About the book:
Title: High Cotton
Author: Debby Mayne
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy.
Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama's family—folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.
The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become doesn’t know what to make of this.
Shay’s contentment is challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring.
About Debby Mayne:
Debby Mayne has published more than 30 books and novellas, 400 print short stories and articles, more than 1,000 web articles, and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. For the past eight years, she has judged the Writers Digest Annual Competition, Short-Short Contest, and Self-Published Book Competition. Three of Debby’s books have been top ten favorites by the Heartsong Presents book club. Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times Magazine, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July 2009.
My Thoughts:
It's been five long years since I've read a novel by Debby Mayne, and it was long overdue.
When it comes to Southern Women's fiction you can expect sweet tea, sass, neighbors down the street ready to feed you at a given moment, sweet motherly figures, loads of Southern charm and drama.
Ms. Mayne's new book, High Cotton, has that and lots more. The book is told in alternating POV's of Shay, Puddin', Missy, and Sally. Within the alternating chapters we get to know these women, their back stories, and how they all fit together as a family.
With their individual craziness of life, each of these women are real and relatable. Making it easy for readers to become invested in their lives.
We watch as they prepare for the big event of another, notorious Bucklin family reunion, which none of them are desiring to attend, yet know that they are expected to go, and will hear about it if they don't attend.
My Bottom Line:
High Cotton is a Southern Women's fiction drama like no other. Family has a way of driving you insane even when you love each other, and Ms. Mayne shows that up close and personal. Each of these women, and their stories tugged at my heart and kept me glued to the page. Through their individual stories, filled with conflict and tons of personality we watch these women grow and change.
I really enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to installment #2.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
