Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m sharing my review for a fictionalized memoir – Flowers and Stone, by Jan Sikes. I’d been looking forward to this book as this author and I share something in common, we both lived our passions, we both married older men, and for both of us, both our men were the great loves of our lives.
Blurb:
The epic love story begins here! A hot Texas summer, dim-lit honky-tonk bars, a young naïve fledgling go-go dancer, and a wild rebel Texas musician set the stage for this story. 1970 in Abilene, Texas finds young Darlina Flowers trying to figure out how to fit into the world she is most attracted to – the nightlife, live music, and go-go dancing. Luke Stone, a veteran Texas Musician believes he’s lost all reason to care about his music career, his health, and most especially his heart. A chance meeting with Darlina changes everything. Yet, it seems it’s too little too late, as fate has already determined the outcome. Join Luke and Darlina on a passion-filled journey down Texas roads while Luke and his band entertain crowds along the way, as Darlina Flowers struggles to adjust to this strange new world. Can she trust Luke Stone with her heart? Luke Stone, a good man who has made a career of bad decisions, falls as completely in love with Darlina as she does with him. Will their unyielding love survive the test of time, distance and iron bars?
My 5 Star Review:
Darlina Flowers, 19, wanted to get out of small town Texas and gets herself a factory job, supplementing with go-go dancing at a local bar. There she meets, 15 years her senior, Luke Stone, a musican, and becomes part of his dance show with the Rhythm Rebels.
Luke is a player that many women seem to have their eye on, and already being married, doesn’t seem to stop his roving eyes. Until he meets Darlina, a young vibrant, compassionate small town girl who steals his heart.
There are lots of mountains and valleys of emotion in this story as the passions heat up between Luke and Darlina through their musical journey together, and their love. Theirs is a true love story with a lot of obstacles and hurt to come as Luke has a secret he keeps from Darlina, and that eventually becomes a wedge between them. Luke didn’t know how to handle the situation by telling the truth to Darlina and found it best just to cast her aside and break her heart, as his own was broken too. But he felt some things he just couldn’t share with Darlina, which was very unfair as her heart was broken as she was left wondering what on earth could have gone wrong after he promised her his undying love, yet, left her in the lurch of unknowing.
Despite their craziness, the two shared a deep love for each other, and no obstacle was going to stop Darlina from loving the man of her heart.
©DGKaye2022
What a wonderful review, Debby – you and Jan seem to share so much in common. Toni x
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Thanks Toni. Uncanny! ❤
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Thank you, Toni! This review has my heart singing today!
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Wonderful Debby… I have on my TBR and look forward to reading… great to have you back ♥
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Thanks so much Sal. ❤
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Thank you, Sally! I’m honored that you have this book on your TBR list!
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Sounds like a great read, Debby. Welcome back to Blogland! Are you home now? x
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Thanks Stevie. Official home post on Tuesday ❤
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Thank you, Stevie!
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It’s great to have you back, Debby. I hope it all went well. I’m off on Thursday, but I’ll be back in a couple of weeks or so, so not much time away. Stay well and thanks for a fab review.
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Thanks for the welcome Olga. Update posts to follow. Enjoy your break! ❤
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Thank you for stopping by, Olga! Enjoy your time away!
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Great review, Debby! I have Jan’s Ghostly Interference in my Kindle and I’ll check this one out, too! x
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Wonderful Trish. Thanks. ❤
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Oh how wonderful, Trish! I hope you enjoy Ghostly Interference and thank you for leaving a comment here today!
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Oh my goodness!! This wonderful review for my very first book. Thank you, Debby from the bottom of my heart! This made my day!! Big hugs!
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Loved it Jan. Looking forward to the next in the series ❤
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I hope you enjoy Luke and Darlina’s journey.
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No doubts! 🙂
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I loved this series, Sis, and considering it’s based on truth it made the story even better. Bravo for a lovely review of Jan’s book. ❤
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Thank you Sis. Love true stories. ❤
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I know you do! These books were especially good. ❤
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❤
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Colleen! Big hugs!
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A great pleasure, Jan. ❤️
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Super review, Debbie. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you John. 🙂
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Thank you, John!
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😁
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I am curious about the genre: fictionalized memoire. Did you ever question, Debby, while reading, what was fiction and what was truth? Did it matter? Interesting review and book.
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Thanks Carol. I believe a fictionalized memoir is a true story, only hidden under the guise of fiction. ❤
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Hi, Carol. I am often asked the question of how much of the story of fiction and how much is true. The characters are fictionalized. All the events in the book happened. The parts that are fiction are conversations I wasn’t present for and scenes in Luke’s POV that I wasn’t actually there. I based them off of what he told me and also from knowing him so well. So, my standard answer is that the books are 99% truth and 1% fiction. Thank you for stopping by and for such a great question!
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Great description Jan 🙂
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Thanks, Jan for your answer. Makes a lot of sense. All the best with your writing. ❤
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Wonderful review of Jan’s book.
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Thank you Craig 🙂
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Thank you, Craig!
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Great review, Debby. I loved this entire series, that showed the power of love surviving anything.
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Thanks Denise. I do look forward to the next books. ❤
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Denise!
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Great review, Debby! This one is on my TBR list.
