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Recommend this book:
Apricots
John E. Holloway
2022 Finalist
236 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite
Apricots: A War Novel by John E. Holloway is a historically rooted and exquisitely written account from a Marine Lieutenant’s perspective. It conveys his experiences in Grenada and Beirut, Lebanon. Each chapter is headed by direct quotes from the New York Times, the Washington Post, Life magazine, and others. Though the novel is not a first-person piece, it feels like it because the point of view seldom leaves the protagonist, Lt. Robert Forrest, as he graduates from Virginia Military Institute with the refrain, “You will get shot at. You will return fire.” Then we are with him in his training as a platoon leader of a squadron of nautical-invasion amtracs and as he muses about his life, the world, and his place in it. We experience the detour invasion of a Caribbean island en route to the Vietnam-like standoff in the Middle East. Finally, we feel the desolation, futility, and non-ending danger of cannon and sniper fire in Beirut.
I immediately became engrossed in this exciting, thoughtful, eye-opening, and heartfelt tale. In places, Apricots reads almost like poetry: “… sleet specs bounced off his helmet like dancing albino knats.” Author John E. Holloway shows us what happens in military life but also what it truly feels like. The protagonist, Lt. Robert Forrest, loves being a Marine and being alive. He notices the ocean, the sky, his fellow Marines, and he describes his roots in the Virginia mountains and the disenchanted patriotism of his Marine father. Lt. Forrest personifies the expression "esprit de corps," and he both exemplifies and demonstrates bravery, courage, and empathy. And we chuckle at the stories told in bunkers and ships about personal histories and - so unexpectedly - opera librettos. And, of course, the legendary apricots! John E. Holloway, author and always a Marine, has given us a masterpiece in reality and - dare I say it - the joy and beauty of fighting for his country.
Apricots: A War Novel by John E. Holloway is a historically rooted and exquisitely written account from a Marine Lieutenant’s perspective. It conveys his experiences in Grenada and Beirut, Lebanon. Each chapter is headed by direct quotes from the New York Times, the Washington Post, Life magazine, and others. Though the novel is not a first-person piece, it feels like it because the point of view seldom leaves the protagonist, Lt. Robert Forrest, as he graduates from Virginia Military Institute with the refrain, “You will get shot at. You will return fire.” Then we are with him in his training as a platoon leader of a squadron of nautical-invasion amtracs and as he muses about his life, the world, and his place in it. We experience the detour invasion of a Caribbean island en route to the Vietnam-like standoff in the Middle East. Finally, we feel the desolation, futility, and non-ending danger of cannon and sniper fire in Beirut.
I immediately became engrossed in this exciting, thoughtful, eye-opening, and heartfelt tale. In places, Apricots reads almost like poetry: “… sleet specs bounced off his helmet like dancing albino knats.” Author John E. Holloway shows us what happens in military life but also what it truly feels like. The protagonist, Lt. Robert Forrest, loves being a Marine and being alive. He notices the ocean, the sky, his fellow Marines, and he describes his roots in the Virginia mountains and the disenchanted patriotism of his Marine father. Lt. Forrest personifies the expression "esprit de corps," and he both exemplifies and demonstrates bravery, courage, and empathy. And we chuckle at the stories told in bunkers and ships about personal histories and - so unexpectedly - opera librettos. And, of course, the legendary apricots! John E. Holloway, author and always a Marine, has given us a masterpiece in reality and - dare I say it - the joy and beauty of fighting for his country.
Recommend this book:
The Art of Creating Story
William H. Coles
2022 Honorable Mention
700 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Hayley Haun for Readers' Favorite
The Art of Creating Story by William H. Coles is a writing help masterpiece. The massive work is loaded with priceless nuggets of literary knowledge. Get on your brain’s wetsuit and be ready to plunge into the invaluable treasures offered within. Coles leaves readers wanting for nothing. There are essays, sections on story and craft, interviews from countless authors, writing blog posts, and short stories that are great examples of literary work.
