RETURN TO WHITTAKERVILLE,the finale to the Martha Whittaker story. Did Anna Whittaker run off with the man that stabbed her father and threatenedher family? Or was she kidnapped? How will the family deal with Anna's disappearance?
THE WHITTAKER FAMILY REUNION Book two in the trilogy
FINALIST FOR 2009 INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARD |Join Martha and her family twenty years later as they gather for a reunion. But a stranger threatens their safety and their reunion. Will one of the Whittaker's die at the hands of this stranger?
Can be Ordered from Amazon. com, Barnes and Noble.com, Waterstones UK, BORDERS STORES, OR WWW.REALTIMEPUBLISHINGS.COM
Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story
UK Blether GOLD Award
A truly exceptional read, the finest example of a genre, a book with which the reviewer can find no fault, and which will usually have universal appeal.
Winner of The UK Blether Gold Award.
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Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story, is a historical romance taking the reader on a journey from the English aristocracy to the trials and tribulations of pioneer life. Martha McGuire’s arranged marriage to Jebediah Whittaker turns her life into her worst nightmare. Calamity follows, leaving her alone with a devil of a man and his three sons in the vast wilderness of Wyoming. Will hero Austin Wells find her and rescue her from her nightmare. How does brother-in-law Jeremy fit into the scenario? Can she ever find true and lasting love?
Reviewer: Mary Jesse, author: From page one the book carries the reader back in time to England and America in the 1800s for a consistently interesting and entertaining tale filled with contrasting emotions of love and hatred, fear and courage, and hope and despair. Many historical details of life in the 1800s are articulated throughout the story, which add depth and dimension like blended spices in a gourmet meal. Although there are several diverse settings and many key characters, they are all artfully developed and portrayed with much ease. Author Shirley A. Roe has clearly demonstrated her immense talent for storytelling with her most recent novel, " Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story.”
Reviewer, Maria Romero: The author’s research of the period shines through with captivating three-dimensional characters readers will easily relate to. Overall, the feel of this romantic tale is of epic proportions, moving at a fast, intriguing pace, that will keep readers glued to each page, lusting for more, even after they reach the end! A sequel perhaps?
Available: directly from the author for $ 12.00 at
Enjoy this intriguing story of love and affection, trials of living in the 1800s, the enduring human spirit, and wonderful family life. In-between readings, you will anticipate tuning in to the lives of these "real" life characters of the story. You will find the characters most interesting and a well defined plot that is easy to follow, and very well written. It leaves the reader wanting the story to continue. I highly recommend Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story and will be looking for more of ShirleyRoe's works. Cheryl McCann
ISBN:0-9749634-4-5
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Anyone interested in matters Celtic should read this book, for while it combines romance and high adventure, it is wonderfully informative about the customs and mores of the Celts, and one comes away from the book feeling that not only has one just read a rattling good story but also that one has benefited from a most interestingly presented history lesson. Shirley Roe has a detailed knowledge of the intricacies of Celtic life, philosophy and religious practices, and sets the love interest in the context of a carefully observed portrait ofsixth-century Scotland, when the native Celts were fighting to retain their land for their goddess, and the Druid priests and priestesses were ranged against the Christian invaders. Indeed, Shirley Roe graphically, and sympathetically, depicts a people under attack battling to retain their way of life. She paints a sharply executed picture of a feudal society in which the Lord and Lady provide shelter and a livelihood to those in their domain and expect total loyalty in return; when loyalty wavers, vengeance is quick and unequivocal. Life was simple and harsh, colored black and white rather than gray.
Yet, if there was savagery – with treachery being met with bloody reprisal – there was also tenderness, and the author brings alive four joyous love stories, and indeed the book ends with a spectacular scene of the recently united Archdruid and High Priestess standing together amidst the heather-clad Scottish mountains, exultantly worshiping the rising sun.
This book offers the reader an exciting tale full of suspense and variety. Shirley Roe is a skillful storyteller who keeps the reader hooked from the first page to the last; and moreover, in addition to being a novelist, she is also a poet, and woven into her narrative are small, dramatic poems that fit beautifully with the sense of Celtic spirituality and other-worldliness that pervades her book. I recommend this book as an excellent read.