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Thank you Joan x
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Thank you, Joan! I hope you enjoy it!
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Fabulous review of Jan’s story. Congratulations to her. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks Staci 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Staci! Much appreciated!
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Lovely review, Debbie! Thank you so much for sharing. I loved the book as well. 😊
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Thanks Gwen. Now I must read the next two. 🙂
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Thank you, dear Gwen, for adding your recommendation for Flowers and Stone!
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Sounds a beautiful read Debby and nothing beats a real love story with all its ups and downs… Many thanks for sharing and Welcome back.. ❤ 🙂
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Thanks so much Sue. My ‘I’m back’ post will be out Tuesday. I just wanted to get a Sunday Review started. Hugs to you. ❤ xox
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Great Post too Debby ❤
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Hugs my friend. ❤ xx
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💕🤗💕
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Thank you, Sue. I hope Debby’s review intrigued you enough to pick up the book!
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Wonderful review, Debby. I enjoyed this one, too. True love triumphs!
Welcome back!
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Thanks Jacquie. No doubts you enjoyed, your specialty – romance. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you for your added recommendation, Jacquie
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Flowers and Stone was my first exposure to Jan Sikes as an author and I fell in love with the entire series. Since then, I’ve devoured everything she’s written. An excellent review, Debby, and many congrats to Jan!
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What a lovely compliment for Jan, Mae. Thanks for adding your take here. And I agree, now I must read what happens next! 🙂
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Awwww, thank you, Mae! I’m blushing. I sincerely thank you for the added recommendation!
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What a lovely review, Debby. I enjoy Jan’s writing and I can see why you were drawn to her books and this one in particular. It sounds like a sweet story. And welcome home! I hope your travel went smoothly and that spring is making an appearance up your way. Congrats to Jan on the amazing review. 🙂
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Thanks for the warm welcome Diana. Good to be back. Lol, travel and smooth? Me? The same sentence? Updates coming this week. And yes, Jan’s is a true love story with the good and the bad, just like life. Hugs xx
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I look forward to your update. Glad you’re back!
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Hugs my friend ❤
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Thank you, Diana, for your kind words. I am honored. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
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❤
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Great review for Jan’s book, and congrats to her. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debby 💕🙂
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Thanks so much for dropping by Harmony ❤
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Thank you, Harmony!
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This sounds like a fun love-ly read, Debbie. Thanks for your review.
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Hi Norah. Thanks so much ❤
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Hi, Norah. Thank you for stopping by and reading Debby’s review! Hope it intrigued you enough to pick it up!
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I’ve put it on my list, Jan. 🙂
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Excellent review, Debby!
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Thank you Jennie ❤
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You’re welcome, Debby!
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Thank you, Jennie!
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You are welcome, Jan!
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Good to hear from you, Debby! This sounds like an intriguing rollercoaster of a read! I will add it to my TBR.
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Hi Amy. Nice to see you around too. Thanks for stopping by ❤
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Whoo hoo! Thank you, Amy. I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
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Great review. Not sure about him being married… hmm… But maybe in the fullness of the story, that is worked out.
So good to see you back!
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A wonderful review, Debby. I have this one on my Kindle. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Congratulations to Jan.
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Thanks for stopping by and leaving your good cheer for Jan. 🙂
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Music to my ears, Beem! Thank you!
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Hi Debby – great to see you back … and this book obviously tugs your own heart strings … thanks for letting us know – all the best to Jan – and lovely to be able to read your reviews again. Enjoy Spring coming along – cheers Hilary
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Hi Hilary! Thanks so much for the lovely welcome. Stories begin tomorrow. Hugs ❤
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Thank you, Hilary. I appreciate you taking the time to read Debby’s review of my true story!
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No surprise, a romance not my thing but if it was, your review would likely get me there. 🙂
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Hi John.. Thanks so much for that. 🙂
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What a wonderful review, Debby! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
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Thanks for popping by Yvette 🙂 x
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I know Jan from another book club and admire her work, her persistence, her energy! Thanks for showcasing her fictionalized memoir here. Great review, Debby!
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Thanks so much Marian ❤
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Awesome review, Debby, and Jan’s book sounds like a wonderful read. Congrats to her, and I’ll add it to my list. Welcome back! 💕
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Hi Lauren. Thanks so much. No doubts you will enjoy. ❤
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Great review Debs! Congratulations to Jan. Good to see joy circulating! xx
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Thanks my lovely Joy ❤
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A fabulous review of Jan’s book. Glad to see you back. xo
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Thanks so much on both counts Darlene. ❤
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Wonderful review for a book I loved! Sharing…
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Thanks bunches Bette. ❤
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Great review, Deb. Intrigue without spoilers. The number of comments here should reaffirm it’s okay to take an extended vacation and remain in the mix! Looking forward to your Tuesday post ❤️
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Hi T. Thanks so much. And yes, my heart be still, grateful for my blogging friends to come back. ❤ xx
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Nice review, Deb! This sounds like quite the love story. So nice to have you back xx
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Thank you so much Lis ❤
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Hi Debby, a great book to kick off your Sunday reviews. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Jan’s books.
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Thanks for letting us know Robbie. I enjoy Jan’s storytelling 🙂 xx
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