The Ballroom on Magnolia Street

I loved this book. I had read her first book the Tea house on Mulberry Street and I knew that I had to have the next one. It will keep you interested and wanting another at the end. I highly recommend it, and the lastest novel the Tavern on Maple Street

I was pleasantly suprised to find this new Irish author. I have always been a fan of Maeve Binchy's and after reading Sharon Owens I can see why so many reviews draw parallels between the two authors. The book is centered around a ballroom in Belfast. We are introduced to the owner, Johhny "Hollywood" Hogan, and eventually to his patrons. We meet two sisters, Shirley and Kate and follow their love, work and family dilemmas. As happens in life, people are connected in unexpected ways, which makes for some interesting relationships. The story is told with great affection for the characters, despite their faults. The book does not falter and keeps the reader both interested and amused to the very end. Ms. Owens excels at drawing three dimensional characters and writing believable conversations and story lines. A delightful book all around!

Fortunately, I had The Ballroom on Magnolia Street ready to pick up once I finished The Tea House on Mulberry Street. I was eager to once again to share the lives of ordinary Belfast citizens....hardworking, and ordinary. Johnny Hogan, the owner of the ballroom is anything but ordinary, Wht, he was the first man in Belfast, perhaps in all Ireland, to wear blue suade shoes and still wears them proudly. He is sure that a man as extraordinary as he will only find his true destiny in America. But he has the ballroom, and the rememberance of his love affair with Marian. Marian has her hands full with a family to raise and a thriving dress business, It keeps her almost too busy to worry about anyone discovering her long buried secret. Sisters Kate and Shirley are hard working girls who look forward to a bit of fun at Hogan's on the weekend. Kate is the one who picks and catches the man she fancies. Shirley is on the sideline...usually shoring up Kate as needed and yearning for "true love". Johnny's grandparents just want him to be happy, and hope his life will become settled enough so they can enjoy their remaining years....well earned since they raised him since his parents were killed in a WWll bombing. These characters and more go about their daily lives in Belfast looking ahead to going to Hogan's where they'll dance to the oldies and shed their work week lives and perhaps find a bit of romance. Once again, I was captivated by these people, sometimes exasperated and dismayed, and then laughing until my sides hurt. The pitted duel of insulting song requests waged by Kate and her rival at the ballroom had me chuckling at my desk at work. I could just see the two glaring across the ballroom, and the hapless DJ caught in the middle. My only complaint was there was not a single reference to any of the characters from her previous book, The Tea Room on Mulberry Street, I didn't think the characters would necessarily need to continue, but would have loved a mention here or there. Once again, I found this book to be a delightful read...and will eagerly await Ms. Owen's next.

The Tea House on Mulberry Street was so very enjoyable that I purchased the h/cover of Ballroom with my limited book buying $ for my library's shelf. "Ballroom.." is warm, funny, insightful, touching, full of lovable & eccentric characters of *all ages*. Families, love, sisters, dancing, family secrets, a hilarious bumbling crook...Sharon Owens had me laughing out loud at times. I just purchased Ms. Owens third book, The Tavern on Maple Street. Her books are worth every cent of my modest book buying $$. Please write more, Ms. Owens!

This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. It is a fast-paced book, but enjoyable. I love all the details and I felt like I was there, drinking tea with them. They sure do drink a lot of tea. I like the differences from America and this book just made me love this author more. So many characters, from the two sisters, who are opposite, but the same; the father who never knew, to the naughty Eugene. This book has plenty of surprises, and life sure does take some funny turns. Without a doubt this book will have you staying up till the sun comes up wanting to know what happens next.