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Salting Roses
“A Southern Cinderella story with heart, soul, and humor. As sweet and tart as summer lemonade.”—Christie Ridgway, USA Today bestselling author
A delightful new voice in Southern fiction, Lorelle Marinello makes a truly dazzling debut with Salting Roses—a novel that immediately places her in the esteemed company of Elinor Lipman, Loraine Despres, and Stephanie Gayle.
In Salting Roses, a young woman abandoned as an infant on an Alabama porch is horrified to discover that she is the missing heiress to a vast Connecticut fortune—a birthright she wants desperately to reject in favor of her Peachtree Lane roots. A modern-day fairy tale with a Southern twist, rich in atmosphere and chock full of unforgettably eccentric characters, Lorelle Marinello’s novel is not to be missed.
A delightful new voice in Southern fiction, Lorelle Marinello makes a truly dazzling debut with Salting Roses—a novel that immediately places her in the esteemed company of Elinor Lipman, Loraine Despres, and Stephanie Gayle.
In Salting Roses, a young woman abandoned as an infant on an Alabama porch is horrified to discover that she is the missing heiress to a vast Connecticut fortune—a birthright she wants desperately to reject in favor of her Peachtree Lane roots. A modern-day fairy tale with a Southern twist, rich in atmosphere and chock full of unforgettably eccentric characters, Lorelle Marinello’s novel is not to be missed.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2010
16 people are currently reading
1752 people want to read
About the author
Lorelle Marinello
3 books19 followersLorelle Marinello I don’t doubt that there are folks who knew from their first written word that they were born to be writers. I figure they are the lucky ones. My induction into storytelling took a sneakier route.
My first exposure to the literary world came from my mother. I grew up with the memory of her curled into her rocking chair, busily writing her masters thesis. I could see that writing required a body to sit in one place for endless hours. At that time, I was more interested in things that allowed me to move--activities such as ballet or flying over fences on the back of a horse.
Ironically enough, years later as an art student at San Diego State University, I painted and drew in the very rooms where my mother had slaved over texts of famous authors. The college had converted the old library into a wonderful open painting studio.
After receiving my B.A. in Fine Arts, I developed an interest in children’s book illustration. It wasn’t long before I became hooked on the idea of words to go along with the pictures in my head. Little did I know, that the tales I’d heard of my grandfather’s boyhood in rural Alabama would feed my need to tell similar stories of small towns and family relationships. When I picked up my pen to write, my voice leaned toward the familiar ones from my childhood.
The bond between my stories and my family history has grown stronger over the years. I’ve found a wealth of inspiration from my ancestors, whom I now dub my story angels as bits and pieces of the places they lived weave their way into my fiction.
I try to incorporate humor, warmth, and I hope, a bit of my grandparents’ wisdom into my stories. I can’t guarantee I won’t make you cry, but I hope I will give you an entertaining story that will live long in your memory.
My first exposure to the literary world came from my mother. I grew up with the memory of her curled into her rocking chair, busily writing her masters thesis. I could see that writing required a body to sit in one place for endless hours. At that time, I was more interested in things that allowed me to move--activities such as ballet or flying over fences on the back of a horse.
Ironically enough, years later as an art student at San Diego State University, I painted and drew in the very rooms where my mother had slaved over texts of famous authors. The college had converted the old library into a wonderful open painting studio.
After receiving my B.A. in Fine Arts, I developed an interest in children’s book illustration. It wasn’t long before I became hooked on the idea of words to go along with the pictures in my head. Little did I know, that the tales I’d heard of my grandfather’s boyhood in rural Alabama would feed my need to tell similar stories of small towns and family relationships. When I picked up my pen to write, my voice leaned toward the familiar ones from my childhood.
The bond between my stories and my family history has grown stronger over the years. I’ve found a wealth of inspiration from my ancestors, whom I now dub my story angels as bits and pieces of the places they lived weave their way into my fiction.
I try to incorporate humor, warmth, and I hope, a bit of my grandparents’ wisdom into my stories. I can’t guarantee I won’t make you cry, but I hope I will give you an entertaining story that will live long in your memory.
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July 25, 2013
**This was an advance reader's copy from Library Thing**
Salting Roses purports to be a novel brimming with Southern charm. Oh, it's brimming alright. Ridiculously so. Welcome to the land of Southern stereotypes and Bible Belt cliches. This is right up there in Sweet Home Alabama territory and if Reese Witherspoon is looking for another romantic jaunt in a charming make-believe South, here it is. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm not the target audience for this novel, so maybe it's unfair for me to proceed from here. But like that's ever stopped me before.
