Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms by Stephanie Paige King is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: Executives in corner offices had nothing on housewives working at their kitchen counters.
But first the photo and verse. Sunday morning, late as usual, I backed into the pullout in my drive and happened to look toward my lantana bush. There on one of the blooms was the first swallowtail butterfly I’ve seen all year. Stop and take a photo and risk being really late or go? You can see I took a chance on being late (I wasn’t but only barely). Later the verse came to me. I’d been wondering where the butterflies were, and now they are here!
Now for Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms by Stephanie Paige King. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Some say it t
akes a village to raise a child, but what if it only takes a cul-de-sac? After fifteen years of raising her own kids, Dana is now lending a hand to her neighbor, a new mom of triplets, who is drowning in diapers and self-doubt. Dana’s is a charmed— albeit loud and chaotic—life until she discovers her disoriented father on a peculiar neighborhood caper, and her husband is nowhere to be found when she needs his help. Now she must get to the bottom of her dad’s mental decline and solve the mystery of her husband’s sudden preoccupation with his career.
As if Josie weren’t already frazzled by caring for three infants, a family engagement spearheaded by her controlling mother sends her into a tailspin. She and Dana join forces across their cul-de-sac to build a community of moms in the same boat, desperate for support and sisterhood. Before long, one mom’s simple act of crossing the street sparks change for an entire west Texas community.
My take:
Sometimes I just want a feel-good book and this was one of them. No mystery and no romance, but at times a laugh-out-loud read. In Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms, Stephanie Paige King created wonderful characters with real problems–like how would you handle being a new mom of triplets like Josie? Especially when you’d had a fabulous career you loved. And how do you handle teenagers when they go from you are the most wonderful parents in the world to whatever it is they become, like Dana?
Poor Dana also had her dad, who was experiencing grief over the loss of his wife to such a degree that she thought he had dementia. And she had time to help out Josie when the triplets became too much. I would love to live on their street. It’s also a story of community and how Dana’s church filled a need for frazzled moms. It’s a story I think even men would enjoy!
You can learn more about Stephanie Paige King and her books on her website. And you can purchase Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms on Amazon. This is the first book in the series and now I’m off to read the next one!
So, Readers, what are you reading this week? Leave the first line, or just say “hi”. If you do, I’ll enter you in a
July drawing for one of Steve Hooley’s fine pens! You can check them out at his website. The winner of Steve’s in from the June drawing is…Barbara Diggs!
Now for a song that I’ve enjoyed ever since a member of our church sang it as a solo. I wish I could play his version, but alas, I don’t have a recording of it. But I like Josh Turner’s version almost as well. I hope you do, too.
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Comments 43
It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It is very interesting, Diana.
He’d made it. After years of dreaming, all the training, and months of planning, Orion Price was finally ready for his shot of fulfilling the heroic legacy of Grandpa Jack.
Burning Escape by Michelle Sass Aleckson
Author
That sounds so interesting, Phyllis!
No Stone Unturned by Janelle Hovde:
“ On a Wednesday afternoon in the village of Bramnor, one does not expect much excitement beyond sugared gingerbread and tea.”
Author
Paula, I love it!
Fantastic photo, Pat. Worth the chance of being late, and I’m glad you weren’t. Good match with the verse, too.
Congrats Barbara!
I don’t think I’ve heard “The Long Black Train” before. Josh Turner sung it well.
I just finished “Code Trauma: Extreme Measures Series 1.5” by Lynette Eason. This is a novella which has this line near the beginning: “Ever since the threats had started. Notes on her windshield at work, her mailbox at home. Even a note in her locker at work.” It was a good, quick read.
Last night I started reading “Lost Truth” by Susan Sleeman with this opening line: “Hayden Kraus had never killed anyone. Please don’t let that change now.”
Author
Tim, so glad you enjoyed the photo. I’m glad I stopped long enough to take it! You’ve been busy reading this week! Code Trauma and Lost Truth both sound like fantastic reads!
Lost Truth is a good one, Tim.
Loved the picture. I don’t think I started a new book this week trying to finish up the nine I am working on. I am a little strange since my sister passed away, I do not have anyone to discuss the book with so I start several at once and read them like you are watching different TV programs. The authors right now are Lacy Williams, Colleen Coble, Kat Caldwell, Charles Swindoll, Debby Guisti, Bruce Hammack, Joan Hetzler, Rebecca Hartt, and Reginia Scott. Some are series and once I am done, I go on to the next book. All good stories in different genres, Praise the Lord for talented Christian authors.
Author
Sharon, you have some great authors there. Debbi Guisti guided me toward Susan May Warren back in 2009! She is a sweetheart.
just finished a book last night and haven’t started another one yet. this book sounds interesting!
Author
Shelia, I started listening to one of Dani Pettrey’s books while I cleaned house Monday and haven’t gotten back to it…maybe it’s time to start dusting again!
Great photo.
Congrats, Barbar.
He was tired of the river winning.
One Last Chance by Susan May Warren
Whoops! Barbara.