Every segment in The Art of Creating Story is useful and well thought out for those looking to improve in the literary writing scene. Coles has truly integrated his love for writing into these pages. His knowledge is awe-inspiring, and he transforms a self-help book for writers into a shining gem of his own design. No wonder he has more than several works under his belt, and for good reason too. William H. Coles is a writer through and through. He has talent.
To make a non-fiction book full of depth and life is a feat; there is so much to learn. Sometimes, it feels like it is the only writing book I’ll ever need. I am still trying to figure out what the cover of the book means. It is intriguing, to say the least, and perhaps it is what drew me to this book. A white rhino is rare (don’t quote me on that, because I may be wrong) and quite possibly, so is a true literary writer. But the great thing about life is you don’t have to go trampling through the wild to find one. All you need to do is pick up The Art of Creating Story, and you will be well on your way.
The Art of Creating Story by William H. Coles is a writing help masterpiece. The massive work is loaded with priceless nuggets of literary knowledge. Get on your brain’s wetsuit and be ready to plunge into the invaluable treasures offered within. Coles leaves readers wanting for nothing. There are essays, sections on story and craft, interviews from countless authors, writing blog posts, and short stories that are great examples of literary work.
Every segment in The Art of Creating Story is useful and well thought out for those looking to improve in the literary writing scene. Coles has truly integrated his love for writing into these pages. His knowledge is awe-inspiring, and he transforms a self-help book for writers into a shining gem of his own design. No wonder he has more than several works under his belt, and for good reason too. William H. Coles is a writer through and through. He has talent.
To make a non-fiction book full of depth and life is a feat; there is so much to learn. Sometimes, it feels like it is the only writing book I’ll ever need. I am still trying to figure out what the cover of the book means. It is intriguing, to say the least, and perhaps it is what drew me to this book. A white rhino is rare (don’t quote me on that, because I may be wrong) and quite possibly, so is a true literary writer. But the great thing about life is you don’t have to go trampling through the wild to find one. All you need to do is pick up The Art of Creating Story, and you will be well on your way.
Recommend this book:
The Starlight Club 14
The Sicilian Caper
Joe Corso
2022 Bronze Medal
210 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite
The Starlight Club is the 14th installment in Joe Corso’s incredible award-winning Starlight Club series. The story begins in Darien, Connecticut when Bobby tells his daughter Lynn of when he was part of Red Fortunato’s crew and frequented The Starlight Club. Bobby and his crew lived in Queens in 1961 when the city was governed by the Mafia. Red, Ziggy, and Trenchie had grown up together and became part of the local mobster family, protected by Red's uncle Yip. Red's father Rocco had been killed some years before by gangsters Enzo Batto and Willie Largi. What follows is an intriguing story of how Red, a man of honesty and integrity, came to be the owner of The Starlight Club, a medieval castle and gambling den that once belonged to the infamous Don Castillo.
The Starlight Club is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. Author Joe Corso is a fantastic writer with a vivid imagination and superb writing style – succinct and smooth-flowing. The interesting array of characters is all well-defined including the mobsters, criminals, and ordinary citizens, making them easy to relate to. All the locations and events are described in detail with attention-grabbing elements and features, such as The Starlight Club and Castillo’s castle. I especially enjoyed the way Joe Corso shows how the relationships between the various characters are developed and maintained over decades. The Starlight Club certainly is an entertaining story and a page-turner, highly recommended to all adults. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
The Starlight Club is the 14th installment in Joe Corso’s incredible award-winning Starlight Club series. The story begins in Darien, Connecticut when Bobby tells his daughter Lynn of when he was part of Red Fortunato’s crew and frequented The Starlight Club. Bobby and his crew lived in Queens in 1961 when the city was governed by the Mafia. Red, Ziggy, and Trenchie had grown up together and became part of the local mobster family, protected by Red's uncle Yip. Red's father Rocco had been killed some years before by gangsters Enzo Batto and Willie Largi. What follows is an intriguing story of how Red, a man of honesty and integrity, came to be the owner of The Starlight Club, a medieval castle and gambling den that once belonged to the infamous Don Castillo.
The Starlight Club is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. Author Joe Corso is a fantastic writer with a vivid imagination and superb writing style – succinct and smooth-flowing. The interesting array of characters is all well-defined including the mobsters, criminals, and ordinary citizens, making them easy to relate to. All the locations and events are described in detail with attention-grabbing elements and features, such as The Starlight Club and Castillo’s castle. I especially enjoyed the way Joe Corso shows how the relationships between the various characters are developed and maintained over decades. The Starlight Club certainly is an entertaining story and a page-turner, highly recommended to all adults. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Recommend this book:
Em's Awful Good Fortune
A Novel
Marcie Maxfield
2022 Silver Medal
248 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Em's Awful Good Fortune by Marcie Maxfield is a dark comedy-drama novel depicting the dysfunctional marriage of a 'tagalong' wife. Em is a writer who had to leave her profession to support her husband, Gee, and the kids. They traverse the globe, moving from one financial hub to another as Gee's work takes the family to the likes of Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, and Shanghai. To the outsider, Em is living her dream life. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth as the constant switch of homes takes a heavy toll on their marriage, which is further complicated by Gee's indiscretion in Japan. Additionally, Em falls for a poet introduced by her friend Jerry in Paris. After a health scare in Shanghai, Em must decide whether her marriage is worth sacrificing her career and dreams.
Author Marcie Maxfield incorporates her own experiences of what she describes as a 'tagalong' wife to an ex-pat in this often hilarious yet tragic tale of a dysfunctional marriage. Em's Awful Good Fortune provides a stark reminder to readers that even though it's hard to have it all, how much do you compromise to save your marriage? Maxfield's narrative is filled with wit and sarcasm, casting quite a bit of commentary on workaholic husbands who refuse to acknowledge the sacrifices made by their other half. Em is a complex individual, with layers to her personality that make her utterly riveting to read. The non-linear narrative style enriches the story and keeps you hooked throughout the pages. Recommended to readers who enjoy comedy-dramas.
Em's Awful Good Fortune by Marcie Maxfield is a dark comedy-drama novel depicting the dysfunctional marriage of a 'tagalong' wife. Em is a writer who had to leave her profession to support her husband, Gee, and the kids. They traverse the globe, moving from one financial hub to another as Gee's work takes the family to the likes of Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, and Shanghai. To the outsider, Em is living her dream life. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth as the constant switch of homes takes a heavy toll on their marriage, which is further complicated by Gee's indiscretion in Japan. Additionally, Em falls for a poet introduced by her friend Jerry in Paris. After a health scare in Shanghai, Em must decide whether her marriage is worth sacrificing her career and dreams.
Author Marcie Maxfield incorporates her own experiences of what she describes as a 'tagalong' wife to an ex-pat in this often hilarious yet tragic tale of a dysfunctional marriage. Em's Awful Good Fortune provides a stark reminder to readers that even though it's hard to have it all, how much do you compromise to save your marriage? Maxfield's narrative is filled with wit and sarcasm, casting quite a bit of commentary on workaholic husbands who refuse to acknowledge the sacrifices made by their other half. Em is a complex individual, with layers to her personality that make her utterly riveting to read. The non-linear narrative style enriches the story and keeps you hooked throughout the pages. Recommended to readers who enjoy comedy-dramas.
Recommend this book:
Broken Pieces
Judith B. Pinkard
2022 Gold Medal
140 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
Broken Pieces by Judith B. Pinkard is a biographical novel that began in February 1950. Helen responded to a newspaper clipping that offered a bookkeeping position and she met Ernest when she went for an interview. They fell in love, but when Helen realized she was pregnant, she left. She only told Ernest after the birth of their daughter, Judy. They went to New Orleans to fetch their daughter and to meet one another’s parents. Their friends, Perry and Maxine, traveled with them. After leaving New Orleans, Perry took over from Ernest to drive the rest of the way. It was a long drive to Mississippi and a treacherous road. They drove into a snowstorm and had a horrific accident that changed their lives forever.
It was very sad to read about the tragedy unfolding in Broken Pieces and how a happy couple’s life changed so drastically at the beginning of their marriage and just after reuniting with their daughter. This novel was well written and I could see that Judith B. Pinkard has researched the events thoroughly, as it is based on a true story. The pace wasn’t too fast and I was intrigued by the incidents. What else can happen to this couple - haven’t they endured enough? The main characters were well developed and they had an affinity with the others. My favorite character was Helen although at times I was so angry with her over the decisions she made, I also understood and sympathized with her. I learned from her to always get up after you fall and try again. It is always worth the try. Everyone who enjoys real-life dramas would enjoy this novel.
Broken Pieces by Judith B. Pinkard is a biographical novel that began in February 1950. Helen responded to a newspaper clipping that offered a bookkeeping position and she met Ernest when she went for an interview. They fell in love, but when Helen realized she was pregnant, she left. She only told Ernest after the birth of their daughter, Judy. They went to New Orleans to fetch their daughter and to meet one another’s parents. Their friends, Perry and Maxine, traveled with them. After leaving New Orleans, Perry took over from Ernest to drive the rest of the way. It was a long drive to Mississippi and a treacherous road. They drove into a snowstorm and had a horrific accident that changed their lives forever.
It was very sad to read about the tragedy unfolding in Broken Pieces and how a happy couple’s life changed so drastically at the beginning of their marriage and just after reuniting with their daughter. This novel was well written and I could see that Judith B. Pinkard has researched the events thoroughly, as it is based on a true story. The pace wasn’t too fast and I was intrigued by the incidents. What else can happen to this couple - haven’t they endured enough? The main characters were well developed and they had an affinity with the others. My favorite character was Helen although at times I was so angry with her over the decisions she made, I also understood and sympathized with her. I learned from her to always get up after you fall and try again. It is always worth the try. Everyone who enjoys real-life dramas would enjoy this novel.
Recommend this book:
After Happily Ever After
A Novel
Leslie A. Rasmussen
2021 Finalist
272 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
Maggie is a feisty, funny, mixed-up, stressed-out woman and the star of After Happily Ever After by Leslie A. Rasmussen. Maggie is forty-five, dealing with her only daughter, Gia, going off to college, and the fact that she has been out of the workforce since Gia was born and is no longer needed as a caregiving mom. She will have nothing to fill her days. Her once-loving husband Jim is not giving her the attention she so badly needs, and her beloved father is ill. When she meets Michael, a tall, handsome younger man who finds her attractive, she turns to him for advice, attention, and approval. We share with Maggie in her everyday encounters, her best friend, the frustration of dealing with her mother and brother. We feel both her joy and pain as she has to make decisions about what the future will hold for her.
After Happily Ever After is a mixture of happiness and drama that reflects real-life feelings and issues in a kind and caring way. I immediately liked Maggie and found myself rooting for her and wanting the chance to talk with her up close and personal. I wanted to yell at Jim and Gia and wasn’t sure what I wanted to tell Michael. Leslie A. Rasmussen has written a fiction story that most women can relate to in one way or another with compassion and love. After Happily Ever After is a wonderful read that will not disappoint. I highly recommend After Happily Ever After to women both young and old.
