Down by the River (A Smoky Mountain Novel) - Softcover

Stepp, Lin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1617732761 ISBN 13: 9781617732768

Publisher: Kensington, 2014

Synopsis

"A charming portrait of the Smokies, their people, and a wonderful way of life." --Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author

Set against the backdrop of Tennessee's breathtaking Smoky Mountains, Lin Stepp's Down By the River is a warm-hearted novel that proves it's never too late--or too early--for a fresh start. . .

While on a visit to the Smokies, Grace Conley makes a stunning decision: she's going to walk away from her busy life in Nashville to move to tiny Townsend and open a bed and breakfast. There's a beautiful old inn for sale along the Little River that will do perfectly. Of course, Grace's family is scandalized. After all, she's a middle-aged widow! And as a career homemaker, she's always been available for babysitting, chauffeuring, and generally being the peacemaker among her grown children. Has Grace lost her mind? She begins to wonder the same thing once she finds herself attracted to the local ladies' man. But the surprises don't stop there. . .

To further complicate her move, Grace's daughter, Margaret, has grudgingly come to live with her. Having just graduated from college, remote Townsend is not where she envisions her future. Yet the handsome young minister next door is convinced he and Margaret are meant for each other. As life choices abound, soon both women will discover that the biggest decisions require confidence, a sense of humor--and a deep, abiding faith.

Praise for Lin Stepp and her Smoky Mountain Novels

"I've finally come across someone that believes in all the things that I do. . .love, family, faith, intrigue, mystery, loyalty, romance, and a great love for our beloved Smoky Mountains." –Dolly Parton

"A wonderful, new Southern voice." --Joan Medlicott, author of the bestselling The Ladies of Covington series

About this title

About the Author:

Dr. Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator. She is on faculty at both Tusculum College and King University, where she teaches psychology and research. Her business background includes over 20 years in marketing, sales, production art, and regional publishing. But closest to her heart is her beloved series of contemporary novels set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Visit her on the web at linstepp.com.

From Booklist:

Grace Conley is a strong, classy woman who buys a bed-and-breakfast in Townsend, Tennessee, from local real-estate agent Jack Teague. As Grace overrides her family’s disapproval and works to establish the new Mimosa Inn, she finds Jack, despite his painful past and sordid reputation, stirring in her a sensuality that as a widow she had long forgotten. Together, they experience the rediscovery of forgotten dreams, a reconnection with one’s true self and God, and a reminder of the power found in love grounded in trust instead of easy charm. This is part of Stepp’s (Second Hand Rose, 2013) long-running Smoky Mountain series but is easily read as a standalone novel. Stepp establishes a lovely sense of place in the novel, capturing the sights and sounds of Tennessee’s breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains. Woven amid the evenly paced plot are prominent religious messages and biblical scripture centered on finding a deeper faith in God and trusting that there is a reason for what happens in our lives. --Kate Campos

About this edition

• Publisher: Kensington
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1617732761
• ISBN 13: 9781617732768
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320