Sprinkled throughout this book is Shirley's poetry.Reviewer: Robina Williams, UK author.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
I was unable to put the book down. I hungrily devoured it in just over twenty-four hours. There were battles between knights on horses, deaths, traitor’s plots, medieval castles, deep dark forests with fairies in them and sunny green meadows with clear streams and wildflowers of every color. There was music and singing, love affairs and feasts with great tables filled with mutton, wild game and tankards of ale. There were myths about the Arch Druid and High Priestess rising magically, mystically out of the early morning sun. Every conceivable human emotion is explored in an ever moving action setting. Only an author with the most vivid of imaginations could conceive of such a rich plot! It’s the kind of book that you will want to share with your family and friends. Shawn Thornton
Buy from Amazon.com in print
ebook or kindle
250 word excerpt from book
Snow Eagle stood on the ridge above the village, surveying the valley and hills that surrounded their chosen place.His buckskin pants flapped mercilessly against his legs in the wind’s fury. Small particles of dirt blasted his bare shoulders; he hardly noticed. His arms were folded across his chest almost defying the strong gusts to move him from his perch. A few stray dark hairs escaped their leather binding, assaulting his face as the thick gray clouds rolled over the valley like an avalanche of snow. His firm square jaw was set, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. His dark eyes methodically scanned the mountainous horizon and the village below. The summer village reminded him of a field of mushrooms. The round huts made of pelts had been adapted from tribes farther north. In winter, the Tlingit lived in permanent large, plank houses by the ocean. The pelt huts made it easy to pack up camp and move when the warmer summer months came to an end. Everything appeared peaceful at the moment, but for how long, no one knew.
A small Ptarmigan appeared in the rocks pecking precariously at the ground; its spotted brown plumage showing patches of white was a sign that colder weather was approaching. Snow Eagle knew that soon the bird’s entire body would be covered in white feathers, making an excellent camouflage against the snowy landscape of winter. This was only one of nature’s signs that it was time to move.
Review:
Dan Whitman
DW Great Reads
As a nature lover and environmentalist, I was anxious to read Shirley A. Roe’s latest historical fiction, Snow Eagle. Set in south east Alaska, the Yukon and northern British Columbia in the early 1800’s, we are drawn into the lives of the Tlingit people. The author has a subtle way of making these people a part of our lives, they feel like family; readers are enticed to find out more.
Snow Eagle, Shaman and great leader of the Tlingit is in a quandary. His son, warrior Gray Wolf has made a grave error. Although a brave warrior, Gray Wolf is hot-headed and placed the entire village in great danger. A decision must be made before the Tagish of the Yukon, arrive to reclaim the daughter of the chief; war is inevitable.
There is trouble brewing inside the village, as jealousy and revenge raise their ugly heads. Another of Snow Eagle’s family is in jeopardy. Can he save his people? How many will die? Will Gray Wolf come to regret his decision?
Author Shirley A. Roe lives in Ontario, Canada. Snow Eagle is her fifth historical fiction novel and once again she delights her readers with lively characters, vivid descriptions and suspense filled plot. Having read the other four novels by this author, I can assure fans that she has another hit on her hands.Highly Recommended by Dan Whitman, DW Great Reads.
Life can seem so unchanging in a small village.Some people can remain content with this their whole lives, while others thirst for change.Can true love overcome this need for change and keep you rooted?In Now My Life Begins, this is the dilemma faced by Jenny Barstow, who has grown up in Watsworth, England watching her mother live out her adult years as a servant at Watsworth Mansion.She vows to break family tradition and climb up the ladder to a better position in life.The problem is, her childhood friend and true love, Tim McKitterek, is chained to Watsworth, supporting his mother and family after the disappearance of his father.Now their dream of leaving Watsworth and building a new life together is destroyed, and it is up to Jenny to live the dream alone and give herself the future that she has always strived for.Jenny is a brave, intelligent young woman, and when opportunity knocks on her door after her mother dies, she jumps at the chance, breaking her heart and Tim’s in the process, and makes the journey to Edinburgh, Scotland to take up employment in the City offices.Unfortunately, only shock and disappointment greet her in the big city, but through the kindness of strangers, Jenny picks herself up off the ground and follows her dream on the roller coaster of life and its ups and downs. Through it all, Jenny grows and transforms into a truly beautiful person and a force to be reckoned with, never giving up!
