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Chancey #2
Chancey Family Lies
Inviting your ex-spouse for the holidays might not be a good idea. Especially when folks don’t know you were married before. Carolina quit her job and for the first time ever, she’s doing the holidays as a stay-at-home mom. And doesn’t all that extra time mean everything will be perfect? Then the RV showed up. The RV with her parents, their dogs, and their obsession with Gone with the Wind. Then the college kids showed up. Their whirlwind left an empty refrigerator, loads of laundry, and a girl. A girl no one seems to know much about. Then the other grandparents showed up. Hillbilly Hank on his book tour of Southern retirement homes brings his entourage, along with a special kind of marital discord. While the town of Chancey watches the happenings up on the hill at the B&B, they are also trying to figure out the town’s bank account. Laney is the town’s treasurer, but she’s not answering questions. Missus has ordered 500 fake cardinals for her Christmas Ball. Peter is settling back into his home town and watching the B&B for his own personal reasons. All the secrets aren’t in boxes tied with ribbons and bows. Family Ties come undone with Family Lies
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2015
1362 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Kay Dew Shostak
23 books100 followershttps://www.facebook.com/kay.shostak
“A new voice in Southern Fiction” is how a recent reviewer labels Kay Dew Shostak’s debut novel, "Next Stop, Chancey".
After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.
After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband.
“A new voice in Southern Fiction” is how a recent reviewer labels Kay Dew Shostak’s debut novel, "Next Stop, Chancey".
After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.
After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
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June 10, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/10/2019)! 🎁
August 13, 2018
Not my style
I couldn’t get beyond 3rd chapter - confusing, too many random characters, I’m sure the author was trying to set the scene, but I had no reason to care about anyone or anything and just gave up. It may have been authentic, or the author felt it was, but so what. There was no plot.
Sorry but this book wasn’t for me.
I couldn’t get beyond 3rd chapter - confusing, too many random characters, I’m sure the author was trying to set the scene, but I had no reason to care about anyone or anything and just gave up. It may have been authentic, or the author felt it was, but so what. There was no plot.
Sorry but this book wasn’t for me.
April 1, 2016
Pleasant series...could use some proofreading with respect to commas and subject/verb agreement, though.
October 8, 2016
Another 3.5 star book in the series -- I liked it, even though the protagonist continues to be a bit of a doormat and the people who surround her take advantage of it. Frustrating, but the storyline was interesting.
October 25, 2016
This book makes for a good soap opera. So if you like that kind of story, this book may be for you. It is well written, but, to me, it just seemed to go on and on and on. All of the curious things that happened were neatly tied up at the end of the book. It could be a stand alone book, but if you are really into the characters, you will want to read the rest of the series. I thought it was confusing at times, but it may have been my state of mind when I read it. Not sad that I read it, but I'm not interested in the rest of the series.
June 9, 2019
She needs a better editor.
Some interesting characters--although some aspects of them were a little unbelievable . However the things that bothered me the most were the grammatical errors and misspelled words . The teenagers would use the incorrect " me and whoever are going out ", but surely an adult who has worked in a library would know that she should put the other person first and when the pronoun is the subject , it is "I". i.e. Shannon and I went to the store. I know they're Southern, but not illiterate. It happened so often that it put my teeth on edge.
Some interesting characters--although some aspects of them were a little unbelievable . However the things that bothered me the most were the grammatical errors and misspelled words . The teenagers would use the incorrect " me and whoever are going out ", but surely an adult who has worked in a library would know that she should put the other person first and when the pronoun is the subject , it is "I". i.e. Shannon and I went to the store. I know they're Southern, but not illiterate. It happened so often that it put my teeth on edge.
October 6, 2016
A cute book that was a nice quick easy read while I was sick in bed.
October 4, 2021
This was such a warm hug of a listen, the narration really suited it. I can't describe the genre it just was such a great feel good listen. Fully recommend.
I was given a free copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
I was given a free copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
April 15, 2021
Maybe a class on English grammar?
While reading the first page, I almost gave up. The author's choice of first person perspective produced an awkward beginning. I made myself pass over other writing flaws until page 58 and the following paragraph: "The porch has leaves scattered on it [I stopped reading at that phrase to write this review] and the sun is peeking through the trees across from the tracks. Out on the bridge we should be in the sunshine and lose the chill from the shadows."
The author uses differen tenses in each of these three independent, awkwardly worded clauses. Any edit should produce something like this:
Leaves lay scattered on the unswept porch, and sunshine peeked through the treetops across the tracks. I felt chilled in the shadows, but I could see that the sun would warm us once we reached the bridge.
So far [page 58], I am not finding a story, only error filled and awkwardly worded prose.
While reading the first page, I almost gave up. The author's choice of first person perspective produced an awkward beginning. I made myself pass over other writing flaws until page 58 and the following paragraph: "The porch has leaves scattered on it [I stopped reading at that phrase to write this review] and the sun is peeking through the trees across from the tracks. Out on the bridge we should be in the sunshine and lose the chill from the shadows."
