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Michele Olson
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Being Ethel: (In a world that loves Lucy) (Mackinac Island Stories Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Michele Olson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 163 ratings
See all formats and editions
1979 is getting on Piper Penn’s nerves. Struggling to survive past tragedies, she finds comfort in Old Hollywood movies in her native San Francisco. Seeing no reason to adhere to man-made rules after her first-hand look at the ultimate in hypocrisy, Piper does what she wants, and trouble follows. An unexpected inheritance on a tiny Midwest island in the Straits of Mackinac provides an escape. The mandated stay at the island’s glorious Grand Hotel gives her spirits a much-needed boost, especially when she catches the eye of a handsome groundskeeper. Taking part as an extra during the filming of the island movie Somewhere in Time adds to her excitement about this turn in her life. When mysterious accusations and headstrong residents send her into a tailspin, she finds friendship from a quirky, I Love Lucy loving nun who challenges her embittered look at life and faith. Can Piper survive the baffling attempts to derail her inheritance before it’s too late or has she fallen for a well-planned ruse while falling in love? “What happens when you combine a love of Lucy, Nora Ephron, Old Hollywood, and the desire for true faith? You embark on an unforgettable 1979 journey to magical, Mackinac Island.” – Author, Michele Olson, Being Ethel (In a world that loves Lucy)
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 5
    Mackinac Island Stories
  2. Print length
    182 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 30, 2019
  6. File size
    8116 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From Judges Commentary, 28th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book AwardsAuthor creates an immediate connection for the reader, with both a conversational tone of bright energy and humor (an unbeatable combination!) "If weasels spoke, this is what they would sound like" cements our connection to the book and interest in the author. That's great humor and the perfect way to begin a book referencing two female humor icons. Well done! I loved the use of classic movies and songs as a way to capture some of the magic and sound of that era, and we get great character depth to the author, knowing how much she loves it all. We're fully hooked in and if reader loves these classic films as well, the connection is even greater. Excellent use of setting and sensory details. Author provides a logical premise to get to Mackinac Island, and creates a reality that puts us there. Excellent work! Well-time danger, constant exciting flow of story, excellent dialogue patterns and character differentiation. The end delivers satisfying impacts - a powerhouse lesson delivered at the end of the boo, And when that happens, everything in the book shines even more. Very well done.

From the Back Cover

1979 is getting on Piper Penn's nerves. Struggling to survive past tragedies, she finds comfortin Old Hollywood movies in her native San Francisco. Seeing no reason to adhereto man-made rules after her first-hand look at the ultimate in hypocrisy, Piperdoes what she wants, and trouble follows.
An unexpected inheritance on a tiny Midwest island in theStraits of Mackinac provides an escape. The mandated stay at the island'sglorious Grand Hotel gives her spirits a much-needed boost, especially when shecatches the eye of a handsome groundskeeper. Taking part as an extraduring the filming of the island movie Somewherein Time adds to her excitement about this turn in her life.
When mysterious accusations and headstrong residents send herinto a tailspin, she finds friendship from a quirky, ILove Lucy loving nun who challenges her embittered look at life andfaith. Can Piper survive the baffling attempts to derail her inheritance beforeit's too late or has she fallen for a well-planned ruse while falling in love?
"What happens when you combine a love of Lucy, Nora Ephron, OldHollywood, and the desire for true faith? You embark on an unforgettable 1979journey to magical, Mackinac Island."
- Author, Michele Olson, Being Ethel (In a world that loves Lucy)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083BTQ7K6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (December 30, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 30, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8116 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 182 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1734362804
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 163 ratings

About the author

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Michele Olson

Michele Olson

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Lake Girl Publishing is the imprint home of all kinds of creativity with a purpose.

Welcome to Mackinac Island stories that stand alone, but a richer when read in order. Being Ethel (In a world that loves Lucy) is a clean story filled with mystery, romance, friendship, faith, and quirky characters. It's where we meet Piper Penn and find out how she ended up on Mackinac Island. How does a known shoplifter from San Francisco end up being friends with a quirky I Love Lucy-loving nun from St. Anne's? Next in 1980, Being Dorothy (In a world longing for home) follows Piper Penn on Mackinac Island where she meets a couple at the Grand Hotel. But, are they really who they seem? Think James Bond!

