WHEN WE LAST SPOKE
With the heart and humor of Fannie Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes and Rebecca Wells's Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, author Marci Henna introduces you to the Cranbournes—a mostly lovable and undoubtedly nutty family who've had more than their fair share of hard times.
A beautiful blend of tears and laughter, When We Last Spoke tells the tale of sisters Juliet and Evangeline, who are dropped off by their Broadway-bound mother at their paternal grandparents' Texas ranch in 1967. After their cherished father is killed in Vietnam, the girls are orphaned. Still mourning their son's death, grandparents Walt and Ruby accept their role as guardians, only to be surprised soon after by another permanent houseguest's arrival—Walt's kooky mother, Itasca.
Fast-forward to the present, where the warmhearted home in which the girls grew up is now just a faint memory. The estranged sisters are in need of a good dose of Walt's famous stargazing wisdom: "You’ve got to look real close. Pay attention to what’s around you in this life. You’re liable to miss something important if you don’t.”
Packed with plenty of quirky characters and hilarious escapades, this must-read novel also digs in deep to the things that matter most—family, friends, love, and forgiveness.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
What Lies Ahead, an official Pulpwood Queens selection in April 2020: Surprises, revealed truths, love, and laughter fly like pixie dust from Pandora's box when family secrets surrounding Cousin Jewel surface in this timeless sequel to When We Last Spoke. In the 1960s, orphaned sisters Juliet and Evangeline are raised by grandparents Walt and Ruby. When Ruby (blue-ribbon fiddler) returns from a music tour with unmarried Gemburree sisters, Pearl and Sapphire, a mystery baby comes with them. Add one Charles Wesley, a retired fighter pilot turned barbecue king, and the highly secretive mission called the Fireside Gem Society is born. Will the healing powers of hope and love be enough to prepare them for what lies ahead?
REVIEW:
"Well, she’s done done it again...
With WHAT LIES AHEAD Marci Henna has painted another Rockwellian portrait of life in Fireside, Tx..With deft dabs of color and texture, light and shadow she brings to life a cast of characters as diverse as the items for sale on the shelves of Densesky’s Groceries and Dry Goods. She captures the poetry of small town dialogue beautifully - it flows as smoothly as melting butter on a stack of flapjacks. These are real people and it is indeed a real pleasure to get to know them.
BTW, if you haven’t read WHEN WE LAST SPOKE, you should. It’s as good as one of Selma’s hand scooped ice cream sundaes. And no calories!"
-M. Harding
Visit FiresideTX.com
Experience A Simpler Life
Welcome to this quirky small town filled with hot gossip, station KOFF broadcasts, dancing, 1960's music, down-home Southern cooking, laughter, and a few tears. Meet Juliet and Evangeline, two sisters who are raised by Ruby and Walt, grandparents whose love is legendary. The first book in the Fireside, Texas novel series, When We Last Spoke, has been made into a film and screening nationwide in October! Please make yourselves comfortable and enjoy your visit to Fireside. We're glad you're here!