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It's been a while since I've been sucked into a book. On my rare weekday off Thursday, I delved into a book I had started a couple of weeks ago, "Last Dance at Jitterbug Lounge" by Pamela Morsi. My book club had read another book by Morsi a couple or so years ago -- "Bitsy's Bait and BBQ" and enjoyed it. It was actually the title of the novels that drew me in. Morsi usually spins a tale that takes place in a small town. According to her website, her books are "known for their wit, humor, memorable characters and down-home charm." Trust me, her books have all of those qualities.
Morsi writes contemporary romance, women's fiction and historical romance, so her novels are geared toward, well, women like me. I'm not one for historical romance (I've read some, but it's not something I actively seek), but I do enjoy contemporary.
As for the book that captured my interest, here's the Amazon description for "Last Dance at Jitterbug Lounge":
"Jack and Claire Crabtree were once happily married, but separate interests have left each one dancing to their own tune. She refuses to move into the brand-new house he built for the family. He spends too much time at work with a colleague whom she considers a threat to any man's fidelity. When Jack is summoned back to Oklahoma to see his ailing grandpa Bud, Claire only makes the trip at the last minute.
Bud and Geri Crabtree danced through life together for seventy years as friends, lovers and devoted spouses. They always knew what mattered most in life -- and the laughter and tears come naturally when their family gathers together. And if Jack and Claire can remember the bond they once shared, they might be able to rediscover what's wonderful about love...."
The title itself made me envision the dance halls of the 1940s, including ones that were in this region. I may not have set foot in them, but they're fun to imagine.
In the book, Bud, Jack's grandfather, has suffered a stroke and a head injury, which leads Jack and Claire to Oklahoma to be around relatives that he doesn't have much to do with. His marriage to Claire is troubled, and hopefully this trip will help repair things. Morsi's prose is heartwarming and easy to read. It does go back and forth between Bud's memories of World War II and his time with his late wife and Jack and Claire's story in present day, but it does flow well. I managed to read more than 300 pages Thursday, and I plan to finish it soon. Gotta read some more books off my personal bookshelf.