SWEET TEA AT SUNRISE

Author: Janet Woods ISBN: 9780778328452 5/2010 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Emotionally wounded single mom Sarah Price has come home to Serenity, South Carolina, for a fresh start. With support from her two best friends – the newest generation of Sweet Magnolias – she can face any crisis. But sometimes a woman needs more than even treasured friends can provide. Sexy Travis McDonald may be exactly what Sarah’s battered self-confidence requires. The newcomer’s intent on getting Sarah to work at his fledgling radio station…and maybe into his bed as well. Sarah’s learned not to trust sweet words. She’ll measure the man by his actions. Is Travis the one to heal her heart? Or will he break it again?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

SWEET TEA AT SUNRISE brings readers back to Serenity, South Carolina, and a group of women called the Sweet Magnolias. It is a story about friendship, faith, and trust. While there are some sad moments in this story, it is overall uplifting and leaves the reader feeling refreshed and encouraged.

Sarah returns to Serenity with tons of emotional baggage and more self-esteem issues than anyone should carry. Fortunately she has a wonderful support system, and manages to separate who she really is from the person she has been made to believe she is by her abusive husband. His destructive influence could have sealed the fate of someone less committed to finding a new life. It is heartwarming to watch Sarah evolve and, eventually, take a leap of faith!

Travis is the kind of man who seems to be less emotionally present than one might want, but first impressions aren’t guaranteed to give a clear picture of a person. He speaks easily and is a natural flirt—two things that a woman trying to overcome an abusive past finds off-putting. Then, Travis’s father shows he isn’t altogether trustworthy, so Sarah scrutinizes his motives even closer. This almost seems like a guilt by association deal, and there seems to be the chance that Travis’s father might be enough to push Sarah completely away.

With enough twists and emotional moments to spare, SWEET TEA AT SUNRISE is engrossing and poignant. I enjoyed it, and I believe others will as well. A wonderful story, and the perfect addition to a fabulous series!

Kay James