BULLS ISLAND by Dorothea Benton Frank
The novel that should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer is BULLS ISLAND by Dorothea Benton Frank. This latest story from the beloved southern author has it all. That means an interesting plot, a compelling love story, and the Benton Frank brand of humor. That dry, southern humor is the best part of the story and the one element that is truly Frank’s trademark. She is a funny gal.
Now BULLS ISLAND is not a comedy in any way. It is a story about a southern family and how it tries to impose its will on all who drift into its orbit. The villain of the piece is the southern matriarch, Louisa Langley, who runs her family with an iron hand. It was she who was against the marriage of her son JD to Betts McGee. Betts and her family were just not suitable.
After a tragedy occurs in Betts family, she flees to New York and begins a life and career there. Then after almost twenty years she is sent by her company to Charleston, South Carolina to work on a project that involves JD. His family still lives in Charleston and is still powerful.
Betts is single but JD is married to a woman named Valerie. She was never the woman of JD’s dreams but he has tried to make the marriage work. When Betts comes back all of the old feelings and attractions between them are rekindled. Still Louisa is determined there will be no taking up where they left off.
The characters in BULLS ISLAND come vividly to life and wage their battles with intensity and passion. JD and Betts may be the two people fighting their attraction for each other but there are also other members of the cast who play important roles. These include not only Louisa and Valerie, but also Sela who is Betts best friend. Then there is Betts’ son Adrian whose parentage has not been explained. This is a volatile mix of personalities and the combination of their stories lead to death and destruction during a long hot summer.
The summer heat, a ripe romance, the clash of two families – this is what southern drama is all about. Then if you add in a good dollop of humor to make it all more palatable you get a book that can’t be put aside. This is the kind of story that most readers love and no one can tell a story in the way Dorothea Benton Frank can.
So pick up a copy of BULLS ISLAND and take it with you wherever you travel this summer. It is the perfect reading companion.
BULLS ISLAND is published by William Morrow. It contains 334 pages and sells for $24.95.