SHEM CREEK (Dorothea Benton Frank)

Dorothea Benton Frank is a master of creating a sense of place.  In her novels you can almost smell the salt air and feel the humidity of South Carolina's Low Country.

Shem Creek is the story of Linda Breland, a New Jersey housewife and mother of 2 teenage girls.  Fed up by her ex-husband, who is set to marry a successful woman 10 years younger than Linda, and her younger daughter Gracie's penchant for choosing badly in almost every arena of her life, Linda decides to move back home to South Carolina and  stay with her divorced sister Mimi while she looks for work, a place to live, and a new life.  Linda finds not only a new career, but a man as well (surprise), in the person of restaurant owner Brad Jackson, who has issues of his own.  Brad  has been cheated by both his father-in-law and his almost ex-wife, Loretta, who lives in Atlanta with their only son.  Both Brad and Linda have "issues," but both are strong and determined and, really, likable.

I won't go on too much about this novel.  The characters are endearing, the story will hold your interest, and Frank skillfully weaves the creek and the Low country throughout the story.  As usual, you end up feeling like you were actually there AND you look forward to returning again very soon.