As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her. ― Kristin Hannah Summer Island
Speaking of ideas for Mother's Day Gifts and Summer Reading . . .
The Newcomer by my pal Mary Kay Andrews hits the shelves today!
The Queen of the Beach Reads is back with this summer's first must-read page-turner. Named both an IndieNext and a LibraryReads pick for May, The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews is a "perfect-for-poolside binge-reading pick" (Country Living). Come along for the ride in this fish-out-of-water tale, as plucky protagonist Letty Carnahan tries to solve her sister’s murder and care for her niece while contending with the quirky snowbirds and close-knit family who run her temporary home and hideout at the Murmuring Surf Motel. The Newcomer showcases everything Mary Kay has become known for: her signature humor, characters you can root for, a little romance, and a mystery that keeps the pages flying—all in a Florida Gulf Coast setting so authentic you will feel the sand between your toes. The book tour for The Newcomer kicked off Sunday, May 2nd with a personal chat with Emily Giffin that was live-streamed from MAK's home. The full tour is a mix of in-person and virtual events where Mary Kay pairs with incredible authors including Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, Patti Callahan, Lisa Unger, and Katherine Center. See the FULL BOOK TOUR. ORDER A COPY of The Newcomer! VIEW BOOK TRAILER (see below) JOIN US TOMORROW | VIRTUAL EVENT | Wed May 5th @ 7 pm ET on Friends & Fiction for a very special and super fun launch episode! FRIENDS & FICTION MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL Sunday, May 9th at 5 pm ET VIRTUAL EVENT with The Satellite Sisters. Tune in on the FF Facebook Group Page or YouTube Channel. Be sure and meet Mary Kay and Patti at the following LIVE events: FRIDAY, MAY 7 | 11am- 1pm | LIVE EVENT Litchfield Books Luncheon In conversation with Patti Callahan Pawley’s Plantation 70 Tanglewood Dr. Pawleys Island, SC This is an in-person event! Tickets are $60.00 per person and include a copy of The Newcomer. Spots will be limited due to COVID restrictions. Patti's book will be available for purchase as well. Reservations: call CLASS at 843-235-9600. Tickets are on sale now! Details HERE. SATURDAY, MAY 8 | 11am – 3pm | LIVE EVENT In-Person Sip-n-Shop Soiree Book Signing with Patti Callahan Seaside Sisters 1207 Hwy 80 East, Sundance Square Tybee Island, GA Details HERE.
More Summer ⛱ Reading
In this warm and moving anthology, a group of bestselling authors and writers pay tribute to legendary, larger-than-life New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank and her literary legacy. REUNION BEACH is AVAILABLE NOW.
"Here's my definition of a great beach read—a fabulous story that sucks me in like a black hole and when it's over, it jettisons my bones across the galaxy with a hair on fire mission to convince everyone I know that they must read that book or they will die." —Dorothea Benton Frank
Inspired by the title Dorothea Benton Frank planned for her next book—Reunion Beach—these close friends and colleagues channeled their creativity, admiration, and grief into stories and poems that celebrate this remarkable woman and her abiding love for the Lowcountry of her native South Carolina—a land of beauty, history, charm, and Gullah magic she so brilliantly brought to life in her acclaimed novels.
Reunion Beach Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank Available NOW. In stores, online, and everywhere books are sold A personal note from Patti: It was such a shocking loss when my dear friend, Dorothea Benton Frank passed away. Such a powerful storyteller; such an integral part of the Lowcountry and its community of writers and readers. Such a good and true friend. I remember the day I met her; she always remembered what I was wearing, which tells you so much about her! She noticed. She cared. I miss her all the time. When her editor Carrie Feron came to me and said “Would you write a short story for a compilation to honor the next book Dottie would have written called Reunion Beach," I said yes immediately. And that book — that book honoring Dottie Frank — is out now. Reunion Beach with my story, The Bridesmaids— A story about a trip to the South Carolina beach. View more about Reunion Beach and its contributors. Available in hardcover, e-book, audio, and audio CD. Narrated by Susan Bennett. Large print paperback coming May 28, 2021
I am so proud to be a part of this anthology full of stories, poems, and essays that were written in honor of my friend, the New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank. This book is a perfect Mother’s Day gift— and of course, it’s a perfect read just for you.
