Bees in June: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

Uncle Dixon always told Rennie to tell the bees everything, but somewhere along the way, Rennie forgot. Now, with her life at its lowest, she begins to see the bees in a new light. Will she believe again in the magic of the hives, and will she listen as the bees try to guide her home

It's 1969, and the town of Spark Tennessee, is just as excited about the moon landing as the rest of the country. Rennie Hendricks is grieving and trying to heal from the unimaginable loss of her infant son. She had hoped a child would repair the cracks in her marriage to her husband, Tiny, but the tragedy has only served to illuminate his abusive character. Trying to relieve some of the financial stress that inflames Tiny's anger, Rennie accepts a position cooking at the local diner. Hidden away in a kitchen making delicious food, she rediscovers the joy she finds in cooking for others, and as she spends more time with her new boss, she realizes there are more options for women than she thought possible.

One of the benefits of her new job is that she can bring meals to her beloved Uncle Dixon, the man who practically raised her along with her late Aunt Eugenia, a woman unkindly labeled as a witch by most of the town. What those people didn't understand is that Eugenia was a healer and connected to power they couldn't grasp.

Rennie thinks her elderly uncle is confused when he talks about communicating with his bees, but then she starts to see them glow, leading her toward safety time and time again. Could it be that these bees, discovered long ago by her Aunt Eugenia, are magical and trying to tell her something And what about the new neighbor, Ambrose Beckett, who seems to understand the bees too. Is he being truthful about why he has moved to Spark, or is there more to him than meets the eye

Hope-filled and infused with magical realism, Bees in June captures Rennie's journey back to her true self, creating a rewarding life that the bees showed her was possible if she only believed in herself and the magic that surrounds her.

Reviews

'BEES IN JUNE is the kind of novel that wraps itself around your heart and doesn't let go. Elizabeth Bass Parman has created a world so rich with charm and quiet magic that you'll want to pack your bags and move straight to Spark, Tennessee. The characters--especially Rennie--are beautifully real, and the story glows with warmth, resilience, and the kind of hope that stirs your soul. This book is a heartfelt reminder that healing can be found in unexpected places, and that sometimes, if we listen closely, the bees might just lead us home.' * Jennifer Moorman, USA TODAY bestselling author of THE VANISHING OF JOSEPHINE REYNOLDS *
'Parman's follow-up to THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY (2024) is filled with magical realism, a moving story of a woman rediscovering her own power. Readers will cheer and cry with Rennie as she rebuilds her life.' * Booklist *
'Your heart will grow after reading Elizabeth Bass Parman's sweet and tender sophomore novel BEES IN JUNE. Rennie is the kind of character you can't stop rooting for and I read with a mix of tears and joy until the final breathtaking finale. A tribute to the human spirit and one woman's desire to remake herself, this novel should be on everyone's TBR list.' * Brooke Lea Foster, author of OUR LAST VINEYARD SUMMER *

Author Bio

Elizabeth Bass Parman grew up entranced by family stories, such as the time her grandmother woke to find Eleanor Roosevelt making breakfast in her kitchen. She worked for many years as a reading specialist for a non-profit and spends her summers in a cottage by a Canadian lake. She has two grown daughters and lives outside her native Nashville with her husband and maybe-Maltipoo, Pippin. Follow Elizabeth online atelizabethbassparman.com; X:@e_parman; Instagram: @elizabethbassparman