The Girl Who Chased the Moon

New York Times best-selling author Allen follows up Garden Spells (2007), also available from Books on Tape/Random Audio, with another enchanting tale set in her home state of North Carolina. When Emily Benedict arrives in Mullaby, NC, she knows almost nothing about her late mother's hometown and its quirky residents, including why many of them seem to despise her. She finds a friend in Julia, an avid cake baker grappling with her own secrets. This multigenerational tale, read with flair by actress Rebecca Lowman, has many special ingredients: a dash of romance, a touch of family drama, and a sprinkling of the paranormal, mixed with Allen's trademark Southern charm. Enthusiastically recommended. [Embeddable audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Bantam hc also received a starred review, LJ 12/09.—Ed.]—Theresa Stoner, St. Joseph Cty. P.L., South Bend, IN