Kate Austen, The Gossip Queens Review

Overall Rating

The Gossip Queens
Kate Austen
Harlequin Next, November 2006, $5.50
ISBN: 0373881177

Mercedes runs the Sand Dollar Motel on Canada's Sunshine Coast. Currently she is upset because her daughter Julie is marrying the town cop. She fears it will be similar to her ex-husband who fled with the family fortune just before his offspring was born.

Rose and her spouse Sam own the Way-Inn where she works as the hostess and waitress. While Sam is the best cook for miles and loves the kitchen, Rose thinks they should adopt a child, which he opposes.

Doris is sixty-eight years old and a widow. She is raising her grandchild Baby Emily since her daughter Tonika was severely injured in an accident.

These three have been maternal angels for the townsfolk, but they are in need of solace as each has issues to face.

THE GOSSIP QUEENS is a wonderful look at small town Canadian living through the eyes of three older women who have always been there for family and friends, but now have needs of their own and count on one another for support. Each of the lead trio seems like a genuine person who could be a neighbor or a relative. Fans of insightful character studies starring female buddies will enjoy this fine tale once the key players are introduced to the reader.