All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank

Okay, I admit it, I picked up another quick "summer read" over Labor Day weekend....nothing too taxing for my brain.  I found All the Single Ladies on the adult New Book shelves and the cover image of the red and white life saver on a sea blue background caught my eye.  I've read a couple of Frank's other books and really enjoyed them, so I thought I'd indulge in one more chick lit title.  Because I've been to the South Carolina low country and walked the beaches, I can easily picture the setting in my mind.  The characters are also interesting, funny, and somewhat eccentric.  The story is about three middle-aged women who form a bond after a friend dies of cancer.  Lisa St. Clair is a caring nurse who struggles financially, is lonely socially, and worries about her grown daughter's marijuana business venture in Colorado.  She lovingly takes special care of her patient, Kathy Harper, and after she dies, Lisa becomes good friends with the two girlfriends always by Kathy's bedside.  Carrie is one sassy beautiful woman always flirting and looking for a new husband.  Suzanne has inherited Kathy's possessions and a mystery is involved as the three try and discover more about Kathy's past.  Supporting characters include the elderly, indomitable Miss Trudie and whose beach house where Suzanne lives provides a temporary home for Lisa who is booted out of her apartment by a greedy property owner.  This ninety-nine year old lady is a hoot and dearly loved by her granddaughter, Suzanne.  Lisa's surprising new love interest, Paul, is a wonderful guy who gives Lisa a better perspective on dealing with her daughter, Marianne.  And Harry is the director of the senior care facility where Lisa works.  The lives of the characters intersect and the reader is left pondering friendship, marriage, loss of a child, and aging, just as the women in the novel are struggling with the same issues.  This novel was an easy read that went down smoothly like a good mint julep enjoyed outside on the porch.