Author
Gloria, I have that book on my TBR list! So many books, so little time!
What a pretty butterfly. Oh, I love “Long Black Train”!!
I am reading Thirst, a collection of poetry by Mary Oliver. The first line: “My work is loving the world.” LOL, that makes no sense without the rest of the first poem. The collection is a theological exploration of nature and beauty and love, including God’s love.
Author
I love butterflies, Priscilla! As well as “Long Black Train”! It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I wish I understood poetry better!
Oh my! I forgot it was Friday and wonderful blog day! And then your message that I won a pen! Wow! How fun is this? Thanks so much, Pat! It’s beautiful and will be put to good use!
I loved your butterfly. Gorgeous! Definitely worth stopping for, and the perfect verse to go along with it.
Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms sounds delightful. Your review totally convinced me. I agree with you. I want to live in that neighborhood, too. I miss the old days, when neighbors were close and talked over the clotheslines, or sat on the front porch steps together.
I am in between books and haven’t selected one for this week, yet. Time to shop in my TBR pile! lol
Author
Congrats, Barbara! You can thank Random dot org for picking you. 🙂 I think you’d enjoy Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms! It’s a book I normally wouldn’t even know about if it weren’t for the book club. I’ve missed a lot of books I would enjoy by not joining sooner!
fun image
Author
Glad you enjoyed my butterfly, BN!
“You won’t see danger coming …until it’s too late.”
Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard.
Love the picture my lantana are growing and spreading all across my front porch. They came back from last year from dropped seeds apparently.
Author
Love me some Elizabeth Goddard books! I’m starting that one soon. 🙂 Some Lantana also come up from the root. That’s what mine do.
Hi PATRICIA. Thanks for the beautiful butterfly. Lantana’s are my go to flower alone with Asiatic, lilies and zinnias and sunflowers and roses. My beds are full of flowers and weeds. We met once at Southern Christian writers conference in Memphis and you were. One of the presenters. You helped in leading a Friday afternoon workshop, and I was the woman in the wheelchair. I need to get in touch with you about the possibility of letting me blog about you on Mississippiwriterspathways.com
Author
I’ve thought about you often! If you can, come to the MidSouth Christian Writers Conference next March 20-21. I would love to see you again. And I’d love for you to blog about me on Mississippiwriterspathways.com! I’ll email you.
Gorgeous butterfly! I’m so glad you made time to take this photo, and for sharing it with us!
Congratulations Barbara!
Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms sounds like a good one.
I just finished reading Capturing You by Robin Patchen.
Thanks, Pat, for Nancy Mehl’s book, Shattered Sanctuary. It arrived on Wednesday and I look forward to reading it.
Blessed weekend everyone!
Author
I hope you enjoy it, Mary G! Nancy writes such intriguing books! And I’m glad you enjoyed my butterfly. I haven’t seen it since so I’m glad I took the time to snap its photo.
Your photo is what I love most about this post!
Author
I love getting photos of butterflies, Delores.
Lady of Shadows – Jill Williamson
The fool who pokes a sleeping tanniyn wakes more trouble than expected.
Enjoy your weekend!
Author
That book sounds intriguing, Caryl!
It seems you proved the verse true. You delighted yourself in the Lord (in His handiwork) while your desire was to be on time. You were. Of course, there are some strange people in the world who say you are late if you are not ten minutes early. I don’t buy that.
That book sounds interesting. As far behind as I am on reading, I don’t know if I will ever have a chance to read it, but I think I would enjoy it if I could. I’m proofreading a book that won’t release yet for months, so I have to refrain from sharing any of it. The book is Lavender Tide by Starr Ayers.
I remember this song from years ago. I was reintroduced to it when Matt Fouch, bass singer for Legacy Five, did a cover of it. He does a great job, although his version has more of a Southern Gospel flavor than country.
Author
I truly wish you could hear the guy at my church sing it, Edward. He just makes you feel the song. I used to be at least ten minutes early to everything…now I’m just happy if I’m not late. lol
That is a gorgeous photo!
Author
Megan, I thought so, too!
Hi to one of my favorites authors. I do enjoy your books.
Author
Susan, I thought she did a great job with the book. I laughed out loud at times.
I’m reading about Detective Jenna Hart in Deadly Revenge!
Author
Aww, thank you Sally Jo!
What a beautiful butterfly and such detail it has! I believe God intended for us to take the time to admire the beauty of His creations. I know your photo and verse certainly gave me a smile, thank you for sharing!
I’m in between books now and the Frazzled Moms sounds like a fun read. I think I’m ready though for a “keep you awake at night” suspense type for my next one.
The gospel quartet my husband use to sing with always did the Long Black Train. The bass singer, Joe Fowler, did a really good job on it as well. A great song!
Author
Dottie, I would’ve loved to have heard your husband’s quartet! That is my favorite gospel sound. I wish you could hear my friend sing it.
Maybe the next time he sings it, you could record it on your phone and post it for us! I love a good Southern Gospel Quartet too.