The Rock Orchard

by Paula Wall

"It is common knowledge that Belle Women make hard men melt like butter in a pan," writes novelist Wall, adding, "They are equally adept at reversing the process." If you find such sentiments appealing, then spirit yourself away to Leaper's Fork, Tennessee, and immerse yourself in the very southern world of Charlotte, Angela, and Dixie Belle: three generations of Belles, and the subjects of this jaunty, sexy debut.

The Belle women are part of an old and wealthy family descended from a Confederate colonel. One neighbor calls them "white trash with money." But their greatest asset, to put it mildly, is feminine charm. Just ask Boston-bred Dr. Adam Montgomery, who moves in next door with his Yankee fiance, only to be smitten by Angela the moment he lays eyes on her. Or ask Reverend Thomas Jones, another newcomer to Leaper's Fork, to whom Charlotte applies her feminine wiles as she endeavors to help him inter his long, sad past.

Old money verses new, South versus North, hypocrisy verses honesty, prejudice versus love -- these are heavy themes, to be sure. And yet Wall handles them deftly, in a tone so confident and breezy that the pages seem to turn themselves. A resident of Nashville, Wall has a gift for fiction, a gift she employs to great effect in this marvelous novel about the transformative power of love.

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Chick Lit, Romance, Historical Fiction, Womens Fiction, Magical Realism

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful stirring, entertaining, witty and sexy little novel. I f ell in love with the beautiful, sexy saucy , wilful, big hearted and free spirited Angela Belle harder than I have with a book character for a long time.

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say I loved it? The southern accent of the reader helped me enjoy the book as well as the story.

This is the story of the people of Leapers Fork, Tennessee. It starts off with the beautiful, rich & determined females the Belles, Charlotte (the aunt), Angela (the niece) and Dixie (her daughter). When you read the back cover you would think the story is all about the Belle’s but it is not, there is lot more to it than that.

When Adam Montgomery came to town, he noticed Angela and she him, I found it frustrating that it took Adam so long to court her, He loved her from afar for 12 years, I am glad they came together at last though. Adam had ended up as a doctor and his wife Lydia because other people thought he should.

Other characters who made the book were Angela’s friend Ceyenne Merriweather, the very handsome Boon Dickson and Julia Mercer, who all had stories of their own told.

When a new preacher, Thomas Jones came to town I found that Charlotte had met her match. They met at the cemetery on his first night in town when he did something he had not done in years.

I enjoyed it all the way through and I hope you do too.

[Tiah]

I. Adore. This. Book.

A swift paced tale with sass. Easy read, full of spice. When you simply want to sit back and let the story tell itself to you, its one to nab.

btw - I couldn't find the edition I owned, so I just randomly clicked on one...

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An off-beat and sometimes racy (sexy) Southern read; one of the best southern novels I've read to date. More real, earthy and gritty, less sugar sweet and cliched than many southern reads. These characters will linger with me.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down; I read it in one evening! I found it on one of the bargain shelves at B&N and got interested when I read the author is from Nashville and the book is set in Leaper's Fork. The story centers on the Belle women, who "can touch a man and heal like Jesus." Wall does a great job using language to evoke an almost tactile feeling of the South, one of my favorite quotes is "Something happend to a man when he crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. The heat and the humidity melted the morals and the southern whiskey seeped into the pores, rusting the ethical compass." Definitely a lighter read, but a fun ride into the hearts of strong Southern women and the men who fall in love with them.

