Small town fun with The Lumby Lines Book Review

Thanks to FSB Associates for the review copy. Below is information from their website on the book as well as my take on the book!

Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby has the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, you'll always find Lumby close to your heart . . .
Nearly destroyed by fire, Montis Abbey remains a ruin on the outskirts of Lumby. Once home to a resourceful order of monks, it stands abandoned, surrounded by its overgrown orchards. Then Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, stumble upon it -- and upon the answer to their prayers. Leaving behind their hectic lives to restore the monastery and turn it into an inn is a dream come true.
But some residents of Lumby take a while to warm up to outsiders. One of them is irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines -- the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. The couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand, and that Lumby isn't just a place -- it's a way of life.

Other books in this series include: Stealing Lumby, Lumby's Bounty, The Promise of Lumby, and Lumby on the Air (coming Spring 2010)

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK: 





Lumby's local newspaper is called, The Lumby Lines.  The paper cracks me up with all the "tattle-tales" on the local residence and local animals! Someone reported that a bicycle was missing. Then it was reported that a moose was spotted with a bicycle stuck in its antlers. It was reported that a pig was flying through town with 9 helium ballons tied to it.  I love Hank, the flamingo statue, that gets dressed up by someone to match what is going on in town. 
 
The story reminds me of one large family! You have the good, the bad and the ugly! Most families stick together when times get rough and when there is a tragedy! That is what happened in this small, quirky, quiet town.  A young "city folk" couple buys property in the town and works to restore a historical buidling, The Montis Abbey, that was damaged by a fire.  The story is of the trials that they go through moving from city to country life.  It truly suits them and then become a big part of this community as well as neighboring communities.  
The Monks of Montis Abbey reside in another Abbey. They are drawn back into helping Mark and Pam restore the Abbey into an Inn.  To my surprise the back of the book contains several recipes! One of them, 40 Clove Roast Chicken, is on my list to make real soon! 



The art work in the book is illustrated by the author's husband, Art Poulin, a rural folk artist.  It is beautiful! You can clearly see yourself as a part of this community.  


I love warm and inviting books! This book as well as the other books in the series is a perfect read for young adults and up! 

About the author from her website:
Gail Fraser was born and raised in Rye, New York, and attended the Rye High School before continuing on to major in English and receive an AA from Colby Sawyer College. Gail then studied at the University of London before returning to Skidmore College where she earned her BA in English Education. She completed her MBA at the University of Connecticut, with graduate work done at Harvard University.

Prior to changing her life and becoming a novelist, Gail had a successful career in 'corporate America' holding senior executive and upper management positions in several Fortune 500 and start-up corporations, and traveling extensively throughout the world. In addition to living throughout the east coast from northern Vermont down to central Florida, Gail also lived in Colorado, Montana and Oregon for several years.

Gail and her husband, artist Art Poulin, are building their own Lumby on Lazy Goose Farm in rural upstate New York. Featured in several magazines and newspapers, Lazy Goose is a 40-acre gentleman's farm that is demarcated by a 200-year old stone wall, and has views of the Catskills, Adirondack and Vermont mountains. They share their lives with Yoda (a kind and gentle German Shepherd from New Skete Monastery), Emma, Camille and several other two- and four-legged barn friends. Art spends his days in the studio while Gail writes in her library, overlooking their pond. Gail is also an avid stoneware potter, gardener and cook and enjoys tending to their orchard (recently decimated by the deer) and bee hives most every morning.

Go visit the author at her website to learn more about this series, the town, the people and the fun!! I love watching the moose move all over the website!