Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

Big Stove Gap by Adriana Trigiani.  Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani.  Ave is the town pharmacist, in her mid 30’s, single, involved with the unique people and events of the community and ready for change.  She had taken care of both parents until they died, then discovered letters her mother had never shared which reveal a family secret.  She has family she didn’t know about.  Lots of community characters, lots of directions for the plot to go.  More than one love interest.  8.5/10

Tumbleweeds, by Leila Meacham

Tumbleweeds, by Leila Meacham. Highly recommended. Two young boys whose parents haven’t parented have great athletic and scholastic abilities that make them outstanding leaders in their peer group.  An orphaned girl has come to live with her Grandmother and the boys are asked to watch out for her.  They are closer than siblings as they grow up and then even closer.  Aiming for college together, a horrible set of events tears them apart. Years later  it is a time to pay the piper. Time to learn new facts about each other.  It is threatening right to the end and beyond.  Excellent book.  I had to go back and reread part of it to figure out how the author wove the climax so well that I was surprised.  9.5 out of 10.