Lightning in a Mason Jar Audiobook By Catherine Mann cover art

Lightning in a Mason Jar

A Novel

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Lightning in a Mason Jar

By: Catherine Mann
Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Ann Marie Gideon
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About this listen

In South Carolina, a woman discovers her aunt’s profound secrets in an emotional novel spanning decades about trauma, survival, and the bonds of female friendship by a USA Today bestselling author.

Since Bailey Rae Rigby’s adoptive aunt Winnie passed, Bent Oak, South Carolina, doesn’t have much of a hold on her anymore. So it seems.

Bailey Rae aims to settle the small estate and, armed with her aunt’s inspiring personal cookbook, buy a food truck with an ocean view in Myrtle Beach. Everything goes awry when a distraught young mother arrives in town clutching a copy of that same cookbook. Embedded inside is a code that promises a safe place in Bent Oak for desperate women on the run. For Bailey Rae it opens up a world of questions. Who really was the beloved aunt she’s known most of her life?

Winnie Ballard’s story reaches back fifty years—one of a Southern debutante’s harrowing marriage, of her escape and reinvention, and the galvanizing friendship of three resilient women who overcame their traumas, created a shelter, and found purpose. But there’s more to Winnie’s deliverance and long-held secrets than Bailey Rae imagines.

With each revelation, Bailey Rae draws on her aunt’s courage to find purpose herself. For now, whatever threats may come, Bailey Rae isn’t going anywhere.

©2025 by Catherine Mann. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Family Life Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Southern United States Women's Fiction World Literature Friendship
All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed this story of friendship and triumphs together. loved the duel time 1970s and 2025. Reminds us that we have to stay strong for none another.

Beautiful Story of Woman's Strengths

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Lightning in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann
Contemporary women’s fiction. Dual time line 1970’s, 2025. Secondary romance.
Bailey Rae Rigby (2025) is cleaning out the contents of her aunt’s home in preparation for leaving Bent Oak, South head to Myrtle Beach to own run a food truck. Prepared to live her aunt’s dream. But the more Bailey Rae clears out, the more memories she has of her aunt and her friends. Why so many copies of the same cookbook? Why so many women and children passing through the small town, there one day, gone the next with supplies and clothing that Winnie had stored in her barn? The more questions she asks, the more Bailey Rae realizes the depth of her aunt and the hidden town secrets are special.

Winnie Ballard’s history is revealed from the 1970’s with a troubled marriage and an escape from being involuntarily institutionalized to the small town of Bent Oak, a new name and job. Three additional woman arrive in Bent Oak at the same time and become fast friends as they rebuild their lives and then secretly pass on the help to others.

Friendship. Loyalty. Love.
It’s an emotional story and for me, a cryer. These women survived so much and yet help others unconditionally. The friendships are strong and supportive. They didn’t let the bad defeat them and came out stronger and then reached out to help the next woman. Winnie’s romance is heartwarming and beautiful. Bailey Rae’s new romance is hopeful and sweet.

A heartfelt and uplifting story.
Narrators Sharon McManus and Ann Marie Gideon performed the story with discernible emotions and engaging performances.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.

Lighting in a Mason Jar

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