Maggie is a feisty, funny, mixed-up, stressed-out woman and the star of After Happily Ever After by Leslie A. Rasmussen. Maggie is forty-five, dealing with her only daughter, Gia, going off to college, and the fact that she has been out of the workforce since Gia was born and is no longer needed as a caregiving mom. She will have nothing to fill her days. Her once-loving husband Jim is not giving her the attention she so badly needs, and her beloved father is ill. When she meets Michael, a tall, handsome younger man who finds her attractive, she turns to him for advice, attention, and approval. We share with Maggie in her everyday encounters, her best friend, the frustration of dealing with her mother and brother. We feel both her joy and pain as she has to make decisions about what the future will hold for her.
After Happily Ever After is a mixture of happiness and drama that reflects real-life feelings and issues in a kind and caring way. I immediately liked Maggie and found myself rooting for her and wanting the chance to talk with her up close and personal. I wanted to yell at Jim and Gia and wasn’t sure what I wanted to tell Michael. Leslie A. Rasmussen has written a fiction story that most women can relate to in one way or another with compassion and love. After Happily Ever After is a wonderful read that will not disappoint. I highly recommend After Happily Ever After to women both young and old.
Recommend this book:
The Unlikely Occultist
A Biographical Novel of Alice A. Bailey
Isobel Blackthorn
2021 Honorable Mention
321 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
Shortly after her loving Aunt Hilary’s funeral, Heather faced a challenge at her job. At the State Library in Victoria, Australia, she was assigned the task of assessing a one-hundred box collection donated by the late Professor Foyle. She was a professor of religious studies, with a strong interest in Alternative Spiritualities, often called New Age. Heather soon became engrossed in the professor’s writings, and how her own belief system was affected by the study of this collection is a fascinating aspect of this book. Author Isobel Blackthorn has crafted a thought-provoking, insightful book in The Unlikely Occultist: A Biographical Novel of Alice A. Bailey. The journey of Alice is told in a chronological format, including both her personal life and her work in the spiritual realm.
This biographical novel is written in an easy-to-read, flowing manner. It describes the facts of Alice Bailey's life – the early years of strong Christian beliefs; her commitment to service; the expansion of her spiritual beliefs; the telepathic connection with several Masters; her marriages and mothering three daughters. It also includes how some spiritualists accepted and others vilified her prolific writings and presentations. How Isobel Blackthorn interweaves the life of Alice of the last century and the life of Heather at the present time is truly masterful. This book provides a context for anyone interested in Alice’s teachings and books, the Arcane School, or organizations she or her followers founded. A novel based on historical facts, The Unlikely Occultist is truly an exceptional read.
Shortly after her loving Aunt Hilary’s funeral, Heather faced a challenge at her job. At the State Library in Victoria, Australia, she was assigned the task of assessing a one-hundred box collection donated by the late Professor Foyle. She was a professor of religious studies, with a strong interest in Alternative Spiritualities, often called New Age. Heather soon became engrossed in the professor’s writings, and how her own belief system was affected by the study of this collection is a fascinating aspect of this book. Author Isobel Blackthorn has crafted a thought-provoking, insightful book in The Unlikely Occultist: A Biographical Novel of Alice A. Bailey. The journey of Alice is told in a chronological format, including both her personal life and her work in the spiritual realm.
This biographical novel is written in an easy-to-read, flowing manner. It describes the facts of Alice Bailey's life – the early years of strong Christian beliefs; her commitment to service; the expansion of her spiritual beliefs; the telepathic connection with several Masters; her marriages and mothering three daughters. It also includes how some spiritualists accepted and others vilified her prolific writings and presentations. How Isobel Blackthorn interweaves the life of Alice of the last century and the life of Heather at the present time is truly masterful. This book provides a context for anyone interested in Alice’s teachings and books, the Arcane School, or organizations she or her followers founded. A novel based on historical facts, The Unlikely Occultist is truly an exceptional read.
