Book Reviews

Rose of Sharon by Arletta Dawdy

Arletta Dawdy‘s strong writing skills are evident as she gives life to the fictional characters in Rose of Sharon. Arletta deftly weaves scenery and characters, using her extensive vocabulary to create a vivid backdrop for lives unfolding in this novel that reads like a true story. From the back cover: Mark Wiederanders, author of Stevenson’s Treasure: “Arletta Dawdy’s Rose of Sharon is a delightful, wonderfully-imagined prequel to John Steinback’s The Grapes of Wrath. . . Depression, racism, forbidden love, birth, death, heartbreak and lots of hard ranch-work are all part of Rose’s daily experience.” Susan Nunn, author of Song of the Earth: “Characters are born out of the fabric of their landscape, and when a writer has a sense of place, knows place like none other, it all comes together so well.” Kay Mehl Miller, Ph.D,, author of Love Comes At Twilight: A Love Story for Seniors: “Whether it’s with…

Book Reviews

By Grace by Arletta Dawdy

By Grace – Reviewed by Marlene Cullen Extraordinary writing by Arletta Dawdy who must have done a ton of research for this entertaining story containing so much factual detail I feel as if I took this trip alongside heroine Grace Pelham. Arletta tells a compelling story in the best story-teller tradition. I was mesmerized and couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. Arletta holds up her end of the author-reader bargain, taking me out of my world and into the world of Grace Pelham, filled with intriguing characters, gorgeous landscape, creativity and human scoundrels as well as kindness. Arletta brings these fully dimensional characters to life in her unique way. Her writing is absolutely exquisite and dazzling. I’m not the only one who finds Arletta’s writing creative and delightful. From the back cover: “A good book also has characters that intrigue and change and in the midst of the…