Book Review: Traveling Light By Lynne Branard

TRAVELING LIGHT

By: Lynne Branard

Published: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Berkley Books

Fiction



Have you ever wanted to just take off on an adventure? That is exactly what Alissa Wells, a 30-something single gal from Clayton, North Carolina does. After winning an abandoned storage shed in an auction Alissa finds a box of ashes inside. She decides it's time to take some of those vacation days and she is going to drive to New Mexico to deliver Roger Hart's ashes to their rightful resting place.

Al, as she prefers to be called, has never left her hometown or her home for that matter. When her mom died young, Al took over caring for her dad and her sister. When it was time to find a job, she naturally went to work for her dad at the local newspaper and she has been there ever since. This road trip is just the diversion that Al needs in her life. The paper can manage without her for awhile and she is in no hurry to return. Al loads up her dog, Casserole and they are off on what will be a life-changing adventure for Al.

During one of her restaurant stops, Al's waitress Blossom decides to hitch a ride with her as far as Texas. Blossom, a 17-year-old former hippie, has decided to go back and live with her dad in Texas and Al's road trip is the perfect opportunity to get there. Then, few stops later, Blossom's ex-boyfriend is also tagging along for a ride to Texas. These three characters who would have never crossed paths are now lifelines to each other as their lives intersect.

Al's journey, both figuratively and literally, gets her to stop and assess her life. Since the story is told in the first person, the reader feels like they are riding right along with Al across the country. Stops in Nashville, Memphis, and Oklahoma City give the reader glimpses into the attractions and why Al and her entourage have decided to stop and visit. The characters are quirky, naive, and lovable. When each of them come to a crossroads and has to make a decision, the reader is cheering them on, hoping that the decision is the right one.

Lynne Branard, who also writes as Lynne Hinton, has a talent for writing about friendships, unforgettable characters, and heart-warming stories. Much like her previous novel, THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS, readers will enjoy the quick chapters and real-life situations full of funny mishaps and surprises along the way. Her witty metaphors and priceless wisdom fill the pages and will make the reader pause and reflect. Branard dedicated this novel to her many hospice patients she met as a chaplain. The title, TRAVELING LIGHT reminds all of us to let go of our burdens and to learn when to linger in life and when to move on. Maybe reading this book will inspire you to start your own life-changing adventure.

Favorite quotes:

"We do not let go of the details of those who shape our lives."

"What I'm saying is that we don't always get the happy endings we want;

but that shouldn't change what we try to make right."

I previously read, THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS. You can see my review, HERE.

Lynne Branard - source photo by Robert Branard

Lynne Branard, also writes as Lynne Hinton. She was born and raised in North Carolina. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has served as a hospice chaplain and as a senior pastor. Lynne is the author of nineteen books and has received numerous awards for her writing. Lynne and her husband live in Guilford County, North Carolina where Lynne serves as Co-Pastor of Mount Hope UCC. For more on Lynne, check out her website, HERE.


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Thanks to the publisher for sending an ecopy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: The Art of Arranging Flowers By Lynne Branard

THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS

By:  Lynne Branard

Published:  June 3, 2014

Publisher: Berkley Trade - Penguin Group

Fiction







I can usually tell pretty early on if I am going to love a book or not and this one I knew by the first few chapters that it was a story I was going to enjoy.

Ruby Jewell is the owner of a flower shop and has sold thousands of bouquets to residents of her small town over the years.  She has chosen the bouquets, using just the right flowers to convey the perfect message or elicit the right remedy.  For example, white flowers to promote a healing spirit, marigolds to increase positive energies, and roses as the gentle healing herb of love.

The story of the flowers and their healing properties reminded me of THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  I found this part of the story so interesting and took several notes about which flowers were best for certain ailments and personal feelings/situations.  Ruby made flowers her own personal ministry in their community and the residents were forever changed by her talents.

Ruby hasn't been without hardship, including a difficult childhood and the death of her sister, Daisy. But she has found a way to bring love to others even if she can't seem to find a way to love anyone but her faithful dog, Clementine.  Her flowers have healed the sick, found love between two unsuspecting people, and brought smiles to many faces.  What Ruby needs to realize is that she also deserves those same smiles and feelings of love.

As we move through the story, several people come into Ruby's life including an astronaut, a veterinarian, and a 10 year old boy.  Will one of these people be able to break Ruby's hard outer shell?  Nora, her long-time employee and friend, will try to get Ruby to see the love she deserves at the same time that Nora seems to be avoiding it herself.  Many of the characters just need someone to love them and finding that right person is part of the joy of this novel.

I love when a quote from a book makes me stop and consider the meaning. This book had several such quotes.

"The blooming happens on the outside before it happens in the middle. 

Sometimes we think there is supposed to be this great spiritual awakening that happens before we make a change in our lives. We expect some 'aha' moment, some beautiful enlightening experience to shape us into the people we want to be, but sometimes it just happens from the circumstances in our lives that present themselves. 

We become who we are meant to be because of the things along our edges that pull us into existence."  Page 231-232

"I wonder how we are ever able to fit all the sorrow and loss into one heart, one lifetime." Page 235

THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS is a beautiful story of friendship, devotion, and personal growth.  Each character in the story has a hardship to overcome.  Some do it easily and others, like Ruby need more than a gentle push to see what is right in front of them. You may find the story predictable, but the joy is in the characters and their journey.  This isn't a book full of drama with an exciting plot, but one full of real characters that you will grow to care about and root for. You will be left with a smile on your face and happiness in your heart. When the book is done, I bet you will want to go order a bouquet of flowers and wish that Ruby was creating it for you.

Lynne Branard

Lynne Branard is a pseudonym for New York Times bestselling author Lynne Hinton. She has written more than a dozen books, including Friendship Cake, Pie Town, and Welcome Back to Pie Town.  For more on Lynne, visit http://www.lynnehinton.com/.

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Thanks to Random House First to Read for sending me a copy of this book for review.  This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you paying a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.