As a baby, Gracie Lynne Calloway was left in a bucket on her uncle's doorstep with a note from her mother asking him to watch her for a spell. A spell soon turns into 25 years and Gracie, now an adult and nursing old emotional wounds from being labeled the town bastard of Shady Grove, Alabama, is in for a shock--she's not who she always thought she was. A stranger (who is literally tall, dark, and handsome, just in case we miss that he's our prospective love interest) brings her the news that she's actually the kidnapped daughter of the wealthy financier Conrad Hammond of Connecticut. She has been named the sole heir of $650 million dollars. What's a simple Southern girl with a love of baseball and a cushy job in the backroom of the local grocery store to do? Why, turn it down, of course! Because if she accepted it, there would be no plot complications and we wouldn't have this trite little novel. Gracie has been raised to distrust those born with a silver spoon firmly in mouth and fears the money will bring too many problems to her quiet and unexceptional life. Yeah, I'm not buying what they're selling here. $650 million dollars? Who wouldn't accept that? At least one could accept it and proceed to do a lot of philanthropic good (of course, I would just use it to wallow in pure hedonism, but different strokes for different folks).
There are several things that ruined the book for me:
A) These are all stock Southern characters that are presented as though they are supposed to be quirky. They're not. They don't even dance around the edges of eccentric. We've seen them a thousand times before in literature and in movies. If you're going to play up the quirk factor in Southern literature, go big or go home.
B) I'm not a fan of romance novels and had I known this was a romance in Southern fiction clothing, I would have ran the other way. However, even I know that in a good romance novel there has to be some will-they-won't-they tension. There's none here. We know as soon as Sam Fontana walks in the door and Gracie starts having dirty thoughts that he's the man she's been waiting for. And if you're pissed over a plot spoiler, be upset with the novel--it makes no pretense that it will turn out otherwise. There's not even the introduction of another prospective suitor to throw the seasoned romance reader off track.
C) Serious crimes against vocabulary in the overuse of the following words: sass, sassy, Yankee, princess, and sugah. Apparently,we're all sassy down South and we hates us a Yankee. Foghorn Leghorn has more character complexity.
D) A plot that gets more and more ridiculous as it goes on. If this had been reined in a bit and been a realistic portrayal of realistic people then something could have been salvaged. As it is, when I managed to suspend disbelief long enough to wrap my mind around one nugget of ludicrousness, here came a side order of absurdity.
I like Southern fiction when it's done well. If you're looking for good Southern/regional chick lit, might I suggest The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, or Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. If you're looking for authentic Southern lit, read Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell, True Grit by Charles Portis, Ava's Man or All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg, or anything Larry Brown. They're all preferable to Gracie and her whining about being a $650 million dollar princess. Now, I'm gonna go put me some sugah in a glass of iced tea and sass some poor unsuspecting soul. I hope it's a Yankee.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
Salting Roses purports to be a novel brimming with Southern charm. Oh, it's brimming alright. Ridiculously so. Welcome to the land of Southern stereotypes and Bible Belt cliches. This is right up there in Sweet Home Alabama territory and if Reese Witherspoon is looking for another romantic jaunt in a charming make-believe South, here it is. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm not the target audience for this novel, so maybe it's unfair for me to proceed from here. But like that's ever stopped me before.
As a baby, Gracie Lynne Calloway was left in a bucket on her uncle's doorstep with a note from her mother asking him to watch her for a spell. A spell soon turns into 25 years and Gracie, now an adult and nursing old emotional wounds from being labeled the town bastard of Shady Grove, Alabama, is in for a shock--she's not who she always thought she was. A stranger (who is literally tall, dark, and handsome, just in case we miss that he's our prospective love interest) brings her the news that she's actually the kidnapped daughter of the wealthy financier Conrad Hammond of Connecticut. She has been named the sole heir of $650 million dollars. What's a simple Southern girl with a love of baseball and a cushy job in the backroom of the local grocery store to do? Why, turn it down, of course! Because if she accepted it, there would be no plot complications and we wouldn't have this trite little novel. Gracie has been raised to distrust those born with a silver spoon firmly in mouth and fears the money will bring too many problems to her quiet and unexceptional life. Yeah, I'm not buying what they're selling here. $650 million dollars? Who wouldn't accept that? At least one could accept it and proceed to do a lot of philanthropic good (of course, I would just use it to wallow in pure hedonism, but different strokes for different folks).
There are several things that ruined the book for me:
A) These are all stock Southern characters that are presented as though they are supposed to be quirky. They're not. They don't even dance around the edges of eccentric. We've seen them a thousand times before in literature and in movies. If you're going to play up the quirk factor in Southern literature, go big or go home.
B) I'm not a fan of romance novels and had I known this was a romance in Southern fiction clothing, I would have ran the other way. However, even I know that in a good romance novel there has to be some will-they-won't-they tension. There's none here. We know as soon as Sam Fontana walks in the door and Gracie starts having dirty thoughts that he's the man she's been waiting for. And if you're pissed over a plot spoiler, be upset with the novel--it makes no pretense that it will turn out otherwise. There's not even the introduction of another prospective suitor to throw the seasoned romance reader off track.
