Road Books

A few months ago, I put a review of _Notes From A Minor Key_, by Dawn Bailiff, up on Amazon. I see that my review has been taken down. Possibly, someone decided that the review didn't conform to Amazon's standards for writing reviews. Since the review consisted almost entirely of a long excerpt from the book, I suppose they were right.

So, let me try again.

_Notes From A Minor Key_ primarily tells the story of Dawn Bailiff's career as a concert pianist, and of how that career was cut short by multiple sclerosis. But it is much more than a simple, straightforward memoir. Ms. Bailiff shares her opinions and beliefs about many things. The story is divided into three sections (mind, body, and soul) reflecting Ms. Bailiff's belief that true healing must take place on all three of these levels.

The first part (mind) is a love story, and tells of the early stages of Ms. Bailiff's relationship with the man who would later become her husband. The chapters in this section alternate between Dawn's point of view and Paul's point of view. This is such an ambitious and difficult way of writing that most writers probably would never dare to even attempt it, but Ms. Bailiff pulls it off well.

The second part of the book (body) tells of Dawn's struggles to cope with the early stages of her disease, which was still undiagnosed at this point. Like the first part, it is told from alternating points of view between Dawn and Paul, and once again she handles the extremely difficult task of writing from Paul's perspective with great energy and imagination.

The final part of the book (soul) describes the challenges and tragedies that Dawn faced after learning that she had MS, and is told almost entirely from Dawn's point of view. (The reason for this will become obvious when you read the book.)

It would be remiss of me to close this review without mentioning the controversies that have sprung up around it. Ms. Bailiff changed the names of some of the characters in the story, in order to protect innocent people from embarrassment. Unfortunately, the book doesn't tell you that names have been changed. Also, she took some liberties with the story itself, altering a few details in order to simplify things. This has caused her to be subjected to some rather harsh criticism from various quarters. Perhaps it would have been best if she had changed all the names and published the book as a novel (which is essentially what Laren Weisberger did with _The Devil Wears Prada_.) But, we cannot change the past. What's done is done.

Despite the problems, I still maintain that _Notes From A Minor Key_ is an inspiring story that will be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to appreciate good writing. You may not share Ms. Bailiff's enthusiasm for alternative medicine, or her admiration for Edgar Cayce, or her belief in psychic phenomena, but you cannot deny that this book contains some good writing. She is at her best when describing the toll that early-stage MS took on her piano playing career. (I'm tempted to include a brief quote here, but then Amazon might pull my review down again, so I'll just have to ask you to trust me on this. The book does contain some excellent writing.) Also, there are some "Inside Baseball" moments, and you can quite easily get an introduction to the history of classical music just by reading this book.

What else is there to say? Well, the proofreading is poor, and there are some misspelled words ("lead" instead of "led", "predominately" instead of "predominantly", "breath" instead of "breathe".) I strongly suspect that these are the fault of the publisher rather than the author.

Even with all of its flaws, this is a fine first book by a talented writer. Let's hope that it won't be her last.

What an incredible writer Dawn is, and what a heroic story she shares with us.
I was awed by her word-ability -- Dawn is truly capable of giving the reader an intimate portrait that has us experience, along with her, the triumphs and tragedies that she so adeptly relates with her two-character style of writing.

She is a genius of a person. A gifted musician and now an insightful story teller. She expresses her superior intelligence in such a down to earth way that she makes it easy for us to like her and want to be her friend. I was moved emotionally as the story unfolded. In fact, knowing her story in advance of my reading, I found myself reluctant to read on, knowing what was to come. I'd put the book away for days eventually braving her words.
I couldn't believe the amount of pain she somehow tolerates, yet transmutes through her spiritual exercises. Dawn shows us the way a true believer struggles with overwhelming situations and actually achieves victories over adversities.

Worthy of being put on the Oprah Show, and let the world get to know a Giant of Spiritual Power, one who shows us the way. She is truly a 21st Century woman.God Bless Her.

This is a facinating story of a remarkable woman who courageously survives in spite of contacting MS and suffering other personal tragedies. This is a passionate love story of a gifted artist that is deeply moving and invites the reader inside her thoughts. A page turner.

Dawn Bailiff's title describes living with multiple sclerosis - but it's much more. It's also the story of a half-Jewish, half-Japanese girl who played with Leonard Bernstein when she was just 10, who was accepted into the Peabody Conservatory of Music at age 15, and whose music helped her struggle through MS diagnosis and symptoms. Bailiff is a composer, former world-class concert pianist, and here integrates her musical passion and experiences with powerful first-person insights on living with ms.

What an exceptional piece of writing! I've never read anything by a man or a woman that is as raw and honest. Through the telling of a beautiful love story, Dawn Bailiff becomes vulnerable to the the reader in a most powerful way.

