by Bette Lee Crosby | Jun 23, 2018 | Audiobooks, Fun with Fans, My Books
Emily, Gone
A missing child sets the lives of three women on a collision course in this powerful and compelling novel by USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby.
1971.
When a music festival rolls through the sleepy town of Hesterville, Georgia, the Dixon family’s lives are forever changed. On the final night, a storm muffles the sound of the blaring music, and Rachel tucks her baby into bed before falling into a deep sleep. So deep, she doesn’t hear the kitchen door opening. When she and her husband wake up in the morning, the crib is empty. Emily is gone.
Vicki Robart is one of the thousands at the festival, but she’s not feeling the music. She’s feeling the emptiness over the loss of her own baby several months before. When she leaves the festival and is faced with an opportunity to fill that void, she is driven to an act of desperation that will forever bind the lives of three women.
When the truth of what actually happened that fateful night is finally exposed, shattering the lives they’ve built, will they be able to pick up the pieces to put their families back together again? CLICK HERE to find the audiobook
From USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby comes a heartwarming novel about letting go of the past to make way for a brighter future.
Tracy Briggs has finally gotten her act together. She’s focusing on her own life and helping her hearing-impaired son learn to talk. With her sister married and exploring a new career, Tracy has begun to run the family’s magazine business and feels her life is pretty much perfect. That is, until her son’s deadbeat dad shows up in Magnolia Grove asking for a second chance.
Now that her son is getting the help he needs and a promising new romance with his teacher is in bloom, Tracy wants to keep her life just as it is. But her ex isn’t taking no for an answer. And when a spirited elderly woman enters Tracy’s life in an unexpected way, she’ll have to work harder than ever to keep her new life on track.
Torn between the past she knows and the uncertain future, Tracy must decide what is best for both her and her son, learning along the way that ordinary choices can bring extraordinary possibilities. CLICK HERE to find the audiobook
One family learns that love is the greatest miracle of all—from USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby.
Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.
Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been the rebellious type, without much direction in life. But in the wake of her latest romantic disaster, she finds herself moving back home as a single mother.
As Tracy experiences the difficulties of new motherhood, Meghan faces her own struggle: trying not to fall for the stray puppy she rescued. This is no time for attachments—not to the adorable “Sox,” whose owner is bound to turn up any day, and certainly not to the handsome new vet in town. But as the summer unfolds, she discovers that, like Sox, she may need rescuing, too.
As both sisters navigate unexpected challenges and exciting new relationships, they’ll find that putting the past to rest can make way for beautiful new beginnings. CLICK HERE to find the audiobook
A woman grieving her loss. A boy running for his life. A town defending them both…
A USA Today Bestseller and the first book in a collection of gritty, small-town family sagas. Reviewers say, “Spare Change is written in the tradition of the finest Southern fiction.”
Small-town gossip never really bothered Olivia Westerly. As a single career woman, she’s endured her share. It’s easy to ignore the raised eyebrows over her late-in-life marriage to Charlie Doyle. But after he drops dead on their honeymoon, the whispers pour salt on her raw grief. Especially when an orphaned, eleven-year-old-boy shows up on her doorstep, looking for the grandfather he never met.
Behind Ethan Allen Doyle’s wary blue eyes lie heavily guarded emotions that unexpectedly tug on Olivia’s heart, and she finds herself wanting to win his trust. But when his murderous secret comes looking for him, the entire town embraces this lonely widow and desperate child to show its true heart before danger can threaten one of its own.
A heartwarming tale of love, loss and unexpected gifts, featuring a woman you’d like to call friend, a boy you will ache to hug, and a town you wish you could call home…
CLICK HERE to go to Audible
Can the faith of a child inspire forgiveness in the heart of a woman seeking revenge?
This second novel in the Wyattsville Collection is a heartwarming Southern family saga that redefines the meaning of family.
Crime is a rarity in the small town of Wyattsville, so when one occurs it is front page news. Grocery store owner, Sidney Klaussner, shot in the course of the robbery, is lying in the hospital unconscious. In the room across from him the young man assumed to be the shooter.