C) Serious crimes against vocabulary in the overuse of the following words: sass, sassy, Yankee, princess, and sugah. Apparently,we're all sassy down South and we hates us a Yankee. Foghorn Leghorn has more character complexity.
D) A plot that gets more and more ridiculous as it goes on. If this had been reined in a bit and been a realistic portrayal of realistic people then something could have been salvaged. As it is, when I managed to suspend disbelief long enough to wrap my mind around one nugget of ludicrousness, here came a side order of absurdity.
I like Southern fiction when it's done well. If you're looking for good Southern/regional chick lit, might I suggest The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, or Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. If you're looking for authentic Southern lit, read Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell, True Grit by Charles Portis, Ava's Man or All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg, or anything Larry Brown. They're all preferable to Gracie and her whining about being a $650 million dollar princess. Now, I'm gonna go put me some sugah in a glass of iced tea and sass some poor unsuspecting soul. I hope it's a Yankee.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
March 30, 2017
Three and a half stars.
Gracie Lynne Calloway was left in a coal bucket on her uncle’s porch in a small town in Alabama. Enclosed is a note asking him to watch the child for a while? When she is 25, Gracie receives a shock visit announcing that she is the kidnapped daughter of the late and extremely wealthy Conrad Hammond. Some people might consider it good news to find they are suddenly an heiress. But not Gracie! So the first thing the reader needs to accept is that anyone would turn down an inheritance of $650 million and no, that is not a misprint! I had no problem with the idea that someone could be content where they were and not want to inherit a fortune. Believe it or not, there are people like that. It was the sheer size of the fortune that it was hard for me to comprehend. My brain can’t even thinking those numbers.
Some of the characters are likeable, Gracie, Sam, Artie and Ben in particular. Alice, Ben’s wife who lives next door, has good intentions but ultimately is bossy and don’t listen to Gracie and what she wants. There are quite a few other characters and events that go on. Some of them didn’t seem necessary. And there is a romance.
All in all, this is light and insubstantial as fairy floss as we in Australia call it or what Americans call cotton candy. It is not something you would recommend as a regular staple in a diet, but a rare burst of sweetness that soon dissolves in the mouth. This from the person who doesn’t even like fairy floss but it was the best comparison I could think of. So, a light fun novel that doesn’t expect too much of the reader. If you enjoy southern fiction and a good dose of escapism that you don’t have to take too seriously you might enjoy this as I did. maybe I was just in the right mood for this one at this time, after some depressing recent reads.
Gracie Lynne Calloway was left in a coal bucket on her uncle’s porch in a small town in Alabama. Enclosed is a note asking him to watch the child for a while? When she is 25, Gracie receives a shock visit announcing that she is the kidnapped daughter of the late and extremely wealthy Conrad Hammond. Some people might consider it good news to find they are suddenly an heiress. But not Gracie! So the first thing the reader needs to accept is that anyone would turn down an inheritance of $650 million and no, that is not a misprint! I had no problem with the idea that someone could be content where they were and not want to inherit a fortune. Believe it or not, there are people like that. It was the sheer size of the fortune that it was hard for me to comprehend. My brain can’t even thinking those numbers.
Some of the characters are likeable, Gracie, Sam, Artie and Ben in particular. Alice, Ben’s wife who lives next door, has good intentions but ultimately is bossy and don’t listen to Gracie and what she wants. There are quite a few other characters and events that go on. Some of them didn’t seem necessary. And there is a romance.
All in all, this is light and insubstantial as fairy floss as we in Australia call it or what Americans call cotton candy. It is not something you would recommend as a regular staple in a diet, but a rare burst of sweetness that soon dissolves in the mouth. This from the person who doesn’t even like fairy floss but it was the best comparison I could think of. So, a light fun novel that doesn’t expect too much of the reader. If you enjoy southern fiction and a good dose of escapism that you don’t have to take too seriously you might enjoy this as I did. maybe I was just in the right mood for this one at this time, after some depressing recent reads.
February 20, 2016
This has been described as a southern Cinderella story. It fits that description for sure. At the age of 25,Gracie Calloway finds out that she is actually Katherine Hammond, a long lost heiress. Having been raised by her great-uncle in Alabama she has grown into strong, stubbornly independent young woman.This serves her well when long lost relatives and the tabloid press descend on her in an wanted flurry.
The story is predictable and fluffy. The insertion of a few sex scenes were an unnecessary addition.The attraction between Gracie and Sam was funny and sweet. The added sex scenes detracted from the story line.
Overall a mediocre read.
The story is predictable and fluffy. The insertion of a few sex scenes were an unnecessary addition.The attraction between Gracie and Sam was funny and sweet. The added sex scenes detracted from the story line.
Overall a mediocre read.
December 2, 2010
I've only recently (as in this year) become a fan of "Southern" fiction, books set in the south and ranging from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind to Kathryn Stockett's The Help to more modern stories such as Beth Hoffman's Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. I've been incredibly lucky to have read some fantastic titles, but also have read some.. not so fantastic ones.
