When the short bypass around Green opens with much fanfare, downtown dries up faster than cement on the roadway. Businesses close and the hospital becomes a clinic. Mayor Eva must decide whether to sell her historic store or close it. The Holey Moley Antique Mall seems less like a dream and more like a nightmare. While the road is progress to some, it seems to be leading Green toward a national trend--a town that is merely a shadow of itself. With the town going backwards, Lois leans on her faith but is both intrigued and jealous when a fellow business owner comes up with a strategy to save Green. But can her plan rescue the town from the path it’s on?
Judy Christie is an author and consultant who lives in Northwest Louisiana.
She writes inspirational fiction and nonfiction. Her popular Green series chronicles the goings-on in the small Louisiana town of Green and is part of Abingdon Press’s new inspirational fiction line.
Judy is also the author of the popular Hurry Less, Worry Less nonfiction series, published by Abingdon Press.
Wreath, published in October 2011, is Judy’s first young adult book. Look for it and a free download on her books page!
Judy was a journalist for many years and is a frequent speaker at retreats and workshops. She works with clients around the country on how to slow down and enjoy each day more and how
Having read all five books in this series, I've come to really like the town of Green and it's many citizens. And I mean MANY citizens; these people float in and out of each book, and sometimes it's hard to keep them straight.
The only big disappointments I have are that their all-too-real problems are presented in a too simplistic way and are too easily and quickly solved. I know these books are supposed to be uplifting, but life just doesn't happen this way.
My other issue is that while most of the protagonist characters are very likeable, there are too many of them and the result is that they are all one-dimensional. We never really get to know any of them because there's nothing to know under the surface. (I'm not even going to discuss the cardboard antagonists who show up in every book.) As a result, I've come away from every book in this series feeling disappointed that I haven't gotten to know more about these folks. And that's a little sad because we could have been friends.
I've read all books in the series. Fan of main character Lois. I enjoyed the "everything works out in the end" storyline even if a bit unrealistic. I want to escape from reality a bit and these books do that. I think you would need to read past ones in order to appreciate this one. As a stand alone this was a bit too simple . I think it really needed more depth to characters and story. What kept me reading is that I cared about the characters and wanted to know what they would end up doing. I would only recommend if you've read previous four books.
I've read this series in the past two weeks & Loved It!
Judy Christie's books have felt like coming home. I've lived and worked with individuals just like those in Green. I've also lived in larger communities. The smaller communities tend to know their neighbors (for better or worse in many cases). Seeing this fictional town working together was phenomenal!
This was a quick and easy read but also entertaining. I like books about small towns and I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book. It was positive and uplifting as well so I’d read more in this series or more by this author for sure.
The 5th book in The Green series. The town of Green is changing, and tough decisions are being made to keep the town going. A light, easy read for fans of Christian fiction.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the characters of Green, Louisiana. Lois the main character seems to keep the town on its toes. I wished Ms. Christie would have had this book a little longer so it did not end abruptly. The chapter with Kevin's wedding flew past from engagement to wedding with no anticipation. The story line with Bella I wish also was tied up better than it was. All and all though this was a very good series. I would like to see more books from the author.
Green fans .... are you ready for the next installment from the friendly citizens of Green, Louisiana? In the fifth installment of the Green series, the treasured small southern town is in danger of going to the wayside due to the construction of a bypass loop. With the opening of the bypass loop, the traffic has decreased and has had a negative impact on the livelihood of the businesses in the town. Lois Barker Craig, owner of the town's newspaper, The Green News-Item, becomes the town's champion and takes on the daunting challenge to find a way to revive the small town. Along with tragedy, frustration, and an outsider's buy-out offer, Lois and her small-knit community of neighbors hatch a plan that will put Green back on the map. So take a spin and come visit awhile with Lois and the residents of Green, and let them tell you their story in Downtown Green.
As a devoted fan of the Green series, I have been eagerly waiting to revisit with my old friends from Green, Louisiana. While Downtown Green is the fifth book in the series, this can be read as a stand alone book. The storyline is well written and in classic Green form, it drew me in and captivated me like the previous four books in the series did. The cast of characters are realistic, warmhearted, small-town friendly people that you will find in any small town USA. The pull of small town life and charm welcomed me as I visited with old friends like Lois, Coach Chris, Mayor Eva, and Dr. Kevin, and got caught up on what has been happening in their lives. It is easy for the reader to connect with the characters in this story, their engaging and entertaining antics will leave you laughing and smiling all the way to the end of the story. This fast paced lighthearted story will have you cheering on the residents of Green as they pull together to save their beloved small town.
If you are looking for a lighthearted, delightful and entertaining series to read, I would highly recommend that you pick up all five books in the Green series, they won't leave you disappointed!
Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, a spiral bound Galley edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, author Judy Christie participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews. http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com Book provided by publisher for review.
Note: Downtown Green is the fifth book in a series about Green, Louisiana. I somehow managed to miss this detail until I started reading, but thankfully it can be read as a stand-alone.
