Nowhere But Home Blog Tour: Review

Nowhere But Home

Author: Liza Palmer
Genre: Adult Fiction
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Description:

A brilliant, hilarious, and touching story with a Texas twist from Liza Palmer, author of Conversations With The Fat Girl (optioned for HBO)

Queenie Wake, a country girl from North Star, Texas, has just been fired from her job as a chef for not allowing a customer to use ketchup. Again. Now the only place she has to go is home to North Star. She can hope, maybe things will be different. Maybe her family's reputation as those Wake women will have been forgotten. It's been years since her mother-notorious for stealing your man, your car, and your rent money-was killed. And her sister, who as a teenager was branded as a gold-digging harlot after having a baby with local golden boy Wes McKay, is now the mother of the captain of the high school football team. It can't be that bad…

Who knew that people in small town Texas had such long memories? And of course Queenie wishes that her memory were a little spottier when feelings for her high school love, Everett Coburn, resurface. He broke her heart and made her leave town-can she risk her heart again?

At least she has a new job-sure it's cooking last meals for death row inmates but at least they don't complain!

But when secrets from the past emerge, will Queenie be able to stick by her family or will she leave home again? A fun-filled, touching story of food, football, and fooling around. 

Nowhere But Home is a heartfelt novel that follows main character Queenie Wake as her life spirals downward and leads her back to her hometown of North Star, Texas. Going back home means dealing with her family's reputation and being known as one of those "Wake women." Her mother was a notorious man-stealer and her younger sister has been branded as a gold-digging harlot. Queenie is hoping that people and home have changed and that things will be better once she moves back. Of course, we all wish for things that just don't happen. To top it off, Queenie's high school love, Everett Coburn, is back in town and is bringing old heartache back to light. Will Queenie be able to leave the past behind her and move on? Will old secrets tear her family apart or will she be able to stand by them?

This was a wonderfully written novel that was full of fun, light-hearted characters and memories along with heartbreaking realizations, self discovery, and the strength of love. The writing was fantastic and I was immediately drawn into Queenie's world. She was an interesting main character - strong and witty yet flawed and uncertain at times. She was easy to identify with and I was rooting for her early on in the story. The plot was fresh and fun but dealt with deeper topics underneath the surface. It talks of family, love, the past, secrets, self discovery, and inner strength. Although there are aspects of the book that are heavy, the book itself was light and a fast read. The characters - especially Queenie - and the dialogue really keep the book moving and flowing seamlessly. The writing was very well done and shows the immense talent the author possesses. Definitely recommended for fans of women's fiction and contemporary fiction!

Liza Palmer is the internationally bestselling author of Conversations with the Fat Girl , which has been optioned for series by HBO.

Library Journal said Palmer’s “blend of humor and sadness is realistic and gripping,..”

After earning two Emmy nominations writing for the first season of VH1’s Pop Up Video, she now knows far too much about Fergie.

Palmer’s fifth novel, Nowhere but Home, is about a failed chef who decides to make last meals for the condemned in Texas. Nowhere but Home will be out April 2, 2013.  

Author Links:

• Liza Palmer's website
• Facebook
• Blog
• Twitter
• Instagram

Follow along with the tour schedule:

Tuesday, April 2nd: Book Hooked Blog

Wednesday, April 3rd: Sara’s Organized Chaos

Thursday, April 4th: Kritters Ramblings

Monday, April 8th: The Book Garden

Tuesday, April 9th: A Dream Withing a Dream

Wednesday, April 10th: 5 Minutes for Books

Thursday, April 11th: Short and Sweet Reviews

Monday, April 15th: I Read a Book Once

Tuesday, April 16th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Tuesday, April 23rd: Reading Lark

Wednesday, April 24th: Melody & Words

Thursday, April 25th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, April 26th: West Metro Mommy