Memories are made of thisAuthor Kirsten Fullmer has worked in the field of engineering, has been a teacher at the college level, was a freelance consultant, and has an affinity for art. Now retired, she has published seven novels, her favored HOMETOWN SERIES now lists six books, HOMETOWN GIRL MEMORIES being the sixth entry.Kirsten celebrates women in this series set in the small town of Smithville – a town that could be anywhere because each of us has a similar reminiscen Memories are made of thisAuthor Kirsten Fullmer has worked in the field of engineering, has been a teacher at the college level, was a freelance consultant, and has an affinity for art. Now retired, she has published seven novels, her favored HOMETOWN SERIES now lists six books, HOMETOWN GIRL MEMORIES being the sixth entry.Kirsten celebrates women in this series set in the small town of Smithville – a town that could be anywhere because each of us has a similar reminiscence focal point in our history on which to reflect the genuine substance of her writing. Though doubtless reading the full series in sequence would enhance the pleasure of this novel, the book is so strong that it may be read as a standalone. The manner in which this author opens the portal to her story is warmly inviting – ‘Winnie took Isabelle’s plump little hand in hers and smiled reassuringly. She knew the two-year-old wasn’t used to taking her morning nap at her Nana’s house, but since her momma, Tara, was so busy running the Inn, it was the best solution. It didn’t bother Winnie to put aside her chores and spend time with Bella. It was a pleasure to sit on the edge of the bed and hum her to sleep. She cherished these grandma moments. Something about sitting with a sleeping child calmed one’s nerves. Bella shifted under the handmade quilt and tugged her hand from Winnie’s arthritic fingers. “No, no, Nana. ‘Eyes’,” she demanded. Winnie started again, this time humming the first few bars of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’….In this brief passage the central characters are defined or suggested and the story flows well as Kirsten’s summary outlines: ‘Winnie is content in her role as the reining matriarch of Smithville, but when a letter arrives from a long-lost friend, the door to her past is reopened. Memories come flooding in, drawing her back to 1968, her college days; a time filled with people and events she hasn’t allowed herself to recall. Tara knows her husband, Justin, is up to something. She may be crazy busy running her inn and trying to manage little Bella, but her gut tells her there’s more to Justin’s busy schedule than just work, and she’s determined to find out what it is.’A love story, a small town romance – yes, but in Kirsten Fullmer’s hands there are so many more aspects of the impact of relationships and the force of nature and the fine reflection of that richly colorful era of the 1960s that make this a little jewel of a book. A refreshing experience.
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