Small Town Girl
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SMALL TOWN GIRLBy
LaVyrle Spencer
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
In one of her most unforgettable novels, America's most adored storyteller chronicles the passionate awakening of a country-music megastar who embraced fame, but fled from love…
Eighteen years ago, young Tess McPhail left her tiny hometown of Wintergreen, Missouri, population 1,713. She headed for Nashville—and never looked back. Now one of country music's brightest lights, "Mac" McPhail is a millionaire many times over. Her career is her life. At thirty-five, Mac has no time for marriage, children, or kinfolk—until her sisters insist she come home to help care for their widowed mother… Mac isn't thrilled about spending a month in Wintergreen, but her visit home turns out to be far from dull. After almost two decades of public adoration, she is suddenly a nonperson—insulted by her jealous older sister, enraged by her intractable mother, and ignored by Kenny Kroneck, the next-door neighbor she mercilessly taunted all through high school. Now a handsome divorce who dotes on his teenage daughter, Kenny is widely respected in the community—and refuses to give Mac the time of day. But once she discovers that Kenny's daughter is a promising country music talent, Mac assumes the role of mentor—and everything changes…
Gradually, the famous Mac McPhail becomes an integral part of life in Wintergreen. The priceless gifts of family and community open her heart to the sweet rewards of caring and commitment. And as the feigned indifference between Mac and Kenny turns to playful bickering, then passion, the complicated life of a superstar is forever changed—by the simple joys of love…
"Warm and folksy and loving."
—
Kirkus Reviews
"[A] heartwarmer."
—
Publishers Weekly
A Main Selection of the Literary Guild®
continued…
The Bestselling Novels of LaVyrle Spencer
Then Came Heaven
A triumphant story of faith and love… "Touching."
—
The Chattanooga Times
Small Town Girl
A country-music star rediscovers her heart… "Warm and folksy."
—
Kirkus Reviews
That Camden Summer
A shunned divorcee finds unexpected love… "A modern fairy tale."
—
People
Home Song
A secret threatens to tear a family apart… "Tug[s] at readers' heartstrings."
—
Publishers Weekly
Family Blessings
A widow is torn between her family and new love… "A moving tale."
—
Publishers Weekly
November of the Heart
True love blooms for two hearts from different worlds... "One of Spencer's best."
—
Kirkus Reviews
Bygones
A moving story of a family at a crossroads… "A page-turner."
—
New York Daily News
Forgiving
A beautiful story of family ties renewed… "A lively story."
—
New York Daily News
Bitter Sweet
The poignant tale of high school sweethearts reunited... "A journey of self-discovery and reawakening."
—
Booklist
The Endearment
A woman's love is threatened by past secrets… "A tender, sensual story."
—Lisa Gregory
Morning Glory
Two misfit hearts find tenderness… "A superb book."
—
New York Daily News
continued…
Spring Fancy
A bride-to-be falls in love—with another man… "Incredible beauty."
—
Affaire de Coeur
The Hellion
Sparks fly between a lady and a hell-raiser… "Superb."
—
Chicago Sun-Times
Vows
Two willful lovers—one special promise… "Magic"
—
Affaire de Coeur
The Gamble
Take a chance on love… "Grand."
—
Good Housekeeping
A Heart Speaks
Two of her favorite novels—A
Promise to Cherish
and
Forsaking All Others
—together in one volume.
Years
Across the Western plains, only the strongest survived... "Splendid."
—
Publishers Weekly
Separate Beds
First came the baby, then marriage… then love… "A superb story."
Los Angeles Times
Twice Loved
A woman's missing husband returnsafter she's remarried… "Emotional."
—
Rocky Mountain News
Hummingbird
The novel that launched LaVyrle Spencer's stunning career… "Will leave you breathless."
—
Affaire de Coeur
Titles by LaVyrle Spencer
THEN CAME HEAVEN
SMALL TOWN GIRL
THAT CAMDEN SUMMER
HOME SONG
FAMILY BLESSINGS
NOVEMBER OF THE HEART
BYGONES
FORGIVING
BITTER SWEET
SPRING FANCY
MORNING GLORY
THE HELLION
VOWS
THE GAMBLE
A HEART SPEAKS
YEARS
SEPARATE BEDS
TWICE LOVED
SWEET MEMORIES
HUMMINGBIRD
THE ENDEARMENT
THE FULFILLMENT
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
SMALL TOWN GIRL
A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
G. P. Putnam's Sons edition / January 1997
Jove edition / March 1998
Copyright © 1997 by LaVyrle Spencer.
(including lyrics and music to "Small Town Girl" on pages xüi-xvi).
Excerpt from
Then Came Heaven
copyright © 1997 by LaVyrle Spencer.
Family photographs courtesy of LaVyrle Spencer.
Back cover author photo copyright © 1995 by John Earle.
Book design by Casey Hampton.
All rights reserved.
Visit our website at www.penguinputnam.com
ISBN: 0-515-12219-X
A JOVE BOOK®
Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
JOVE and the "J" design are trademarks belonging to
Penguin Putnam Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Many thanks to the people who helped me
during the research and writing of this book.
Ruth Reed, friend
Dr. David Palmer, consultant
Connie Bennett, fellow writer
Reba McEntire, inspiration and consultant
This book is dedicated to all the editors I've worked with through the twenty years of my writing career. Each has brought me knowledge and friendship. Each has been wise and supportive. Each has made me a better writer. I've loved and enjoyed you all.
Star Helmer damaris Rowland
Leslie Gelbman
Lisa Wager
Chris Pepe
And to one more person whose unwavering support has been behind me through all my years with Penguin Putnam Inc.
David Shanks
Wow, David,
you're absolutely the greatest!