So when I saw the description for Salting Roses I jumped at the opportunity to read it. A sort of "Cinderella/Coming-of-Age" story? Yes please! I was so excited and dove right in.. and I was hooked, until things went even a little too overboard for me.
There is a lot of potential story in this book, and perhaps others will not have as much difficulty as I had, but there are so many "secondary" characters that I felt the story sort of.. got lost. And then Gracie Lynn kind of got lost in it, and then I was confused as to what exactly the story was supposed to be.
I loved the start of the book, loved it. I was a little perturbed by how outlandish the sum of money was that Gracie inherited, but I accepted that that's a pet peeve of mine and got over it quickly. I loved Ben and Artie and Alice, I loved the foundation being set for who Gracie Lynn was. But then.. things drifted.
I think the problem with this book is that Ms. Marinello tried to get too much put into the story in too little pages. I don't think the book should have been longer though, just.. less conflict, less romance, less.. .something. Just one of those ingredients left out and I think it would have been better. But instead, she seemed to go to extremes, starting with that pet peeve of mine - the huge amount of money. Then instead of one mean person, there's two. Instead of one uncle, there's an uncle and aunt... I could go on with a few more, but I think you understand what I'm talking about here.
The lesson in all of this is moderation. With just a little bit less of everything, I think the story would have fit together more easily and been less confusing and more enjoyable. I don't think the book was bad, I was just disappointed at how quickly everything had to move and everyone had to change to get to the ending.
So when I saw the description for Salting Roses I jumped at the opportunity to read it. A sort of "Cinderella/Coming-of-Age" story? Yes please! I was so excited and dove right in.. and I was hooked, until things went even a little too overboard for me.
There is a lot of potential story in this book, and perhaps others will not have as much difficulty as I had, but there are so many "secondary" characters that I felt the story sort of.. got lost. And then Gracie Lynn kind of got lost in it, and then I was confused as to what exactly the story was supposed to be.
I loved the start of the book, loved it. I was a little perturbed by how outlandish the sum of money was that Gracie inherited, but I accepted that that's a pet peeve of mine and got over it quickly. I loved Ben and Artie and Alice, I loved the foundation being set for who Gracie Lynn was. But then.. things drifted.
I think the problem with this book is that Ms. Marinello tried to get too much put into the story in too little pages. I don't think the book should have been longer though, just.. less conflict, less romance, less.. .something. Just one of those ingredients left out and I think it would have been better. But instead, she seemed to go to extremes, starting with that pet peeve of mine - the huge amount of money. Then instead of one mean person, there's two. Instead of one uncle, there's an uncle and aunt... I could go on with a few more, but I think you understand what I'm talking about here.
The lesson in all of this is moderation. With just a little bit less of everything, I think the story would have fit together more easily and been less confusing and more enjoyable. I don't think the book was bad, I was just disappointed at how quickly everything had to move and everyone had to change to get to the ending.
December 1, 2010
The Good Stuff
* A sweet charming, beautiful and wise book
* Don't let the slowness of it make you put the book down, the characters slowly grow on you and you realize how much you have grown to care about them
* Bloody brilliant and realistic character development
* It's the perfect book for a cold winter's night. You want to curl up, grab a tea (or a nice Australian red wine) and lose yourself in a delightful small town full of quirky and all too real characters
* Some nice humour and fun dialogue
* Great starting chapter - but I warn you it slows down a little after that, but please don't give up
* Lovely messages about truth, money, forgiveness,family, love and being human
The Not so Good Stuff
* It was very slow at times and I had a hard time getting into it, but it really grew on me so don't let the slowness get to you
* Gracie irritated me at times because she was so stubborn and I didn't always understand her choices
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Gracie was convinced God had invented Jeans to make up for his mistake of letting Eve into the Garden of Eden naked as a jaybird."
"She had to be all of one hundred and ten pounds - what Alice's Hollywood magazines called fashionably thin, a polite word for anorexic."
"Happiness was something that came from having the freedom to be who you really were - not someone else's version of your ideal self, but the deep down you, with all the good and bad mixed up thick."
What I Learned
* That I secretly hope that I am some kidnapped heiress and one day someone will come along with 6 million dollars for me to do with as I please.