Although no one knows the truth of what happened inside that store, Sidney’s wife is determined to see the boy punished. The lad’s only hope is his sister Jubilee. She knows why he was there but is anyone going to believe a seven-year-old?
A touching tale of finding forgiveness and coming together as a family. Spare Change readers are sure to welcome back Olivia Doyle and the colorful residents of the Wyattsville Arms…
CLICK HERE to go to Audible
Benjamin Church came to the grange hall expecting to meet someone else, but then the girl in a red dress looked across the dance floor and smiled…
Book three in the Wyattsville Collection, Passing through Perfect, is a heart-wrenching, Southern family saga that starts on the night Benjamin fell madly and completely in love with Delia. Once he tasted the sweetness of her kiss, he envisioned them spending the rest of their life together.
He didn’t stop to consider her daddy was a learned Pastor and her mama a woman with a college degree; he only knew she set his heart to racing. When he touched his mouth to hers, he forgot the hardships of being a sharecropper, forgot what it was like to work from dawn ‘til dark and forgot that nothing in Grinder’s Corner ever really changed.
Benjamin’s only thoughts were about lying together every night, sitting side by side on the front porch, and raising a family. Yes, he knew there’d be heartaches. Every couple had their share of heartaches, it was to be expected; but he never imagined such a tragedy would befall their family…
CLICK HERE to go to Audible
by Bette Lee Crosby | Jan 16, 2015 | My Books
Please feel free to use these book discussion questions with your reading group or book club. If you make up your own, please let me know and I'll add them here.
Book Discussion Questions – Passing through Perfect
1) The time period for this book is after World War II. It's important to understand African Americans standing in the US during the time period in Passing through Perfect. Take a moment to share with your group or club your recollection of the issues and problems faced by people of color.
2) What strengths did Benjamin bring back from serving in the military? How did this help him in the story?
3) Why do you think Delia's family reacted the way they did to Benjamin?
4) The neighbors change their attitude/behavior toward Benjamin in one part of the story. Do you know anyone who has changed their attitude/behavior (including your own) over the issue of race?
5) What in Paul's background do you feel made him connect with Benjamin and want to help?
by Bette Lee Crosby | Nov 10, 2014 | My Books, Review Spotlights
Brenda Gives Twelfth Child Five Stars – The Reader Salute
Thank you Brenda for this review on Goodreads!
Abigail Anne Lannigan and her twin brother Will were exceptionally close – but their father only had eyes for his son. William Lannigan only wanted a boy child – girl children were useless, only good for housework and women’s chores; he expected Abigail Anne would be married off to a well-to-do farmer by the time she turned sixteen. And so it was Abigail Anne’s lot in her young life; her mother, Livonia was a strong woman and told Abigail Anne she could do anything she wanted in her life; strong words back in the early 1900s in the Shenandoah Valley. But Livonia passed away when Abigail Anne was barely thirteen years old – her cruel and vindictive father then did all he could to ensure she would no longer continue at the schooling she loved, and that Henry, son of a neighbour, would marry Abigail Anne when she turned sixteen.
As Abigail Anne moved through her life, she experienced heartache and wonder, love and desperation. But as she entered her eighties, she was fortunate to have a young woman move into the house across the street. The house had been empty for some time, and Destiny Fairchild worked hard, scrubbing, cleaning and generally making the house look sparkling once again. The day that Destiny and Abigail Anne started chatting together, was the day they both found a delightful friendship, a closeness with another person that Abigail Anne hadn’t thought she would ever see again.
But their lives were due to change once again and not for the better. What could a total stranger do to the Lannigan family? And why would it happen?
I really enjoyed this delightful, emotional novel by Bette Lee Crosby. I had a few laugh out loud moments; times when I wanted to slap a certain person – I loved Abigail Anne – her character was wonderful. The dreadful times of the Great Depression were heart wrenching, the delight of love and friendship made me smile. I have read a few by Bette and very much enjoy her writing; I have no hesitation in recommending this novel, which is book #1 in the Serendipity Series, highly.
by Bette Lee Crosby | Apr 23, 2014 | My Books
Previously Loved Treasures is Book TWO of The Serendipity Series. Book ONE is the Twelfth Child, although both books are stand-alone stories there is one thing that ties Book ONE to Book TWO but you don't need to read them in order. Feel free to use these discussion questions with your book group or club.