As Downtown Green opens, the town is just preparing to celebrate the opening of a new bypass loop - one with more opponents than advocates. With a quicker way to get around town, downtown traffic drops off dramatically, with a direct impact on local business. Finding a way to restore downtown Green, Louisiana becomes Lois Craig's new mission (as if running a newspaper and adjusting to being a new mom weren't enough work). Along the way, she finds surprising allies and hits heads with old enemies - and unexpected tragedy - but never wavers. Green has gotten into her blood, and Lois is like a mama bear defending her cubs (or in this case, her town). This premise alone is an interesting read, and Christie does a wonderful job of fleshing out the characters - which results in even more layers to the story, as each player in the cast of characters goes through their own set of misadventures, linking everyone in ways that only happens in small, Southern towns.
What I really, really loved about Downtown Green was the realistic feel. Green, LA could have been any number of small towns in the Deep South - it reminded me of several I have experienced. Everyone knows everybody else's business, and actually cares. The town is more than just a group of people and shops, it's the heartbeat of the community, and as people rally around the common cause, they rediscover existing bonds and forge new ones - both with their town and with each other. Meeting these characters, peeking into their lives, made me want to take a stroll through Downtown and stop to chat with whoever I happened to meet. Well, with almost anyone, some of them I could happily avoid, but you'll have to read about them yourself. These are real characters, flawed but good. They're truly wanting to do what's right for their community and fellow man. There is an element of "God talk" to Downtown Green, but it's gentle and has the same sense of authenticity as the characters and town. This is the Deep South, after all. All in all, an easy read that I think a lot of people can relate to - even if they're not from the South.
Downtown Green is the first book I've read by Judy Christie and the fifth book in her "Green" series. While some things were slightly confusing at first (like the characters), I did end up enjoying the novel and didn't feel too lost.
There were two things I personally didn't like in Downtown Green. The first thing was how the preacher was a woman - I believe a woman shouldn't be the pastor of a church (i.e. 1 Timothy 2:12). The other thing was how some scenes seemed to abruptly end - that happened a lot and was slightly annoying.
That said, there was a lot I did enjoy. I grew to really like the unique people from Green, Louisiana. Lois, Chris, Katy, and Tammy were some of my favorites!
I liked the little articles from the Green News-Item that were at the beginning of each chapter - some of them were really funny!
I don't know if there is going to be another "Green" novel, but if there is, I would probably want to read it. I'm curious if I'm right about something (not going to say what, but read the last page and you'll probably guess what I'm talking about).
Downtown Green was a good read that I enjoyed. If you've read the first four "Green" novels, then you will probably want to read this continuation. If you haven't read those, then I'd probably suggest you do first because that might lessen the confusion I had when reading Downtown Green.
*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
With the new highway bi-pass diverting people around Green, downtown is dying. Can Lois come up with a plan to help save their small town?
It sure seems that everyone pins a lot of responsibility on Lois to get them out of a bind! Chris and Lois now have a baby boy that keeps them on their toes. Lois is a good momma to baby Eddie, but she needs to loosen up a bit, she takes overprotective momma to a new level!
There are changes coming to Green, the question is, will Green survive them? Since coming to Green Lois has found herself in the middle of all of the happenings of small town life. She loves Green and is determined to do all in her power to keep Green from dying. The first thing that she and Chris do is purchase the old run down ice cream parlor. All of their friends help restore it.
All of the characters that we have come to love in Green are back. Also some that we are not so fond of. Major is now out of jail and up to his old tricks. I love all of the lives that Lois has touched through her move to Green. She has grown a lot since she has come to Green and hopes to raise her son in this small town where she has found love and purpose.
I enjoyed reading the Green series. I think this was the last one in the series although I don't think it really ended so there may be more...I hope!
Lois Craig, owner of the Green News-Item newspaper, new mother, and proud citizen of Green, watches the downtown businesses wane without customers. Zach Price, her ex boss, wants to acquire the newspaper to merge with his large one. Major Wilson, newly released from prison, and Jerry Taylor fight to bring an industrial development to replace the main streets. Meanwhile, the scenic lake becomes not as scenic as the weed, giant salvinia, doubles, rapidly covering it.
Lois and concerned friends struggle to bring business to downtown. She and her husband, Chris, buy an ice-cream parlor to prevent Jerry Taylor from buying the land. The town gathers to fix the dilapidated building.
The large cast of characters becomes confusing. The book would benefit by a who’s who index to keep track. It doesn’t help that the dog has a people name. The reader may wonder whose child is that. A few of the background stories resolve themselves too easily. Vince should have tormented them longer.
Despite these flaws, the reader will enjoy the people and small-town ambiance of Green—the sense that the town belongs to all of them. The pace of the story moves well. Worth reading.
I received this book from NetGalley. It is an honest review.
You could probably read this book as a stand alone, but I believe that you will enjoy it more if you read it after enjoying the other books in the “Green” series (Gone to Green, Goodness Gracious Green, The Glory of Green and Rally Round Green). If you have already gotten a taste of Green and her unique cast of characters then prepare to come back to your favorite small town full of all the antics and turmoil that captured your heart in the previous novels.
Join Lois and Chris, Katy and Molly, Eva and Dub, Tammy and Walt, Kevin and Terrance and the whole gang for a new set of challenges and joys.
