Book 1

Sullivan's Island

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Published 1 February 2000
Set in the steamy, stormy landscape of South Carolina, this New York Times bestseller from the author of Queen Bee is the unforgettable story of one woman’s courageous journey toward truth…

Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes navigated through her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass. But years later, she is a conflicted woman with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that aches with painful, poignant memories. And as Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms. To the only place she can truly call home...

Book 2

Plantation

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Published 3 July 2001
Caroline Wimbley Levine always swore she'd never go home again. But now, at her brother's behest, she has returned to South Carolina to see about Mother - only to find that the years have not changed the Queen of Tall Pines Plantation. Miss Lavinia is as maddeningly eccentric as ever - and absolutely will not suffer the questionable advice of her children. This does not surprise Caroline. Nor does the fact that Tall Pines is still brimming with scandals and secrets, betrayals and lies. But she soon discovers that something is different this time around. It lies somewhere in the distance between her and her mother - and in her understanding of what it means to come home...

Book 3

Isle of Palms

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Published 11 January 2003
New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank takes readers on a rollicking ride in this lowcountry tale about a woman whose unconventional friends and family show her the real meaning of unconditional love.
 
Anna Lutz Abbot considers herself independent and happy—until one steamy summer when her collegiate daughter comes home to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, a very different person, her wild and wonderful ex-husband shows up on her doorstep, and her flamboyant new best friend takes up with her daddy. And the already hot temperatures are cranked up another ten degrees by Anna’s own fling with Arthur, who is, heaven help us, a Yankee. Now, Anna must face the fact that she isn’t as in control of her life as she’d thought. And she must find a way to deal with the whole truth—and not just the comfortable parts...

Book 4

Shem Creek

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Published 1 August 2004
Linda Breland is the single parent of two teenage daughters. The oldest, Lindsey, is just about to leave for college; and Gracie, her youngest, is giving her nightmares. Between the cold New York winters, Linda's dating drought, financial problems and an ex-husband who has married a beautiful, successful woman ten years younger than she is, Linda has reached the end of her tether even before she discovers birth control pills in Gracie's school bag. So when she is offered the chance to move back to her home town, Linda grabs it. She is welcomed by her generous sister Mimi, who dispenses good advice along with an endless supply of cookies, cake and lessons in how to be a lady. Meanwhile, Linda, despite her lack of experience, convinces local restaurateur, Brad Jackson, to give her a job managing the Shem Creek Caf. Ignoring Gracie's protests at her enforced uprooting, Linda begins to hope that the Deep South and Mimi's good influence will work their magic on her rebellious daughter. And that maybe she too can find a better life, one in which she won't be rushing around fulfilling everyone's needs but her own.

Book 5

Pawleys Island

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Published 3 May 2005
Rebecca Simms has run away to Pawley's Island to escape. She is also looking to find a job and representation for her painting. At Gallery Valentine, she finds both. Huey Valentine, her new boss, and his good friend, Abigail Thurmond, sense that there is more to Rebecca than meets the eye, and slowly she reveals the rest of her story. Rebecca is in the middle of a terrible divorce, sprung on her suddenly by her husband who has all the advantages that money and the law will allow. He has even managed to persuade a judge to give him sole custody of their children. Rebecca's plight is immediately taken up by her new friends. And Abigail just happens to be a recently retired matrimonial lawyer. She escaped to Pawley's Island to play golf and write her memoirs, but Becca's troubles persuade her to take on one last case...