Hidden Riches

by Felicia Mason

"A super storyteller. . .she creates magic." -- Publishers Weekly

Award-winning author Felicia Mason introduces us to a respectable Southern family turned upside-down by grief. . .and a hilarious and sometimes undignified search for a huge inheritance. . .

After a lifetime spent scrubbing and mending for others, Ana Mae Futrell has passed away. Her siblings have reluctantly returned to their North Carolina hometown to bury the older sister they never really bothered to know. For instance, they didn't know she'd won big on a lottery ticket. Or that she had a son. But back to the money--Ana Mae's millions will go only to the person who can interpret the clues she's left behind in a quilt. Should they all fail, the fortune goes to Diamond Jim and Baby Sue--Ana Mae's cats--and a Reverend with whom Ana Mae shared a "special" relationship. . .

Ana Mae's two sisters and brother hadn't really thought about Ana Mae in years, but now, with bills to pay, marriages on the line, and secrets ready to spill, she's all they can think about. And as the race to win begins, everyone involved finds there's more to gain than money. Because they're each going to learn a little something about Ana Mae--and a whole lot more about themselves. . .

"A touching portrait of human desires and frailties." -- Booklist on Testimony

"Felicia Mason reaches new levels of excellence." -- RT Book Reviews on Foolish Heart

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ana Mae Futrell spent her life cleaning and mending for others. She suddenly has passed away. Her siblings, who have not seen her in years, have reluctantly returned to their North Carolina hometown to bury their older sister. This story reveals how little the siblings knew about their older sister. They learn that not only did Ana Mae leave behind a huge fortune but that she also has a son. According to Ana Mae's will that fortune will go to the person who can interpret the clues left behind in a quilt made by her. If they fail, then her fortune is to go to her two cats and a Reverend she had a special relationship with. There will be some humor during this race to solve the clues left behind but there will come a point where the siblings will come to realize just how little they knew about their sister and that she was very much loved in her hometown. And a shocking truth will be revealed that will leave them speechless.

[Dre J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book redeemed itself for me. Almost ended up DNF, but it came full circle. It was about an older sibling who passes and leaves money to her younger siblings but with a catch. They have to figure out what the clues on her quilt mean. It ended up being interesting. There are so many secrets that come out when people die and it’s also wild how the family relationship is when people die…over money etc. there is a brother in law Lester who I absolutely hated he is too into the family business to not even as much recognized the sister that passed. In the end we find out her little gay brother is really her son. I give it a 3.5. She was hiding money and a child and a few other things we find out about her. There are also rocky relationships between the other siblings and their spouses…the novel changes up alot and you have to follow who said and did what, but overall it redeemed itself.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ana Mae Futrell spent her life taking care of others. Now it’s her siblings and loved ones turn to return the favor by carrying out Ana Mae’s last wishes outlined in her will. This involves a reluctant return, and longer stay than expected, in Drapersville, North Carolina – a fictional town near Ahoskie, North Carolina.

There is a lot that Ana Mae’s siblings don’t know about her, such as she’d won big on a lottery ticket and she had a son, but they’re going to learn about Ana Mae now. Ana Mae’s estate consists of 3.8 million dollars and she has left clues that must be solved in order to claim the money. The clues are sewed onto a quilt and the first to uncover all the clues and discover the meaning of the quilt will inherit the millions. If the siblings cannot determine the meaning of the quilt or are unwilling to play by Ana Mae’s rules, then the money goes to Diamond Jim and Bay Sue – Ana Mae’s Cats – and “Too Sweet,” better known as Reverend Toussaint, with whom Ana Mae shared a special past. Ana Mae was a virtuous woman – one who believed in God and family. This quest will bring her family closer than they have been in years.

Let’s meet the siblings.

The oldest of the siblings is Marguerite, better known in her hometown as "Delcine". Delcine and her husband, Winslow, both work for the government, and are pretty well off, or so it would seem. In reality, Delcine and Winslow are no longer taking exotic trips and can barely afford to rent a hotel for their stay in North Carolina. Actually, they can’t even afford to do that as they are bankrupt, and Winslow is facing an indictment. Delcine is determined to get this money for her family.

Next up is Josephine, who goes by JoJo. JoJo is trying to escape the fast life of Las Vegas along with her good-for-nothing husband Lester. JoJo made it big for a while as a showgirl, but now that she’s older and gained a few pounds, she’s just ready to settle down. That can’t happen with Lester around, and now that he’s caught the scent of millions she might never be rid of him. Moving back home to North Carolina is looking like a great idea. JoJo misses the simplicity and knows Lester won’t be able to stand being in such a slow paced environment. JoJo wants the money so that she can begin a new life and doesn’t mind sharing it with her siblings. Along the journey, JoJo just might learn some things about Ana Mae that help her to see herself in a new light.

