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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Fixer Upper

The Fixer Upper -- After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father's offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. All it will take, he tells her, is a little paint and some TLC to turn the fading Victorian mansion into a real-estate cash cow.

But, oh, is Dempsey in for a surprise when she arrives in Guthrie. "Bird Droppings" would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol–pink dump with duct-taped windows and a driveway full of junk. There's also a murderously grumpy old lady, one of Dempsey's distant relations, who has claimed squatter's rights and isn't moving out. Ever.

Furthermore, everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey's business, from a smooth-talking real-estate agent to a cute lawyer who owns the local newspaper. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the pesky FBI agents who show up on Dempsey's doorstep, hoping to pry information about her ex-boss from her.

All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected—back home again.

3 comments:

What Kate Wore said...

This one looks right up my alley, and something I could use right now! We are both headed to the local library this afternoon and just used Coterie Books to add several items to the "Let's look for...." list as they have an incredible selection of new books.

Thanks for such fab input!
tp

Suburban prep said...

I just added this to my Wishlist per your review.
Thanks

Zoë Moët said...

I love Mary Kay Andrews! Thanks for pointing me in the direction of another of her masterpieces, I'll have to look for it straightaway!