At the age of twenty-three, Clementine Foster finds herself in a mental hospital with no recollection of how or why she came to be there. Her struggle to regain her memory leads her to navigate the treacherous shoals of her past and to uncover secrets that might best remain hidden away. As the layers of Clemmie's past are peeled away, her lost loves, friendships and family come to life with each surprising revelation.
Praise for Clemmie:
"Shelburne expertly weaves a complicated narrative though a series of flashbacks; readers are guided through Clemmie's life as she recovers her missing memories and as she experiences the harsh realities of life in a mental hospital... The book reads as a love letter to the South in many ways, and Shelburne describes the beauty of the distinctive coastal region in wonderful detail. As Clemmie remembers more of her past, drawing ever closer to the mystery of how she arrived at Still Waters, several characters emerge to populate her life. From Mama Rae, the mysterious woman who lives in the woods and practices voodoo, to Addie Jo, a malicious home wrecker, to Jimmy Castlebrook, a man who may just be the love of Clemmie's life, every character is rendered with unique details... A fluid narrative that weaves through memory and time and an in-depth character study of a woman's journey to recover herself." Kirkus Reviews
"Shelburne's description of people, the South and its dwellers is superb. The novel flows with never a dull moment." Mindquest Review of Books
In the summer of 1959, the tranquility of a small town in rural Georgia is shattered by the violent acts of a few, forcing young Jesse Wheeler to reach manhood in a hurry.
Jesse Wheeler's last summer before college should have been nothing but a romp with his friends and his best girl. But events conspire to change all that. When Jesse is targeted by local thugs and, later, when family tragedy strikes, he is forced to come of age in a rush. With sage advice from his old friend Gabriel, an ancient black man, he teams up with the local sheriff's deputy and a state police investigator, then goes on the offensive to set things right.
When attorney Matt Stevenson returns to his hometown to attend his mother's funeral, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a homicide involving an old and trusted friend. Matt and his friend, along with two other witnesses, are confronted with both a moral and legal dilemma: Do they tell what they know and risk ruining their lives and careers or stay silent in hopes that the truth will never be exposed? As Matt wrestles with his conundrum and deals with the family business at hand, other events swirl about him, further complicating his life. Not least among them is the appearance of his ex-wife, Beth, who has developed some kinky proclivities since he last saw her and who has fresh designs on him.
Vividly recalling why he left this small town in the first place, Matt strives to wrap up his business there so that he can return to his law practice in the city and put the events in his hometown behind him. But as their secret threatens to unravel, he and his friends are thrust deeper into the skein of their dilemma. With developments rapidly unfolding, Matt searches for a way to find some kind of justice for all involved without everyone landing behind bars.
Praise forCollateral Justice:
"A fast-paced novel...this book is anything but predictable. Readers will begin to believe the maxim that you can't go home again - or at least, you shouldn't. In a small town where 'unpleasant things get swept under rugs', Shelburne allows for the possibility of renewal and redemption. This noir-shadowed drama's realistic characters will hold readers' interest."
Kirkus Reviews
In this sequel to the highly successful novel, Clemmie, Bili Morrow Shelburne's title character returns to her roots on Hilton Head Island where she reconnects with her old friend and mentor, Mama Rae, an enigmatic character who lives in the woods and who appears to practice a little Voodoo on occasion. Clemmie soon lands a job working for a mysterious man who operates an even more mysterious company. As she becomes increasingly entangled in the machinations of her new employer, she simultaneously meets and is wooed by a handsome young man who just might become the new love of her life. Still haunted by the ghosts of her past, Clemmie strives to attain normalcy and happiness in her island home, but soon there is trouble in paradise. Both her wit and her grit will be sorely tested as events rapidly unfold.
Praise for Racing With The Tide:
"...a pleasant blend of mystery, romance and healing. Shelburne's prose is smooth and conversational, mixing the beach scenery with Clemmie's internal monologue. The book manages to keep the tension high without disturbing the generally appealing atmosphere, providing a bed of turmoil from which Clemmie's new relationship can grow."
Kirkus Reviews