Tag: hurricane story

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Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe

Robin’s Rave Reviews

5 Stars

Looking for a great summer beach read? I LOVED INDIGO ISLE by T. I. Lowe. It was light, fun and interesting while also wrestling with a few tough topics.

Summary

Sonny Bates is a successful Hollywood location scout. When a movie takes her near Charleston, close to her childhood home, she considers stopping in; however, this would mean dealing with the mistakes of her past. Fifteen years ago on graduation day, she left home without warning anyone. Since then, she’s struggled to make something of herself. Sometimes she stretched the truth about her life on social media so her family thinks she’s doing fine.

While on location, Sonny stumbles onto a secluded island off the coast of Charleston, perfect for a scene in the movie. A recluse, known by the locals as The Monster of Indigo Isle, owns the private island. He isn’t happy to find her on his property, and he certainly doesn’t want a film crew interrupting his privacy. Sonny isn’t deterred. It’s her job to get him to sign a release. And it’s what her boss expects from her. The question is, how much is Sonny willing to do to keep her job?

Hudson Renfrow, a lawyer by trade, has exiled himself on Indigo Isle, a family property. He is dealing with guilt from a trauma which somewhat disfigured him (The Monster of Indigo Isle). He spends his time tending his indigo fields and making indigo dye. Over many visits, Hudson begins to soften toward Sonny. When they are forced together during a hurricane, Hudson’s hardened demeanor shows some cracks.

Indigo Isle: What I Liked

-Sonny’s unique career give readers a behind the scenes look at the movie-making experience, both the good and the bad.

-This remote isle has a magical feel.

-Both characters have issues they need to work through. They give each other a much needed, different perspective on their flaws. As the characters work to improve themselves, it realistically takes time.

-Sonny sees through Hudson’s mask and realizes there is something special behind the gruff exterior. (Think Beauty and the Beast.) I thought it was funny that Hudson had her arrested for trespassing, but she kept coming back and wore him down.

-Learning about making dye from indigo plants was unique.

-Fun supporting characters round out the book, like Vee, the make-up artist who should be an actress, and Erlene, who owns the run-down motel where the crew is staying.

-Lowe includes a few Bible verses throughout the story. She makes great Biblical points for the characters without feeling threatening or preachy to non-Christians.

-There is simply something special about the FEEL of this book. It touches on some tough topics while staying light and intriguing.

Conclusion

Thank you, T. I., for helping me forget my troubles while I escaped to Indigo Isle. And readers, you really MUST pick up a copy of INDIGO ISLE by T. I. Lowe ASAP! Don’t let the summer slip away without getting your own copy.

 

T. I. Lowe is a best-selling Southern author and has written at least 18 novels. Check out the other books by her that I’ve reviewed: UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS (which you’ll like if you liked Delia Owen’s WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING) and the Carolina Coast series.

 

You probably know I’m a big fan of the Friends and Fiction group. Four best-selling authors – Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry, and Kristy Woodson Harvey – interview several authors each week on their show. T.  I. Lowe was on the June 21st episode. Here is a link to that episode on YouTube. If you want to watch the whole show, great! Or fast-forward to Lowe’s interview at 51:30.

You can tune in live to the Friends and Fiction’s podcast on Facebook or YouTube every Wednesday at 7 PM EST. On Facebook, join Friends and Fiction and watch live on their page, or search Friends and Fiction on YouTube and watch it live there. If you like it, subscribe! I tune in almost every week, but when I miss one, I watch the recording on YouTube. If you’re not watching yet, you’ll love becoming part of a supportive, friendly book community of authors and readers.

 

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@author.robin.shelley

Netgalley Professional Reader

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The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Hello readers! 

If I think a novel is a good read, I share it here in my blog. Read the description to see if it interests you! 

It’s Labor Day weekend in 1935. WWI veterans are still struggling in Key West camps and the stock market crash has put the country into the Great Depression. Now add what many consider the worst hurricane in history approaching Key West. The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is a fast-paced story centering on the lives of three women, all in difficult personal circumstances as this devastating Cat 5 hurricane draws near.  

Pregnant Helen Berner is a waitress at Ruby’s diner.  She dreams of leaving her abusive, alcoholic husband. When  a customer at the diner, a “regular,”  offers to help her escape,  Helen takes the opportunity to run away not knowing she is heading right into the path of the hurricane.

Mirta Perez has recently left her Cuban homeland after her marriage to Anthony Cordero, a well-to-do American with criminal ties.  She agrees to the arranged marriage after the Cuban Revolution left her family in a precarious position. While in the Keys for their honeymoon,  Mirta is struggling to understand her new husband and her place in his life. While the hurricane builds, Mirta doesn’t realize her husband’s enemies bring additional danger.  

Elizabeth Preston  has arrived in Key West via the famous Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. She is searching for her brother in a camp for veterans of the Great War. She hopes he can help her avoid a marriage to a dangerous man back in New York. Coming from a family that lost it’s prominence in society after the stock market crash, her brother may be her only hope of escaping a marriage she doesn’t want.

The danger these three women are in is greatly increased with the deadly force of a historical storm that took between 400-600 lives over that fateful Labor Day weekend. Fast-paced and tension-filled, Last Train to Key West was an interesting read.

If you’ve read it, what did you think? If you haven’t, does my review tempt you to get a copy? I’d love to hear in the comments!

 

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