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    The Rock Orchard
    The Rock Orchard
    The Rock Orchard
    Audiobook7 hours

    The Rock Orchard

    Written by Paula Wall

    Narrated by Susan Ericksen

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    “Some women can touch a man and heal like Jesus. The man who sees sunrise from a Belle woman’s bed will swear he’s been born again.”

    So begins Paula Wall’s funny, poignant, and sexy novel, The Rock Orchard. Musette Belle could lay her hand on a baby’s heart and see his life as if he’d already lived it. Even in death, she continues to shock the good citizens of Leaper’s Fork, Tennessee, and her descendents are doing their best to carry on her legacy. Angela Belle, a haunting and beautiful siren, lures every man she meets into greatness, while her illegitimate and very independent daughter, Dixie, serves tea and vanilla wafers to the statue of the Confederate soldier she believes is her father. But when Charlotte Belle, a woman who would rather spend the night with Jack Daniels than any man she knows, seduces a stranger in the cemetery, it not only transforms the two people involved but the entire town.

    Blending sensuality, wisdom, and wry wit to create a truly unique love story, The Rock Orchard is about the strength of community, the might of God, and the ultimate power of extraordinary women.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateFeb 1, 2005
    ISBN9781597106542
    The Rock Orchard
    Author

    Paula Wall

    Paula Wall is the author of the national bestseller The Rock Orchard, as well as two collections of short pieces, My Love Is Free . . . But the Rest of Me Don’t Come Cheap and If I Were a Man, I’d Marry Me. The latter was a semifinalist for the Thurber Prize. She currently lives outside of Nashville in a converted barn on 150 acres at the foot of the Highland Rim. Her nearest neighbor is one mile down the road, which, frankly, is a little too close for comfort. Visit her website at www.PaulaWall.com.

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    Reviews for The Rock Orchard

    4/5

    101 ratings11 reviews

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    • 3/5
      My mom passed this on saying it was "different". What needs to be recognized here is that different is not bad. I enjoyed the southern vs. northern aspect and in the end there were multiple happy endings so I liked it.
    • 3/5
      The book was okay for me. Nothing exceptional. I would have love to read more about the love story of Adam and Angela or Lydia and Boone. Their stories might be written in only ~15 chapters (for 4 characters). Summary was misleading. I thought the story was about the Belle women but it was actually about Leaper Fork especially about Adam. The story was disjointed and incoherent for me. A lot of different stories that can be confusing or frustrating and didn't see any mention of a rock orchard. I think it was supposed to be 'magical' in a way but book did not dwell in the Belle's clairvoyance. Would also like to see more of that.
    • 5/5
      Love this book, this is the 2nd time I've read it and I usually don't re-read, unless it is a favorite. I am hoping Paula Wall will come out with a new book soon. I've read her second book the Wilde Women, which I really enjoyed as well. She favors strong, wise women characters. An amazing author who really draws the reader into the story, I was immersed and didn't want to leave Leapers Fork.
    • 5/5
      this author loves women and this novel flows easy and fun free.The Belles have been in Leaper's Fork, Tennessee, since before the Civil War, and the Belle women have been strong, independent, and lusty. But in spite of their shocking behavior, the citizens of Leaper's Fork don't hesitate to come to them with their problems or have Belles lay hands on their newborn babies, for the Belles seem to have the sight as well. Charlotte likes to smoke cigars and make money. Not a fan of children, she nevertheless begrudgingly takes in her sister's child, Angela. Charlotte's child-raising technique is "free range," which ultimately leads to a young Angela begetting her own illegitimate daughter, Dixie. No one knows who the father is, but it doesn't slow down Angela and her sultry ways. The Belles' influence is felt throughout Leaper's Fork, and just as inviting are the townspeople in Wall's wonderfully endearing story of love, life, and change, and Wall's extraordinary and original style is the icing on one very enticing cake.
    • 4/5
      A nice easy read. Cute story and narration. Though, it did seem like there were several stories going on that didn't seem to join together in the end. The ending seemed abrupt and strange. But never-the-less...a nice book. I have no idea where the title of the book falls into play either.
    • 4/5
      I loved this book. I love how Paula Wall includes the whole town in a story. It absolutely keeps you from getting bored because there is so much going on. I read her latest novel The Wilde Women first and my expectations were set a bit too high I think. Even though this book was wonderful Paula Wall has definitely outdone herself with The Wilde Women. I recommend that anybody interested in her work read this book first so that you appreciate it for how good it really is. I can't wait for her to come out with another novel.
    • 5/5
      outstanding saga of a family ruled by an amazing and dominating woman. Beautiful prose, interesting characters for whom you root and surprises galore. Loved it!
    • 4/5
      I was really surprised by this book. The first time I started reading it, I didn't get far enough into it to appreciate it, so this time around, I expected just a fun fluffy novel. It was fun and fluffy, but so much more. Most notable was the excellent dialog and writing in general. There were many times I laughed out loud at a perfect "that's so true and so well put" type of line. I can't wait to read more about the Belles and more from Paula Wall!
    • 5/5
      General Southern fiction. I loved it! I’m not sure how I’d describe the story…a bunch of people learning about themselves and each other, perhaps. But it sucked me in and never let go.This made my top 10 list for 2006.
    • 5/5
      What a riot! I loved these characters!! This book was just pure fun, and probably the sexiest book I've ever read. I usually try to avoid romance type novels, and I this is certainly not in the same category as Harlequin, but it has a romantic/sexual flare. The perfect book if you're in a rut.
    • 5/5
      I'm officially a fan of Paula Wall. I really enjoyed this book.