Lastly is Clayton, the baby boy of the family and the most successful of them all. Clayton is a doctor married to a lawyer. The only catch is he’s married to a male lawyer, Archer. Anyone from a small Southern town knows that most of the people aren’t accepting of those who are different. A gay black boy was the epitome of different when Clay was growing up, and he couldn’t wait to escape North Carolina. Clay and Archer don’t need the money, but they soon discover that this quest is about more than money. It’s about getting to know the woman that was Ana Mae--and Clay may have more to learn than his siblings.

Hidden Riches is a tale of family, the changes that can occur, and the differences that can get in the way. This is a novel that many families can relate to.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure why I kept reading the book. I found it hard to feel anything for any of the characters. To me the story was very choppy.

[Wilma Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting storyline

An interesting and humorous story of three siblings come to a Southern town to lay to rest their older sister, Ana Mae Futrell. The sisters long for an inheritance while the brother simply wanted to lay his sister to rest. But in order to get the inheritance of Ana Mae, the three siblings had to solve the mystery of nine blocks on a quilt made by Ana Mae. Whoever solves the story of the quilt gets to inherit a very large sum of money. As they seat h for the money they find who Ana Mae was and her secrets and learn about themselves which changes their lives

[Sylvia Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich in heart

Ana Mae and her mother did what they thought was best at the time, the secret they shared had to be kept. I'm glad that Clayton, Delcine and Jojo were able to put their difference aside and that they each got to know Ana Mae and each other even though it was after her(Ana Mae) passing. Ana Mae left an incredible legacy not just in money but also in all the lives that she touched. Even without the money, she was rich in heart and very highly thought of in and around her community.

[Cassandra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey worth the ride

Ana Mae. Ana Mae. What a woman she was. A perfect example of how we should try to live. I loved how this author showed us that loving others is a choice and can be done. It reminds us that family is so important and some secrets are to keep us safe not always to harm us. There are a lot of characters on this journey to find the Hidden Riches but the journey was so worth it. Good job Felicia Mason

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Anna Mae dies her siblings must find the message told in a quilt she made in order to inherit her wealth. In doing so, they learn not just about Anna Mae, but also about the beauty of a simple southern life.

[MeganLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this book at work I was just reading to past time. The more I read the more I wanted to know what Ana Mae’s secrets were. Jojo was the only one that walked away a changed person. Well Clayton too considering he found out a big secret.

[Anjanetter Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lady full of love and compassion

Hidden riches has a great story line...I just didn't think I would ever get to the hidden riches😊so long and drawn out from what I'm use to reading.It was very detailed but it was very interesting close to the end.

[Angela Lackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story

I enjoyed the read. It took me a minute to get into it but it was humorous and interesting. It was definitely a mystery. An example of virtuous woman was shown in this book.

[regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets and Blessings

This is a book about hidden secrets and blessings. Although I loved the ending of the the book it took me a while to get there. The book for me was not a easy read from the beginning but it did get better.

[FRANCES · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anticipatory feeling and expectation of the secrets of Ana Mae was wonderful. However ... wondering if there is someone out there so loving and giving as Ana Mae?

[symerdar Baskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drama and Suspense

This is a story of a southern family that goes home to bury the oldest sister. The sister appears to be dirt poor...surprise.

[Netter Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

I enjoyed reading this book. It took me only two days to read it. I could not put it down.

[Carol Burds-McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading from this author. A very nice, light book to read. Loved how the story moved on and forward and also loved the tribute to the main character, Ana Mae.

[Leah James · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hidden Riches” is the story of three adult siblings who travel to their (fictional) hometown of Drapersville, NC, for the funeral of their older sister. While Ana Mae had remained a home-town girl, working menial jobs, going to church and living her simple country life, the three had fled the area years earlier to make lives for themselves in bigger, more exciting, locales. Grudgingly, they return home for the funeral, dragging their problems with them.

Delcine, the oldest, arrives as Marguerite, a name befitting the glamorous lifestyle she’s built in the D.C. suburbs with her powerful husband Winslow, a high-ranking government official. Despite their trappings of wealth, the two are having financial problems, and the trip south couldn’t come at a worse time.

For middle child JoJo, who works as an exotic dancer on the Las Vegas strip, the homecoming shines a spotlight on her unhappiness with husband Lester who wastes no time in demonstrating his lack of grace, or common sense.

The baby of the family, Clayton, possibly has the most at stake with the trip home. He must relive the shame of homosexuality he’d shed when he escaped Drapersville years before and settled in San Francisco where’s he’s built a prosperous career as a doctor. He’s also built a loving family with his loyal partner Archer, a successful attorney. Lately there have been rumblings of discontent between them, and this time together could make or break their relationship.

