Michael E. Glasscock III

When Little Joe Stout survives the car accident that took his parents’ lives, he is sent to live with his maternal grandparents in the small town of Round Rock, Tennessee. Orphaned and missing his Texas home, Little Joe is reluctant to adapt. But his grandparents, especially his grandmother, are up to the challenge of raising him despite their own struggles. Soon, childhood friendships are forged in the oddball duo of Sugar and Bobby, and—with the help of a new canine companion—Little Joe begins to see that his new home offers the comfort and love he thought was lost forever.

Set against the drama of World War II and the first sparks of the civil rights movement, Little Joe’s new home is a microcosm of America in the 1940s. A frightening incident with a Chinese motorist traveling on the wrong side of town, the migration of troops across the countryside, and a frank discussion of Jim Crow laws are just a few of the local events mirroring the radio broadcasts that bring the news of the day into his grandmother’s kitchen.

Received in ebook format from netgalley.com.

This is a book of a more innocent time, with an orphaned child from Texas being sent to live with his grandparents in Tennessee. It's a new way of life for him. so he not only has to cone to terms with surviving the car crash that killed his parents, but with living on a farm instead of the city, with people who he doesnt know that well. There are some hard lessons to learn: dont name the chickens as it's hard to kill and eat something you see as a friend. Pigs are bred to be killed and eaten. There are bullies at school and you have to learn to deal with them There are other lessons that Joe learns, often without realising: what family and friends are about. how to look after others and that other people can feel sorrow. That there is still bigotry, even after the civil war that freed the slaves.

This is a story about a 10 year old, and easily read by a 10 year old. There is no deep or meaningful exposition or character development. The language is plain, simple and uncomplicated. It'll be interesting to see if the next book in the series is written the same way or differently. Not everyone will take pleasure in the writing style - it is quite plain and simple, and it's not deep on characterisation, which some people dislike. Not having read the "Little House" stories, I dont know whether other people's comparisons stand up - I have read similar stories such as "Anne of Green Gables" and whilst this is not as gleaming positive in it's style of writing, the reading level is about the same.






… (mais)

Set some decades after Little Joe, this finds the one and only county doctor in jail and to go on trial for the murder of a patient that had been suffering from MS. Dr Kate has one major problem – she can’t remember going out to Lillian’s house, never mind administering the fatal dose of sleeping powders.

The rest of the review can be found here:

target="_top">https://nordie.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/book-review-the-trial-of-dr-kate-by-mich...… (mais)

The Life and Times of Jamie Lee Coleman is a lovely rags to riches novel about the meteoric rise of Jamie Lee Coleman from his dirt poor and abusive beginnings to his incredible success as a country singer. This third installment in Michael E. Glasscock III's series set in Round Rock, TN can be read as a standalone, but fans will be delighted with a few guest appearances by characters from previous books in the series.

Written as an autobiography in first person from Jamie Lee's perspective, the novel begins in 1962 when Jamie Lee is ten years and follows him as he escapes his poverty stricken and abusive childhood through his wildly successful career. It is a wonderfully heartwarming story about Jamie Lee making the most of the opportunities he has been given and his gratitude for the people who have helped him along the way. While his success comes relatively easily, Jamie Lee also has his share of heartache and loss and this is when the seeds sown in his dysfunctional past come back to haunt him.

Jamie Lee is an only child whose alcoholic father regularly abuses him and his poor downtrodden mother. Following a particularly bad beating, Jamie Lee crosses paths with Miss Frances Washington and she quickly becomes his legal guardian. Miss Frances is strict but loving and Jamie Lee flourishes both academically and musically under her careful guidance. With a few notable exceptions, Jamie Lee's life is mostly carefree until he is sixteen, and a series of unfortunate events forces him to strike out on his own. In New Orleans, a fortuitous encounter sets him on his path to stardom, but a personal loss and a serious accident threaten his burgeoning career. He returns to Nashville where he meets the love of his life and with her by his side, he finds unimaginable success as a country music star, but he also suffers his share of heartbreak as well.

Jamie Lee is a wonderful character who never forgets his humble beginning or those who helped him on his road to stardom. He has seen the devastating effects of alcohol and he refuses to let it ruin the career he has carefully nurtured. Jamie Lee loves deeply but his habit of making major decisions on his own is one of his biggest downfalls in his romantic relationships. He does manage to avoid many of the pitfalls that befall many musicians (drugs, alcohol, infidelity & overspending) and his financial acumen provides him with an incredible fortune. Jamie Lee makes wise business decisions and he eventually gives back to the local community where he was born and raised.

While there is little external conflict in the overall storyline, Jamie Lee faces his internal demons when facing personal tragedy. Jamie Lee overcomes many obstacles throughout his lifetime and by his autobiography's conclusion in 2003, he has weathered the losses of many of his family members, friends and mentors. Just as he has recovered from a dark period in his life, Jamie Lee faces his biggest challenge and while his decision is unexpected, it fits his character.

The Life and Times of Jamie Lee Coleman is an engaging novel with a wonderful cast of characters. The behind the scenes look at the music industry is quite interesting and never overpowers the unfolding storyline. A surprising plot twist late in the story takes the novel to a shocking and poignant conclusion.

The Life and Times of Jamie Lee Coleman is a superb addition to Michael E. Glasscock III's Round Rock series that old and new fans do not want to miss. I am very much looking forward to the next novel in this incredible series.
… (mais)