Monday, August 11, 2014

Cancel The Wedding-Carolyn T. Dingman

Cancel The Wedding
Carolyn T. Dingman
Harper PS, Aug 5 2014, $15.99
ISBN: 9780062276728

Three years ago around the time her father died, Leo asked Olivia to marry him.  Last year around the time her mother died from cancer, they bought a house and moved in together, but delayed the wedding.  Now at dinner, Leo announces to Livie, her older sister Georgia, her brother-in-law and niece that he booked their wedding site and date.

Needing to escape and think whether she wants to marry Leo, Livie decides to fulfill her late mom’s wishes.  Her sibling refuses to go with her; so accompanied by her fourteen year old niece Logan, Livie drives to northern Georgia to scatter part of her mom’s ashes in the man-made Lake Huntley and the rest for burial in Huntley Memorial Gardens.  When Georgia calls to tell Livie she left her engagement ring behind; she stuns Gigi by telling her to hold onto it rather than ship it to her.  Reaching their destination, aunt and niece find the town of Huntley under the TVA created lake so Olivia turns to nearby Tillman seeking to learn and understand her mom’s secret life in the south but finds the official records under water too.  She obtains help from local newspaper owner Elliot and other residents while also wondering if she wants to marry Leo.

Cancel The Wedding is a fascinating Roots saga as the TVA buried the written records under the man-made lakes impeding the research done by Olivia.  Although Leo is an unnecessary throwaway excuse for the quest; the shocking revelations discovered by the heroine, her niece, and Elliot from several locals who either lived or had family residing in Huntley enhance an intriguing family drama.

Harriet Klausner

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