Five Miles South of Peculiar

Title: FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR
Author: Angela Hunt
Publisher: Simon and Schuster (Howard Books)
June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4391-8204-8
Genre: Women’s fiction

Darlene Caldwell has spent her life on Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of Peculiar, Florida. She raised her family in her grandfather’s estate, and she’s a pillar of the community, and she reigns as queen—at least until her twin sister comes to town.

Carlene Caldwell is a Broadway star. She knows her acting skills are subpar, but her singing, now that is everything. But when she strains her voice, she doesn’t listen to her coach, she instead goes to the doctor, hoping for a voice that’s bigger and better than her best. Instead, her voice is ruined. Searching for a reason for life, she feels she has no choice but to return home to Sycamores.

Magnolia Caldwell has never married. She’s delightfully naïve, despite being over forty, and she never wants to leave Sycamores. She cares for her dogs and her gardens, but then she meets a man haunted by his mistakes.

Can these three sisters discover who they’re meant to be when life takes an unexpected detour?

FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR is a women’s fiction, that is about three sisters (as I spelled out above.) Darlene and Carlene are both strong willed individuals, but Carlene has grown used to leaning on her agent for support, and Darlene has no one left but herself. Nolie was probably my favorite character, kind and friendly, open and honest. The story is real slow moving at times, but Nolie's story, with a romance included, kept me reading.

If you like contemporary women’s fiction, then FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR is a book to consider. Three stories interwoven into one, three sisters who’s lives are intertwined, and yet they all have their own unique courses to follow. Some yummy sounding recipes, discussion questions, and an author question and answer are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 384 pages.