Then, it's 1980 and Being Alice (In a world lost in the looking glass) where a woman with a disfigured face ends up being the music tech for the rockstar she's long admired. More mystery, romance, friendship, and faith happen and something really unique? The song in the book which is the hit for the fictional character J.D. Grayling can be heard on You Tube and Apple music - all the info is in the novel. More novels are planned, all taking place on this magical island in The Straits area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Next, it's Being Wendy (In a world afraid to grow up). She's not enjoying her 50th birthday party because she doesn't trust any of the guests after what's been happening to her. Is it time for a new beginning, or is someone working to prevent that? More mystery, romance, friendship, and faith happen on her way to never, never land. It's a great story with a very surprising ending!

The latest offering is Being Nancy (In a world lost in mystery), the story of Nancy Benson who pulls together a Nancy Drew convention on Mackinac Island in 1983 admist marital, financial, and life questions that threaten to derail the event, especially when a rare first edition is stolen during the convention. Mayhem, mystery, and miracles ensue!

More novels are planned, all taking place on this magical island in The Straits area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

For the nonfiction fan - 5 Easy Steps to a Happy Birthday! is the way to rid your life of ho-hum birthdays forever! Funny, practical, and a perfect gift for any adult, Michele recommends having this on hand to give to anyone in your life at a moment's notice.

Michele has lived the majority of her life in Northeastern Wisconsin with the last three decades in the shadow of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. She and her husband have taken many trips to Mackinac Island and stayed at the Grand Hotel. The beauty of the area never ceases to inspire more stories.

A pursuer of authentic faith, Michele loves telling stories that take a deeper look at how faith can be a part of every moment. She also enjoys sharing life lessons from a storied career,and life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Whether doing voice work around the country (you may know her voice), writing novels, or working on more art, she loves a good laugh!

Fans will love this series as will lovers of Mackinac Island and faith-filled fun!

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
163 global ratings
Fun Read!!
5 Stars
Fun Read!!
Once I got used to the book being written in first person, I found I liked it better! I felt that I really got to know the characters and can't wait to read the other books in the series!
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Top reviews from the United States

Terri A. Sweetland
5.0 out of 5 stars what a great tale!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
Reading this makes me regret that I never visited Mackinac Island when I lived in Michigan! Of course, for most of those years I wasn’t in charge of where I went. I hope I get to read the rest of the series. I enjoyed all the details the author included about the location and about the characters. There was definitely a real spiritual thread—even addressing the feelings of betrayal due to hypocrisy.
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G
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love mysteries that are fun and not predictable. This exceeded my expectations and surprised me as it unfolded. The writer shared about Mackinac Island in a way that makes me want to go there, and for me, the time period it was set in was an added bonus! I'm looking forward to the next book. Thanks for the positive distraction during COVID-19.
4 people found this helpful
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Papa Trox
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery, love and faith
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
This was a fun, interesting story. Piper is just a normal girl who inherits an amazing gift. Along the way she learns that normal people are important! Mystery, faith, love and a new vacation spot all come into the story. Now I want to visit Mackinac Island! First I will read the rest of the series.
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Toni Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Delight
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022
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Being Ethel (In a world that loves Lucy) is a wonderful book. Very charming. Full of fun, laughter, tears, mystery, love and more. It is set in one of my most favorite places, Mackinac Island. Piper loves old Hollywood movies and it is woven throughout the book. She receives a strange inheritance that sends her to a required stay at the Grand Hotel. Included during this timeframe is the filming of Somewhere In Time, at said hotel, which is a terrific movie. Oh the goings on. There's also a nun that loves I Love Lucy reruns. who helps Piper in a substantial way. You go on a journey of self discovery with Piper and it is a trip well worth the time. I look forward to the next one in the series Being Dorothy.
One person found this helpful
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Rick
3.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2022
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I enjoy reading anything related to Mackinac Island Michigan because it is one of my favorite spots to visit. This book was interesting and an easy read. However, it was too 'churchy' at times.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Hey, Piper!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
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Just visited Mackinac Island for the first time in May! Loved it and loved reading “Being Ethel”! Locking forward to reading the series.
Loved the spiritual emphasis. It was just a great book, all around!
One person found this helpful
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April Kaufman
4.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Trip Back in Time
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023
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As a lover of nostalgia, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Mystery, drama, intrigue, and love are interwoven in this magical setting of Macinac Island. I have ferried there, myself, thanks to my college friend, so I soaked in every description, and relished every memory. 4.7 stars.
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LCW
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Vacation Read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I scarfed up this jewel in two days while on vacation. It is a witty tale set in 1979 on Mackinac Island, written in first person prose. I cheered for the main character, Piper Penn, as she rediscovered hope following family tragedy. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!
One person found this helpful
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