Book Review: Cold Tea On A Hot Day

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Cold Tea On A Hot Day     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Curtiss Ann Matlock
Class/Genre:   Romance
Mira, Aug 2001, $5.99, 448 PP.

In Valentine, Oklahoma, Marilee James cannot believe that she agreed to temporarily take over the Valentine Voice until the new editor arrives. Marilee’s life is so filled with responsibility she has no time for herself or her dreams. She raises both her child Willie Lee who has special needs and an abandoned niece Corrine all by herself so why did she promise Muriel she would run the paper too even if she is the star reporter. Desperate, Marilee is thinking of marriage to the nice local vet, not out of love, but out of need for help.

Muriel’s big city cousin Tate Holloway arrives in town to take over the newspaper. Tate is BMW with a fiancee waiting for him. When he reaches his new home, he finds Willie Lee sleeping on his porch. Tate soon meets Willie Lee’s mom, his reporter Marilee and finds he wants to share overriped peaches and cold tea with her and her brood.

Curtiss Ann Matlock takes readers on a drive back to warm, humorous, and inspiring lessons of love and relationships. The amusing story line never loses sight of the plight of the single mother raising two needy children. The audience will empathize with Marilee’s predicament and the emotional problems of Willie Lee and Corrine. Tate adds to the mix by knowing what he wants and not allowing two little responsibilities to deter him from needing to sip tea with Marilee for the rest of his life. Ms. Matlock digs deep into the soul of humanity with this beautiful tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner