Authors Interviewing Characters: Rosey Lee Interviews Martha Gardin of THE GARDINS OF EDIN

Authors Interviewing Characters: Rosey Lee Interviews Martha Gardin of THE GARDINS OF EDIN

About THE GARDINS OF EDIN:

When the bonds in their family begin to fray, four women fight to preserve their legacy, heal their wounds, and move forward together in this heartwarming contemporary debut novel with loose parallels to beloved women from the Bible.

The four women of the Gardin family live side-by-side in Edin, Georgia, but residing in tight proximity doesn’t mean everything is picture-perfect. Ruth runs the family’s multimillion-dollar peanut business, a legacy of the Gardins’ formerly enslaved ancestors. But tensions have intensified since the death of her husband, Beau, and she feels like an outsider in the very place she wishes to belong. 

Sisters Mary and Martha fuel the family tension. Martha’s unfounded mistrust of Ruth causes her to constantly seek ways to undermine Ruth’s decisions with the business, while Mary, trying to focus on her new restaurant that serves healthy comfort food, is dragged into the family fray by Martha. 

For years, Naomi, the matriarch who raised the sisters after their parents’ death and supported Ruth in her grief, has played peacemaker. But as she decides to take a step back, hidden truths, life-and-death circumstances, and escalating clashes finally force the Gardin women to grapple with what it means to be a family. 

A heartwarming Southern story of family and all its many complexities, THE GARDINS OF EDIN delivers a thoughtful portrayal of four women trying to hold on to their secrets. Women who just might—if they can only let go—find the peace they seek by holding on to one another.   

Rosey Lee Interviews Martha Gardin of THE GARDINS OF EDIN

Rosey Lee: Hello Dr. Gardin. Thanks for making time in your busy work day to talk with me.

Martha Gardin: I’m always happy to talk with another physician who’s finding creative ways to help people learn about health. And please call me Martha.

RL: Well, thank you, Martha. But I’m not a physician. I’m a writer. My alter ego is a physician. However, you’re right that my stories usually have health themes. But this interview isn’t about me. Let’s talk about you. What’s it—

MG: [Winks] Alter ego… right. Got it.

RL: What’s it like being the only physician in a family that owns a successful peanut empire?

MG: My family has always been supportive of my medical career. Most of us didn’t go into the family business. My sister, Mary, also followed her own path by opening a restaurant. I mean, I encouraged her. I cook too, so maybe she followed in my footsteps a little. 

RL: I’m not picking up on some sibling rivalry, am I, Martha?

MG: No, not at all. There’s no competition between me and my sister. Mary has always followed my lead. That’s what she’s supposed to do as the little sister. Why would I compete with her when it’s a compliment for her to copy me?

RL: Interesting. Has anyone ever told you that you have a strong personality?

MG: [Smiles] I think some people just misunderstand me, especially in my family. I want everyone to reach their full potential, so I try to bring out the best in them. That’s all. Occasionally my family members think I’m challenging them, but they’re just being a little sensitive.

RL: Is that your way of saying you stir the pot?

MG: Me? I would never do that. Not on purpose, anyway. Well, maybe sometimes I know that something I’m about to say might be taken the wrong way, but some things just need to be said. So, I say it. And then people blame me.

RL: Does that cause lots of disagreements with your family members?

MG: I try really hard to get along with everyone, even Ruth. She’s my cousin by marriage. She married one of my cousins. And then she married my other cousin. It’s a long story. Ruth is the one with the strong personality. She doesn’t always bring out the best in me, but I’m learning to be patient with her. And I think everyone will come around and see my side of things. It may take them a while, but they’ll see.

RL: What’s your advice for navigating family conflict?

MG: Aunt Naomi is a great listener, and that works really well for her. I probably should work on that myself. But do you know what would really make things go more smoothly in our family? Everyone should listen to me more. They do what I say when it comes to health matters, but what about all the other times?

RL: Do you have a hard time sharing the spotlight, Martha?

MG: I don’t think so. All of us Gardin women shine in our own ways. For example, Ruth runs Gardin Family Enterprises—our family business. She gets lots of attention for that. When Beau was alive, I didn’t have to worry so much about watching Ruth. But now Mary and I have to keep an eye on her to protect our interest in the company. I mean, we have to protect the company and make sure it continues to grow as it should. You know what I mean? We wouldn’t want Ruth, I mean, we wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of the situation. But it’s a team effort. That’s why we’re all on the company board. Aunt Naomi is on it too. 

RL: You might have a different interpretation of ‘sharing the spotlight’ and ‘teamwork’ than I do, but it does seem that you care a lot about your family and the company.

MG: Yes, I do. That’s what it’s all about for me. Thanks for noticing. Things may get a little messy in our family sometimes, but that’s the case in most families. Everyone can relate to that.

BUY HERE

—

Rosey Lee writes stories about complicated families and complex friendships, but a happy ending is guaranteed. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she enjoys cooking, flower arranging, and occasional bursts of fanatical bargain shopping. She grew up on the Westbank of New Orleans, Louisiana and carries the area and her loved ones in her heart when she’s away from them. 

As a child, Rosey dreamed of a career in writing, fashion design, and acting. She uses the pen name Rosey Lee as she pursues her passion for writing. Her alter ego is a physician who has dedicated her career to individual and community-based approaches to health equity. Her essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest, The Nerd Daily, and Deep South Magazine. The Gardins of Edin is her debut novel. The sequel will be released in spring 2025.  

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing