title: Starting Over: Stories
author:  Elizabeth Spencer 
description: *Starred Review* Spencers first work of fiction, a novel titled Fire in the Morning, was published in 1948, and, as affirmed by her new collection of short fiction, these many years have not dulled the sharpness of her prose nor inched her into out-of-date perceptions of the world. Grand dame of southern letters that Spencer is, she remains a vital, passionate, contemporary-issues writer. She writes especially well about lives ostensibly like anyones neighbors, but, like everyones neighbors, peculiarities lurk behind closed doors. Take, for example, On the Hill, about a couple who live just outside town, new to the area but already known for throwing great parties. Suspicions among the neighbors are aroused when the husband is spotted leaving a church thought kooky by the local Episcopalians. Invitations to parties at their house dry up, and their young son starts wandering away, bizarrely visiting other houses. Abruptly, the family moves away, leaving behind an unresolvable sense of mystery as to the familys true situation. This story is not alone in the collection in showing the control and ease of a master; each story has superb qualities of artistry and social relevance. --Brad Hooper
zlib_text: **Praise for Minerva Spencer's Outcasts series:**  
  
   _"Minerva Spencer's writing is sophisticated and wickedly witty. Dangerous is
  a delight from start to finish with swashbuckling action, scorching love
  scenes, and a coolly arrogant hero to die for. Spencer is my new auto-buy!"_  
   _ **-NYT Bestselling Author**_ **Elizabeth Hoyt**  
  
   _"_ [ **SCANDALOUS** is] _A standout...Spencer's brilliant and original tale
  of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action,
  and passionate romance."_  
   _ **★Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW**_  
  
   _"Fans of Amanda Quick's early historicals will find much to savor."_  
   _ **★Booklist STARRED REVIEW**_  
  
   _"Sexy, witty, and fiercely entertaining."_ _ ****_  
  _**★Kirkus STARRED REVIEW**_  
  
   _"A remarkably resourceful heroine who can more than hold her own against any
  character invented by best-selling Bertrice Small, a suavely sophisticated
  hero with sex appeal to spare, and a cascade of lushly detailed love scenes
  give Sp