Review:
Life can seem so unchanging in a small village.Some people can remain content with this their whole lives, while others thirst for change and want to broaden their horizons. Can true love overcome this need for change and keep you rooted?In Now My Life Begins, this is the dilemma faced by Jenny Barstow, who has grown up in Watsworth, England watching her mother live out her adult years as a servant at Watsworth Mansion.She vows to break family tradition and climb up the ladder to a better position in life.The problem is, her childhood friend and true love, Tim McKitterek, is chained to Watsworth, supporting his mother and family after the disappearance of his father.Now their dream of leaving Watsworth and building a new life together is destroyed, and it is up to Jenny to live the dream alone and give herself the future that she has always strived for.Jenny is a brave, intelligent young woman, and when opportunity knocks on her door after the death of her mother, she jumps at the chance, breaking her heart and Tim’s in the process, and makes the journey to Edinburgh, Scotland to take up employment in the City offices.Unfortunately, only shock and disappointment greet her in the big city, but through the kindness of strangers, Jenny picks herself up off the ground and follows her dream on the rollercoaster of life and its ups and downs.She encounters truly beautiful souls along the way as well as others she would rather forget, and through it all Jenny grows and transforms into a truly beautiful person and a force to be reckoned with, never giving up!In the meantime, life goes on for Tim in Watsworth, but Jenny always remains at the centre of his heart.
Shirley A. Roe has hit the jackpot once again with this rich family saga full of love and loss, success and tragedy, and war and peace through three generations of two families, with bribery, scheming, and lying irreversibly changing the course of so many lives along the way, until one simple coincidence brings two lives full circle to a heart-warming and satisfying conclusion.
Roe has a talent for descriptive writing and creating characters that the reader is drawn to immediately, so much so that I felt Tim’s heart break as Jenny’s train pulls out of the station, my heart rate increased and I felt overwhelmed as Jenny stepped off the train into the hustle and bustle and strange sounds and smells of Edinburgh, and I felt Jenny’s pain and anguish right through to my core when she found out her new job had been ripped out from underneath her feet.I love how Roe awakens our emotions and draws them out through the experiences of the characters.She makes it so easy to love the main characters, especially when she provides people from the opposite end of the spectrum as antagonists in the story whose actions provide many conflicts throughout.The contrast makes the plot very intriguing, and there were many a time while reading this book that I wanted to jump into the pages and reveal the truths that Jenny had yet to uncover because I yearned for her to find the success and happiness that she deserved.
Shirley A. Roe is an accomplished author and has received several awards for both poetry and business articles. Her novel,Dreams andNightmares was given 5 out of 5 stars, by Readers Favorite Review. The Whittaker Family Reunion,was nominated forthe National Indie Excellence Award in 2004. As a freelance writer, she spends time between Canada, the USA and the UK, and loves to travel, using her trips as research for future books.She is quickly gaining international recognition.
I was captured by the simple beauty of this story, and I was left feeling fulfilled that everything ended up as it should because your destiny will find you one way or the other, even if it’s a long and turbulent ride to get there.This was a wonderful read which I would highly recommend. Reviewer:Cindy Taylor, www.allbooksreviewint.com
Early on, the reader is faced with a question.Is life a predestined series of events, or is
life what you make of it?Sometimes, no
matter how hard you try to follow the path to happiness, life has other plans
for you.Such is the case for Mary
Margaret and Elana, the daughters of Doris Madison.The rural area around Chatsworth, England in
1845 is a world centred on class differences.The aristocracy holds the money and power, and the lower class work for
them without much chance of reward or advancement.
