Moonbow over Charleston

by Terry Ward Tucker

Cultures clash in a big way when saucy sassy teenage project princess, Larissa Harold, blows into the life of retired Southern widower, Dr. Bedon Calhoun, Sr., and permanently knocks his ordered existence off its aristocratic foundation. When Larissa shares her personal problems with Bedon, problems so horrific they appear to have no solutions - poverty, violence in her home at the hands of her mother's series of deadbeat boyfriends, not to mention her own advancing pregnancy that not even her mother is aware of - the good doctor forgets about the miserable loneliness that has plagued him since the death of his wife, Hildie, and takes Larissa on as his secret charity. But as he reaches deep into his bank account and deeper into his inner soul in repeated efforts to provide healing for the sweet and salty girl, he somehow finds healing for himself, plus a special kind of love that turns out to be far more meaningful than simple romance. But then enters Buddy, his grandson, and a juicier kind of attraction to the beautiful and intelligent Larissa begins heating up the story. You'll laugh and cry as the pregnant little stray sprinkles her special mix of spice and magic into the lives of Bedon and Buddy. Enjoy this fast fun read about this fast fun gal as she revs up the engines of two sheltered male Charlestonians who never saw the antics of a gen-u-ine project princess coming their way. They - like you - will never be the same for having fallen under her spell.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2012

Reviews

[Wendy H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read murder mysteries so this book is a bit different for me. However, as I have been to Charleston and fell in love with the place I decided to give this one a go. I am so glad I did. It reminds me a little of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and yet it is completely different. I was swept up in the story from the first page and didn't want to put it down. I loved the characters and Larissa's spunk brought her to life. Bedon was portrayed brilliantly with all the changes in his emotions as he helps Larissa. Buddy grew on me throughout the book and I found myself falling a little bit in love with him. Terry Ward Tucker's writing style is excellent and I could almost feel I was in Charleston. This is a character oriented book so the descriptions of Charleston are minimal. However, I could picture Charleston from the way the characters are portrayed. This is a superb book which I would highly recommend.

[Lynnbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book initially, the characters of Larissa and Bedon Snr are well drawn and pull you in to the story and I very much enjoyed the style and irreverance of the author. Unfortunately half way through the story takes an incomprehensible and disturbing turn that left me cold. It was almost as if Tucker got tired of Bedon Snr and was clutching at straws to make this story controversial. What could have been a really touching and interesting story about a platonic relationship across the generations to build safe havens for troubled teens turned into an implausible story that just left me slightly annoyed.

I will definitely try reading more of Tucker's work in the hopes the plot can keep up with the style next time around.

[leah garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book

I thought this a very interesting and unusual story. Lots of exciting things going on and some of these made me laugh.