Expecting a quick in-and-out trip to lay their older sister to rest, they quickly discover Ana Mae had other plans. She might have spent her life simply, but not meagerly. She’s been active with her church family, and she even dipped her toes into some financial investments.

When the siblings discover that Ana Mae had money—big money—they start jockeying for position to make a claim. But Ana Mae hasn’t made it easy. A skilled quilter, she devised a test for her family in the form of clues embedded in her life quilt. In order to solve the puzzle, and claim the money, the siblings must learn who Ana Mae really was. From the first meeting with the attorney, the siblings’ lives, and their impressions of their deceased older sister, are turned upside down.

The book is a fast read but rich in emotion. Mason draws her characters, including a secondary cast of friends and townspeople, with flaws but with sympathy, skillfully pulling the reader into the everyday life of this small southern town.

Terrific book.

(I received this book as an ARC for review.)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little book about an estranged family whose siblings manage to reconnect as they try to solve a mystery left behind by their dead sister.

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ana Mae Futrell was an older, southern, church going woman from a small country town Ahoskie, North Carolina. She passed away and her 3 siblings, who had left her behind to escape the small, country town have to return to lay their straight and narrow relative to rest. While there, nearly against their wills, they learn that Ana Mae won the lottery. This changes their perspective, although not their attitudes and they decide to stay for the filing of the will. In order for her siblings to receive any of her riches, Ana Mae sends them searching for clues to solve a big mystery about Ana Mae’s life.

The author did a great job with character development. She is very witty and wrote some very comical scenes. The mystery was wrapped up in the end revealing a twist that was interesting.

While the author is obviously no slouch in the field, the pacing of the story was slow. By chapter 5, there was still no progression. It took entirely too long to get to the point. She spent a lot of time writing persuasively concerning a homosexual relationship and finger wagging Christian beliefs while lacing it with comedy and a bit of a mockery of southern Christian culture. This weighed down the entire beginning with no progression. The author's point of view was clearly understood but it was draining.

Jaelena Edwards
AAMBC Reviewer

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Riches by Felicia Mason
Wanted to read this book for the cover has a quilt on it and the story line sounded like it'd make a good read and it does.
Starts out with the funeral of a sister. the brother and sisters and their spouses all come to attend the funeral and the reading of the will tells them to find the treasure by looking at her legacy quilt.
Problem is one gave it away to a junkman. They get it back and scurry to find out what the blocks really mean. So funny at times, so sad. Family has to all come together to figure it out...so many secrets and twists to the plot.
Like how it reads and especially the quilt journals as they mean a lot. Other works by the author are excerpted at the end.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a "nice" book. Not great, not bad. A bit predictable, but then you want it to all come out okay in the end. Three siblings return to North Carolina and a small town they fled for greener pastures to attend the funeral of their older sister. Once there, they discover that their sister left a great deal of money to whoever could discover her secret in a quilt of clues she has left them. The story is their discovery of their sister, and of themselves, with a few twists thrown in for good measure. A feel good, enjoyable read.

[Tanishia Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Ana Mae Futrell dies and leaves her last will and testament in a very unique way. She requests that her younger siblings remain in town and search for clues to solve a puzzle. The one who solves the puzzle will get the prize. Although the overall idea behind the story was good and the characters were well developed, I found this to be a VERY slow read. Thankfully it wrapped up beautifully in the end.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siblings return to North Carolina to bury the older sister they haven't seen in years. After the reading of the will, they find themselves learning a lot about Ana Mae and even more about themselves.
Kudos to Felicia Mason for a well-written novel about family, grief and human desires. I loved this book and would Dee recommend it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, not-to-be-missed, story about family secrets and reconciliation

I am so glad that I found out about this book. I loved it! I bet everyone will see something of their own family in this story. And, as the oldest sister Anna Mae demonstrated, family consists of the people in our lives whom we love as well as those who love us, biological or not.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their sister, Ana Mae, has died and her 3 siblings are left a quilt that she made as a clue to what they could receive from her estate. They must solve the messages in the quilt blocks. This leads them to discover more about Ana Mae and themselves. I really did like this book. I picked it up because of another book I had read and because the reviews mentioned clues in a quilt!

[Deyait Watson-Irvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the overall premise of the story was very cute, definitely different. You find yourself
Rooting for different family members throughout the story. More real life than most would like the admit!
Good read for me!

[Diann · Rating 4 out of 5]

such fun

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book keeps you interested and guessing to the end

[Gloria Nelson]

This is a fast read - it's a good book with humor and warmth. You will be surprised by who Howard is! It surprised me.