Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe

Robin’s Rave Reviews

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

May 3, 2021

Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe

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”

March 5, 2021February 16, 2021

The Carolina Coast Series 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’s high 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.