* Books like this make me glad that I decided to become a book reviewer and jump out of my reading comfort zone
Who should/shouldn't read
* Fans of Fannie Flagg and Debbie Macomber will probably enjoy
* Those who enjoy Southern fiction
* Not for those who like tons of action and/or hot steamy sex
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review -- thank you once again HarperCollins for sending me a book that I probably never would have picked out, but am glad I read
* A sweet charming, beautiful and wise book
* Don't let the slowness of it make you put the book down, the characters slowly grow on you and you realize how much you have grown to care about them
* Bloody brilliant and realistic character development
* It's the perfect book for a cold winter's night. You want to curl up, grab a tea (or a nice Australian red wine) and lose yourself in a delightful small town full of quirky and all too real characters
* Some nice humour and fun dialogue
* Great starting chapter - but I warn you it slows down a little after that, but please don't give up
* Lovely messages about truth, money, forgiveness,family, love and being human
The Not so Good Stuff
* It was very slow at times and I had a hard time getting into it, but it really grew on me so don't let the slowness get to you
* Gracie irritated me at times because she was so stubborn and I didn't always understand her choices
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Gracie was convinced God had invented Jeans to make up for his mistake of letting Eve into the Garden of Eden naked as a jaybird."
"She had to be all of one hundred and ten pounds - what Alice's Hollywood magazines called fashionably thin, a polite word for anorexic."
"Happiness was something that came from having the freedom to be who you really were - not someone else's version of your ideal self, but the deep down you, with all the good and bad mixed up thick."
What I Learned
* That I secretly hope that I am some kidnapped heiress and one day someone will come along with 6 million dollars for me to do with as I please.
* Books like this make me glad that I decided to become a book reviewer and jump out of my reading comfort zone
Who should/shouldn't read
* Fans of Fannie Flagg and Debbie Macomber will probably enjoy
* Those who enjoy Southern fiction
* Not for those who like tons of action and/or hot steamy sex
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review -- thank you once again HarperCollins for sending me a book that I probably never would have picked out, but am glad I read
January 21, 2019
Twenty-Five year old Gracie Calloway was left behind as an infant but she was raised with all the love in the world from the small town who adopted her as her own. When a man with a mission comes to town it changes everything and Gracie doesn't want any of it. Small town girl Gracie is an heiress to a family she knows nothing about.
Gracie was a charmer throughout the story. This was a sweet romance that had a ton of wit attached. Loved all the side characters too. Great read.
Gracie was a charmer throughout the story. This was a sweet romance that had a ton of wit attached. Loved all the side characters too. Great read.
December 21, 2010
"She was letting go of a dream she’d had since she was a child- her very own mama- and she didn’t have anything to replace it with."
Salting Roses by Lorelle Marinello has a rags to riches premise- Gracie Calloway discovers on her 25th birthday that she is actually the heiress to a 650 million dollar fortune. Gracie was kidnapped as a an infant and left on a porch in a coal bucket in Alabama where she grew up. Gracie's biological father never gave up searching for her, and when dies she is left his massive fortune. Unfortunately after having been treated badly by rich people growing up and having been looked down on since her unwed mother abandoned her, Gracie is not at all interested in accepting the money. She quickly learns that nothing, including money, is as simple as she thinks.
Although the Southern aspect of Salting Roses was charming at times, the book never captured my heart. What I didn't enjoy is exactly what many readers will love about this book- a budding romance between two hard headed individuals, Gracie and Sam (the man sent to deliver news of her fortune) took up a significant portion of the book. I honestly thought I was picking up a book about family, not about love, and romance novels are not something I tend to read. In addition, I didn't particularly like Gracie and although I could pretend to fall for the fairy-tale idea that she randomly inherited all this money- I never quite believed that she would refuse to accept it. There was a lot of talk about her resentment of rich people, but when it comes down to it, I'm not sure any author could really convince me that a person would be not only be willing, but desire to give up that much money although Marinello did make obvious examples of how the money was a problem. I definitely found truth in the fact that money changes the way people look at you, and that when it comes down to it's only dirty paper, but it certainly makes life a whole lot easier.
I did love the Southern charm the novel had, the way people spoke to each other, and especially the relationships between Gracie and the two men and one woman who raised her. Although the woman, Alice, was really pushy and not particularly somebody I'd like to know, as she continually pressed the importance of Gracie getting married, the men were lovely in spite of their faults, especially since the reader can sense that they were really just trying to do what they thought was best for Gracie. In particular, Artie, her fake uncle and father-figure was really wonderful to read about. Ultimately, I think Salting Roses was the wrong book for me and would better suit somebody looking for a Southern love story who doesn't mind suspending belief in order to allow for a little magic. **
Salting Roses by Lorelle Marinello has a rags to riches premise- Gracie Calloway discovers on her 25th birthday that she is actually the heiress to a 650 million dollar fortune. Gracie was kidnapped as a an infant and left on a porch in a coal bucket in Alabama where she grew up. Gracie's biological father never gave up searching for her, and when dies she is left his massive fortune. Unfortunately after having been treated badly by rich people growing up and having been looked down on since her unwed mother abandoned her, Gracie is not at all interested in accepting the money. She quickly learns that nothing, including money, is as simple as she thinks.
