A Lone Palm Stands

Lone Palm #1

by H.A. Olsen

Set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina in 1989, A Lone Palm Stands follows the sometimes zany, sometimes tragic life of Angela Jenkins, a seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter whose world is turned upside down by Hurricane Hugo, a category four storm that all but destroyed Charleston and its surrounding sea islands. With the help of an eccentric aunt, Angela begins a new life, and embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery that takes her from the rural South to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. But her promising future as a pop star is threatened by the jealously and betrayal of her friends—and the shocking secret that is about to be revealed by the ghost of a mysterious little girl. Haunting and thought-provoking, A Lone Palm Stands is more than just the story of one it’s a unique commentary on love, family, and our spiritual nature It’s also a testimony to the resiliency of the people of South Carolina and their proven ability to survive ‘come hell or highwater.’

548 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2009

About the author

H.A. Olsen is a native of the Lowcountry of South Carolina and a graduate of the College of Charleston. He currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina, where he is the editor of a local magazine. When he's not writing fiction, he enjoys flying small planes, playing the drums, visiting the beach, and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Reviews

[Lesha Harper]

I bought A Lone Palm Stands, thinking it would be a fun beach read. Although I
found it to be thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, I quickly realized this
was much more than just a beach read. The characters are well developed and come
to life in a way that few authors are able to achieve. The story was so easy to
read and flowed so smoothly that it felt like a movie playing inside my head.
But unlike a movie, this book allowed me to share the main character's deepest
thoughts, some which had me laughing, others which had me crying,

Many of the topics touched upon on in this novel were serious in nature, yet the
book never had a 'heavy' feel it. Instead, it felt uplifting and had me
constantly pulling for the main character as she struggled through the latter
years of adolescence and found her independence and true talent. The ghost story
that is interwoven throughout the novel also added a unique dimension to the
unfolding story and kept me wondering who the little girl the main character
kept seeing was. The answer was both surprising and enlightening, and offered a
fresh perspective on our spirituality.

If your looking for a read that is both entertaining and meaningful, I highly
recommend A Lone Palm Stands.

[Lindy Martin]

Like many Southern fiction novels, "A Lone Palm Stands" focuses on family, friendship and a sense of place. What makes it different is the way it is told through the perspective of a teenager, giving a fresh voice to these time-honored themes. There's also a ghost story woven into the plot that adds a mysterious, metaphysical dimension to the novel, making it a real page turner.

If you experienced Hugo like I did, this is a must-read. But you certainly don't have to be a Hugo survivor to enjoy "A Lone Palm Stands." I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a protagonist who wins your heart from the get-go and has you laughing and crying as she stumbles her way from adolescence to maturity.

[Traci]

I wasn't sure what to think when I got this book. It sounded good, but a beach read? Not really my kind of book, but I figured I'd give it a shot. WOW! I had a hard time putting it down. I loved it! It held my attention, which is hard for books to do these days. I immediately bought the sequel and am now going to get the 3rd book.

[Jennifer]

Pretty typical southern fiction including a ghost or two and a bit of a religious aspect. I read it because I live near Folly Beach and the Hurricane Hugo aspect was something that I hadn't read yet in any southern fiction from this area.

[April Sutherland]

Loved this book and could not put it down once I started reading it.

[Julie]

This was a fun read, particularly because it's set here in Charleston so I could imagine the story infolding in locations I'm familiar with.

[Margie]

It is a good easy read. It's a great "beach" book. Fast reading and a good story.

[Sue White]

Not my favorite book. Maybe it was the "Southern" thing. I finished it but wasn't 't sorry it ended.

[Sara Moebes]

The twist were a bit much! The over all story was fun.

[Ruth Boling]

A great beach read...Hurricane Hugo, Myrtle Beach....

[Tracey]

I loved this book. Great read.