Indie author Lynne M. Spreen says (on Goodreads):
"Dakota Blues is about coming alive at midlife. Here's what I want to know: At middle age and in the second half, are we too old to start over? Is it foolish to try? Should we be winding down or giving it our all, burning bridges and blowing things up in a last attempt to realize our dreams? How best to travel this later-in-life pathway? These are the questions that fascinate me, and about which I crave to write."
"Dakota Blues is about coming alive at midlife. Here's what I want to know: At middle age and in the second half, are we too old to start over? Is it foolish to try? Should we be winding down or giving it our all, burning bridges and blowing things up in a last attempt to realize our dreams? How best to travel this later-in-life pathway? These are the questions that fascinate me, and about which I crave to write."
BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY:
Karen's fingers hovered over the keyboard while she tried to remember the killer argument she'd been about to make, but the idea had faded. Not for the first time that day, she wished the hall outside her door hadn't become the official gathering place for coworkers in search of gossip and idle chit chat.
It wasn't like her to lose focus so easily.
It wasn't like her to lose focus so easily.
THE FRIDAY 56 (from 56% on my Kindle):
Karen agreed. "The van runs beautifully, and I'm planning to take it around the Divide, through Albuquerque so I can avoid the higher elevations. It's a bit farther, but safer."
"Always play it safe, that's our Karen," said Frieda.
Author: Lynne M. Spreen
Genre: Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 306
Amazon Link: DAKOTA BLUES
MY THOUGHTS:
This is such a good book! Fifty year old, high-powered executive Karen Grace faces three life-changing crises, all within a matter of days. When her mother dies, she must leave California for her rural hometown in North Dakota to attend the funeral; her husband threatens divorce because his young girlfriend is pregnant; and her career is in serious jeopardy. But when she meets 90-year-old Frieda, she's offered an opportunity to break away and make some changes. Her journey makes for a fascinating story that I highly recommend.
Genre: Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 306
Amazon Link: DAKOTA BLUES
MY THOUGHTS:
This is such a good book! Fifty year old, high-powered executive Karen Grace faces three life-changing crises, all within a matter of days. When her mother dies, she must leave California for her rural hometown in North Dakota to attend the funeral; her husband threatens divorce because his young girlfriend is pregnant; and her career is in serious jeopardy. But when she meets 90-year-old Frieda, she's offered an opportunity to break away and make some changes. Her journey makes for a fascinating story that I highly recommend.
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Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings and Friday 56.
I am in the mood for a read exactly like this one sounds. Heading over to download the sample now. I am eternally grateful to you, Sandy, for always providing me with good books to read :)
ReplyDeleteYou and I seem to share the same reading interests. I think you'll enjoy this one. A satisfying ending.
DeleteJacquie and everybody, there's a short trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5tp0pWxzno
DeleteOh, I always find such good books here, Sandra! This one is definitely going on my list. I always love stories about starting over and reinventing ourselves. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHere's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by. I like those kinds of stories too, and this is a good one. Well written, nicely edited, with characters you'll enjoy.
DeleteAnother Frieda??? Coolies!!!
ReplyDeleteThis Frieda is an outspoken 90 year old. She doesn't put up with any cr*p out of anybody.
DeleteOoh. Losing focus..sounds like love. :} Sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting!
Aki @ Bookfests in Bed
DeleteHi everybody! Lynne Spreen here. Thanks Sandy for featuring Dakota Blues. I loved writing it, and grew to feel as if I know Karen, Frieda, Aunt Marie, and the rest of the gang. Some people have asked me if the stories are real, and the answer is, yes! My mother, who is 87, has told me so many great stories about her life, growing up in North Dakota. She was a child of about 5, standing on a dried, cracked stretch of ground on her family farm (little more than a rural homestead) and watching a giant black wall of dirt blowing toward them. They wore feedsacks made into dresses, and burned cow patties for fuel. From such hardship is resilience made, and I gave my main character, Karen (named after my big sister), this background so she would have the strength of her immigrant ancestors to buoy her up. Oh, I miss them! Wish the peeps in DB were real so I could call or visit. Thanks again, everyone, for your enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in, Lynne. Your love for the story and the characters came through in your writing -- I loved them too and I didn't want the book to end. Have you considered writing a sequel?
DeleteOh, Sandy, I sure have. Others have asked as well. And I have so many ideas for what I would like Karen to do. For example, as she ages, she could talk about the experience as it happens, thus giving all of us someone to identify with as we go through the stages of the second half of our lives. Thank you for asking. It's a real compliment.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is, I have all these other characters in my head and heart, clamoring to get out and tell their story! I think I told you I'm currently babysitting my grandbabies 40 hours a week, so my writing has slowed down a bit. But after May, I'll be writing like a fool on - well, coffee! ;)
I'm looking forward to reading whatever you write.
DeleteWow, so exciting! I love reading about deep character development from living in rural surroundings. This one sounds great and thanks so much for sharing today's informative link with me, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRead the author's comments above to learn more about the book. It's a good story.
DeleteLadyD, I visited Dickinson, ND many times as a child but as an adult I was away for about 30 years, until accompanying Mom back there in 2008. It was heartbreakingly green in late June, early July; the recession hadn't yet hit, nor had the oil boom. Now Dickinson and many other towns in ND have been changed forever by the oil crush. Mom wants to go back there again to visit my Dad's grave (he died a few weeks after Mom and I got home to Calif, so in Oct. 2008 we buried him in her village cemetery in Lefor, ND.) However, I'm afraid that seeing all the changes would kill her. :(((
DeleteSounds like a great story!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in Book Beginnings!
I was honored to be asked. Dakota Blues was a heartfelt journey. Almost a family memoir of my immigrant ancestors.
DeleteI totally believe anyone can start anew, regardless of age. Sounds quite inspiring, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is an inspiring book. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeleteThis sounds like a really good read!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when a good idea (or killer argument) just slips away. I have that happen sometimes for blog posts. I'll be thinking about the book I'm reading somewhere that I can't jot down notes (like in the car while driving) and by the time I'm at the computer and ready to review all those brilliant ideas I had seem to have evaporated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
I'm laughing because that happens to me too! And I hate it.
Deletesounds like a great book Sandy. thank you for sharing and for stopping by my blog earlier!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend and thanks for stopping by my blog!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book