[Jenn LaBrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE. From beginning to end. The setting was phenomenal, Southern Charm and wit, at their finest. The characters, though there were many, did not confuse me. I loved each one for what they brought to the story. It was very Shakespearean with its love triangles, and quadrangles. LOL. I hope this author has written more books because I plan to read each and every one, if so.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I am torn between 2 or 3 stars but in the end I guess I found the book just OK (2 stars). I didn't particularly care about any of the characters in this book and I liked the Belle sisters the very least. There were sections of the book that were in fact page turners but then it would fall flat again. I hit several chapters that I could have easily put the book down and forgot about it (but it was a library book so I pressed on). There were many different characters introduced in this novel but I disagree with some reviews that feel the characters were well developed. Despite this seemingly negative review I didn't hate the book, I just found it forgettable. I would consider this an easy, fast read and probably makes good vacation reading. Most of the other reviews of this novel are very positive so I would still recommend giving this book a try because I appear to be in the minority. Even though I didn't love this book I still plan on trying another title by the same author called Wilde Women.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as I hate to say it, I COULD NOT get into this book. I really couldn't actually finish it. It was just BORING. Not bad, but possibly the most boring thing I've ever read. After about a fourth of the way through the book I still couldn't really tell who the book was even about. The Belle women clearly, but you almost wouldn't know it. There are so many random characters, and the point of view is changed constantly. Leaving every scene in a non-cohesive state; one scene having absolutely nothing to do with the one right before. For a story about the Belle's, most of the scenes didn't even involve them, but random and unlikeable townspeople. Most of the prose was remarkably inconsequential and didn't contribute to the ultimate story- which I'm still unclear on what this story was trying to accomplish. As a writer myself, trying to get through this book was torture. Neither could I connect to it as a reader. As I see this book has mostly positive reviews, it's clear that many people feel the opposite. I walk away feeling honestly baffled by this.

[Cathyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters, characters, characters. We certainly get our fill of them from this debut novel. Ms. Wall is quite adept at character development. The writing was beautiful and the story unpredictable and amusing. Who would have a child’s birthday at a cemetery? The Belle sisters of course – they may even dance naked!! These are strong, intelligent women who pull you into their lives and may change your perspective. I enjoyed this book and recommend to those looking for a laugh or just to feel good.

[Perri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I actually listened to it in CD format and thought the voices and characters extraordinarily well represented. Wall has a clever way of telling a serious story with wonderful humor. The settings and scenes that were conjured up were magical and I thoroughly enjoyed the "naughty" and sultry characters of the Belle women. One of those books/CD's I didn't want to end.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved some quotes such as: "Love ain't about how a person look. It about how they feel in the dark." And then talking about money: "It's not what you make, it's what you keep." There were others, but I neglected to mark them. I may go back to find them because they were 'profound.' I really enjoyed this book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great great writing. So many great phrases in this novel. I love the belles I love the story I love the hungers that are barely suppressed and explicitly expressed. Every once and a while I stumble into a great novel such as this and I am left wanting more. I think that is the mark of a great novel. One cannot get enough

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this one pretty much in one sitting! At first I wasn't sure whether I would like this book, but the more I read the more I fell in love with the story and its characters.

"The Rock Orchard" is a wonderful novel --- and it was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday ... :o)

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, Lite, Fun.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recommended this book to so many people! I read this a number of years ago and still think it's one of the best books I've ever read.

[Tammy Bartle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when just happen upon a fun book that I grab by chance either at the library or book sale. The Rock Orchard is one of these. A quick read with some sassy women and the men who will make fools of themselves just to be noticed. Set around the time of WWll in the south…. There are some “racey” scenes. What I enjoyed about this novel is the characters themselves and their development. Rich vs Poor, educated vs non-educated, etc.. Some humor (lots of comments into coffee cups), some sad bits, some aha moments.

[MBenzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

After not being overly impressed with the last few books I've read, this was such a wonderful change! I absolutely loved this book! I very easily (and almost did!) could have read this in one sitting, but I was enjoying it so much that I made myself slow down and read it over a few days so that I could enjoy the colorful folks of Leaper's Fork, Tn. just a little longer.

At first, I thought this would be a story about the Belle women. The Belle's are one of the richest family's in the area, and filled with seductive women that no man could tame. But I was glad to see the story focus on so many other characters. Dr. Montgomery and his frigid wife Lydia, Boone Dickson, the Lester's, and all the other town folk were such a pleasure to follow. And Lydia, who started out as a raging b**ch, was by the end another character I was sorry to see go.

