Welcome to the latest TLC Book Tours. I am revisiting another Lauren K. Denton book (see my review for Hurrican Season for another novel by Denton.) 
Denton’s novels are touted as “Christian Fiction,” but they are not overly preachy at all. If you generally steer away from such genre, don’t be scared to pick up any book by Denton (or at least Glory Road and Hurricane Season).
About Glory Road
The only thing certain is change—even in a place as steady as Perry, Alabama, on a street as old as Glory Road.
Nearly a decade after her husband’s affair drove her back home to South Alabama, Jessie McBride has the stable life she wants—operating her garden shop, Twig, next door to her house on Glory Road, and keeping up with her teenage daughter and spunky mother. But the unexpected arrival of two men makes Jessie question whether she’s really happy with the status quo.
When handsome, wealthy businessman Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter’s lavish wedding, Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. Then Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school, moves back to the red dirt road, and she feels her heart pulled in directions she never expected.
Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and navigating a new world of emotions—particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, is suffering increasingly frequent memory lapses and faces a frightening, uncertain future.
In one summer, everything will change. But for these three strong Southern women, the roots they’ve planted on Glory Road will give life to the adventures waiting just around the curve.
“Rich colorful characters capturing my heart, combined with a story that kept me up till the wee hours, Glory Road is a perfect read. Lauren Denton has done it again!” —Lisa Patton, bestselling author of Rush and Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter
“Once again Lauren Denton brings her lyrical writing and compelling characters to a story that will enthrall readers from page one.” —Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, author of Only Ever Her and co-founder of She Reads, for Glory Road
“Glory Road brims with faith and family, second chances, and new horizons.” —LISA WINGATE, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours
About the author:
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two young daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. The Hideaway was released in April of 2017 and has since become a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, released on April 3, 2018, and has been listed on BookPage’s 2018 list of Most Anticipated Fiction.
What I thought:
As mentioned above, Glory Road is the second book I’ve read by Denton. The first, Hurricane Season, included some interesting family dynamics as does this one.
Denton’s newest novel describes the lives of three generations of Southern women: Augustus (Gus), the matriarch; Jessie, her daughter; and Evan, Jessie’s 14-year-old. Of course, there are some romantic interests for all three.
Along the way, the family must band together to deal with aging, illness, new life avenues and new friends.
I enjoy the way Denton handles the romance—it’s realistic without being too sappy. I also thought her depiction of a woman who knows that Alzheimer’s is on the horizon was evocative and (dare I say it) humorous in a sympathetic and realistic way.
I feel like a kindred spirits to these women. Like Gus, I love succulents and peach cobbler, but I prefer Chris Stapleton to Johnny Cash! Like Evan, “Hallelujah” is my absolute favorite song (but Rufus Wainwright does my favorite version). Like Jessie, I love to have my hands in the dirt.
Denton’s works are a quick read but that’s not a bad thing.
The food…
Because this is a book about good Southern women, there’s a lot of food in the novel.
- Shelling purple peas from the garden
- Onion burgers
- Peach pie
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Pound cake
- Fried catfish
- Fried chicken, cornbread, fried green tomatoes
- Pork chops and butterbeans
- Peach cobbler
- Fresh strawberry iced tea
- Lemon icebox cupcakes
- Pancakes with Lavender Maple Syrup
- Fried seafood
- Apple Pie
- Sugared Pecans
- Fluffy biscuits with black pepper
- Fresh apple jelly
- Meatloaf
- Oatmeal cookies
- Cornbread dressing and pecan spoonbread
- Lemon pound cake
- Pecans
It’s a no-brainer what to make to celebrate this novel. Gus was famous for her desserts, especially her peach cobblers. She would entice customers into Jessie’s garden shop with signs on the highway proclaiming: Free Cobbler with Purchase.
Spiced Peach Cobbler with Sourdough Topping
Ingredients
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 2/3 c. water
- 3 to 4 c. frozen peaches, thawed
- 1/4 t. cinnamon
- 1/8 t. cardamom
- 1/8 t. ginger
- 4 T. butter, divided
- 1 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 T. raw sugar
- 1-1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/2 c. whole milk
- 1/2 c. sourdough (unfed)
- another dash of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch and gradually stir in water. Bring to a boil stirring constantly and boil for 30 seconds.
- Slowly fold in the fruit and spices. Pour into an 8 x 8″ baking dish. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter.
- Measure flour into a bowl of a food processor. Add in raw sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in remaining butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk and sourdough starter. Add a dash of cinnamon (optional).
- Pour over or drop by spoonfuls over the fruit. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
- Serve warm with ice cream, fresh cream, or whipped cream.
I think Gus would have approved. I know we did.
I’m linking up with Foodies Read.
Check out the other Lauren K. Denton’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Monday, March 11th: Blooming with Books
Tuesday, March 12th: Reading Reality
Thursday, March 14th: The Sketchy Reader
Monday, March 18th: @thesaggingbookshelf
Tuesday, March 19th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Wednesday, March 20th: Amy’s Book-et List
Friday, March 22nd: Tar Heel Readers
Monday, March 25th: Book by Book
Monday, March 25th: @thecaffeinated_
Wednesday, March 27th: Running Through the Storms
Thursday, March 28th: Girl Who Reads
Tuesday, April 2nd: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Thursday, April 4th: Kahakai Kitchen
Friday, April 5th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Monday, April 8th: Eliot’s Eats
Wednesday, April 10th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, April 11th: By the Book
Friday, April 12th: The Lit Bitch
Monday, April 15th: Reflections from my Bookshelves
Friday, April 19th: View from the Birdhouse
Friday, April 19th: What is That Book About
For all my book tour stops, click here.
Comments & Replies
18 responses to “Spiced Peach Cobbler with Sourdough Topping for TLC Book Tour and Glory Road”
Looks very delicious, I love esp. that sourdough topping!
It’s a great way to use your sourdough. I’m sure it will show up on all sorts of cobblers this summer.
Your cobbler looks delicious! Peach is my all time favorite and your picture has me craving one.
I can’t wait until the season.
Nice use of your wedding china. I find so many sets of beautiful china in thrift shops for 30-40 dollars. It breaks my heart that we do not set down to Sunday dinner in the dinning room with beautiful dishes. Mine is tucked away deep in the basement as I don’t have a dining room anymore. Incidentally it had a pink rose on it.
Yes. I remember that! 🙂
So many food choices in this book. But you can never go wrong with cobbler. This looks terrific — thanks.
It’d be better with fresh peaches!
Wow who doesn’t love peach cobbler. I can’t wait for peaches to show up at the market. I had peach trees in 3 of my 4 gardens
but alas they don’t seem to do well here, which is kind of surprising. I have been craving sweets all day. Luckily I don’t have any in the house. This recipe has done zip to quiet my mind on that score.
Sorry ’bout that, Carol. 🙂
[…] Monday, April 8th: Eliot’s Eats […]
I love peach cobbler. YUM.
YUM, indeed, especially with summer peaches.
Growing up in the south, I’ve always had a love for peach cobble and I know I would really enjoy your version.
I like the spices! Thanks, Karen.
The book and the cobbler both sound tasty! Plus, I can use some of my discard sourdough starter.
great dessert!
Thanks, Elizabeth!