Recommend this book:
Lost Souls
A fictional journey through 50 years of Pink Floyd
Edwin Ammerlaan
2021 Bronze Medal
248 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Lost Souls is a fictionalized take on the history of progressive/psychedelic rock behemoth Pink Floyd. Written by rock journalist Edwin Ammerlaan, the book follows a fictional character named Matt Hallander, a journalist for Rock Parade magazine, as he traces the journey of Pink Floyd from 1967 to the present. On a trip to Spain, Matt acquaints himself with an unknown band named The Pink Floyd and a couple of months later watches their show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Matt quickly forms a rapport with the band members and follows them through the decades as they achieve mainstream success, break up over clashing egos, and eventually reunite for a couple of shows. Using facts, actual interviews, and events, author Edwin Ammerlaan crafts a captivating narrative that showcases the complex history of Pink Floyd.
Lost Souls feels like an ode to Pink Floyd that primely encapsulates the heights they achieved alongside the very few noticeable low points of their remarkable careers. Edwin Ammerlaan masterfully showcases the impact of Pink Floyd on generations of music lovers and provides an intimate and personalized glimpse into the lives of its members. He paints a realistic depiction of the mad genius Syd Barrett, the peacekeeper Nick Mason, the introverted Richard Wright, the gifted David Gilmour, and the flamboyant extrovert Roger Waters. Everyone knows about the rift between Gilmour and Waters, but Edwin Ammerlaan provides a thorough breakdown to put things into perspective. As someone who grew up listening to Pink Floyd records, I thoroughly enjoyed Lost Souls. A must-read for Pink Floyd fans.
Lost Souls is a fictionalized take on the history of progressive/psychedelic rock behemoth Pink Floyd. Written by rock journalist Edwin Ammerlaan, the book follows a fictional character named Matt Hallander, a journalist for Rock Parade magazine, as he traces the journey of Pink Floyd from 1967 to the present. On a trip to Spain, Matt acquaints himself with an unknown band named The Pink Floyd and a couple of months later watches their show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Matt quickly forms a rapport with the band members and follows them through the decades as they achieve mainstream success, break up over clashing egos, and eventually reunite for a couple of shows. Using facts, actual interviews, and events, author Edwin Ammerlaan crafts a captivating narrative that showcases the complex history of Pink Floyd.
Lost Souls feels like an ode to Pink Floyd that primely encapsulates the heights they achieved alongside the very few noticeable low points of their remarkable careers. Edwin Ammerlaan masterfully showcases the impact of Pink Floyd on generations of music lovers and provides an intimate and personalized glimpse into the lives of its members. He paints a realistic depiction of the mad genius Syd Barrett, the peacekeeper Nick Mason, the introverted Richard Wright, the gifted David Gilmour, and the flamboyant extrovert Roger Waters. Everyone knows about the rift between Gilmour and Waters, but Edwin Ammerlaan provides a thorough breakdown to put things into perspective. As someone who grew up listening to Pink Floyd records, I thoroughly enjoyed Lost Souls. A must-read for Pink Floyd fans.
Recommend this book:
Turn Back Time
The Full Circle Series Book 1
Annette G. Anders
2021 Silver Medal
430 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Turn Back Time is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, slice of life, and contemporary romance sub-genres, and was penned by author Annette G. Anders. Written as the opening novel in The Full Circle book series, this charming and heartfelt work explores the nature of life’s rare second chances and how we often struggle to believe in ourselves, no matter what stage of life we have reached. Protagonists Stella and David have loved and lost, and Stella has vowed to shake David off after he shattered her heart. Little does she know that David is still haunted by their break up, and a chance trip to France might be just the ticket to reunite them and put their ghosts to bed at last.
Author Annette G. Anders has crafted a truly charming romance and work of drama for mature reading audiences, one which commits itself to true realism in its depth of feeling, as well as the highs and lows that life delivers to us. One of the things which impressed me the most in this novel was the presentation of character, which takes center stage as we get to know the past and present of our central couple, as well as begin to hope for their future. The dialogue is witty and flows well to move the story forward, but it also has some truly raw moments of realism that will pluck at the heart-strings. Overall, I would highly recommend Turn Back Time as a must-read for fans of contemporary drama with much realism and accomplished prose.