Although the Southern aspect of Salting Roses was charming at times, the book never captured my heart. What I didn't enjoy is exactly what many readers will love about this book- a budding romance between two hard headed individuals, Gracie and Sam (the man sent to deliver news of her fortune) took up a significant portion of the book. I honestly thought I was picking up a book about family, not about love, and romance novels are not something I tend to read. In addition, I didn't particularly like Gracie and although I could pretend to fall for the fairy-tale idea that she randomly inherited all this money- I never quite believed that she would refuse to accept it. There was a lot of talk about her resentment of rich people, but when it comes down to it, I'm not sure any author could really convince me that a person would be not only be willing, but desire to give up that much money although Marinello did make obvious examples of how the money was a problem. I definitely found truth in the fact that money changes the way people look at you, and that when it comes down to it's only dirty paper, but it certainly makes life a whole lot easier.
I did love the Southern charm the novel had, the way people spoke to each other, and especially the relationships between Gracie and the two men and one woman who raised her. Although the woman, Alice, was really pushy and not particularly somebody I'd like to know, as she continually pressed the importance of Gracie getting married, the men were lovely in spite of their faults, especially since the reader can sense that they were really just trying to do what they thought was best for Gracie. In particular, Artie, her fake uncle and father-figure was really wonderful to read about. Ultimately, I think Salting Roses was the wrong book for me and would better suit somebody looking for a Southern love story who doesn't mind suspending belief in order to allow for a little magic. **
Read
July 18, 2018Gracie Calloway has spent her entire life trying to make herself invisible. Teased and mistreated for being an abandoned "love child" of a runaway mother, she was the subject of unwanted notoriety in her small Alabama town. But Gracie's grown up to be a strong, independent young woman, thanks to the love and upbringing she received from two uncles, an aunt, and a couple other town misfits. She'll need that strength and independence, however, when she finds out that she is in fact a kidnapped heiress to a million-dollar fortune.
Salting Roses fits very neatly into the southern women's fiction genre. I don't normally gravitate toward books like these. I was wary getting into the book, because I feared the "folksy" Southern dialect would get on my nerves and at first, the characters all seemed to be fairly stock characters. But by a few chapters in, I found I couldn't resist Gracie, and I was quite impressed by the way the author kept revealing layers to the characters and making them all come alive, three-dimensional and with flaws and all. I loved Gracie the most. She wasn't just a small town tomboy innocent. She was astute, big-hearted, level-headed, and thoughtful. The way she approached and navigated her myriad of relationships, old and new, was really touching. She wasn't a martyr or a saint, but she did really care about giving love and being loved, as careful as she was with her heart. I also love how the fact she was a baseball player wasn't just a tacked-on aspect to her character: Gracie wove baseball thinking and strategy into her entire life. She felt believable, and by the end of the book, I really felt like Gracie was a friend.
There were some things I remained hesitant about, like the dialect, and the way Gracie and Sam getting together seem manipulated, and how everyone else was certain of it before Gracie and Sam were. But overall I really enjoyed this gently funny, genuinely sweet book.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the FirstReads program here at Goodreads.
Salting Roses fits very neatly into the southern women's fiction genre. I don't normally gravitate toward books like these. I was wary getting into the book, because I feared the "folksy" Southern dialect would get on my nerves and at first, the characters all seemed to be fairly stock characters. But by a few chapters in, I found I couldn't resist Gracie, and I was quite impressed by the way the author kept revealing layers to the characters and making them all come alive, three-dimensional and with flaws and all. I loved Gracie the most. She wasn't just a small town tomboy innocent. She was astute, big-hearted, level-headed, and thoughtful. The way she approached and navigated her myriad of relationships, old and new, was really touching. She wasn't a martyr or a saint, but she did really care about giving love and being loved, as careful as she was with her heart. I also love how the fact she was a baseball player wasn't just a tacked-on aspect to her character: Gracie wove baseball thinking and strategy into her entire life. She felt believable, and by the end of the book, I really felt like Gracie was a friend.
There were some things I remained hesitant about, like the dialect, and the way Gracie and Sam getting together seem manipulated, and how everyone else was certain of it before Gracie and Sam were. But overall I really enjoyed this gently funny, genuinely sweet book.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the FirstReads program here at Goodreads.
December 7, 2010
Why I wanted to read this book: I love southern fiction and seem to be attracted to books that take place down south.
What worked for me:
* Gracie is this person that you just want to know. I loved how devoted she was to her two uncles and aunt. She struggles with feeling like a nobody and the being labeled "the unwanted child of Rita." She's never really felt worthy of anything and is afraid of what changes will occur in her life if she accepts the reality of who she is "biologically."
* I found myself drawn to the special connection that Gracie has with Artie. I loved it when he would try to help her see all the good that she could do with the money. He had a special way of getting his point across without being forceful. Artie reminded me of my Grandpa and that's probably why I loved his character so much.
* Watching Gracie fall in love for the first time....made me almost want to experience that feeling once again myself!!!
* The writing made me feel comfortable and as if I was among family. I often think that I should've been born in the South. I love the cadence of the speech, the southern hospitality, the laid-back atmosphere of their day to day happenings. Heck, I love all things southern...bring on the sweet tea and mint juleps!!
