Tablecloth Scribbles

by Christine Lemmon

For anyone who has faced the loss of a loved one, Tablecloth Scribbles takes readers from the depths of despair to the revels of renewed faith.

Death. It's the last thing on the minds of college students Lauren Vanderhill and Kristine Longheart as they sip coffee in their favorite cafe and scribble their life's goals on the white paper tablecloth. The young friends feel invincible and empowered. Until later that night...Lauren suffers a sudden heart attack and dies in her sleep, leaving Kristine to struggle with her devastating loss. Emotionally numb, she develops symptoms that mimic her best friend's undiagnosed heart condition. Fearing she will also die as soon as she closes her eyes, Kristine refuses to sleep. Her marathon battle to stay awake lands her in the hospital. While undergoing treatment, she comes to realize she has two choices: either face her grief and fear of death or languish forever in self-pity. Choosing to live for the moment, Kristine leaves behind everything that is familiar and safe and, alone, embarks on a venture that takes her from a tarpon-fishing vessel off the coast of Florida to a bullfight in Spain. The strangers she meets entangle her in their secrets. What they teach her inspires her to return to the cafe to rewrite her tablecloth scribbles. With new insights into life, death and things worth doing, she finally grasps that hidden within her heart of hearts lies her true fate.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit

344 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2000

About the author

SPECIAL NOTE.
Hurricane Ian caused devastation across the state of Florida. As a 15-year resident of Sanibel Island, it has been a heartbreaking experience to see what just happened to our Southwest Florida community.

In efforts to help, I will be releasing my novel Steps to the Beach one month early and all proceeds (until the end of 2022) will be donated to the Florida Disaster Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. If you would like to donate or learn more about the fund visit www.volunteerflorida.org

Here's the link to Steps to the Beach on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3TdvGRD

CHRISTINE LEMMON grew up in Saugatuck, Michigan, in a house attached to her family’s ice-cream shop and bed & breakfast. From childhood on, she wrote feverishly in her diaries. After graduating from Hope College, she moved around the country writing for radio, newspaper, television, and magazines. She also worked as a publicist for a nonfiction publishing house in northern California.

As well as writing novels, she enjoys taking walks through nature preserves, and boating with friends and family along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Not only is Sanibel the setting for her novels, it was the setting for her life for nearly two decades, and she is incredibly thankful to have raised her family in the close-knit island community.

She speaks at events, including book clubs, and loves connecting with her readers. Visit her online at www.ChristineLemmon.com.

Reviews

[Wendy Kuzma · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the author's own admission, this book did not go through an editor but was intended as a first novel to share with family and friends. This is obvious with the overdone philosophical meanderings of the characters and the extensive, over-the-top use of metaphorical descriptions. I also had an issue with the dangerous situations the main character sometimes put herself in with casual disregard for her own safety for the lame purpose of having a good time. Having said all of that, there were many things I did enjoy about the book. Since the main character was from Holland, Michigan and then traveled to Sanibel Island, it was nice to read a story where I was so familiar with the setting. I enjoyed the relationship the main character had with her parents and grandmother as well as an honest look at what it is like to suffer from anxiety attacks and the many ways people deal with heartache in the story. I would like to read something else from this author that has gone through the editing process.

[Liz Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Totally captured the growth spurts of life...and yes it had some slow moments but worth the read in the end. I am sending copies of this book to my daughters in hopes that they can relate and understand their path in life a little better. I agree with Hillary Clinton that it takes a village to raise a child. We no longer have the village but it is the people we encounter along the way that shape us and mold us and also change us. Christine Lemmon nailed the importance of Christianity in this sweet coming of age novel. Kudos Christine! Please continue to share your thoughts on paper. You are a jewel!

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much I am thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Lemmon's other 2 novels, I did not like this one at all. I couldn't even finish reading it. I read well over half and just had to put it aside. The book was too disjointed for one thing. Vicki was not a real character: she went from needy to teacher but what she tried to teach Evelyn wasn't even something she prracitced. I won't bother to continue with a comment here , just suffice it to say I did n't like this book at all.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!! I was skeptical. I read some bad reviews after I had ordered this book & 2 others by the author off PBS. But I reminded myself I needed to draw my own conclusion. So glad I did! I loved the uplifting advice Vicki got from others during the time when she was grieving her losses and trying to figure out life. Reminds you to examine your life and LIVE LIFE to the fullest EVERYDAY!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through the novel, but I'm glad I did. It was slow reading at times, but I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen to Vicki as the novel progressed. Christine Lemmon creates a very likable character who feels very deeply about love and life.