Surviving Savannah
Book Tour Events and News
VIRTUAL | Monday, May 10, 2021 @ 7PM ET | WHQR "Prologue" with host Ben Steelman of the Star-News will sit down (virtually) with author Patti Callahan to discuss her new book, "Surviving Savannah."
Surviving Savannah News
Go behind the scenes with The Untold Story of Surviving Savannah Podcast Series Available NOW! Podcast Series Episodes 1-6 Available Now on Apple, Spotify, Google, Breaker, Radio Public, and Pocketcast Join New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan for an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah. You’ll hear interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel. READ MORE
“Surviving Savannah is an epic novel that explores the metal of the human spirit in crisis. It is an expertly told, fascinating story that runs fathoms deep on multiple levels.”
"Local Reads of the Lowcountry: Titles that will grab your attention."
Hilton Head Magazine visited Patti at home in Bluffton — you can read all about it (and meet Winnie, the world’s best dog) in the Story of the Storyteller.
The Story of a Storyteller
4/26/21 Hilton Head Monthly Voice for the Lowcountry by Vickie McIntyre. Photo Credit: Rob Kaufman For New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Patti Callahan, the Lowcountry is both an inspiration and backdrop to many of her novels. Nestled in her Palmetto Bluff home, she points to the comfy, white chair in her living room saying, “I do a lot of writing there.” She also points to her dining room table and screened-in porch.
ONCE UPON A WARDROBE by Patti Callahan Coming October 19, 2021 Pre-Order Now
Upcoming Friends & Fiction first LIVE event June 23, 2021
Meet Patti Callahan, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, Mary Alice Monroe, and Kristin Harmel in person for these LIVE events. Join in the fun! Beaufort Historical Association at the Beaufort Historic Site Beaufort, NC Wed. June 23 @12 pm Luncheon A special luncheon accompanying the 60th Annual Old Homes Tour featuring Kristy Harvey and her Friends + Fiction bestselling authors. Lunch will be provided at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC. Tickets $40.00 Wed. June 23 @6:30 pm Dinner Join Kristy Harvey and her Friends + Fiction bestselling authors at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC. Tickets $40.00
About the Author
“Stories that steal your imagination.”
Photo Credit: Bud Johnson Photography Savannah, GA
Patti Callahan New York Times Bestselling Author and Podcast Host Patti Callahan is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of sixteen novels and podcast host. She is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner "Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020 and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019. “With a belief that the power of story changes us and moves us, Patti’s historical fiction, SURVIVING SAVANNAH, WILD SWAN, and BECOMING MRS. LEWIS explores the untold stories of the past that affect us now.” (writing as Patti Callahan)
SURVIVING SAVANNAH, a new historical fiction, based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski wreck, known as "The Titanic of the South" was released March 9, 2021. The new podcast series, "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah" is an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah. The podcast series includes interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel. Available now. WILD SWAN, a novella following the fiery life of one of history’s greatest heroines and the mother of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan was released December 2020, as an Audible Original performed by the award-winning narrator, Cynthia Erivo. BECOMING MRS. LEWIS, The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis was released in an expanded edition, March 2020. The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series" launched, October 2019. The podcast audiobook collection including bonus material was released in January 2020. The new expanded BECOMING MRS. LEWIS paperback edition was released in March 2020. REUNION BEACH, Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank, a collaboration and tribute was released April 27, 2021, and available now. Patti joins a group of bestselling authors to present a moving anthology to pay tribute to the legendary NYT bestselling author and her literary legacy. ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is another tenderly imagined and enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis from Callahan— coming October 19, 2021, and available for pre-order now—published by Harper Collins' new imprint —Harper Muse. Callahan's Once Upon a Wardrobe will be their debut novel launching this fall. Patti Callahan is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast, featuring the five bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Mary Alice Monroe. With endless stories and special guests, live every Wednesday at 7 pm ET on the Friends and Fiction Facebook group page, their YouTube Channel, and Parade Magazine Facebook page. You can follow them on Instagram and, for weekly updates, subscribe to their newsletter In a recent essay series partnership with Parade Magazine, each Wednesday viewers get a new “life lesson” from one of the FF writers on Parade.com as well as a chance to discuss the themes later that evening on Facebook Live. A full-time author and mother of three children, she now resides in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband. Read More.