Recommend? Yes! I loved every minute that I was immersed in this story. I found it charming to the nth degree and am looking forward to future books from Marinello!
January 28, 2011
This book could probably be categorized as a good summer beach read, or even a cute Hollywood Rom-Com, but nothing more serious than that. There were several shortcomings that resulted in a disappointing story. I thought the characters languished in their stereotypes (uptight Yankee grandmother, bombshell mother, "simple" Southern daughter) and could have developed into something more if given the chance. The story seemed limited and predictable, especially given the short timeline of events. I would have loved to have seen Gracie in a fish-out-of-water scenario in Connecticut, trying to fit in with her Yankee family. I also thought it was unrealistic that SO many events happened at the same time (Artie's death, Clare's bonding with her sister, Alice's marriage to the Reverend, etc). What bothered me most was the development of Gracie and Sam's relationship - at times I felt like I was reading a paperback romance novel I bought in an airport. While it seems like some enjoyed that part of the book (nothing wrong with that!) it wasn't my cup of tea. I read the whole book because I wanted to find out what happened, and discovered some cute, funny moments. But all in all, this book was a bit of a let-down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2011
The promise of a Cinderella story made me check this novel out of the library. I only finished it so I could review it. The writing is barely mediocre. The heroine is 25, but the writer makes her behave like a 15-year-old. Other characters are caricatures of either poor yet wise southerners or wealthy, greedy, cold northerners. The narration accidentally slips away from the close third person part way through the novel, and the narrative voice shifts in and out of some sort of stereotype dialect. Overall, a potentially entertaining read that is marred by sloppy writing.
July 17, 2023
I made it over 100 pages in, but this is a romance novel full of cliches, and there is no way I can finish it. This is a world where all southern women are sassy and raised by alligators and all Yankees are slick and untrustworthy and when a woman seems uninterested in a man, he is encouraged by that. Ick! Besides, the word “chuckle” was used so often that I feared “spitfire” wasn’t far behind. No thank you. I am moving on.
October 28, 2017
Very easy read. Great when you just want a nice, light, easy book to read.
October 17, 2010
I so enjoyed this book I read it in a day. This is the story of Gracie Calloway who was found on a doorstep in Alabama and raised with love by the people she was left with who thought she was their niece. They didn't have much money and Gracie was treated pretty badly as a child by other children whose families looked down on her. (No Spoilers it’s on the back of the book) Gracie is now 25 and happy with her life and family when she finds out she was kidnapped and is the heiress to a fortune.
This book is about making choices and what it really means to be family. I loved all the characters in this book with Artie being my favorite. There is a little romance, which I thought was a cute love story. But it is mostly about discovering who you are versus who you were meant to be. How would you deal with these life-changing events if you were in Gracie’s shoes?
Gracie is a strong stubborn woman set in her ways taking care of everyone around her but not thinking much about herself. I liked that she was a tomboy and played baseball, she has flaws and low self esteem and you will cheer for her to find her true self.
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy southern fiction and great characters.
Thank you so much Library Thing Early Reviewers for the chance to read this book!
4 1/2 Stars
This book is about making choices and what it really means to be family. I loved all the characters in this book with Artie being my favorite. There is a little romance, which I thought was a cute love story. But it is mostly about discovering who you are versus who you were meant to be. How would you deal with these life-changing events if you were in Gracie’s shoes?
Gracie is a strong stubborn woman set in her ways taking care of everyone around her but not thinking much about herself. I liked that she was a tomboy and played baseball, she has flaws and low self esteem and you will cheer for her to find her true self.
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy southern fiction and great characters.
Thank you so much Library Thing Early Reviewers for the chance to read this book!
4 1/2 Stars
November 9, 2010
Giveaway from Goodreads First-reads~
Gracie Lynne Calloway is not who thought she was, an abandoned bastard baby left in a coal bucket on her great-uncle's porch. She's a missing heiress kidnapped twenty-five years ago. Soon her life is overflowing with the media, scheming relatives, and a town full of people who flat-out refuse to treat her as the same old Gracie. There's also Sam Fontana, the Yankee commissioned by her late father to ease her transition and persuade her to accept her massive inheritance. Gracie struggles to maintain her identity and figure out what family really is.
Salting Roses is a meaty romance in the style of Debbie Macomber. Gracie is an appealing heroine, with her tomboyish ways, smart mouth, and her fierce love for her oddball family. And Sam is just a sweetheart. Marinello lets you into Gracie's southern world without overpowering the story or distracting you with excessive use of setting or lingo. Salting Roses is a fun, sweet story. Besides, really, who hasn't tried to imagine what it would be like to become suddenly filthy rich?
