Come Rain or Come Shine

July 15, 2015
A simple farm wedding faces many unanticipated challenges. The long-awaited marriage of Lacey Harper Harper and Dooley Russell Kavanagh is finally coming about. Both Lace, who was adopted by Doc and Mrs. Harper, and Dooley, who was adopted by the Rev. Tim Kavanagh, started their lives in severely dysfunctional homes. Now that Lace, a talented artist, and Dooley, a newly minted veterinarian, have worked so hard to put their futures on a bright path, they plan to wed in a simple ceremony at the farm and vet clinic they've purchased near their families. But they discover that their easy wedding involves advanced and complex planning. The grounds need extensive sprucing up, and the barn must be readied for the potluck supper to which they can only hope the guests will contribute an appropriate amount and variety of food. Lace can't find the elegant, inexpensive dress she pictures in her mind; the groom wonders if his wedding present to the bride is such a good idea; and several of the invited guests may well open wounds from the past. The siblings Dooley has cared for all his life will be there along with the mother who deserted all but one of them. Each of their friends and family members has a role to play in generating and resolving the problems that spring up. On top of everything else, Dooley and Lace are hiding a secret they hope they'll be able to share before the wedding. Through it all, though, their love never falters. The latest entry in Karon's Mitford series (Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, 2014, etc.) continues with all the beloved characters, down-home charm, and deep faith in God that are the hallmarks so beloved of fans.

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2015
There is nothing like a simple country wedding to bring out the best in people, though the marriage of Father Tim Kavanagh's son, Dooley, and Lace Harper promises to be anything but an easy affair. Dooley is graduating from veterinary school, starting his own practice, and taking delivery of a notoriously obstreperous bull named Choo-Choo all in the same week he and Lace take their vows before friends and family at their mountaintop home and farm. Family, in their case, takes on a new and treasured meaning as their long-awaited adoption of Jack Tyler, a four-year-old they found living in unsafe circumstances, finally comes to pass on the day before the ceremony. Amid the potluck dishes, blooming roses, and lantern-lit barn, Dooley and Lace revel in the circumstances that have brought everyone they know and love together. Loyal readers who have eagerly awaited the events Karon so charmingly offers in the latest addition to her beloved Mitford series (following Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, 2014) will not be disappointed. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Readers will rush to secure a copy of Karon's lucky thirteenth installment in her best-selling run of novels set in the village of Mitford.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

Starred review from September 1, 2015

Karon's 11th addition to her popular series (after Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good) tells the story of Dooley (Father Kavanagh's adopted son) and Lacey's wedding. Before the big knot is tied, however, Dooley must graduate from vet school, establish a herd of cattle, and take over Hal Owen's practice. At the same time, Lacey is busy with planning a simple country ceremony that is proving to be anything but simple. She must find the perfect dress and make arrangements on a limited budget. Even the potluck reception is full of pitfalls--what if everyone brings deviled eggs? Add a new bull, a windstorm, a four-year-old, and the search for appropriate wedding gifts into the mix, and you have another delightful novel. VERDICT In spite of a slightly slow start, the pace picks up as bridal hysteria hits Father Tim, Lacey, and the rest of the family. Readers will laugh and cry as they share the couple's big day and the unexpected events that make it especially memorable. Familiar characters, lots of love, some humor, and a few surprises make this essential for all Mitford fans. [See Prepub Alert, 3/23/15.]--Margaret Bentley, Shiawassee Dist. Lib., Owosso, MI

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2015

In 2014, Karon published Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, her first book in nine years about the fictional town of Mitford and its Episcopal priest, Father Timothy Kavanagh. It spent 17 weeks on the New York Times best sellers list. Now Father Timothy's adopted son, Dooley, is about to get married.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2015

Karon's 11th addition to her popular series (after Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good) tells the story of Dooley (Father Kavanagh's adopted son) and Lacey's wedding. Before the big knot is tied, however, Dooley must graduate from vet school, establish a herd of cattle, and take over Hal Owen's practice. At the same time, Lacey is busy with planning a simple country ceremony that is proving to be anything but simple. She must find the perfect dress and make arrangements on a limited budget. Even the potluck reception is full of pitfalls--what if everyone brings deviled eggs? Add a new bull, a windstorm, a four-year-old, and the search for appropriate wedding gifts into the mix, and you have another delightful novel. VERDICT In spite of a slightly slow start, the pace picks up as bridal hysteria hits Father Tim, Lacey, and the rest of the family. Readers will laugh and cry as they share the couple's big day and the unexpected events that make it especially memorable. Familiar characters, lots of love, some humor, and a few surprises make this essential for all Mitford fans. [See Prepub Alert, 3/23/15.]--Margaret Bentley, Shiawassee Dist. Lib., Owosso, MI

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.