Mary Margaret and Elana are so different in many ways, and
yet they have one common goal.They both
want nothing more than a normal life brimming with happiness, but it quickly
becomes obvious that isn’t in the cards.Mary Margaret, marrying into the aristocracy against the wishes of both
families, is the catalyst for a series of events, involving among other things,
murder, kidnapping, and wrongful imprisonment, that will have the reader
contemplating the inherent good and evil that live within different people and
the effect they have on those around them.What results is a domino effect of one tragedy after another which tests
all of the characters’ faith to the limits.
What makes a story
great?One that draws you in, captures
you, and never lets you go until the final page is turned.This is exactly what Shirley Roe has
accomplished in the writing of When Fate Steps In.Cindy Taylor, reviewer.
Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour
The Ford River
meanders through the quiet, rural town of Bridgetown, Ontario. Residents enjoy
a peaceful, slow paced life, confident that their town is a safe and healthy
place to bring up their families.
Recovering from a
kidney transplant, and trying to reconcile with his girlfriend Sarah, occupy
most of environmentalist, Jack Giovanni ‘s time.But when something goes terribly wrong in
Bridgetown, the ever diligent Jack gets to work to find answers. With the help
of his friends, Christine, Matt and Bernie, he uncovers a very serious
environmental issue that could have dangerous, life threatening consequences.
Will Sarah’s
involvement hinder Jack’s efforts? What does the local chemical company have to
do with the current situation? Is the government hiding the truth?Will Jack find out before it is too late?
Comment from reader:
Hi Shirley, I really enjoyed reading your new novel,that you sent to me. The
characters and plot were so real,as if I was actually reading of a case in the
newspaper.
As in real life it only takes one person to start everything
moving. The seeing was typical of a small community fighting an industrial
giant;and in a lot of cases the top players often go unpunished,as in this
case.
I thank you for including me in your reading circle,as your novels
are well researched and keep you in the story as if you are really
there.
Please keep writing as there are still a lot of people who like
to sit and relax and read a good novel.
I recommend this read, for
everyone who is concerned about our environment and mother earth. Once again
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Albert Schweitzer
OTHER PROJECTS BY SHIRLEY A. ROE
Fairy Glade and Other Enchanting Tales by Dawn Beaumont Lane in collaboration with Shirley A. Roe. A wonderful collection of children's stories.
CB: You are an author, writer, editor, and reviewer with a remarkable portfolio. I’d like to begin this interview with a little background information first. Briefly tell us a little bit about Shirley Roe, the person: where did you grow up, siblings, family, etc.
SR: Thank you Cindy. I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lived in southern Ontario during my childhood, with my parents andtwo brothers. My husband, Jim and I still live in a suburb of Toronto. We have three children and 6 grandchildren. Jim and I spend time in Florida, travel to different destinations every year and travel to Scotland at least once a year. We love travel and I am always researching for a new story.
CB: Your first novel, Of Dreams and Nightmares, was published by PublishAmerica. As a former PA author, can you tell us a little about your experience in working with that company and any advice you might have for other authors still trying to get that first manuscript published. How has that worked out for you? I understand the book was rereleased by RealTime Publishing as Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story.
SR: Unfortunately my experience with PA was not to my satisfaction and I cancelled my contract after 4 years. The seven year contract was restrictive and costly to get out of. The company does not promote their authors and the cost of buying books at the author’s price is very high. My second and third books were published by independent publishers and I am currently working with RealTime Publishing, whom I am very impressed with. Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story is available in print and ebook and is the first book in the Whittaker trilogy.
CB: You are the Managing Editor of award winning AllBooks Review. How did the review site come about and what services do you offer, other than book reviews?
SR: In 2000, as an author myself, I saw a great need for reviewers for POD books. I started Allbooks Review for this reason and the company has grown dramatically in the past 9 years. Allbooks Review now reviews both POD, ebook and traditional books from authors all over the globe. We offer advertising, promotion, editing, synopsis writing and guest speaker engagements. The Allbooks Review blog site is now a stop for Virtual Book tours. Our newsletter is read and appreciated by thousands of readers. Allbooks now has 32 excellent reviewers, from all walks of life.
CB: Your reviews are furnished to libraries by a Book Review Index, which is a CD. Can you briefly describe this idea’s origination and do you find it helps in getting authors books into the libraries nationally?
