"Stardust" Blog Tour

About the Book: Shortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren't what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband's mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who's tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past.

Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxy to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?


About the Author: Carla Stewart is the author of Chasing Lilacs. Her writing reflects her passion for times gone by, cherished relationships, and the mysteries of God in our skid-marked world. She and her husband have four adult sons and delight in the adventures of their six grandchildren.

Connect with Carla:

My website: http://www.carlastewart.com/
Follow me onTwitter: www.twitter.com/#!/ChasingLilacs
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/carlastewartauthor
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3335371.Carla_Stewart
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chasinglilacs/  



My Take:

From the beginning of this book, I was intrigued. I have always liked books where the cast of characters are a rag-tag bunch thrown together for some reason. I enjoyed getting to know Georgia and her circumstances at the beginning of the book. The writing in this novel is realistic, but quirky, which makes the somewhat gritty situations a bit more palatable. The descriptions are good, too. They make you feel as if you are right there with the characters without becoming rambling.

Once I got to know the characters, though, the novel slowed down quite a bit until the actual opening of the Stardust about halfway through. When the Stardust opened, though, I was so excited for Georgia, and I couldn’t wait to see who would come to stay at the little resort.

The characters are what drive this novel, and my favorites were Ludi and Peter. I loved Ludi’s faith and her trust in God, even in bad times. Peter was mysterious, but he grew on me as he and Georgia go to know each other.

I did think that this book was sad as it portrayed the polio epidemic. I did not know that this would be a focal point of the story, and it was at times heartbreaking. My dad has told me about his memories of polio outbreaks when he was a child – such a devastating disease, and it is seemingly random, which causes so much fear.

Ultimately Stardust is a story of forgiveness that was told in a very real, but very compassionate, way.

I will give Stardust … 3 ½ BookWorms.

         

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from FaithWords. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."