Monday, November 28, 2016

SPARE CHANGE





Spare Change: The Memory House Collection (The Wyattsville Series Book 1) by [Crosby, Bette Lee]
AMAZON SITE FOR THIS BOOK 
I normally peruse the free Kindle books on Amazon's top 100 every day. Most days I get nothing but every now and then I will find several of interest.  Over the years I have amassed a library of 1200 to be read books plus around 500 that I have read.

You might think free books are of poor quality.  However many best selling authors will offer an early effort in an attempt to make you want more.  Sometimes I will find a book that is very special and I want to share.

Spare Change  by Bette Lee Crosby is one of the delights.  She reminds me a bit of Fanny Flagg in how she incorporates quirky characters into a gritty yet heartwarming tale.  She is quite the story teller and has about 14 books on the market.

When I know a writer has me is when I find myself  sympathetic towards an unsympathetic character. She managed this in spades. This book is about the paths two people who are unaware of but need eachother.

One character is Olivia, an independent woman who fears marriage but even more, fears the thought of children robbing her of her life, freedom and career. Thus she stays single by choice into middle age. She finally finds the love of her life only to become an almost instant widow.  She is quickly swallowed by grief.

The second character is Ethan Allen, an 11 year old boy who has a life that breaks your heart as he struggles to find someone who cares.  His mother is basically despicable yet I felt for her and at times hoped she would get the life she craved.

His father has only one love in his life, his wife, that he has no idea how to make happy with out losing her.  He has little room in his life for his son.  Except for producing Ethan Allen, his parents should never have married.

Ethan Allen witnessed two brutal murders and goes on the run in fear. If he is caught, he knows he will become the third brutal murder. While searching for a grandfather he has never met, he finds Olivia.

Frankly, I wouldn't have wanted to be related to or even the neighbor of anyone in the first part of the book. They were all struggling in the wrong holes life had stuffed them. Yet the author made me feel compassion for almost all of them and I really wanted their lives to work out.  That takes really good writing.

What is also rewarding is that there is enough Southern humor woven in so the story is not just one of fright and despair but at times light, easy and fun.  It was an interesting and complex ride with more delightful characters than scary ones.

There is a touch of religion in the book but is in no way preachy. This is an at times fun, at times horrifying but always entertaining tale that will eventually leave you with a warm glow and faith in humankind.

As of now it is a free Kindle download but it is one I would pay for. I will read more of this author.


29 comments :

  1. Sorry but you have 1200 books on your kindle to read?? And you've read 500?? Blimey I don't think I've read 500 books in my whole life. :D Anyway thanks for the review, it sounds a good read.

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    Replies
    1. Joey,
      Ha ha, I knew this wouldn't be your type of post. That 500 was over a 10 year period so it is not that impressive.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the tip--I just ordered it!!

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  3. I shall go this very minute and download it.

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    Replies
    1. Linda,
      Thanks and I think you will really like it.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for the recommendation Patti. I'll download this to my kindle tonight. I just finished a book, so the timing is perfect. I don't know what I would do without my Kindle :-)

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    1. Carole,
      Hope you like it. Isn't Kindle the best. In case of fire, my Kindle is going out the door with me--after my pets of course.

      Delete
  5. This sounds like a compelling read and I hope the author is successful with it.

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    1. Stephen,
      Pretty sure she will. She has a great track record and this one has all ready done well.

      Delete
  6. I'm a fan of Fanny Flagg so this sounds like a story I'd enjoy. Unfortunately I don't have a Kindle and Kobo rarely has the same free titles. Perhaps it will show up in a book store some day. Or I'll buy a Kindle! :)

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    1. Eileen,
      Isn't Fanny great? She is one author I don't mind spending full price for her books. Hope you find this book. Pretty sure you will like it. Hey, I think Kindles are on sale now:)

      Delete
  7. I will have to look into this I have never checked on free Kindle books.

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    1. Linda R,
      I am always pleased when I find my freebies often end up on the paid best seller's list. It is often a ploy used by established writers to expand their readership. Works for me. Rarely am I disappointed.

      Delete
  8. I am looking for it and can't wait to read!

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    1. Annie,
      Hope you find and enjoy. I am pretty sure you will find it worthwhile.

      Delete
  9. It surely does take a talented writer to turn unsympathetic characters in a book into someone you care about. Fascinating...:)

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    Replies
    1. TB,
      I know. It surprised me a lot when I started pulling for people I would normally write off as selfish, self indulgent, hurtful and thoughtless. Huh??

      Delete
  10. I just stopped by Two Fixer Uppers (Linda H's blog) and finally noticed your name: Arkansas Patti. I spent 8 days in Arkansas on a recent vacation: mostly in the northwestern quadrant. I never made it into a single shop, but I spent a lot of wonderful time roaming the back roads and the wildlife management areas. Sometimes Arkansas gets made fun of, but I loved every minute of being there, and would love to go back in the spring to see the wildflowers. I wouldn't mind seeing the Ouachitas minus fog, either!

    Just thought I'd stop by and say hi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. shoreacres,
      Welcome to TNS and thank you for commenting. I am so glad you enjoyed Arkansas--cept for the foggy Ouachitas which are pretty when you can see. I came here from Florida and love it.

      Delete
  11. Thanks a bunch, Patti. I just downloaded it to my Kindle. The best books I've read have come from my blogger buddies.

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    Replies
    1. Kay,
      Think you will enjoy it. Me too on relying on recommendations from our blog buddies.

      Delete
  12. I like Jules' Etsy Shop. Thinking about getting the Grand Boy something. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Barbara,
      Glad you liked Jules site. I know she was going to check out yours

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the heads up- I am always looking for kindle freebies. I stopped for awhile because all the new ones were like rated x or whatever...too much for me..I can barely handle a PG...yes I'm such a prude. LOL

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    1. Terri,
      Well it isn't G rated as there is some profanity sprinkled through out. I am one who hates the poor writing skills of a ton of profanity. This seemed properly used.

      Delete
  14. I checked out the free book site in the past, but didn't do the in depth research sounds like you've done so thanks for the reference.

    Some interesting memories from years living in AK. Recall sport for some was to go to northeast AK to hunt vicious wild boar. Said it was beautiful area of State. Enjoyed visiting Razorback town for first time a year ago last fall to visit old (literally, now) friends I hadn't seen in fifty years. They got old looking and bet they thought same thing about me.

    ReplyDelete

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