“…These keen-eyed observations, combined with relatable memories…contribute to the story’s distinctive atmosphere. … the book provides an intimate look at days gone by. A candid, revealing portrait of a family and the place they call home.
-Kirkus Reviews
They were supposed to stay home cooking and cleaning while wearing pearls. They got it half right; they did wear pearls…
- Molly: All alone she protected her land and children from treasure seekers, holding them off only with her courage and a shotgun.
- Mary: She came with her husband as he drove the first train into Miami in 1896, when the Magic City was nothing more than a collection of wooden shacks and mud streets.
- Helen: A flapper, she knew what she wanted and went out and found it.
- Agnes: Miami wasn’t the adventure she expected, but she found both love and heartbreak in her new home.
The Rogers women were like the hibiscus that thrives in tropical heat and comes in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, red, and hot pink. They were sassy, strong, self-reliant, and with an extra dose of the Florida quirkiness that comes from knowing every time you take your garbage out—whether it is real or metaphorical—you just might encounter an alligator in your backyard.
If you enjoyed Steel Magnolias or Fried Green Tomatoes, you’ll love the women of Hibiscus Strong.
About the Author
“I’ve spent half my life in the tropics, and the other half trying to get back there,” says Karen Hodges Miller, a proud third-generation Miamian. She currently lives near Raleigh, NC. In addition to writing her own fiction and non-fiction, Karen is a publishing consultant who helps authors navigate the world of self-publishing. While Hibiscus Strong is her seventh book, it is her first about Miami’s history.