About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank was born and raised on Sullivans Island, South Carolina. She resides in the New York area with her husband.

Reviews

Will romance triumph over the feud between the aristocratic Langleys and the slightly lower-in-social-pecking-order McGees in Frank's latest Southern charm-filled romp? Though the answer is obvious from the get-go, the author fills this spirited tale with well-drawn characters, not the least of whom is formidable Charleston doyenne Louisa Langley. Betts McGee and J.D. Langley are uneasily headed to the altar--Louisa has a hard time with her son dating down. When Betts's mother dies in a car wreck, a generations-old grudge--abetted by Louisa--flares up, and Betts flees to Manhattan. There, she raises her son (J.D. didn't know she was pregnant when she left) solo and thrives in the distressed property turn-around business for a good 20 years until an assignment sends her back to Charleston to help develop a former wildlife refuge. The local partner in the venture is none other than J.D., who is now unhappily married and childless. Frank steers through several terrains with great aplomb as the story unfolds from both Betts's and J.D.'s points of view. Frank shines as Betts finds out if there's really no place like home. (May) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

"A warming female-empowerment tale with a side order of southern magic."--Kirkus Reviews on The Christmas Pearl

New York Times best-selling author Frank's (The Land of Mango Sunsets; www.dotfrank.com) latest book, about two old Savannah families, features a great cast of characters and plenty of drama. Narrator Julia Gibson (The Glass Castle) does a fine job with most of the story, but the male voices, read by Joey Collins (Phantom Nights), are awkward and don't add much to an otherwise expressive reading. Public libraries will want to add this title, though, for Frank's many fans. [Also recorded by HarperAudio. unabridged. ISBN 978-0-06-158291-2. $39.95; audio clip available through www.harpercollins.com.--Ed.]--Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.