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Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,331
Registered: ‎05-23-2015

I realize she is popular , but her books are new to me. Recently I ordered  " Shem Creek" on kindle, it was on sale for 1.99. I enjoyed it , so I'm asking if you are a fan , which of her many books was a favorite ?

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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Posts: 6,162
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

She's a favorite 'put my mind in neutral' author I like to listen to on audio books on my drive to work. Reminds me of Nancy Thayer and Hilderbrand who write coastal novels. Surprised and sad to hear Ms. Benton Frank passed last September at only 67 - terminal disease. Her stories were full of life and love for South Carolina.    

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau
Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,331
Registered: ‎05-23-2015

@jeanlake wrote:

She's a favorite 'put my mind in neutral' author I like to listen to on audio books on my drive to work. Reminds me of Nancy Thayer and Hilderbrand who write coastal novels. Surprised and sad to hear Ms. Benton Frank passed last September at only 67 - terminal disease. Her stories were full of life and love for South Carolina.    


@jeanlake , I want nice " relationship books " these days, she seems to fill the bill.

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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Posts: 33,689
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Plantations was her first and one of the best.

 

Beach Music by Pat Conroy is also VERY good.

 

Mindless mysteries centered around Charleston: Laura Childs Tea Shop mysteries.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,162
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Her books are not intelectual historical fiction or novels full of legal or military jargon. I like all that, too, but if you want a story based on relationships that describe family characters and flow in and out of romantic plots, her's are good books to get lost in. I've visited many South Carolina / North Carolina / Georgia coastal towns and reading her novels make me feel like I'm on vacation. Shem Creek is good. Haven't read one of her books I didn't like.   

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau
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Posts: 65,928
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Dorothea Benton Frank

[ Edited ]

I have mixed feelings about her writing. Some of her books I've really enjoyed, while others didn't do much for me.  Queen Bee, the one I read most recently and, I believe, her last book, was entertaining but not very deep. I've read others but honestly don't remember the names, though I did find several of them somewhat more impressive, given the genre, and to be good reading. For this sort of 'beach read' type novel, she's better than several of the others who write in this vein. Sadly, I believe she passed away last year.


In my pantry with my cupcakes...
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Posts: 1,257
Registered: ‎10-15-2018
I've read many of her books and enjoyed them, though none recently. I didn't know that she had passed away. Sorry to hear that.😞
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Registered: ‎11-20-2010

I have read and loved all her books.  She was born on Sullivan's Island and her love for the low country is evident in her books.  I too love Charleston and Sullivans Island.  My girlfriend's husband also grew up on Sullivan's Island and went to school wth Mrs. Frank's brother.

 

If I were to ever relocate to the South, it would be the Charleston area. That area is my favorite place to vacation.  I will surely miss her books.  She also must have had a great sense of humor as came through in the preface or acknowlegement pages of her books.

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@jeanlake wrote:

 Surprised and sad to hear Ms. Benton Frank passed last September at only 67 - terminal disease. Her stories were full of life and love for South Carolina.    


@jeanlake - I didn't know this either. I had a chance to meet her at a luncheon and book signing about 3 or 4 years ago. I wanted to go, but couldn't make it. Now I wish I'd cancelled everything else.

 

@QVCkitty1 - I enjoy her books. Like you, I came in a little later, but I grew up in Georgia and I love reading about the area. I've read almost all of her books, usually during the summer. They transport me to another place and a simpler life. Her characters are great! Three of the ones I really enjoyed were The Last Original Wife, Pawley's Island, and Same Beach, Next Year

 

I have her books in hard cover or trade paperback. Now I want to get the ones I don't have. 

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One of my favorites authors for so very long.  I am usually the first on hold for one of her new releases.  Any of her books would be a treasure to read. I had not heard she passed away.  Bless her for all the joy she brought to us.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."