1) Previously Loved Treasures is set in the late 1980's. Do you think this time frame shows in the story? Would the story have worked in another time period? Why or why not?
2) How important a role does food play in the story? Was it effective in drawing you into the story or not?
3) Ida waited to find her son, do you think she waited too long? Do you think there was something else she could have done differently to work out their relationship?
4) In the story we have some idea why Ida's son didn't contact his father, Big Jim, but what reason do you feel he used for not staying in contact with his mother?
5) Why did Caroline leave everything behind? Would you have acted sooner or waited longer to make a change? Is change easy or hard for you?
6) Ida was well-equipped to put her miscellaneous skills to work on making extra money. What skills do you have that could be used to make extra money in your life if you had to?
7) Do you feel Max could have been reasoned with? Was there something Ida could have done to make the transition easier? Should Ida have opened her home to him at all even though he was family?
8) Why do you think Caroline made the spontaneous decision to help a mother and child? If she had not intervened, what do you think would have happened to the family?
9) Wilbur wished he'd done something sooner after Ida died. Is there something you wish you'd done before it was too late? The story does have a theme of it is never too late. Do you agree? Why or why not?
10) Caroline worked but had a dream of being/doing something else. Is there a difference between what you do to make a living and what you dream of doing? Caroline doesn't fulfill that dream by the end of the story, is it okay to dream of doing something but not act on it? Why or why not?
by Bette Lee Crosby | Feb 11, 2014 | My Books
Book Discussion Questions for What Matters Most
Clay and Louise have very different ideas of what retirement means. What does retirement mean to you?
What things/people would you miss if you had to relocate?
How did you feel about Louise's attempts to get back to New Jersey?
How did Clay change moving from New Jersey to Florida? Do you think he was satisfied with the change?
What was the turning point for Louise in Florida that made her more comfortable?
What was the funniest thing Louise did to get back to New Jersey?
In the end do you think Clay made the right decision to move to Florida?
If you had to relocate and then went back ten years later, how do you think that place would have changed?
Louise's best friend, Billie, is in trouble and she tries to help. Would you have done anything differently? If so, what? Do you think Louise did the right thing?
What's your favorite family dinner tradition?
Find out more about What Matters Most here.
by Bette Lee Crosby | Feb 11, 2014 | My Books
The story starts in a coal mine community. When you think of coal mining what sorts of things do you picture?
Do you think Bartholomew gave up too soon looking for work outside of the coal mine? Why or why not?
If you were Ruth would you have stuck by Bartholomew or would you have asked family for more help?
Paul makes some decisions in the beginning about what to take when they left. What three things would you take if you had to leave your home and could never go back?
Do you think Paul made the right decision to leave Jubilee on the park bench? Why or why not?
Olivia steps in to take care of a complete stranger. How important do you think Ethan was in convincing Olivia to help Jubilee?
Sharing someone's problems takes courage. In Olivia's position would you have stepped in the same way? Why or why not?
If you've read Spare Change, how has Ethan Allen changed from then to Jubilee's Journey?
If you've read Spare Change, how has Olivia changed from then to Jubilee's Journey?
What is your favorite quote or saying from Jubilee's Journey?
Do you feel Detective Gomez was justified in judging Paul in the beginning? Why or why not?
Do you feel Hurt's path was inevitable? Was there anything that could have happened differently that would have changed the course of his life?
Everyone feels protective of Jubilee, why do you think that is? What part of Jubilee's character makes people want to help her?
What does Olivia do when she feels stressed? What do you do when you feel stressed and want to relax or calm down?
How does Olivia draw Mahoney in to help her find Jubilee's family?
Were you surprised by Anita's reaction when she learned about her sister's children? Why or why not?
Olivia and Anita both have people that enter and change their lives. How has a new person who has entered your life changed you?
Carmella wants to find out who shot her husband. Do you feel her methods were justified? Why or why not? Who finally sets the record straight on what happened to Paul?
At the end several people step forward to help Paul and Jubilee. Do you agree with how things turned out? If not, what would you have done differently?
