Earth’s the Right Place for Love by Elizabeth Berg

Once again, Elizabeth Berg has reached into the well of fictional Mason, Missouri, which she once said was a refuge from the crazy world we live in, for the prequel to the Arthur Trulov books, called Earth’s the Right Place for Love, coming out March 21. The title is taken from the famous Robert Frost poem “Birches.”

Readers meet Arthur Moses, a shy young man, in his formative years in the late 1940s. He aches for the popular Nola McCollum, who had given him her phone number but only to pass on to his brother Frank. However, Frank has his own love interest, one that is inappropriate, and will further a deteriorating relationship with their father, an argumentative alcoholic.

When the Moses family suffers a tragic loss, all must struggle with their grief, which is especially overwhelming for Arthur as he finishes up his schooling and looks to the future. His two friends, Nola and Harvey, support him during this time. Unfortunately for him, Nola plans to get out of Mason upon graduation, putting any hope for her affection out of reach. Arthur, on the other hand, knows he will always stay in the small town he so loves.

For those who have read the Trulov books, they know how this story ends, and for those have haven’t read them, they are in for a treat where they will meet memorable characters in stories told only the way Berg tells them: with warmth, humor, and insight into people.

Elizabeth Berg is the prolific author of many bestselling novels including all of the Trulov books. Three of her books have been made into movies --  Range of Motion (2000), Open House (2003), and A Very Married Christmas (2004). She teaches writing workshops and is a popular speaker at venues around the country. She lives in Illinois.