Stealing Home. Sherryl Woods

Stealing Home
Sherryl Woods
Publisher: Brilliance Audio Inc
Date: 2010
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10 hrs 32 min
Narrator: Janet Metzger
Source: Own book

Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity, but there's been nothing calm or peaceful about her life since her marriage broke up. This stay-at-home mom has no job skills, an out-of-control sixteen-year-old son, a talkative fourteen-year-old who's suddenly gone silent, a six-year-old daughter whose heart is broken, an ex-husband whose younger girlfriend is expecting their baby and two best friends who think she's somehow qualified to help them open a fitness spa for women. But if Maddie is a tad on edge with all that on her plate, it's nothing compared to the chaos that ensues when she discovers that her son's baseball coach has feelings for her and the whole town disapproves. Maddie's faced a lot of challenges lately with strength and resolve, but Cal Maddox may turn out to be more than she can handle. Then again, he could just be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity.

Stealing Home is #1 in the Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods.  I read #11 first, so they can stand alone, but I enjoyed Swan Point her latest in this series, so much I have gone back to begin at the beginning.  I like these kind of books - they are about rethinking life, looking at the choices you have made and sometimes starting out again.  If you have reached or passed mid-life then you probably know what I mean.

Maddie is a great mother and just a downright lovely woman.  She is just a little unsure of herself, while her husband has furthered his career she has been a supportive stay at home wife.  When her husband leaves her for a younger woman Maddie is thrown.  But not for long, she has guts and some very good friends - Helen a lawyer and Dana Sue who runs a restaurant.  With their help Maddie is on her feet again and taking big strides in finding out who she is now.

Cal, the local coach of softball, finds that he is attracted to Maddie and his boss - the local Principal, takes a rather self righteous affront to the growing relationship.  We also gain insight into what is happening for Bill, Maddie's soon to be ex husband and his new woman - Noreen. I rather appreciated Noreen in the end and I thought she made some wise decisions.

Maddie's eldest son Tye is a talented softball player, however his parents pending divorce is upsetting for him and he is off his game.  I liked the three children and enjoyed the moment when Tye has a strong casting vote.  Divorce is an unsettling time for children and this book, gently explores that issue.

Janet Metzger narrated the book well, I enjoyed listening to her and I am looking forward to reading through the rest of the books in this series.