The Interlude

The Interlude, Linn Stepp's latest novel in her Smoky Mountain series, is an enjoyable read.

The back-cover blurb hints at what the book is about: "In this gentle, inspirational romance, Lin Stepp reveals the healing touch and deep peace the beauty of the Smoky Mountains can bring to a hurt and troubled heart."

The two main characters, Mallory Wingate and Lucas James, both have troubled hearts. After Mallory cared for her recently deceased mother during her mother's long illness, broke up with her suitor Ethan, and  succumbed to pressures at the publishing house in Savannah where she works, she suffers a breakdown. While Mallory recovers, she will stay for a while with her grandparents at Millhouse Resort in the Smoky Mountains. Lucas James—a golf pro still affected by the suicide of his bi-polar ex-wife a few years earlier—takes the seat beside Mallory on the plane. At first, Mallory tries to ignore him, but soon they are conversing. He invites her to have dinner with him during a layover and, back on the plane, they sit together again. Flirtatious kissing ensues. "An interlude," Lucas tells her. After all, they won't see each other again. 

But, of course, they do. And therein lies the story. I won't give away the surprises, but there are some mysteries—a series of thefts, (including items stolen from the Butterfly Tea Room and cars stolen from the resort parking lot) and the circumstances surrounding the accidental death of Mallory's father in a hunting accident decades earlier—and a scene where Mallory is in danger.

One of the enjoyable parts of a Lin Stepp  novel is a strong sense of place. There are some wonderful descriptions of hikes that the main characters take. Plus the Millhouse Resort, surrounding town, and Great Smokies are all important to the story. The map provides a handy way to see where various senes in the novel take place.

A strong sense of family is another hallmark of a Lin Stepp novel. The Interlude emphasizes and demonstrates the importance of family.

The main characters—and several minor characters—are well-developed and believable. Stepp's background in psychology no doubt played a part in both illuminating the emotional problems Mallory and Lucas had as well as providing believable solutions.

What did my youngest cats, Charlotte and her brother Otis think of the book?

Charlotte: I  thought that the purrfect place to read The Interlude was on the cat-shelf in a sunny window.

Charlotte: The sun could shine right through my ears and illuminate the book. I liked the book. What did you think, Otis?

Otis: You know I'm always looking for a good book. I liked The Interlude and I give it two paws up.

 Otis: I prefer to do my reading in bed. I had a little trouble turning the pages until I realized I was using the wrong side. Once I got into the book, I thought the best part was about the cat, Baby. My favorite part was when she had kittens in the closet!

Charlotte: Otis, you're giving away too much of the plot! But I liked the part about the cat, too.  I could really identify with Baby. I'm going to share the book with our mom-cat Alfreda. 

Alfreda: Can't I finish my nap first, Charlotte?

Charlotte: You should start reading now! It has a cat in it!

Alfreda: Oh, a cat? Then I'll probably like it. But first I want to finish my nap.

Charlotte: No, you should start reading it now!

Another plus about The Interlude: a cat! (But the cat doesn't appear until later in the story.)

NOTE: I received an advance reader copy of this book. The Interlude will be released on April 2, but it is available for pre-order from Amazon now.