Iris and Mo

by Marilyn K. Blair

With a lifetime of relocations behind her, Iris Hornbeam is in search of that one special place to call home. She travels up the Atlantic coast "trying on" various cities and towns, and ultimately she reaches Eastport, Maine. In this easternmost city of the United States, she not only experiences the coastal beauty of the land, and the charm of the Downeasters who live there, but she also experiences a turn of events that will test her character, her strength, and her belief in a loving God.

The Eastport Series follows the lives of the Downeasters who live in the real-life town of Eastport, Maine, the easternmost city in the United States. Each book focuses on the themes of faith, community, friendship, family, and love. The stories are told through the eyes of the more mature residents of the town.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2024

About the author

Marilyn K Blair is a wife, mother, teacher, businesswoman, enthusiastic Philadelphia sports fan and devoted woman of faith. Recently, she met a life goal by dancing on the Phillies' dugout with the Philly Phanatic during Spring Training in Florida.

Much like her main character in Iris and Mo, Iris Hornbeam, Marilyn has spent the bulk of her career writing handbooks, procedures, proposals, lesson plans, and curriculum. She is excited to leave the world of information writing behind for the world of fiction.

Marilyn is an avid RV-er with her husband and they are looking forward to retirement years when they can spend the bulk of their time on the road again...and again...and again.

Reviews

[C.S. Wachter]

Iris and Mo is a gentle contemporary Christian fiction story that pulled me into the life of Iris, and Mo, the cat who claimed her.
Iris’s life up to this point has been one of moving every few years and never putting down deep roots or developing deep friendships. As an older widow, she is on the search to find a place she can finally call home for the long-term. Though she claims to hate cats, Mo has become her faithful companion and fellow traveler as Iris works her way up the East Coast and lands in Eastport, Maine. He is a gifted feline with the unique ability to bring people together in unexpected ways.

Eastport is a lovely town, and Ms. Blair does an excellent job of inviting her readers to love the town and its quirky inhabitants. With some unexpected twists and a soft, slow romance, I found myself reading past my bedtime. Not that the story is built on typical suspense, but just the soft caring for the characters.

Well written and delightful, I recommend Iris and Mo for anyone looking for a cozy, clean, Christian story that highlights older, mature characters.

[Anne Morris]

If you are looking for a sweet story set in a charming small town that really exists, pick up Iris and Mo. The characters are late 50s early 60s, as a lot of us are. The story includes life changes, a love triangle and some good old fashioned moral dilemmas. If you like Hallmark movies, this is the series for you. It will leave you wanting to know what happened to the characters. Well, Book 2 and 3 of the series will resolve that for you.

[Wanda M. Edwards]

Iris & Mo

What a wonderful story! The author quickly
brings you into the story and keeps you hooked. You follow their daily lives, laugh and cry with them. In the end, you feel like you know these people, as if you lived near them. I can't wait for the next book.