Lightning in a Mason Jar

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 by onemoreexclamation

Welcome to Lightning in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann book tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours.

About Lightning in a Mason Jar

Title: Lightning in a Mason Jar

Author: Catherine Mann

Released: July 1, 2025

Find it: Amazon

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.

Review for Lightning in a Mason Jar

I’m a crisis center volunteer, so this story is close to my heart. That and a mesmerizing cover grabbed me before I even opened the book.

This heartfelt fiction dives headfirst into the terrifying reality of domestic violence, offering a glimpse into the fear, trauma, and resilience so many women and children face. It’s fiction, yes—but deeply rooted in truth. You can almost feel them glancing in the rearview mirror, haunted by what might be catching up.

Southern charm adds a cozy layer to the story, softening some of the sharper edges with a tight-knit community and a quiet love story threaded through the narrative.

Now, a few bumps along the road—there’s a mix of first- and third-person perspectives that can feel a bit jarring, especially without smoother transitions or reminders of who’s who and how they connect. Some storylines, like June’s, felt a little underdeveloped. There’s an intriguing subplot about a court clerk helping create new identities, I really wanted more about this twist.

While the story delivers compelling arcs and emotional impact, it misses a big chance to share resources. All in all, it’s a meaningful read with a big heart and a strong message.

About The Author

Catherine Mann is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author whose contemporary fiction novels have been published in more than thirty countries. Catherine has written women’s fiction, romance, and romantic suspense for Lake Union, Harlequin, Berkley, Sourcebooks, and Tule Publishing. After years of moving around the US, Catherine settled back in her home state of South Carolina with her Harley-riding husband. Empty nesters, they have a blended family of nine children, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and three feral cats, who all provide endless inspiration for new novels.

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