In this fifth installment in the Green saga welcome back to community. Community that rally’s around each other and hopes for the future. Community that is more about roots and relationships than it is about ease and convenience. Community that knows that God is at work even when life appears to be pure chaos. Community that knows loss and change and isn’t destroyed by it. Community – it’s what keeps drawing me back to Green.
I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is actually number 5 in the series. I have not read the others and feel like if I did I might have enjoyed the story even more. I loved the town and the characters and will be sure to pick up the others in the series and read them as well.
This book centers on Lois the owner of the towns’ newspaper. Changes are coming to the town and she has to decide whether she wants to support these changes or walk away from it all. How the town people interact with each other and react to the different circumstances they all face is what makes the book a fun read. I read the book in one sitting because the story just got better and better with each page.
I gave this book 5/5 stars because of the great character development and fun plot!
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read
Downtown Green was free when I downloaded it to my Nook library in 2013. This is the fifth book in the series. I did not read books 3 and 4, and there was just enough backstory in this book for me to understand what happened in those books. I only gave this book 3 stars because I no longer have enough enthusiasm about this series to recommend it other readers. I found myself disagreeing with the solutions Lois gave to the community. Her imagined nostalgia, for what she hopes will be the childhood her son will, have leads to the impulsive decision to buy the Harbor Freeze. As far as I can tell, this provides paid employment for two people by the end of the book. This blocks a light industrial complex which might provide more employment, and yet only her most antagonistic opponents have anything to say about it. If you enjoyed the series so far, read it.
I do enjoy my visits to Green. Love interacting with the characters. But Lois is the kind of new mom that makes the rest of feel inadequate. Doesn't break down, doesn't feel frustrated from lack of sleep, husband always helpful. Sorry too perfect. Sure she says she is tired, but don't really feel it.
Anyway, once again Lois called on to save Green. Now highway bypassing downtown, that and salvinia destroying downtown. And, of course, in this economy Lois and Chris are able to scrape the money to buy a historic building downtown.
Katy falls for guy online who isn't what he appears. Major a drug runner. Eva getting married. Kevin marries. Kevin's dad dies in car accident. Lee Roy finds out he is a dad.
Sorry, just had more trouble with this one than some of the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Although I did not grown up in a "small town", the city I did grown up in during the 50's and 60's had a "small town" feel to it. I guess that's why I related to all the books in this series. However, I must say that this book was my favorite. If you haven't read the other four, not to worry. This could be read as a stand alone book, you just wouldn't have the rich history of the characters. But the struggles of the small town of Green are ever present today in towns and cities across America. The happy ending is not all that sappy but will bring a smile to your face and make you wish you lived in Green, where hard work pays off, people are not ashamed of their faith in God, and good does overcome evil. The series is definately a "feel good" series.
This is the 5th book in the Gone to Green series that I have read, and it was a wonderful conclusion to it. Big city reporter meets small town Louisiana. She inherited the local paper in the first book, and along with it, great friends and a growing faith in a God who is there in both the good times and the hard places. Other great themes about this series are redemption and forgiveness. The characters each have their own distinct voice. These books are tough to put down. I recommend!
I just couldn't get into this book. I forced myself through it a few pages at a time, an experience equivalent to trying to slog through pluff mud, and it took forever--but today I finally made it--free at last! Much of the book just seemed to ramble on and on about nothing, and I found it impossible to care about any of the multitude of shallowly-drawn, uninteresting characters who populated this town. This series seems to have run out of steam.
Easy read. No major surprises, but I find that these books are less about "surprises" and more about, "Oh, yeah...maybe I shouldn't think like that either..." (I mean, really, they ARE Christian fiction.) And even though it's Christian fiction, you are not beaten over the head with it...it's IN the book because, guess what? It's a part of LIFE. I feel like I've gotten to know the characters after five books. :)
I loved this entire series. My grandmother and grandfather owned a newspaper in a small town up north and I used to spend summers there. Sitting in the love seat in the apartment over looking main street. Helping to fold papers for the insert to the Sunday edition.
The bypass went through and no one is coming into down town Green. Lois ends up buying a business, she has a baby boy now, and she gets up to her ears in trying to save down town Green from extinction!
I just loved the Green series and hope there will be a 6th...There are loose ends, so I feel confident we'll see another. While this series takes place in the computer/cell age, the hometown spirit takes one back to a childhood in the fifties when life was simpler and children played outside till nightfall. Delightful read; highly recommended to those who appreciate hometown concerns, warm friendships, and Christian values.
Really enjoyed the Green series. I'm kind of sad it's not going to continue, to see what happens to some of the secondary characters, but Christie did a great job wrapping up the various threads. And I can't be too sad, as I look forward to the continuation of her new Sweet Olive series! Christie's books got me out of my two-year-long reading funk...so if you're looking for feel-good, genuine reads, look no further!
Last book of the series. For me, this series was just so-so. It took almost the entire first book for me to even warm-up to the main character. I really never became accustomed to her girlfriend being named Kevin. A mention of her threw me off nearly every time. Each book has the same plot, basically, which consisted of the MC, under the auspices of the newspaper, saves the town from disaster.