Wide Plank Porches


Fiction - Southern
234 Pages
Reviewed on 05/27/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I'm a southern girl born and bred, but I'm no southern belle. I love living and working in North Carolina, and raising my family here. Southern families tend to be full of drama, and this story is no different. I hope you'll relate to Charlotte, Janie, and even Purdy, lol. Family can be a gift to each of us if we learn how to overcome the things that might tear us apart. That's true for this story, and mine as well.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

I cried, I laughed, I smiled - I couldn’t put down Wide Plank Porches. I am a southerner, though I was born and lived many years in the north as a Yankee; but in Wide Plank Porches I could see friends and neighbors and God’s messages, and people in my church. It is a very true to life fictional story of the Parker family, Charlotte, Purdy and Janie. Purdy, the bossy sister, believes it is her duty to run the family and make sure everyone is doing the “right thing.” Charlotte is the sister who must toe the line by always doing what Purdy says, whether she likes it or not. Janie is Charlotte’s daughter, who has come home from college, pregnant and unmarried and wanting very much to have her baby. Each chapter is told through the eyes of Purdy, Charlotte and Janie, and we come to understand their feelings, hopes and dreams.

Wide Plank Porches is a family tale about following the rules of southern society; listening to and believing in God and having faith; love of family and true friendships. I would love to see this become a Hallmark movie or a TV show sharing life in Riverton, North Carolina with the Parkers, their family and friends. Laura Frances has written Wide Plank Porches about all of the important elements that make up a family, touching on both the good and the bad things that go on. I highly recommend this to all southerners and those wannabe Scarlet O’Hara ladies, and none will be disappointed.

Amazon Customer

Wide Plank Porches is an incredibly amazing warm story written about faith, family and love in a small town! It is so intriguing you will want to read it without putting it down!!!

Margaret Forbis

As a southern girl myself, raised in a family of strong women, I couldn't wait to start reading. I was not disappointed--I couldn't put it down! I loved that the chapters alternated as each woman took a turn telling the story, and I identified with the feelings of every single woman in this book at one point or another. Beautifully written, and a perfect depiction of southern values, family/friend/neighbor relationships, and the importance of faith in our lives. It will make you laugh and cry, and definitely won't disappoint!

M. Pruett

This was my first encounter with the work of writer Laura Frances but after reading wide plank porches it will definitely not be my last. Laura managed to capture the Southern Christian Lady perfectly and the depiction of Southern values. I love that each chapter alternated between the three main characters of the book and the transition flowed so nicely. The characters were written so well that you felt like you knew them personally and that you were right there with them. I devoured this book in one afternoon and I thought about these characters long after I finished. It will make you laugh,make you cry,make you think,and most importantly it will have you seeing Gods great message of Faith,Family,and putting Him first.

Betsy de Cruz

Wide Plank Porches made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes as well. It's a page turner. I wanted to read to the end to find out what happened. I usually am not attracted to Christian Fiction, but Laura Frances is a talented story-teller who gracefully and subtly weaves a sweet message of faith into a great story. The chapters alternated between 3 women, each one continuing the story from her viewpoint.

The book is both a great story and a message about the power of family, friendship, and faith.

I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of life and people in the South. Since I'm a Southerner myself, some descriptions felt familiar, like an old home you know well. For people not from the South, it could seem exaggerated. I just thought, "Yep. I know people like this.

Sandra Lockey

This is a great book! Laura captures the essence of southern ladies and a Christian values so well. I saw some of the southern traits of family and friends in her characters. I loved how she introduced the characters by chapter. I couldn't wait to get to the end, but at the same time wanted it to last!

Amazon Customer

I really loved reading this book! It has a great message about loving your family and putting God first in your everyday life. I love how each chapter was from a different point of view of the different female characters. The bonds between these woman were so touching. I also enjoyed the humor throughout the story. I laughed and cried while reading this wonderful book! If you enjoy reading books about love, friendship and faith, you will love this book!

Sallie Conner

Oh my goodness! Ms. Frances has managed, yet again, to make me cry with her deeply touching southern tale! Most southerners will find similarities in their own families, or the families of others they know, and will be inspired, as well as, entertained by the trials and tribulations of the Parkers.

Leslie Bruner

I enjoyed this read so much!! Didn't want to put it down, but was disappointed to finish so quickly. I plan to read then author's first book now. On a personal note, I wish the option of adoption had been considered, just for awareness' sake, as it's dear to my heart. I highly recommend this book!!

Woody King

Loved, loved this book. I love all the characters, it portrays a southern family with strong female characters and good won out in the end. It has a strong message about family and putting God first.

Phyllis McDonald

Such an excellent book! It's a fantastic glimpse into a truly southern family. From the strong female characters, to the beautifully descriptive story-telling it will captivate you from the first to the last page!

Amazon Customer

Loved "Wide Plank Porches"! I couldn't stop reading!

Archee Waters

This book grabs you by the collar and drags you in to bear witness.
A riveting read to the end.
I couldn't put it down, it gripped me from the start.
The author has seasoned it liberally with Southern flavor both in atmosphere and colloquialisms.
Be prepared to feel powerful emotions that may frighten you with their intensity.
Somewhat raw, somewhat disturbing but very real and honest in its sensitivity.
The story deals with a life changing event that evolves the self awareness of three major characters.
Not only does it question existing moral arguments but raises an interesting issue.
You be the judge of what transpires - can the manipulation of others, whether or not they deem their actions are
based on good faith, be a crime itself?
Not only was I intrigued with the story line but I also recognized many truths that resonated.
I recommend this book highly.