Gracie Lynne Calloway is not who thought she was, an abandoned bastard baby left in a coal bucket on her great-uncle's porch. She's a missing heiress kidnapped twenty-five years ago. Soon her life is overflowing with the media, scheming relatives, and a town full of people who flat-out refuse to treat her as the same old Gracie. There's also Sam Fontana, the Yankee commissioned by her late father to ease her transition and persuade her to accept her massive inheritance. Gracie struggles to maintain her identity and figure out what family really is.
Salting Roses is a meaty romance in the style of Debbie Macomber. Gracie is an appealing heroine, with her tomboyish ways, smart mouth, and her fierce love for her oddball family. And Sam is just a sweetheart. Marinello lets you into Gracie's southern world without overpowering the story or distracting you with excessive use of setting or lingo. Salting Roses is a fun, sweet story. Besides, really, who hasn't tried to imagine what it would be like to become suddenly filthy rich?
April 3, 2011
Gracie Lynne Calloway has been raised in Alabama by her great-aunt and uncle after her Mama left her on their doorstep. Now, twenty-five years later, Gracie finds out she is really Katherine Hammond who was kidnapped from wealthy parents in Conneticut and her Daddy has just died. Gracie is the sole heir to Conrad Hammond's fortune of $650 million. Gracie must decide if she will stick with her roots in Alabama and turn down the money or embrace the life in Conneticut she should have had all aong. The characters in this book are real and charming and the author does a good job of revealing pieces of the story throughout the entire book. I would put the book down and quickly go back to it to find out what was happening with Gracie.
April 25, 2018
This book didn't suck. I didn't hate it. But it made me sad. Not in the, girl-struggles-with-her-identity type of sad. Sad, as in, author-had-a-good-idea-but-didn't-know-what-to-do-with-it. Nobody was as likable as they should have been, especially Gracie and Sam. If they had both driven off a cliff, I would have been glad hat Gracie's whining had finally stopped. Poor girl gets rich... And she bitched about it for 300 pages... And I didn't care. I didn't care that I didn't care either.
Skip it!
Skip it!
April 26, 2013
Salting Roses By Lorelle Marinello This story seemed to go in circles, round and round, characters entered and reentered. They were keeping a childs identy secret, so that her mother could not have custody of her; all a plan of her father. When all were revealed she was twenty-five years old and didn't want her inhertance from her deceased father. She liked the life she was accustomed to. Wealth meant nothing to her.
June 18, 2013
Really liked this story. It is kind of a southern Cinderella story except this Cinderella is feisty and strong. I love Gracie's large heart and strength that makes her who she is, and I really love the fact that the author doesn't do the usual girl gets money and is immediately happy to be rich. Gracie is a wonderfully written character and is very easy to like. There are also a number of other very likable characters in this book as well.
January 28, 2011
This is the story of a small town girl who was dropped off on a door step as an infant and who was raised by Ben, Alice and Artie. Turns out the child was kidnapped from a wealthy Connecticut family. Now a young woman must confront a past that she didn't know existed. It was an OK book.
September 15, 2012
Don't bother.
April 21, 2015
A foundling left in a quiet southern town grows up to discover she's the kidnapped heiress to a fortune. The colorful characters liven this Cinderella story.
Read
October 28, 2016Meh.
April 22, 2018
I wanted a light hearted book to read and Gracie Lynn’s story was a perfect choice. Salting Roses is a feel good story. The small town of Shady Grove, Alabama becomes the home of an abandoned baby girl late one night. Gracie’s growing up years were filled with love from three interesting adults who taught her to be strong, independent and caring. These lessons take her through a most difficult period when she discovers she is actually a kidnapped heiress who was believed to have died as a baby. As she struggles to understand her new circumstances,she discovers that her new found fortune can be a blessing as she begins to fulfill her dreams.
January 19, 2019
When Gracie finds out that her mother Rita isn't her mother and that she is really an heiress kidnapped as a baby, she doesn't believe it. Secrets from the past are revealed as she eyes the handsome Yankee, Sam. This is a charming story of family, honor, and love set in Alabama. Fans of southern contemporary novels with strong female perspective and characters, plus a little romance, will be delighted. A very satisfying read.
January 14, 2019
This book is a great easy read with just enough twists and turns. I love the characters and the small town feeling. The author created depth with the story and kept it interesting throughout. I am not usually a fan of romance but this one seemed authentic and also sweet. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance with more to it than a simple love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2020
I have had this book on my shelf for ages. It took me a global pandemic to start making a dent in my to be read pile. I did enjoy this story. I liked how the story unfolded and how the characters were developed.
July 3, 2017
What a hidden gem! My bookcase had been hiding this one from me for way too long. What a great read! Loved the story. Loved the characters. (Loved their sayings!) Loved the setting.
December 3, 2017
Ugh, this book was awful. I enjoy a lighthearted, "junk-food" book just as much as the next person, but this was just bad.
June 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. What would someone do when they unknowingly find out they are from a wealthy family and now have millions. Enjoyed this book. Give it a try.
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