Overall, I DEFINITELY recommend this. It's been a while since I've finished a book and have been this pleased with it. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Walls novels...even if they're only half as good as this book was, that's still pretty darn good!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book because it was here and I had to lend my kindle to my mom. As I near the end of a good book, I start to read more slowly to delay its demise but unfortunately, it still must end. I wonder what Charlotte, Angela, and Dixie are doing now. Just thought that I'd note a few quotes from the book. There are so many gems to choose from yet here is today's selection:

"Around them, the storm raged furiously,...A jealous God was not happy that the drive of man was being steered by the dreams of women. Torn between baptizing and drowning them, he brooded over when exactly he lost control of his creation and why he created women in the first place." (p.185)

"Only a male God would give beauty to a brainless woman,"Charlotte grumbled (p.197)

"We are what we are" Mila said,"until we decide to be different." (p.206)

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, set in a small southern town where a wealthy family of heathens essentially rules the area, they have money so old it has dust on it, but none of the couthe that comes from typical old money. This family of harlots and trashy women teach men how to love better, how to live better and teach others how to be successful. The cast of characters is endearing, the antics of the townspeople are laughable but in a good way. I really enjoyed this book, I hope to read more of her works.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Wall is a new author for me and I am soooo glad I found her!
She spins a tale that just drags you in...
Her characters are bright and beautiful and
grow to be like old friends before the end of the story...
Charlotte Belle is one of my favorite heroines ever...
I love her attitude and her platitudes...
One of my favorite quotes from Charlotte is
"We are what we are until we decide to be different!"
Simple truths are always the best.

Now I'm looking for more stories from Paula Wall.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" meets bodice-ripper. The writing is beautifully charming and scattered with homey Southern imagery, similies and metaphors. The characters are fully developed and the plot is engaging. That being said, it is not tremendously deep, is predictable on most levels and definitely has its bodice-ripping (albeit not tremendously graphic) moments. An awesome beach read. :)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorite Authors of all time! I've always kinda wished I was a "Southern Bell", living in the South and this book made me want to live in the story itself. It adds mainly humor with romance about a little town in TN in the 20's. I can't count how many times it made me laugh out loud and it made my cry several times too. I absolutely LOVE this authors two books I've read and hope she keeps them coming!

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

As close as possible to my original post that I somehow deleted! Lots of "characters" in this book. Some of my FAV passages:

~ you can lead a horse to water, but a jackass takes his whiskey straight up

~ nothing ties the tongue like knowing a secret that would hurt a man more than the lie he is living

~ do you know how they make the strongest sword....they hammer it flat, then hold it to the fire

~ the blessing and blane of a man is the woman who makes him rise to the occassion

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book like this doesn't come along very often for me. As a southerner, I can be overly critical of novels written about southern women. Paula Wall absolutely nailed it. I have known the women in her book all my life. I don't borrow books from the library because I have a habit of underlining phrases I like and writing thoughts in the margins. I began underlining on page one of this book. It is a treasure.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Wall has become my Heroine when it comes to writing. As a friend of mine summed it up, "she slays me with her style." This is a brilliant read, with haunting characters that stayed with me for some time. This is a tale of family, love, lust, and choices - the steaming South of the 1920's is the backdrop. A must-read for anyone who desires quality writing and remarkable story-telling.

[Carolyn Zeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our book club really enjoyed this book. The first five or six chapters had me in stitches with snappy come-backs spoken by the strong, unabashed women in the story. There are almost too many of these similes and metaphors but when you laugh out loud it is worth it. The story line has some interesting twists and all is well that ends well in this fun to read tale.

[james a keeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

If you enjoy a small southern town full of 3 dimensional characters, you will love this book. You’ll find yourself rooting for each character’s own happy ending and you won’t want the book to end. Filled with southern idioms, it still comes off as if their form of wisdom is something us “Yankees” lack. Profoundly simple and a feel good read. Wish there was a sequel

[Helen Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel by Paula Wall and the beginning of a sweet addiction. This woman can write like no other. I pray that she will live to be a thousand and write every second of every day. Southern fiction that defies any label.

[Mich · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANKS JO! i LOVED this book as much as Garden Spells... i found myself smiling most of the way thru it!! in my other life i would choose to be a Belle!!
great southern read!! def recommend it to ALL!!! GO GET IT NOW!!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I wasn't overly impressed with this story, I did rather enjoy some of the characters. The Belle sisters were very entertaining in their various escapades and temptations, but overall I found the story lacking.