Who wouldn't love a heroine with the name Cara Kryzik; especially when her middle name is Mia as in the song "Cara Mia Mine." Well, Cara is the star of Mary Kay Andrews' latest winning novel, Save the Date. The entire book turns upon Cara's successes and losses in the world of business and romance. And it is all told with the charm and beauty we have come to expect from Andrews.
Cara lives and works in Savannah, Georgia. She owns and operates a small floral shop where she creates arrangements and also serves as a decorator for weddings and other celebratory events. She is a transplanted Yankee and is yet to feel completely accepted by the local gentry.
She moved to Savannah to accompany her husband, now her ex. He felt at home in this southern town, so much at home that he took up with the local beauties. Now he is gone and Cara is working to keep her head above water with her business.
Cara's life takes a move upwards when she makes the acquaintance of Jack Finnerty. They meet cute when he accidentally kidnaps her dog. You'll have to read it to believe it. Still it gives their relationship a novel start. Plus it introduces Andrews' unique sense of humor that always gives the reader some laughs.
Andrews is a writer who knows just the right amount of humor, romance, sex and charm to introduce as ingredients in her story. Some of her humor is wry; some is openly hilarious; some is physical; and all is appropriate to her story. When you read an Andrews book you are guaranteed to spend most of your time smiling or laughing out loud.
Mary Kay is also a researcher as is evidenced in her descriptions of making floral arrangements, repairing plumbing and woodwork, or the lay of the land in Savannah. Some of this will appeal to certain readers and not to others as a few would just prefer to get on with the story. Still an appreciation for these descriptions must be given.
Mary Kay Andrews has become a "must read" for many, many people. She always delivers a bright summer read that is impossible to resist. She has certainly done that once more with Save the Date.
Save the Date is published by St Martin's Press. It contains 435 pages and sells for $26.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com