Did you know loneliness increases your risk of dying early? (Tweet that!) Perhaps no one understands this better than those who have lost a spouse to death or divorce. Award-winning author Clarice James can relate. After 23 years of marriage, her husband passed away. In her latest release, a straight-laced widow steps out of her comfort zone to start a dinner club for single strangers. Learn more about this new novel for widows below!
Novel Synopsis
Two years after her beloved husband dies, Annie McGee returns to their favorite restaurant. After the waitress discovers Annie’s alone, she moves her to the bar and forgets to take her order.
Humiliated, Annie flees and backs out of the parking lot right into a state policeman’s SUV. Lonelier than ever, Annie returns home and settles for cereal and Jeopardy.
A week later, Annie tries a new restaurant called Cranberry Fare. She’s seated by the fireplace and treated to magazines, delicious food, and attentive service.
As she notices several other single diners there, she decides to start a dinner club called Party of One. At first determined to only see these new friends on Fridays, she soon gets way more than she bargained for.
After several online dating disasters, she starts falling for two men who could hardly be more different. But they’re not the only ones pursuing Annie McGee’s heart.
My Thoughts
Party of One is a heartwarming story about finding love again in the most unexpected places. (Tweet that!) Endearing, eccentric characters spring off the page making it bittersweet to finally bid them goodbye. Add to that the candor and comedy I’ve come to expect from Clarice G. James, and you won’t want to put this book down.
I recommend this book to women who enjoy humor, romance and contemporary fiction. Though men, young adults, and married women (like me!) enjoy it too, I especially suggest it to middle-aged and up singles and widows.
Want to learn more about this novel for widows? Check out our interview here!
Clarice is a real talent. She keeps me chuckling. Bravo to Clarice for another great one in Party of One.
You are too sweet, Linda. So glad Christy and I got to know you thorugh the Jerry Jenkins OFN contest!
For sure! 🙂
She is, and she keeps me chuckling too! 🙂
I have heard from my widowed girlfriends how difficult it is to date again. I hope I never have to!
Hi Denise, I hope you don’t ever have to either! But once the grief has ripened to sweet memories, there’s a chance to find joy and laughter again.
This sounds like a delightful book! 😊 Thanks for the chance to win a copy. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hi Evangeline, if I can give others a few laughs along the way, I am happy to do so.
It certainly is, Evangeline, and you’re very welcome! 🙂 Even though you didn’t win, I hope you still got a chance to read Clarice’s wonderful book! 🙂 If not, you can order it here! https://www.amazon.com/Party-One-Dining-Group-Singles-ebook/dp/B071GB78W6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1548439262&sr=8-1
Sounds like an enjoyable and fun read!!! I’ve never read anything by this author so that makes it even more exciting. I love “discovering” new authors. Thanks for the chance to win.
You’re very welcome! 🙂 Clarice G. James is a great new author to discover! 🙂
Shameka, so glad you commented. Christy is a sweetheart to interview me and review my book. God is good even in the tough times, and He still gives us joy and laughter through them.
Amen! 🙂
Excellent blog interview by Christy, but she had substantive material to work with. Clarice’s book is a solid, page-turning novel that’s just plain FUN to read. I highly recommend it.
And in real life, Clarice married the right guy! He too knows how to laugh, and I love being with the two of them.
Please help Clarice make waves of laughter with this novel.
Thanks, Ellie, for your support and enthusiasm. We love being with you and Jim too!
So true!!! 🙂 Thank you for commenting, Ellie! 🙂
Good to hear that someone writing about widows, although I’d love to see a story where the widow doesn’t get married again and God still proves to be enough.
Christine, thanks for commenting. Yes, there are all kinds of widows out there. And many are happily unmarried!
Love the review…. If I win, I would read and gift this to my dear friend, Mary Beth who lost her dear husband 12 years ago due to an automobile accident. She is ready for a relationship…. just now and this book sounds WONDERFUL !!!! thanks !!!
Hi Carol, thanks for commenting on Christy’s review. Party of One may resonate with your friend, Mary Beth. And she’ll have a few laughs along the way.
Congratulations, Carol, on winning a copy of Party of One! Please contact me at claricejames@comcast.net with your mailing address so I can send it to you. Enjoy!
Carol, praise God for having you win!!! 🙂 I always pray before I draw the name of the winner, and He always awards the free book to just the right person!!! 🙂 How did you and your friend Mary Beth like Party of One?
This sounds like a good read. I have been divoiced many yrs. so I know,all about being single and trying to date again and it’s tough. And being a Christian makes it even harder .
Hi Tina, the stories and characters in Party of One seem to resonate will all kinds of people, married or single! You’re sure to find a character or two who sounds like someone you’ve met.
And the winner of the free Party of One novel is . . . Carol Dykhouse!!! 🙂 Everyone else, you can purchase a copy of Party of One at the link below (or read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited)!!! :-): https://www.amazon.com/Party-One-Clarice-G-James/dp/1946638137/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499086509&sr=8-3&keywords=party+of+one