The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser

Lumby is a little town located somewhere in the northwest.  A town of old-fashioned values, charming shops, and quaint townsfolks. Most of the shops are located on the second floor of their buildings, which only adds more charm to the shops and much healthier shopkeepers!

The town's paper, The Lumby Lines, is published weekly and the highlight of it is the Sheriff's report.  You never know what you will find in the sheriff's report.  Could be a moose on the loose with a tricycle caught on his antlers, or someone called in that someone stole one of their tulips bulbs, or a complaint that all the mailboxes were painted an outlandish color on one road, save one. Did it mean something skipping them?!

When a city couple, Mark and Pam, visit on a vacation, they fall in love with an old monastary.  It needs lots of work, it had a fire the previous year, but they see a dream; an historical inn.  So, they buy it and start restoration.   But the townsfolk are wary of the new folks in town.  The owner of the The Lumby Lines has expressed his displeasure, and it gets the townsfolk talking.  What if he is right? What if what they plan to do with the abbey isn't good for the town?  With the exception of a few, they shy away from the "Eastcoasters".

But Mr. Beezer, the owner of The Lumby Lines, has his own reasons for his outspoken ways, and it doesn't come to fruitation for many chapters.  Mark and Pam's relationship seems to flourish in the small town, and they bring with them Pam's best friend, Brooke, who is an architect.  Brooke's always been a city girl, but the small town speaks to her, as well as Joshua, a previous monk.

And the best part of the town is Hank, one of those pink plastic flamingos, who graces the abbey lawn.  You never know what Hank is going to be wearing.  He could be in full Americana for the 4th of July festivities, or in deck shoes and a life jacket for the rafting contest.  A true pillar of Lumby.

The Lumby Lines is a magical story filled with humor, romance, love, and the warmth of family and friendship.  I fell in love with the town of Lumby and can't wait to continue the series.  The characters are realistic and the everyday antics of small town life a breathe of fresh air.  Growing up in a small town myself, I can relate on several levels.  The humor is laugh-out loud funny and I think Hank is my new favorite character.  If you love reading about small town life and quirky, yet believable characters, you won't want to miss The Lumby Lines!! A true delight.