Artist’s rendition of Ella’s land in MAN IN THE BLUE MOON.
When Pat Conroy endorses a novel we pay attention. And when that novel is a rich tale of betrayal and redemption penned by a true Southern gentleman we swoon. It seems that Conroy himself swooned a bit while reading this month’s book club selection, THE MAN IN THE BLUE MOON. This is what he had to say, “Michael Morris has been one of my favorite Southern writers. His new novel is reason for great celebration–a beautifully wrought portrayal of small-town Southern life. Buy it. Read it.”
We couldn’t agree more. Especially about the ‘buy it’ and ‘read it’ parts. And as always, it would be an honor if you read it along with us this month. We’ve devoted all of November to MAN IN THE BLUE MOON. Michael Morris will be visiting with us all month long and we’ll be chatting about the book here.
And the giveaways? Well, you don’t want to miss those either. You can enter for yourself or for a friend. All the prizes would make great Christmas gifts:
Main Giveaway–this custom-made “blue moon” necklace and earrings along with a signed copy of the novel. Leave a comment on this post to enter.
Book Club Giveaway–a signed copy of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON. Participate in our online discussion to enter.
Blog Network Giveaway–Packs of six white linen, embossed panel note cards with an artist’s interpretation of Ella’s land in MAN IN THE BLUE MOON (see painting above). Each card is titled and signed by the artist, Melanie Morris, wife of the author: www.melaniemorrisart.com. (All members of our blog network that to link their reviews below are automatically entered for this giveaway)
About the book:
“He’s a gambler at best. A con artist at worst,” her aunt had said of the handlebar-mustached man who snatched Ella Wallace from her dreams of studying art in France. Eighteen years later, he has disappeared, leaving Ella saddled with debt and struggling to support three sons.
While World War I rages through Europe, Ella begins her own battle to keep the mystical Florida land that has been in her family for generations from the hands of an unscrupulous banker. A mysterious man who arrives at Ella’s door in an unconventional way convinces her he can help, and a tenuous trust begins.
But when the battle for Ella’s land intensifies, the town’s suspicion of her visitor surges, and it’s soon apparent he is as haunted by his past as Ella is terrified of her future. As the two realities collide, hypocrisy and murder shake the coastal town of Apalachicola, jeopardizing everything Ella has fought so desperately to save.
In a riveting portrait of turn-of-the-century Florida, acclaimed author Michael Morris weaves an unforgettable drama of love and loyalty, betrayal and redemption.
Michael Morris is a Southern Book Critics Circle Award finalist and the author of the acclaimed novels A Place Called Wiregrass, a Christy Award Winner, and Slow Way Home, named one of the best novels of the year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A Florida native, he now lives with his wife in Alabama.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is co-founder of the popular online book club, She Reads, a novelist, blogger, and life-long reader. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Her novel, THE WIFE THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS, will be published in January 2014 by Doubleday. Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
I can not wait to read this book! She Reads promotes the best books!
Great! I had planned on reading this book soon – now I will do it for sure – sign me up for the giveaway too!
that is a beautiful necklace and earrings love to win thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
This book sounds so interesting, and I’d love to win the necklace and earrings. I wear blue a lot.
Beautiful necklace and earrings wonderful book perfect.would love towin.
I’ve had this book on my to-read list for a while now and can’t wait to read it! Thanks for a chance to win!
I have never read any of Michael Morris books, so this would be a good time to read a new author. Thanks for the opportunity to win the beautiful necklace too.
Thanks for sharing the first chapter. Now I want to find out all about the Blue Moon clock, I can’t wait to read the book in its entirety.
Would love to win the beautiful necklace and Michael Morris is on my list of authors to tackle one day soon
Sounds like a great read – on it goes to my to be read list. Please enter me in the contest – it would be extra special to read while reading the beautiful jewelry.
Wow!!,this sounds interesting i am looking forward to reading it.
This sounds like such an intriguing yet charming read….and the jewelry would be a nice holiday surprise as well. Thank you!
Thank you to She Reads for selecting Man in the Blue Moon as the November pick — my birthday is November 16 so this is a great early birthday present! I am honored and can’t wait to discuss the novel with y’all.
What an awesome necklace and earrings — I know exactly who I would give it to if I were the winner!
That is a gorgeous necklace. Great giveaway!
Thank you for the opportunity – the necklace is beautiful – and my favorite color. Looking forward to reading the book as well.
Book sounds great! Would also love to win the giveaways. Thanks1
A beautiful giveaway to go along with a gorgeous read!
And my “to be read” list grew once again! Thanks for the tip about this book, and for the chance to be entered in the drawing. (scurries off to bookstore after work)
I’d love to wear that gorgeous jewelry while reading a copy of Man in the Blue Moon.
Sounds like another good one!!
“The Man in the Blue Moon” sounds like the type of mystery I would enjoy reading. The bonus factor of the giveaways is an incentive as well to explore this book. Thanks for the background description as it gives me insight on what I can enjoy reading.
sounds like a very interesting read!!
time to get back on the She Reads book club discussion group!
Thanks for sharing the first chapter. Can’t wait to dig in! Also, blue is my favorite color!
I can’t wait to read the book and would love to win
Love the jewelry!
Oh my goodness!! Love the “moon” necklace .. what an exciting prize! I am picking up my book today but I know it will be a great selection as I love reading all of your selections! “Blackberry Winter” was one of my favorites!!
Thank you, Grandfather Curtis Whitfield.
Your storytelling blessed your grandson
and, thus, has blessed us, his readers.
Wow – what a story from his grandfather. How could anyone not grow up to be a ‘storyteller/author’ with that background.
Thanks SheReads! I can’t wait to open each email when I see it! 
Susan G.
I am loving the story about Mr. Morris’ grandfather. I would love to win the beautiful jewelry and the book. Until the winner is announced, though, I will comfort myself with the author’s other works. Like you said, if Pat Conroy gives the author a seal of approval, I’m all in!
This sounds like a great story and I can’t wait to read it! I have loved every selection suggested by She Reads so far. Thank you for all your great picks!
Happy Birthday to Michael Morris, I always love discovering a new author that I haven’t read before.
Love the jewelry and the book!
Loving ‘Man in the Blue Moon’ and thanking She Reads for introducing me to this author. I am only a ways into the book, but will definitely finish for the end of the month discussion…and perhaps a chance of a prise??? Seriously, I just love reading, and if a book does not grab me initially, then I usually do not finish it. This one grabs!
I put together a small book club group this year and we have enjoyed several of your recommendations so far. I really appreciate the service you offer to keep us apprised of good literature and a way to interact about the books.
I also bought this book and am reading. I hope I can finish before the month is out, so I can adequately comment on the posts. With Thanksgiving breathing down the psyche, and all the cooking, I will just say that I enjoy Pat Conroy, have read and seen most of the movies made from his books. I believe he is the quintessential Southern writer of today, so if he recommends an author, I will read it. Stay tuned…more comments to follow!
Must Read!