Turn Back Time is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, slice of life, and contemporary romance sub-genres, and was penned by author Annette G. Anders. Written as the opening novel in The Full Circle book series, this charming and heartfelt work explores the nature of life’s rare second chances and how we often struggle to believe in ourselves, no matter what stage of life we have reached. Protagonists Stella and David have loved and lost, and Stella has vowed to shake David off after he shattered her heart. Little does she know that David is still haunted by their break up, and a chance trip to France might be just the ticket to reunite them and put their ghosts to bed at last.
Author Annette G. Anders has crafted a truly charming romance and work of drama for mature reading audiences, one which commits itself to true realism in its depth of feeling, as well as the highs and lows that life delivers to us. One of the things which impressed me the most in this novel was the presentation of character, which takes center stage as we get to know the past and present of our central couple, as well as begin to hope for their future. The dialogue is witty and flows well to move the story forward, but it also has some truly raw moments of realism that will pluck at the heart-strings. Overall, I would highly recommend Turn Back Time as a must-read for fans of contemporary drama with much realism and accomplished prose.
Recommend this book:
The Flying Cutterbucks
Kathleen M. Rodgers
2021 Gold Medal
296 Pages
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Fiction - Realistic
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Flying Cutterbucks by Kathleen M. Rodgers is a women-centric drama novel that follows three women whose fates irrevocably changed after a traumatic event in their lives. It's 2016. Trudy watches with horror as the man admitting to groping women without their consent on record becomes the President of the United States. The shocking result of the election transports her decades back to that fateful day in 1974 when she was a witness to her thirteen-year-old sister, Georgia, being assaulted by a heinous relative. Trudy, Georgia, and their Aunt Star kept the aftermath of that event a secret for all these decades. However, with the current political climate, the memories came flooding back. Meanwhile, Trudy reunites with her old high school sweetheart, Clay Cordova.
An absorbing story about sisterhood and trauma, The Flying Cutterbucks is full of heart, humor, romance, and much more. Author Kathleen M. Rodgers doesn't shy away from delving into some sensitive topics that have become increasingly relevant in our era. Issues such as child abuse, trauma, and incompetent and corrupt people in positions of power are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding a sense of depth to the story that makes it all the more captivating to read. The plot is non-linear as the narrative switches timelines between 1974 and 2016. I found the characters genuine and authentic. Their distinct traits and idiosyncracies charm their way into your heart and make you root for them. If you love women-centric character dramas, The Flying Cutterbucks is the book for you.
The Flying Cutterbucks by Kathleen M. Rodgers is a women-centric drama novel that follows three women whose fates irrevocably changed after a traumatic event in their lives. It's 2016. Trudy watches with horror as the man admitting to groping women without their consent on record becomes the President of the United States. The shocking result of the election transports her decades back to that fateful day in 1974 when she was a witness to her thirteen-year-old sister, Georgia, being assaulted by a heinous relative. Trudy, Georgia, and their Aunt Star kept the aftermath of that event a secret for all these decades. However, with the current political climate, the memories came flooding back. Meanwhile, Trudy reunites with her old high school sweetheart, Clay Cordova.
An absorbing story about sisterhood and trauma, The Flying Cutterbucks is full of heart, humor, romance, and much more. Author Kathleen M. Rodgers doesn't shy away from delving into some sensitive topics that have become increasingly relevant in our era. Issues such as child abuse, trauma, and incompetent and corrupt people in positions of power are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding a sense of depth to the story that makes it all the more captivating to read. The plot is non-linear as the narrative switches timelines between 1974 and 2016. I found the characters genuine and authentic. Their distinct traits and idiosyncracies charm their way into your heart and make you root for them. If you love women-centric character dramas, The Flying Cutterbucks is the book for you.
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