As the matriarch of her family, Maisie Pringle has her hands full. Not only does she have to weather the disapproval of her loved ones when it comes to her lifestyle, at 80 years of age, no less, she has to keep her eye on her brood to ensure that they don't do anything too stupid and mess up their own lives beyond repair. 

Granted, Maisie has made a few mistakes over the years herself, but that doesn't mean she has to sit by idly and watch her daughter, son-in-law and beloved grandchildren do the same. She's already lost one daughter years ago to an early death, so she certainly isn't going to sit by and watch what's left of her family go awry. 

"Dorothea Benton Frank adds to her ever-growing collection of bestsellers with this moving yet humorous novel about life's trials and tribulations, and the way the path to true love never runs smoothly, whether it involves romance or family relationships."

Take, for instance, Liz and Clayton Waters, Maisie's snooty daughter and son-in-law. While there's nothing overtly wrong with their marriage, there's certainly no magic in evidence. Liz works hard at her job at My Sister's House, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, and Clayton does the same at his job as a Wall Street banker. While they are cordial to one another, they're definitely not close, especially with Clayton spending five days a week away from Charleston and living in a bachelor pad in Manhattan. 

Then there's Ivy, otherwise known as Clayton Bernard Waters IV. Ivy is Liz and Clayton's homosexual son who lives with his life and business partner, James, an older Asian gentleman, in San Francisco. While Ivy loves his family, his sister in particular, the geographical distance between them often seems like a good thing.

Last, but not least, there's Ashley, Liz and Clayton's youngest child and Ivy's sister. In spite of her hypercritical parents, Ashley has chosen to follow her own desires when it comes to her life and pursue a career as an artist. While she looks at her job at the Turner Gallery as a way to earn money while immersing herself in the art world, her parents look at it as a low-paying position that's not good enough for their daughter. Why would she waste her life in this way?

There is a bright spot in Ashley's life, however. She's dating the hottest young State Senator that South Carolina has to offer, Porter Galloway. While everyone around her doubts Porter's suitability for Ashley, she's head over heels for the handsome politician who's on his way up and who she thinks just might be The One.

No wonder Maisie has taken to keeping company with a younger man, Skipper, a 65-year-old llama breeder who also lives with Maisie and fulfills the position of her driver and companion. Whether her family likes it or not, she'll live in sin with Skipper as long as it pleases her.

As hurricane season comes to the Lowcountry, it seems that the tumultuous weather foretells that the winds of change will soon blow through the lives of Maisie and her loved ones. When the dust settles and the waves return to the ocean, no one will be the same. 

I just knew I'd love THE HURRICANE SISTERS. In fact, it's one of those books that you desire to read again by the time you finish the last page. Dorothea Benton Frank adds to her ever-growing collection of bestsellers with this moving yet humorous novel about life's trials and tribulations, and the way the path to true love never runs smoothly, whether it involves romance or family relationships.