The author uses differen tenses in each of these three independent, awkwardly worded clauses. Any edit should produce something like this:
Leaves lay scattered on the unswept porch, and sunshine peeked through the treetops across the tracks. I felt chilled in the shadows, but I could see that the sun would warm us once we reached the bridge.
So far [page 58], I am not finding a story, only error filled and awkwardly worded prose.
December 25, 2018
Straight to the rails
Not quite as good as the first but definitely kept me reading. The characters are just as messed up, taking over and butting in when not wanted. Lots if under story going on, some of which does not get answered. This book can lead on to an interesting third book. The characters seem to be muddling through and if the twists in the next book are anything like this bring it on
Not quite as good as the first but definitely kept me reading. The characters are just as messed up, taking over and butting in when not wanted. Lots if under story going on, some of which does not get answered. This book can lead on to an interesting third book. The characters seem to be muddling through and if the twists in the next book are anything like this bring it on
August 2, 2017
Full of family ties and lies
How people perpetuate the lies they tell themselves and others is the recurring theme of this novel. But it's the family ties that help strength you when the lies become common knowledge, or so this reader hopes.
How people perpetuate the lies they tell themselves and others is the recurring theme of this novel. But it's the family ties that help strength you when the lies become common knowledge, or so this reader hopes.
November 26, 2017
What a mess! Characters, plot, writing. I don't know why I even finished it. Maybe I hoped it would get better as it went on, but I was truly disappointed. This is one of those books that really needs an editor.
September 7, 2018
A Busy Book
I like the way the author ties this new book in with the first without re-telling it. My only complaint is that there are so many characters to try to keep up with. A fun read.
I like the way the author ties this new book in with the first without re-telling it. My only complaint is that there are so many characters to try to keep up with. A fun read.
January 26, 2018
Not as much
I really l i ked the first one. This one, not so much. It's not as fun and happy(?). Things are not good and ends on what I consider a cliffhanger.
I really l i ked the first one. This one, not so much. It's not as fun and happy(?). Things are not good and ends on what I consider a cliffhanger.
March 16, 2018
I want to kill and I still have number 3 to read for a challenge
May 2, 2020
I may be hooked in Chancey, but the author badly needs an editor. I said as much after reading the first Chancey book. Sit, set, lie, lay misuses jump out at the reader. I will not start on pronouns and prepositions. Still I am reading the series hoping that Carolina and Jackson's marriage can be saved!
If this review shows up anywhere, I hope readers will know the world was living in a pandemic when I wrote this review. The Chancey reads are really good, light entertainment. No war, sickness, poverty, joblessness --no plague in Chancey. Chancey has given me a good place to rest and to escape from COVID-19.
Thank you for a good read.
We are still isolating in house due to the corona virus.
If this review shows up anywhere, I hope readers will know the world was living in a pandemic when I wrote this review. The Chancey reads are really good, light entertainment. No war, sickness, poverty, joblessness --no plague in Chancey. Chancey has given me a good place to rest and to escape from COVID-19.
Thank you for a good read.
We are still isolating in house due to the corona virus.
March 9, 2021
This is book 2 in Shostak's Chancey series and I am just falling in love with this lil ol southern town and all it's crazy dynamics. In this read we find that skeletons in your closet don't stay there - sometimes they are quick to be reveled and well, sometimes it may take seemingly forever. We also learn that you can't go back...I love this lesson and how well it's displayed in this read / listen. Narration is of course wonderfully done and I love the southern accent which gives this a more authentic feel while listening. Beautifully written, if you love the south and small town drama - you'll love this book and series!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
October 29, 2019
It was good to see further "adventures" of the characters in this small town. I still want to kick Carolina. I still want to stand in the square and scream "Will you people *talk* to one another". I know small towns, and I know the south, but this takes the stereotype just a hair too far.
If you dislike grammatical and word-usage errors, stay away. Really, "recues" onself?
Shostak needs a GOOD copyeditor or two.
If you dislike grammatical and word-usage errors, stay away. Really, "recues" onself?
Shostak needs a GOOD copyeditor or two.
May 6, 2020
A home in Chansey
Found: A better life for the kids and the wife. The father pushed this move to a small town and his dream of opening a railroad B&B. Carolina finds good friends and neighbors to keep her busy. Invites a beautiful life to flood into her house. Meanwhile, her husband is doing what all boys do. Become jealous of her attention to others. But, as Scarlett O’Hara says, Tomorrow is another day!!! And it will all work out. And what a life!!!
Found: A better life for the kids and the wife. The father pushed this move to a small town and his dream of opening a railroad B&B. Carolina finds good friends and neighbors to keep her busy. Invites a beautiful life to flood into her house. Meanwhile, her husband is doing what all boys do. Become jealous of her attention to others. But, as Scarlett O’Hara says, Tomorrow is another day!!! And it will all work out. And what a life!!!
