"This writer has captured Maine!" George Smith, BDN
Lew-Ellyn is one of our most talented and successful writers." --Jane Karker, Founder and publisher, Maine Authors Publishing.
Read this, please
From Maurice Davis of Texas:
My mom passed away on 3/27/25. I’m the baby of the family but at some point became her main caretaker and while her health had been poor for some time, the loss was sudden. Death was no stranger to me but none can prepare you for the loss of your parent and if the natural order of life plays out in yours, every child must bury their parents. After the funeral I needed to get away so I could properly grieve and accept this new norm. So I decided to make Maine the 48th state I would visit. I landed in Rockland and took a short drive to my hotel, a room overlooking the bay. Hours later it would be snowing outside and this Texan was for the first time in a couple of weeks, content. I walked to Camden the next day and aimlessly wandered the streets and the shops and the neighborhoods in search of nothing. I’m not an avid reader but as I wanted to be intentional with my time, I decided a book was better than my phone. After rummaging through a myriad of uninspired covers with forgettable titles I saw, “Maine Stories”. The author I discovered, was local to the state and so I decided that authentic was the winner. That night, by an open door and a simmering fire, I opened this book and began to be immersed into an entirely new world. After all, Maine was as different from Texas as steak and candy bars. While taking the journey through these lived experiences, something unexpected happened that had not happened since 3/27/25. I laughed. When you lose someone in your life, you go through a period of time where you think you may never be happy again. And then you feel guilty, wondering if it’s even ok to be happy without them. Of course you reason eventually, they would want you to be happy again and that’s what this book did for me. It reminded me that life goes on and that’s not the kind of feat you overcome with just any book. Ironically, my mom would’ve really liked this book too. Thank you, Lew-Ellyn Hughes.
To make him laugh, made me cry.
What the world has to say about "Maine Stories"
What the Publishing world is saying:
"I loved Maine Stories by Lew-Ellyn Hughes, who captures the state we love. Her columns feature Maine in so many ways and I enjoyed every column. This wonderful book was published by Maine Authors Publishing. Lew-Ellyn’s Maine experiences mirror many of mine. She spent lots of time in the woods at her family’s camp in Greenville. And her exceptional descriptions put you right there. Actually, I have been right there!
She writes about everything from teaching young kids to ski at Sugarloaf to hosting guests at her B&B, gardening to Halloween, and talking turkey to granny rules. My wife Linda is an avid gardener, and she loved the gardening column about a fanatic gardener. "This is wholesome, comfortable entertainment, beautifully written, with Hughes’ signature self-deprecating wry humor and tenderness — a refreshing departure from much of today’s mean-spirited media scribbling." Bill Bushnell, Bushnell on Books,
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
"Hughes gives words to a Maine experience." --Ed turner, "On Maine Writers", Book Nook, Lewiston Sun Journal
"Nice voice, funny, with a down-home appeal." --Peter Chianca, Managing Editor, Community Newspaper Co.
"L.E. Hughes does indeed have a way with words, offering tales of everyday life here in Maine that touch us all in significant ways. Her column, "Away with Words," is a highlight many of our readers look forward to, including myself who gets a "first look" at these wonderful columns."--Robert Gray Jr. Editor, The Original Irregular
What readers have to say:
Rosy K's review of "Maine Stories":
"I did not want the stories to end!
What a delightful book full of captivating stories! I bought the book recently at Sherman’s while on vacation in Boothbay Harbor. Some of the stories I could relate to, others made me laugh, and overall love the style of this writer, her simplicity and wit in sharing these delightful stories. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
"I just finished your book. You have enriched my life!" -G. Smith, NY
" I read the first few stories in Maine Stories and love it so much that I bought two more copies for gifts!" --S.N. Waterville, ME
"I absolutely love Maine Stories and can't put it down. Keep the beautiful stories coming. I look forward to your upcoming books.-- K.R. Missouri
"Yes, I'd say you were born a writer, Lew-Ellyn. You have quite a way with words. I just finished your book, "Maine Stories" and I was amused, entertained and moved. Your stories give me hope." B.B. via email
"I loved your book! I couldn't put it down. I have never read a book so quickly!" --WLG, Greenville, ME
"I so thoroughly enjoyed Maine Stories. The stories are interesting, funny and informative. I highly recommend this book as well as all future books by this author!" -- E. Lynch, Ashland, MA
"It truly is a remarkable collection of stories. She takes you on a journey of what life is like here in Maine, and sometimes with an unexpected twist. Certainly a must read book."--Kay Hemphill Montgomery, Stratton, ME and Cantonment, FL
"Lew-Ellyn is my new favorite Maine author. This book is funny, poignant, entertaining, well-written and it touched my heart. We teach our granddaughters to be strong Maine women. This book is all about that. I love it." B. Woodbury, Millinocket, ME
"Maine Stories is one of my favorite treasures."--K. Lusk, Ohio
"Loved your book. I couldn't put it down." G. Squiers, LaGrange, ME