reclaimed furniture store where she puts her unique touches on every piece she resells.
Lincoln is in a dark pit emotionally and physically due to his disability. Wounded in battle, this Marine struggles to find his self-worth. He feels he’s disappointed his father, a high ranking, highly decorated soldier. Lincoln’s injury restricts his activities and causes him daily pain resulting in a stubborn, cranky man. Once Lincoln begins working for Opal, he begins to find purpose in life.
Only God could bring these two opposites together in Sunset Cove. This broken man is on a journey of restoration, paralleling how Opal restores furniture to give it new purpose.
Book 2 – Driftwood Dreams
Josie’shigh school heartthrob has become a famous artist traveling the world.She left her art school aspirations behind to help her father run Driftwood Diner after her mother died. Watching her friends move on with life, she feels stuck through obligation to her dad.
Now a successful artist, August returns to Sunset Cove to put down roots. Hoping to pick back up where he left off with Josie, he gets her involved in setting up a children’s art camp. Josie’s passion for art is reawakened but her commitment to helping her father (and everyone else in town) doesn’t leave her much opportunity to dream of what could be.
Book 3 – Sea Glass Castle
Sophia has recently been through a messy and very public divorce from a pro football player. She has returned to Sunset Cove and her best friends, The Sand Queens. Dr. Weston Sawyer hopes to start over in Sunset Cove after losing his pregnant wife in a horrible car accident.
When Sophia takes her son to this new pediatrician in town, they start off on the wrong foot. Weston is not impressed with this feisty woman and he is certainly not looking for love; however, he does need an office manager and Sophia needs a job. God brings them together and shows them the way past their dark pasts to find love again.
Book 1 – Beach Haven 
Book 2 – Driftwood Dreams 
Book 3 – Sea Glass Castle