Playing by the Rules : A Novel

From Booklist The fictional historically black town of Lemon City, Virginia, is visited by the dreaded Outsiders when Jeremiah, a 25-year-old Vietnam vet, and his 12-year-old sister, Ruby Rose, stumble upon the town. They are running from the authorities, Jeremiah accused of kidnapping his sister from foster care following the death of their drug-addict mother. Dunlap family matriarch Nana takes pity on the young girl and makes an exception to the rule against welcoming outsiders. This is particularly hard for Nana, who lost her granddaughter Faye to marriage to an Outsider, a marriage that ended in tragedy. While Ruby Rose has captured Nana's heart, Jeremiah threatens to steal the affections of Nana's granddaughter Louise, who has recently become involved with Medford though the two have eyed each other for years. The Outsiders shake up the complacency of Lemon City even as they learn to adjust to the rhythms that have sustained the community for generations. Vanessa Bush Copyright В© American Library Association. All rights reserved Product Description “Playing by the rules isnвЂTMt always easy–but in this quirky, self-cloistered community, Lemon CityвЂTMs peculiarly delightful, eccentric residents do their best to follow the townвЂTMs ten mandates–even with outsiders. Elaine Meryl BrownвЂTMs storytelling is new and fresh, yet warmly familiar.” –Virginia DeBerry, co-author of TryinвЂTM to Sleep in the Bed You Made * *When thereвЂTMs a knock on the DunlapвЂTMs door in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, Nana knows it canвЂTMt be good. The last time an outsider managed to worm his way into Lemon City, mischief followed. But despite her doubts, she canвЂTMt turn away the young man whoвЂTMs kidnapped his baby sister from an unfit foster mother. Before long, Jeremiah and Ruby Rose are practically part of the family. But thatвЂTMs not sitting well with everyone–especially Medford, the boyfriend of NanaвЂTMs spunky granddaughter, Louise. It seems Louise has taken a shine to Jeremiah, and MedfordвЂTMs suddenly got some stiff competition. Of course heвЂTMs too busy tracking down his birth mother–who left him on a doorstep when he was a baby–to be bothered with LouiseвЂTMs flirtatious nature. As Medford moves closer to the truth about his mom, young Ruby Rose finds comfort in her newfound home, Louise wavers between love and lust, and Nana prepares to give her feisty old neighbor a run for her money at the annual fairвЂTMs tomato contest. By summerвЂTMs end, a mystery will be solved as Lemon City secrets reveal themselves–and bring about more than a few changes of heart. From the Trade Paperback edition.