Welcome to my stop on the blog tour celebrating the paperback release of Dreams of Falling by Karen White! Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation! Stay tuned for information on how to win a copy at the bottom of this post!
About the Book:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night the Lights Went Out comes an exquisite new novel about best friends, family ties and the love that can both strengthen and break those bonds.
It’s been nine years since Larkin fled Georgetown, South Carolina, vowing never to go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she knows she has no choice but to return to the place that she both loves and dreads–and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home. Ivy, Larkin’s mother, is discovered in the burned-out wreckage of her family’s ancestral rice plantation, badly injured and unconscious. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly 50 years. Secrets that lead back to the past, to the friendship between three girls on the brink of womanhood who swore that they would be friends forever, but who found that vow tested in heartbreaking ways.
My Thoughts:
Favorite author alert! Slipping into a Karen White book is a guaranteed inviting escape, and Dreams of Falling is Karen White at her best.
Larkin left Georgetown, South Carolina nearly nine years ago. It’s complicated. When she learns her mother has disappeared, she has to return.
Larkin loves Georgetown and her family. They anchor her. But she dreads so much about being there, and the past haunts her. Her family and friends have been waiting for her to come home ever since she left.
Larkin’s mother, Ivy, is found in the family’s charred plantation home, unconscious and injured.
The mystery is not just who did this to Ivy, or what happened, but why was Ivy at the rice plantation?
Larkin searches for answers and unearths secrets that have been buried for a generation. These secrets are between friends; friends who vowed an oath to each other forever.
This was a southern family saga with a mystery at its heart, and I ate it up! This saga is not heavy or overdone, as White covers generations of a family and its secrets in a mere 400 pages.
All the ingredients of delectable southern stories are present here- quirky characters, southern charm, family secrets, quotes and one-liners for days, the food, and the history. There’s also a trip to Myrtle Beach in the 1950s that captured this Carolina girl’s heart in so many ways.
Beautiful storytelling at its southern finest, do yourself a favor and carry this beauty with you to the beach or on vacation! Or read it at home when you want to drift away to South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
With more than 1.8 million books in print in eight different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 23 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s latest novel, Dreams of Falling, was published in June, 2018 by Berkley Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing Group.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
***Book Giveaway***
For a chance to win a paperback copy of Dreams of Falling, please visit my instagram page! Giveaway generously sponsored by the publisher.
I so loved this book! Lovely review, Jennifer, as you’ve captured the essence of the story.
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Thanks, Jonetta! I’m so happy you loved it too! I think it’s one of her best! ♥️
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Not heard of this author before, thank you.
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I hope you get a chance to try her out! She’s got a huge backlist of wonderful titles! ♥️ I read a book I want to recommend to you, too. I reviewed it on Friday. Swimming for Sunlight by Allie Larkin. You will LOVE the dog in that one! 🐶
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Oh thank you, thats gone straight on the TBR and I’ll be straight over to read your review. xx
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Excellent review! I’m now very intrigued by this author.
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Thank you, Chrissi! She’s one of my favorites! ♥️
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Beautiful review, Jen! New author to me as well. Thanks for sharing this. ❤
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Thanks, favorite M! You definitely have to try her some time! She writes the best, most charming stories! ♥️
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I have read this Southern fiction by Karen White and enjoyed it. Great blog tour, sweet kitty picture, and review. Happy Reading. 🌺🌺💗📚🌷🌷😻😘
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Thank you, Virginia! I remember you loved this one! Happy reading to you too! ♥️
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This has so many ingredients that I love, I’ll take your word for it and add this to my list😁
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It’s a totally charming story, Tammy! I hope you get a chance to read it!
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This sounds so atmospheric! And I can practically feel the Southern charm from your review. ❤ I really really need to try her books sometime!
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Thanks so much, Kathy! You do! They are charming and warmhearted. Nice escapes! ♥️
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Oh I know I have this one!! Great review Jen! I’m going to devour this one too! Have a Happy Monday my friend! Is that such a thing?😂💜🙋
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Thanks, Sus! I hope you love this one, too! It’s so special! There is such a thing as a happy Monday when you are on vacation! ♥️ I hope you have a great Monday too! Xoxo
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Wow lucky you!! All week??🌻💙
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Thank you! I have to work two days, so I’m working tomorrow and Thursday! ♥️
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One of my favorite authors too!! Perfect review 🙂
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Thanks, Tina! She’s so special, isn’t she?!
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Love those Southern stories. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! If you haven’t tried this author, she’s pretty special and always consistent!
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This was my first and only by her so far and it captivated me with all the good elements.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed it, too, Sophia! Now you have a bunch of other lovely reads from her to explore! ♥️
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I LOVE Karen White and your review – definitely going on my To-Read list!! Thanks for the heads up on this one Jennifer.
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Thank you so much, Mackey! I hope you get a chance to read this fab book! ♥️
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This is an author I haven’t had the pleasure of reading – it looks like I should – thank you for a cracking review, Jennifer:)
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Thank you, Sarah! She’s such a lovely, consistent author! ♥️
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Karen White is an author I’ve been meaning to try for ages. This book sounds amazing and that cover is gorgeous!
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I hope you get a chance, Suzanne! She is so consistent and such a wonderful storyteller!
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Jennifer, this sounds very good. I love books with a NC or SC connection. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Dreams of Falling. Adding it to my long TBR list.
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Me, too, Janet! It’s what first connected me to Karen White’s writing- the settings! May I also suggest The Forgiving Kind by Donna Everhart and also Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Lies and Other Acts of Love? Both feature eastern NC settings.
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Lovely review, the setting seems to have come alive in this one. Glad you enjoyed it so much Jennifer.
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Thanks, Diana! It truly did and such a charming setting too.
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Lovely review Jenni! And the fact that you mention this is one of your favourite authors just makes me want to read this all the more! 😍
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Thanks, Beth! I hope you’ll get a chance to give her a try! She’s so special! ♥️ You just fall right into her stories!
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I love Karen’s stories so much! I have this one on my shelf but haven’t gotten to it yet. Now I really can’t wait! xo Kristy
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I can definitely understand why you love them, Kristy! You are in for a treat with this one. I look forward to what you think when you get to it! Xoxo
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I’ve seen this book everywhere and the cover has intrigued me every time I see it! I definitely need to pick it up now!! Great review!!
~ Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
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Thank you, Kendra! It’s such a pretty cover! I can see why it intrigues you! I hope you get a chance to read it. ♥️
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Wonderful review Jennifer. This was the first Karen White novel I read and I fell in love with her writing. All the wonderful reviews of Karen White’s stories got me to read it, her writing has hooked me.
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Thank you, Carla! I can definitely see why. This book is so good! Now you have a huge backlist to explore and a charming series I already know you will love! ♥️
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Just what I need, more books that I want to read.
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Really want to read more stories set in the south. 🙂 Love the idea of not only being able to unravel the mysteries occurring in the present, but also the fact that there is a long family history of secrets to be uncovered in this story. Definitely caught my interest with this one!
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