{"title":"Mary Liza Hartong","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of Mary Liza Hartong, an author renowned for her engaging storytelling and memorable characters. Her works effortlessly blend warmth, humour, and profound insights into the human experience, making her a favoured choice among readers who appreciate rich, evocative narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Mary Liza Hartong's standout titles is \u003cem\u003eLove and Hot Chicken\u003c\/em\u003e, a novel that delves into the intertwined tales of love, friendship, and the unexpected adventures that life has to offer. Set against vibrant backdrops, her stories are as comforting as they are thought-provoking, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHartong's books are primarily categorised under General Fiction, appealing to readers who enjoy well-crafted plots and nuanced character development. Her storytelling celebrates the complexities of everyday life, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences while losing themselves in her imaginative worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer eager to explore, Mary Liza Hartong's collection promises a wealth of literary delights that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"love-and-hot-chicken-by-mary-liza-hartong-9780063304796","title":"Love and Hot Chicken","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe debut of a dynamite new voice from the South, \u003cem\u003eLove and Hot Chicken\u003c\/em\u003e is a spicy and hilarious Tennessee story about family, friendship, fried chicken, and two girls in love.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Chickie Shak is something of a historical landmark. Red clapboard walls, thriving wasp population, yard-toilets resplendent with sunflowers. My best friend Lee Ray and I used to come after our softball games and snag a picnic table while our mammas ordered the home team special. Truth is, most people around here order the same thing until the day somebody throws their ashes off a roller coaster at Dollywood. The line snakes around the building as far as you can see, the grimiest bunch of Jessies, Pearls, and Scooters you ever did behold, hobnobbing in the parking lot from noon until night.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen PJ Spoon returns home for her beloved daddy’s funeral, she doesn’t expect to stick around. Why abandon her PhD program at Vanderbilt for the humble charms of her hometown, Pennywhistle, Tennessee? Mamma’s broken heart, that’s why. But truth be told, PJ’s own heart ain’t doing too good either. She impulsively takes a job as a fry cook at Pennywhistle’s beloved Chickie Shak, where locals gather for Nashville-style hot chicken. It may not be glamorous, but it’s something to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFate shakes up PJ’s life again when the town rallies around the terribly retro and terribly fun Hot Chicken Pageant. PJ finally notices her cute redheaded coworker Boof, a singer-songwriter with a talent as striking as her curly hair, and learns to fear her smack-talking manager, Linda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs PJ and Boof fall for each other, Boof’s search for her birth mother—a Pennywhistle native—catapults the budding couple into a mystery that might be better left unsolved. The Chickie Shak pageant takes off, spurring old rivalries and new friendships in this tale of unexpected connections and new beginnings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46549895905516,"sku":"9780063304796","price":62.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14252063482210.jpg?v=1749934126"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/mary-liza-hartong.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}