SR: The CD idea originated with Midwest Reviews who I work with. James Cox, founder of Midwest would be happy to answer this question.
CB: Briefly describe your published works:
SR: I have six historical fictions published. Dreams and Nightmares: The Martha Whittaker Story, is the story of Martha Whittaker, an English woman who travels to America and becomes a pioneer in the wilds of Wyoming Territory. Her story describes the trials and tribulations faced by these brave and formidable people.The Whittaker Family Reunion picks up Martha’s family twenty years later in St. Louis. The family is reuniting, however a mysterious stranger arrives, threatening both their safety and their sanity. Return to Whittakerville is the final book in the trilogy. A Call to Faith and Freedom is the story of the invasion of the Scottish Highlands in the 6th Century. It is a romance, adventure and historically accurate tale of the life of the Celts and Druids. My book, Snow Eagle is the tale of a tribe of Tlingits in northern British Columbia and Alaska. It is the story of their families, traditions and lives. Now my Life Begins is my latest book.
CB: Where might we buy them and do you offer signed copies?
SR: Signed copies can be purchased directly from me through my website: www.allbooksreviewint.comorwww.booksbyshirleyroe.bravehost.com.Book are sold on Amazon.com, www.realtimepublishings.com, Borders, Waterstones UK, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million and most bookstores.
CB: On each published work, how did you come by the ideas for the story plots and does your family influence your writings in any way?
SR: I am a historical fiction fan. The idea for A Call to Faith and Freedom stems from my many visits to Scotland and all of the historical sites there. Martha Whittaker was a character that I invented during a writing class. She haunted me and I was compelled to write her story.
CB: You recently joined forces with TheEBookSale.com and RealTime Publishing, which is owned and managed by Richie O’Brien. Can you briefly tell us about this partnership and what it means to aspiring authors hoping to be published?
SR: I am very pleased to be associated with Mr. O’Brien and RealTime Publishing. I personally published The Whittaker Family Reunion with RealTime in both ebook and printed format. The service was very reasonable and Mr. O’Brien’s personal touch is a much- appreciated asset. As an author I found, publishers are often unavailable and uncooperative, this is not the case with RealTime.Allbooks Review provides the acquisition service and editing service, to RealTime and I would highly recommend this company to both new and previously published authors. The rate for set up is one of the most reasonable on the web today and the end product is high quality. The ebook sale works hard to promote their books on many sites and distribution outlets.
CB: You write in several genres. Is there one in particular you enjoy more than the others?
SR: My favorite is definitely historical fiction.
CB: I see that you and your husband like to travel to research information for your works. Do you have the story idea in your head and then travel to get the information needed, or do you travel and come up with your ideas then?
SR: A little of both, A Call to Faith and Freedom definitely came to me during a trip to Scotland.Snow Eagle is a novel based in southern Alaska and I am planning a trip there this summer.
CB: Briefly tell us a little about your affiliations:
SR: As mentioned I am affiliated with RealTime Publishing. I promote Brenda Novak’s auction for Diabetes every year. I have been a judge for Tweener Ministries Young Writers contests. I work with the ABC Ottawa Take Off Program and Emily Jane Hills Orford. This program offers bright, gifted children a chance to connect with talented, skilled adults eager to share their interests and passions for a particular subject. Allbooks Review signed the Business Ethics Pledge with www.businessethicspledge.org. I am a member of Shadow Forest Writers, Author’s Guild, Books and Authors, and several other writing groups.I write a syndicated column for American Chronicles. Personally, as a member of World Wildlife Federation,I support many environmental sites and sources.
CB: AllBooks Review has been twice awarded 101 Best Websites For Writers by Writer’s Digest. That’s quite an accomplishment! Can you tell us a little about the staff behind the site and their contributions leading up to such a prestigious award?
SR: My reviewers and staff are the best. Over the years we have grown to offer more services and review many different genres and formats. Allbooks Review prides itself on conscientious service. Lisa Haselton is one of the best editors in the business. I am thrilled to have her on staff. Bob Medak is an excellent marketing manager. He manages our blogs, Twitter, Wordpress, Facebook, etc. with ease. Emails inquiries are answered quickly, reviews are completed in 30 days, ads are prepared and posted in a reasonable time and service is what we are about. We are here to serve and it is our pleasure. Allbooks Review has received thousands of testimonials over the years and we thank every one of our authors for their kind words. Readers will find Allbooks Reviews on several book jackets and in author promotional materials.
CB: AllBooks Review is also international. Who can submit to your site for a review and what information should they know prior to submission?
SR: All authors worldwide can submit. Our reviews are in English. Submission guidelines are available by emailing through the site or directly: allbookreviews@aol.com.We do not accept unsolicited works, please contact us before sending your book.
CB: What project are you working on now?
SR: I am finished the final book in the Martha Whittaker series, Return to Whittakerville. It was published in summer 2009 by RealTime Publishing, in both ebook and printed format. Once that is complete I have two other historical fiction novels to release. One based on the Tlingit tribe of Northern British Columbia/Alaska and the other is set in Ireland in the 1700’s.
CB: Do you write any series of books and if not, have you ever considered doing a series?
SR: Yes the Martha Whittaker Story is a series. Of Dreams and Nightmares, The Whittaker Family Reunion and finally Return to Whittakerville.
CB: You are an editor. But who edits for you?
SR: I use my Allbooks Review editor, Lisa Haselton. I value her opinion highly.
CB: Why should authors consult with a proofreader and an editor? Can you explain the benefits to their writing careers?
SR: Every author should have their work edited professionally. Most publishers of reputation will not publish a book with typos, grammatical errors, etc. The book reflects upon the author and the publisher and every author should put forward their best work. As a reviewer, I see many books that would have been greatly improved and more saleable if edited before publishing.
CB: What websites can we visit to learn more about you, your books and your review services?
CB: Shirley I want to thank you for joining us here at Writer’s Block this month. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better. Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers that I may not have covered in this interview?
SR: I appreciate all of the readers that have purchased my books and encourage anyone that has not to do so. Martha Whittaker’s story appeals to readers of all ages. Alllbooks Review is here to serve upcoming authors, we offer an excellent author promo package for less than $50. Contact us today.
The setting varies but begins in England in the 1860s. Martha was looking forward to the dancing, gowns, parties and balls. Her father had different plans. He forced Martha to marry Jebediah Whitaker. The man was a widow with 3 sons. Not only did Martha not want to marry him but she did not like him. He proved himself a cruel, heartless, scoundrel with no morals. Jebediah took Martha and his sons across the ocean to America. From there they traveled to Wyoming by wagon train. Jebediah was a slick character and convinced the others traveling with him that he was an upstanding man. Eventually they came to call him Pastor and built him a church. Little did they know the bible he carried was stolen.
When Martha’s father realized Jebediah was a swindler, murderer and scoundrel he sent for Jeremy Whitaker (Jebediah’s brother) and Austin Wells (Martha’s best friend since childhood.) The two men headed to Martha’s rescue. What they discovered shocked them. Martha and the boys had suffered repeated beatings, mental and emotional abuse.
Shirley Roe has written several books about the Whitaker family. This installment takes place before Return To Whitakerville and The Whitaker Family Reunion. Of Dreams and Nightmares is the beginning of the Whitaker saga. There are several characters but I had no problem keeping up with who, what, when and where. It was fascinating watching Martha grow from an immature, spoiled, impulsive socialite into a mature woman. Jebediah was determined to break Martha’s spirit, he raped her, beat her and threatened her life. She was terrified of Jebediah and yet she stood up to him when he was beating Abraham.
Dreams and Nightmares is a delightful historical romance. Roe effortlessly transports readers back in time. I felt as though I was riding in the wagon with Martha. Together we stumbled through the snow and comforted the boys. I was right there with Abraham when he was hiding under a bush. This tale takes place in several different settings: England, on board ship, in a wagon, at a fort, Wyoming, and St. Louis. Martha was the lead character in each of these settings and each setting was responsible for another facet of her character. The protagonist in this tale was Jebediah. He was a frightening person. I suspect he was a sociopath. Isaac was a fascinating character. He was damaged by the things his father did. Watching the change in his character made me eagerly turn pages. While I have previously read the other two books in this series, I now want to go back and reread them. Each book stands well alone but I like to read books in order.
I’d like to mention Abraham’s gift. He would dream something and it foretold the future. As he matured he considered it a gift from God. I would like to see Roe write another book with Abraham as the lead and share more of his story, including his gift.
I’d be remiss if I did not mention Bo the dog. He was a canine hero. This is a very special book. It is easy to highly recommend this book to both young adults and adults. Review by Reader’s Favorite.
Shirley's Media
Shirley A. Roe talks about her trilogy second book, on Today's Author
Shirley A. Roe is the Managing Editor of Allbooks Reviews.
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– Review by Martha A.
Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds
The train began its approach to Edinburgh’s Waverly
Station.Jenny stared in fascination at
Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city, with its high rock precipice
protecting all that had lived within the walls.“Waverly Station!” shouted the conductor.“Watch your step.”Jenny stepped onto the busy platform; people
bustled to and fro.Several trains
arriving and departing the station filled the air with black soot and
noise.Swept up in the flow of people,
Jenny found herself climbing the steep grade to the street above.Tentatively, she looked around at the huge
city.Never in her life had she seen so
many people or so many buildings, which made it all a little overwhelming.A cart sped past, causing her to jump and
bump into a stranger.The man scowled at
her.“Sorry, so sorry.”Her apology fell on deaf ears.Everyone was rushing somewhere and all were
oblivious to the shy woman from Watsworth, clutching her worn suitcase for dear
life.’
Jenny Barstow had
received a letter confirming her position as assistant to the City Clerk of
Edinburgh.She had grown up in the small
town of Watsworth and since her only living family was her uncle, she had no
real ties to the town.That is unless
you count Tim McKitterek as being a tie.She and Tim had known each other forever and in each of their eyes, they
just knew that one day they would marry.But that wasn’t to be.Tim worked
at the mines and after his father up and left, he was the sole supporter of his
mother and her six children.It took
every penny he made just to keep them afloat.He would never be able to leave Watsworth and Jenny knew it.Her only choice was to go alone and hope that
one day things would be different and just maybe he could join her.
What Jenny didn’t bargain for was finding that her position
had been filled by Ian Murphy, nephew of Lord Provost of Edinburgh, John
Murphy.So here she is.The farthest she has ever ventured from her
little town of Watsworth, hungry, no job here nor back home, no place to live
and just enough money to make it back home with hopes of something working out
for her there.Then comes her “knight”
in the form of an elderly man by the name of Zachariah Taylor.
I’ve read several of Author Shirley A. Roe’s books and they
just keep getting better.Now My Life
Begins takes the reader through not one but both World Wars with their
destruction not only to property but human lives and mentality as well.She not only tells a beautiful story that is
quite realistic but she throws in history along the way allowing you not to
just possibly learn something new but to also make the story even more
believable.I’ve totally enjoyed her
words and stories of love as the characters survive what was sent their way in
the form of life.This is truly a beautiful
story.
NOW MY LIFE BEGINS
BY
SHIRLEY A. ROE
Shirley A.
Roe, once again, did not disappoint me. I was
looking for a book to lose myself in, under my backyard apple tree, on a lazy
summer day. And, I found it!
Shirley remains the master story
teller, circa English/Irish culture in the late eighteen and early nineteen
hundred’s. And, she has a way of making it hard to put one of her books down as
there is always something of interest left hanging at the end of each chapter. Now My Life Begins once again
demonstrates Shirley’s profound understanding of human nature in her complex
multi-character development. This is an exquisite character study of a young
girl who must leave her childhood love and small town for a major city. She
experiences poverty, fear, love, female work prejudice, male arrogance and
sexual brutality, childbirth and the death of love ones. But in the end she
triumphs. If I told you how I would give away the best part of the plot!
Along this young girl’s way in life
she encounters a variety of personalities that Shirley expertly develops. This
book will grab your heart. Like me, you won’t be able to put it down!
WELCOME TO BOOKS BY SHIRLEY A. ROE
