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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780060837389
ISBN: 0060837381
Label: Harper
Manufacturer: Harper
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 432
Publication Date: June 23, 2009
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: June 23, 2009
Studio: Harper
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Book Description
The delightful New York Times bestselling author returns with a hilarious novel about one woman's quest to redo an old house . . . and her life.
After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father's offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. All it will take, he tells her, is a little paint and some TLC to turn the fading Victorian mansion into a real-estate cash cow.
But, oh, is Dempsey in for a surprise when she arrives in Guthrie. "Bird Droppings" would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol-pink dump with duct-taped windows and a driveway full of junk. There's also a murderously grumpy old lady, one of Dempsey's distant relations, who has claimed squatter's rights and isn't moving out. Ever.
Furthermore, everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey's business, from a smooth-talking real-estate agent to a cute lawyer who owns the local newspaper. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the pesky FBI agents who show up on Dempsey's doorstep, hoping to pry information about her ex-boss from her.
All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected--back home again.
Mary Kay Andrews's Top Fives
We caught up with Mary Kay Andrews, the prolific author of The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish and other bestselling Southern-fried romances, and learned about a few of her favorite things--from books to musicals to interior decorating tips (a passion of hers which plays a prominent role in her new book).
Top Five Books - Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
- Void Moon by Michael Connelly
- Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
- Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie
- Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard
Top Five Movies/DVDs - Sabrina (the original with Audrey Hepburn)
- Charade (again, the original with Audrey Hepburn)
- When Harry Met Sally
- Auntie Mame (not the gawdawful musical)
- The Quiet Man
Top Five Movie Musicals - Camelot
- Funny Girl
- South Pacific
- My Fair Lady
- West Side Story
Top Five Decorating Books - Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell
- A House in the South by Frances Schultz and Paula Wallace
- Mary Emmerling's Beach Cottages by Mary Emmerling
- Mary Emmerling's American Country Cottages by Mary Emmerling
- An Affair with a House by Bunny Williams
Top Five Renovating Tips - An old house needs old doors, hardware and fixtures. Nothing says “new and cheap” faster than a flimsy hollow-core door and bright gold repro brass hardware. Look for solid wood doors and wood frame windows at salvage yards and antique markets. And don’t forget to check the “building materials” category on Craigslist. I got all the doors for my beach house off Craigslist--for $5 apiece. Vintage hardware can frequently be found at flea markets, or check online sources like eBay.
- Vintage light fixtures give a great look--but be sure you factor in the cost of re-wiring them, and finding good-looking shades. Nothing gives a lamp that “granny” look faster than a dingy yellow shade.
- Before you invest in antique cast-iron claw-foot tubs or sinks, make sure they have proper fittings. Measure drains and faucet spreads and make sure you can find new ones that will fit and function properly. Antique toilets are generally a bad idea--most local codes require low-flow toilets for water conservation.
- Before re-wiring a house, put together a furniture floor plan. You don’t want a heat register under the living room sofa, but you will want outlets on either side of the bed for reading lamps, and for any area that might be used as an office you’ll want plenty of grounded plugs. And how about that flat-screen television your husband wants? Plan now for cable locations.
- Be flexible. A great fireplace surround could become a headboard, as could an old paneled door--turned sideways. And that leaded glass window that had to be removed in the remodel? Why not fit it with mirrors and a hinge and make it into a bathroom medicine cabinet?
Top Five Best Junking Finds - Pair of barrel-back armchairs--$30 at an estate sale. They were covered in gold embossed vinyl when I found ‘em. But with the legs stained ebony, and a gorgeous blue Ralph Lauren fabric reupholstery, they’re perfect by my fireplace.
- Set of eight antique Wedgewood black and cream transferware plates--$30 at an estate sale. The seller’s mother used some of them for cat dishes, others as an ashtray!
- Vintage landscape oil painting, Tuscany maybe? Or Provence? Who cares! Bought at a “divorce sale”--the ex-husband sold this beautiful painting for $50 because it had belonged to his ex-wife. I spent a small fortune framing it, but it’s the basis for a collection of treasured landscape paintings.
- Wicker settee, Salvation Army find for $25. I’d walked to the store, and had to hoof it back home in a hurry for money and my car.
- Faux alligator train case--found at a yard sale. When I asked the seller if she’d do better on the price, she replied that she’d give it to me for free--if I could figure out how to open it. Since it had a combination lock like the one on my high school graduation luggage, I twirled the dial to 0-0-0--because I never figured out how to change mine--and sure enough, the lock popped open. Score!
Product Description:
The delightful New York Times bestselling author returns with a hilarious novel about one woman's quest to fix up her house . . . and her life
After a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. She reluctantly accepts to refurbish Birdsong, the old family place in Guthrie, Georgia.
But, oh, is Dempsey in for a surprise. "Bird Droppings” would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol-pink dump. There's also a murderously grumpy old lady who has claimed squatter's rights and isn't moving out. Ever.
Furthermore, everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey's business, from a smooth-talking real-estate agent to a cute former lawyer who owns the local newspaper. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the pesky FBI agents who show up on Dempsey's doorstep, hoping to pry information about her ex-boss from her.
All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected—back home again.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
The situation Dempsey Jo Killebrew finds herself in could have been taken right off the front page of the newspaper or tv news channels. The characters are believable - the father who is delivering a tongue lashing to his child who has been too naive to see what is happening to her, but giving a tough solution in giving this child another chance to prove herself; the eccentric relative, the mother from the 50s, and the lawyers who redeem their profession by providing good solid advice and a romance to boot.
Andrews knows her readers. The plot is a good romp through middle Georgia. In the end Dempsey saves her reputation and discovers what we all hope to find - that friendship, loyalty and determination will take you where inexperience, duplicity, and betrayal dump you!
Rating:  -
This book was difficult to put down. I could not wait to see what happened next. As the main character's life and career completely fall apart, her life becomes a struggle and a challenge with change, personal growth, discovery of her own real talents and abilities, and finding who she really is. This is a fun read with great characters, humor, suspense, romance, and a wonderful small town Georgia setting. I finished the book definitely wanting more. MKA left enough to the imagination that I see potential for another book; and I hope she writes a sequel. Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze, and now The Fixer Upper, are in my opinion, her three best novels.
Rating: -
Cute! Like her attitude of getting in there and getting things done. It was not the best work of Mary Kay Andrews-still it was funny and an easy read.
Rating: -
This was only the second book that I have read by this author and I REALLY enjoyed it. I loved Ella Kate. I liked Dempsey, but she was kind of irritating in the beginning. The only problem I have is that they never did say anymore about the blowing horn or whistle. Tee was suppose to explain to Dempsey when they went to eat but nothing more was said. But if you are looking for a good story with a little romance this is the book.
Rating: -
Being a fan of HGTV, I was instantly attracted to the title knowing that rehabbing an old house would factor into the storyline, but from the first chapter the quality of the writing was clear: this was a smart story that was logically weaved together. Miss Andrews ably transported me to Guthrie, GA and Birdsong, and the characters were as real as any person I've met. Nicely done! I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
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