[Laura Shanahan bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother lives in Bonita Springs in the winter and got this! Loved reading it during the winter...warmed your heart!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

The book was captivating. The ending was a let down as she never revealed how Vicky and Rafael got back together or described her feeling as she got married.

[Katie Thompson Branson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit choppy at points and the writing got stale and felt very basic at times, however the author weaves a beautiful story. I loved how the main character is far from perfect (despite her attempts) and eventually sinks into the vulnerability of her grief. I think the author did a very good job explaining the common link between unresolved grief and anxiety (as a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma and anxiety disorders I appreciated this). I also really liked the strength of the main character who continually decided not to compromise herself or her values for others' desires or whims. That is a great message for young women. I purchased this book while on vacation on Sanibel Island and even though I almost put it down a few times when the writing got a bit tedious, I am very glad I did not.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book fun to read while visiting SW Florida. I enjoyed the adventures of Victoria and the lessons she learned from the new people she encountered. However, I found the ending of the book very flat and confusing. Ben wants to marry Victoria at the end of the book yet we don't read of any communications between them while she is in Spain for a semester. When she travels back to Michigan, is she in contanct with him then? Next thing we know Ben is on a plane to ask for her hand in marriage, but...
The time references during the majority of the book is great. It's just the ending that doesn't work.

[jjl · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this book is driving me mad! It's slow and preachy at times! Plus is drives me nuts that the author keeps talking about bomb fires...didn't she have an editor who knows they are bonfires??? I want to finish this but may have to abandon this book. Not sure who why I got this book, somebody must have recommended it but so far it's awful....
Okay I finished the book I couldn't let it go, there are a lot of good thoughts good, really profound bits...so it was worth the read but the editors definitely let her down. At times there was a little rambling and disjointed parts but the worst was the spelling and grammatical errors. Aside from that it was a decent read.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read and digest this book, but I loved it! I bought it on vacation in Sanibel, Florida because it was written by a local author only to find out what a hidden gem it truly was! This book has a fictional story but is so applicable to life's up and downs and how we grow as the world we knew changes around us. An awesome book for individuals in the growing seasons of life whom believe in God.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok beach read about a young lady finding out who she is and searching for meaning in life. The parts which take place in Spain are interesting but I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone unless there is NOTHING on their list.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a fun book. Two of my favorite getaways were to Holland, MI and Sanibel Island, FL, and this book centered around those places. I think most of my fondness surrounding the book had to do with my fondness for those places.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 3 stars because I really did enjoy the second half and I loved how the author wrapped up all the characters in the end...not to mention including the recipe for the Bubble Room's Red Velvet Cake.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loving Sanibel as I do, I bought this to read after buying our first place there. I did not like the style, but did like the story. I finished it because I wanted to know what happened to the character but it was a really hard read for me.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely a book I needed to read right now. Sometimes we all question life and look back at the choices we made. Reading this story reminded me to always look forward, to always live life to its fullest because around each corner is your next adventure.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teenage Christian lit highly recommended by a friend. The poor writing style and blasé plot, overused imagery, unrealistic, underdeveloped characters were disappointing. I really had to force myself to finish it.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an unusual read . Self help disguised in a novel?? It's between 2&3 out of 5. It's an inconsistent book, sometimes focusing on the mundane, other times skipping the important bits (Ben?). I enjoyed the chapters in Madrid a lot. Nice, vivid descriptions of food, festivals, people etc.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally had an opportunity to read this, and I enjoyed it much more than I expected. I love all the references to Sanibel Island. Looking forward to more from this author.

[Sharon Hynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may be somewhat partial to these two books by Mrs. Lemmon because of my love for Sanibel Island.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uh-what? Seemed to just jump around a lot and not really sure how it got to the end. Just all of a sudden the panic attacks stopped?? What happened with Ben?

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected, but satisfying ending!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one I read years ago. It was hard to put down.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is good, but the author's overuse of similes was extremely annoying!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little summer read.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off good, related to it a lot, but by the end of the book I was just waiting for it to be over

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago. It was very good and also hard to put down.

[Sarah Rowe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought it because it was really cheap and was intrigued by the location. But this book is poorly written and I had to stop halfway through. It was just painful to try to read.

[Audrey L. Secler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent moving story about people and an history of an island