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Tara Woolpy is the author of The Lacland series, loosely linked novels set in the fictional upper midwestern town of Lacland, including Releasing Gillian's Wolves, Raising Wild Ginger and Midnight Supper at the Rise and Shine. Tara earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Whitworth College after which she spent a year at the Women Writers Center in Cazenovia, New York. While pursuing her writing career she paid the rent through an astonishing number of jobs—she’s been a waitress, a shop owner, a retail clerk, a half-way house counselor and a commercial diver. Eventually, she took a midlife hiatus from writing to become an aquatic scientist. As such she also holds a Masters degree from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now she teaches online for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and has come back to writing fiction with new passion and wonder at the long, serpentine beauty of life. In addition to the novels, her work has appeared in Focus, Corymb, Kalliope, Alligator Juniper and the anthology The Things that Divide Us from Seal Press.
Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite
First, a disclaimer: I have read other Tara Woolpy books and I absolutely love them, the town of Lacland and this author. And I must say, Midnight Supper at the Rise and Shine did not disappoint me in the least. Follow the story of former promising opera singer Irene Sato as she continues on her journey of grief and healing from her husband Greg's death more than twenty years ago. After he died, she returned to her hometown of Lacland, for support in raising her son Adam as well as the familiarity of the people and surroundings. Her opera days seem to be behind her as she splits her time between raising her son, waitressing, and singing in an oldies cover band. Also seemingly behind her are the days when she had real romantic love in her life. In fact, the only relationship she seems to have engaged in since the loss of her husband is a none-too-healthy affair with a married man. When she meets newcomer Mark Redfield, she's drawn to him, even though she isn't quite sure of her feelings towards his disability and need to use a wheelchair. Mix this in with her unique family, with whom she lives and works, and you've certainly got just about enough excitement for the outspoken yet damaged Irene and all those who love her as well.
I loved this book so much. Author Tara Woolpy has once again done a phenomenal job in creating likable, relatable and interesting characters that will have you rooting for their successes and cringing at their failures. As with each of her books, I still find myself thinking of the characters, especially Irene and Mark, and if that isn't the hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Any reader who loves a great work of fiction with a little bit of family drama and romance thrown in should absolutely read Midnight Supper at the Rise and Shine. Author Tara Woolpy is an extremely gifted writer, and I am just waiting for the day that her name appears on the New York Times' bestsellers list. She certainly deserves a spot there!