September 16, 2017
Editor needed!
Ms. Shostak writes an fun, interesting story but I sure have a hard time getting past the egregious grammatical errors woven throughout the book! I hope she can locate an educated editor or proof reader soon. Her use of "me and *character * (fill in verb)" is inexcusable . Whatever happened to " she and I"?!!!
Ms. Shostak writes an fun, interesting story but I sure have a hard time getting past the egregious grammatical errors woven throughout the book! I hope she can locate an educated editor or proof reader soon. Her use of "me and *character * (fill in verb)" is inexcusable . Whatever happened to " she and I"?!!!
November 21, 2017
Chancey
So good to revisit all the character in this book I love them all. The Joys of having a B&B. Learning to live and accept changes in your life. I think Kay has wonderful since of humor in writing the Chancey books. Enjoy your trip to laughter and fun as you read them. You go Etta!!!!!!!!
So good to revisit all the character in this book I love them all. The Joys of having a B&B. Learning to live and accept changes in your life. I think Kay has wonderful since of humor in writing the Chancey books. Enjoy your trip to laughter and fun as you read them. You go Etta!!!!!!!!
November 4, 2018
Maybe Even Better Than "Next Stop, Chancey
I loved the first Chancey novel. I really loved this one. It made me laugh out loud. And it brought tears too. When a book gets right inside you, when you can't stop reading or even thinking about it, then you know it's good. What a fantastic movie this would make. Can't wait to read the next one.
I loved the first Chancey novel. I really loved this one. It made me laugh out loud. And it brought tears too. When a book gets right inside you, when you can't stop reading or even thinking about it, then you know it's good. What a fantastic movie this would make. Can't wait to read the next one.
June 12, 2019
My gosh there are a ton of people in this book!
I made it only 10% into the book and already 'met' more people than I actually know. I was having hard time following everybody, so when Suzy Mae was introduced as Susan's daughter (really creative), I was done. This book had potential, and even anticipating many characters from reading the synopsis, I was still overwhelmed.
I made it only 10% into the book and already 'met' more people than I actually know. I was having hard time following everybody, so when Suzy Mae was introduced as Susan's daughter (really creative), I was done. This book had potential, and even anticipating many characters from reading the synopsis, I was still overwhelmed.
June 30, 2019
I didn't realize this was #2 in a series so I assume that was part of why the beginning felt weird to me.
I ended up enjoying the twists and turns though.
This was another book that could have benefited from an extra run through an editor. I was pleasantly surprised that the book was inclusive when a man referred to his fiancé but really there was just a missing e.
I ended up enjoying the twists and turns though.
This was another book that could have benefited from an extra run through an editor. I was pleasantly surprised that the book was inclusive when a man referred to his fiancé but really there was just a missing e.
April 21, 2020
So many emotions - sadness and heartache and happiness and contentment are within this book. You may want to shake some sense into one or two of the characters or perhaps, hug most of them but you certainly will want to know more about all of them.
It was my pleasure to receive this free book from the author and give my honest review.
It was my pleasure to receive this free book from the author and give my honest review.
July 14, 2020
I was looking forward to listening to the second book in this series and it did not disappoint-now I am looking forward to the 3rd book-cliff hanger at the end. The characters are so likable and down to earth-dealing with life struggles and getting through them. This book is cozy and left me with warm feelings of home and family.
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July 19, 2020This is Crazy
Crazy but fun. A small town in Georgia filled with the quirkiest bunch of characters you could imagine make an enjoyable and fun read. Many secrets follow some of these people around, while others speculate what they are. It really was fun reading this. I enjoyed it.
Crazy but fun. A small town in Georgia filled with the quirkiest bunch of characters you could imagine make an enjoyable and fun read. Many secrets follow some of these people around, while others speculate what they are. It really was fun reading this. I enjoyed it.
March 9, 2021
Excellent book!Carolina is trying to fit into the town and the BnB.Her husband seems to always be working,but she has it in hand...until her parents show up in their RV and say they will be there for a month.Life in chancey is never dull! Suzanne Barbetta was a wonderful narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
February 25, 2017
This is book 2 in a series which I read after book 3 which I read before realizing I was reading out of order. It didn't make too much of a difference. I enjoyed book 3 so much that I decided to read about what had happened before.
July 17, 2017
Breathtaking
I have read Next Stop Chancey and couldn't put it down. As soon as I finished I read Chancey Family Lies. Another book I couldn't put down. Am looking forward to reading the next book. I would recommend this book to everyone. I love it
I have read Next Stop Chancey and couldn't put it down. As soon as I finished I read Chancey Family Lies. Another book I couldn't put down. Am looking forward to reading the next book. I would recommend this book to everyone. I love it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews