Book Review of The
Story of Sassy Sweetwater!
Sponsored by Virtual Book Tours
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Finalist for the ForeWord Book of
the Year Awards for 2012! Won the Eric Hoffer Award for Sassy Sweetwater
for 2013 - Honorable Mention Best ebook Fiction!
Blurb:
Publisher: Musa Publishing (January 20, 2012)
Category: Southern fiction, Contemporary fiction, Women's Fiction
Tour Date: July, 2013
Available in: eBook, 289 Pages
Category: Southern fiction, Contemporary fiction, Women's Fiction
Tour Date: July, 2013
Available in: eBook, 289 Pages
After thirteen years on the run Violet McLaughlin returns to
Carter's Crossing, South Carolina, in 1962, with her young daughter, Sassy. The
Crossing is right outside of Beaufort and the turmoil of the Civil Rights
movement will forever leave its scars on the young and impressionable girl. As
Sassy stands before the imposing white farmhouse for the first time, with no
knowledge of her history but that the McLaughlin's are her kin, Sassy begins a
journey that will tear her apart before it heals her. Growing up among secrets
that will forever damage her relationship with her mother, she attempts to make
sense of her past. But will her passion for art and her love for Thomas Tierney
be enough to sustain her future? Will the puzzles she must solve to discover
who she is be worth the journey?
Praise for The Story of Sassy Sweetwater:
"An extraordinary second in the southern fiction genre,
Vera Jane Cook explores the bonds of family and the fragility of love. The
Story of Sassy Sweetwater is a sparkling debut novel.
Cook has penned a sweeping coming-of-age saga that is sure to
appeal to fans of romance and drama. Sassy, an assertive, observant
protagonist, gains the reader's sympathy at the outset; in the manner of Jane
Eyre, she survives the hand fortune has dealt her through sheer will, rising up
to meet every challenge.
It is not just the gripping love story that will hold the audience's interest; it is also Cook's nuanced portrayal of Sassy's positive relationships with people whom others are prejudiced against.
Drama lovers will be pleased to note that Sassy faces lies, cover-ups, violence, murder attempts, and the rediscovery of loved ones once thought dead. None of this descends into soap opera, however, because Cook skillfully grounds these events in her protagonist's emotions. Those who know the agony of a family rupture will feel Sassy's pain as she wishes for Violet to return, yet hates her for leaving. Along with the main story, as Cook delves into the lives of Sassy's family (particularly those of Violet and Edna) she paints a haunting portrait of physical abuse filtering through multiple generations. Despite its violence, though, The Story of Sassy Sweetwater is an uplifting read."- 5 Star ForeWord Clarion Review
It is not just the gripping love story that will hold the audience's interest; it is also Cook's nuanced portrayal of Sassy's positive relationships with people whom others are prejudiced against.
Drama lovers will be pleased to note that Sassy faces lies, cover-ups, violence, murder attempts, and the rediscovery of loved ones once thought dead. None of this descends into soap opera, however, because Cook skillfully grounds these events in her protagonist's emotions. Those who know the agony of a family rupture will feel Sassy's pain as she wishes for Violet to return, yet hates her for leaving. Along with the main story, as Cook delves into the lives of Sassy's family (particularly those of Violet and Edna) she paints a haunting portrait of physical abuse filtering through multiple generations. Despite its violence, though, The Story of Sassy Sweetwater is an uplifting read."- 5 Star ForeWord Clarion Review
"The Story of Sassy Sweetwater" by Vera Jane Cook
was an excellent read. This story was one that I couldn't put down until I had
finished it....so I read all nite long ... (smile).
Sassy (meaning....attitude and Sweetwater..a stream.... was a
very strong, desirous, and daring person. How this author was able to present
such a well written novel was simply amazing....dealing with a young Sassy
trying to understand the grownups in her life....mainly her mother...going from
one relationship to another...then returning home... to Carter's Crossing,
South Carolina.....where Sassy remained there until the end... then it was
France.
Ms. Cook worked her magic in bringing out Sassy emotions to
the audience. The writing was well written and each of the characters were
brought to life in this great read. I know you will find it a great read.
These characters really made this a well understood novel.
The Story of Sassy Sweetwater" is a real journey that
while you are on it, you will find out just what Sassy needed most in her life.
Will Sassy be able to get this in the end? I found this novel an excellent
novel and I would recommend this for the Adult audience."- Arlena
Dean, GMTA Literary Community
"Vera Jane Cook has quickly become one my favorite
writers. Her stories are always interesting and lively and The Story of Sassy
Sweetwater is no exception.
In this book we follow the journey of Sassy Sweetwater as she
grows and matures from a child to a woman. What a ride it is! Sassy's life is
full of ups and downs but through it all she stays sweet and endearing. She is
a strong and passionate character and she always seems to find a way to
prevail.
If you love strong, character-driven stories you'll love The
Story of Sassy Sweetwater."-Sweet Tea, Amazon.com Reviewer
" I really enjoyed how the author brought Sassy
Sweetwater to life. You can almost hear her southern drawl as you read her
words. The characters are richly created and bring the story even more to life.
Other than Sassy, my favorite character was Grandma Edna. This woman starts out
as someone who seems untouchable, and turns out to be Sassy's greatest
champion. She has so many facets, like a true southern lady who married young
and to a very volatile man, she finds her own way of taking control of things
and people around her and still keep her charm.
Anyone looking
for a solid story of life, its ups and downs with great female characters would
really enjoy this book."- Kmusings, Amazon.com Reviewer
Author Information:
Vera Jane Cook, writer of Award Winning Women's Fiction, is
the author of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, Lies a River Deep, Where the
Wildflowers Grow, Dancing Backward in Paradise and Annabel Horton, Lost Witch
of Salem.
Jane, as she is known to family and friends, was born in New
York City and grew up amid the eccentricity of her southern and glamorous
mother on the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan.
An only child, Jane turned to reading novels at an early age
and was deeply influenced by an eclectic group of authors. Some of her favorite
authors today are Nelson DeMille, Calib Carr, Wally Lamb, Anne Rice, Sue Monk
Kidd, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Her favorite
novels are too long to list but include The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cheri and
The Last of Cheri, The Picture of Dorian Grey, Wuthering Heights, Look at Me,
Dogs of Babel, The Bluest Eye, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Body Surfing,
Lolita, The Brothers Karamazov, She's Come Undone, Tale of Two Cities, etc.,
etc., etc.
The Story of Sassy Sweetwater is a finalist for the ForeWord
Book of the Year Awards for 2012. Her first novel, Dancing Backward in Paradise
won the Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence and the Indie Excellence
Award for notable new fiction, 2007. The Story of Sassy Sweetwater and Dancing
Backward in Paradise received five stars from ForeWord Clarion Reviews. The
Story of Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem is her first paranormal novel.
The author
works by day for an education publishing company as an account manager and
lives on the Upper West side of Manhattan with her long term partner, her
Pomeranian, Daisy, her Basenji/Chihuahua mix, Roxie, her Chihuahua, Peanut and
her two pussy cats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.
Contacts:
Vera Jane Cook's
Website: http://www.verajanecook.com/
Vera Jane Cook on Twitter: https://twitter.com/verajanecook
Vera Jane Cook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.j.cook
Vera Jane Cook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.j.cook
Review:
Initially
I thought this would be a book similar to other “farm house/small town” tales,
but it was so much better. Sassy lives
up to her name. The story is funny, sad,
irreverent, sweet, and very well-written.
I loved to see all the ups and downs that she went through. And the story was written in such a way that
you felt as though Sassy was your best friend or sister and you saw her go
through all this as part of your life.
I
give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Story of Sassy Sweetwater so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your wonderful review of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater - so glad you liked it. Vera Jane Cook
ReplyDelete