by Bette Lee Crosby | Jun 9, 2014 | Blog, Review Spotlights
I'm sharing another review from one of my books by a reader from LibraryThing, Marcie. She read What Matters Most and included a nice synopsis with her review. I really enjoyed hearing that she ‘laughed out loud' at some parts of the book because I did too as I wrote it.
Marcie says:
Louise is settled into the life that she has always wanted. Her husband Clay works at a bank, they have a house in New Jersey that she finally feels is ‘home' after a childhood of moving and never having a permanent place of her own. She has longtime friends, and a grandchild living nearby. When Clay's uncle in Florida passes away, Clay inherits his house. Clay decides to follow his dream and retire from the job he now hates, and move to Florida. However, Louise is dead set against the move.
I really enjoyed this book, as the author describes the trials and tribulations of Louise and Clay as they make the transition to life in Florida. The story is told from both Clay and Louise's perspectives, and the author highlighted what happened to Louise as grew up — the background that made her so resistant to change. I laughed out loud a few times as Louise struggled to change the course of their lives, and also felt a little sad about the way she was brought up. I'd recommend the book to anyone who wants to enjoy a ‘feel good' story that is interesting reading from the first page.
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 | Mar 18, 2013 | My Books
Today it's time to meet Louise Palmer…a woman destined to go through a lot of heartache before she finally discovers WHAT MATTERS MOST. Excerpted from the novel, this is Louise Palmer…
Ask me why I fell in love with Clay Palmer and I’ll tell you. It was because he was the exact opposite of my father. The first time I saw him, I noticed the serious expression tacked onto his face. Right away I suspected he was a settled-down man, a man who’d be content to spend the whole of his life in one place. When he proposed and said we’d buy a house nine short blocks from where he’d lived as a boy, that was proof positive.
After living with the man almost thirty years I know his heart as well as I know my own, and I can assure you, Clay doesn’t want to move. He’s just feeling the dreariness of this winter weather. The truth is he’s as happy in this house as I am. Why would anyone leave a place where they’ve got everything a person could wish for?
It’s that job. I’m glad he’s going to retire. Once he’s out of the bank he’ll have a new outlook on life. He imagines he’ll be bored, but he won’t. Lord knows there are plenty of things that need fixing around here, and he’s already got that nice little workshop in the basement.
So, we’ll have less spending money. That’s okay. I can stretch a dollar. When we were first married he was only making half of what he makes now and even with raising two kids, we got along just fine. We did it then and we can do it again. As far as I’m concerned, hamburger’s the same as steak. It’s just ground-up.
WHAT MATTERS MOST is scheduled for release on April 15th.
by Bette Lee Crosby | Mar 14, 2013 | In the News, Literary Awards
TODAY IS THE DAY to meet my newest release…
WHAT MATTERS MOST is a fun story that will have you chuckling out loud at the antics of Louise and her friends, and sighing with delight when she finally discovers what matters most. Any woman who has ever loved a best friend will want to read this one, I promise.
WHAT MATTERS MOST is the winner of a 2011 Royal Palm Literary Award for Unpublished Fiction.It is scheduled for release on April 15th.
Louise Palmer is a settled-down person. A woman who wants nothing more than to remain in the same house until
the day she dies. When her husband, Clay, announces an intention to quit his job and move to Florida, her life is thrown into a turmoil of mixed emotions and strained loyalties. Torn between Clay’s desire for “the good life” and the lifelong friendships of her quilting club, Louise struggles with what to do…until her best friend suggests a scheme to thwart the move.
Before she discovers the truth of what matters most, a marriage will be tested, family relationships will fall apart and the friendships Louise tried to hold on to will change dramatically.
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Tomorrow (Friday- March 15th) blog followers will have the chance to meet Clay, Louise's husband. And, be sure to come back because on Monday, March 18th, you'll meet Louise Palmer!