She came into this world with incredible intelligence and talent. While she continuously struggles with the effects of multiple sclerosis and has suffered unimaginable losses, she continues to share her greatness through the gift of this book.

When Richard Bushman sent the final proofs of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling to the publisher, he started an author's diary which he kept regularly for the following year, through publishing, reviews, book signings, lectures, and more. This slim book is that diary, and in just 130 pages it delivers the insights of several books. I think the book will be interesting to biographers who will see kindred struggles, to writers seeking to reach diverse audiences, and to Mormons who seek orthodoxy without sacrificing intellect. (It will be most interesting, however, if you have read Rough Stone Rolling.)

In the pages of this diary, we read Bushman's candid reactions to reviews: "I realize I don't like to read any kind of review, even the favorable ones. I am annoyed by what the reviewers choose to emphasize in Joseph's life. Most of them pick up a few fragments and present them as if they were the key elements" (31-32). He also admits to monitoring other indicators of reception: "I look up my Amazon rank a couple of times a day. I tell myself I am curious about how the system works, but it is mostly vanity I know" (55). The play-by-play response to reviews illustrate the frustration of an author in seeking for his work to be understood and seeing reviewers read only part of the book or completely miss the point.

Bushman also provides some of his own doctrinal exposition. He is a practicing Mormon (a patriarch and a temple sealer, both respected positions in the Church) with - as he puts it - an orthodox testimony. "A man...said, I bet your testimony is different from that of people in this room. I said it was, but that I believed in the gold plates" (108). He shares in this very personal book some of his views on our relationship to God (60-61), his view of a potential new public persona for the Church (105-106), and spiritual counsel on how to deal with doubts about Joseph Smith (110-111).

Bushman's principal dilemma in writing Rough Stone Rolling was trying to speak to both believing Mormons (many of whom have heard only praise for Joseph Smith throughout their lives) and curious non-Mormons (many of whom have never taken Smith seriously despite his accomplishments). As he reads reviews and gives talks, it becomes clear that he has lost some of the Mormons (one unnamed General Authority suggests his book will provide ammunition for anti-Mormons, others are supportive) and many of the non-Mormons (who see him as too sympathetic). He formulates an alternative approach he could have used to help non-Mormons along, and he questions (but ultimately defends) his decision to be explicit in his position as a practicing Mormon. Throughout, and especially in an essay he includes in the last few pages (123-127), he explores the question of how much of oneself to insert into a biography.

Finally, on a personal note, I enjoyed encountering books and people I have read. He talks about Greg Prince's recent (excellent) David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism and about having interactions with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know). He talks about interactions with Church leaders - Elder Holland, Elder Packer. These made the book feel a little more like family.

Fascinating, quick read, with parts to be enjoyed more than once. Highly recommended.

Great book. One would need to read Rough Stone Rolling prior, but put the frosting on the cake. Received from Amazon in great shape in good time.

I suspect this review is more personal than will be really helpful to Amazon readers. I write more to the the man than about the book.

Professor Bushman is a deep thinker. I am impressed by his dedication to his profession (and why shouldn't he be dedicated), and to his faith.

I also appreciated his candid discussion of his foibles and vanities. I think I begin to see that great things are accomplished by those who continue to "show up" as much as by those with genius (though I think Professor Bushman has plenty of genius). I get a chuckle from thinking of him checking his Amazon ranking because I'm just sure that I would do exactly the same thing. Isn't it just too human of us to want to know where we are "ranked," how we stack up against others.

Perhaps the most compelling part of this book, though, is Brother Bushman's obvious efforts to be true to his convictions and spread the word in ways that are consistent with his academic AND spiritual views. I find him to be living up to the Mormon motto that "all things are spiritual to God."

Well done, Professor. You are a credit to your faith.

This brief memoir (140 pages including the index) is a book about a book--Bushman's Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005)--and the reaction it generated from Mormons and non-Mormons of various sorts during the author's yearlong promotional tour. On the Road will obviously be of greatest interest to those acquainted with Bushman or who at least have read Rough Stone Rolling; but the volume may also appeal to those curious about contemporary non-fiction book publishing or who are interested in how contemporary Mormon intellectuals try to sort out the more awkward aspects of their faith.

Bushman confesses to having a "sensitive temperament," and he is sometimes so revealing that the reader feels on the edge of voyeurism. For instance, Bushman expresses his frustration at forgetting his cell phone charger, he regularly checks the Amazon.com rankings of his book, and he compares the quality of his own interviews with those of President George W. Bush: "He seemed unsure and forced in his answers....Sitting before a reporter who was going to be more critical, he faltered, and I do the same. I also thought it was partly because he is not entirely honest. He keeps thinking of the criticisms of his statements and is not certain he is answering satisfactorily. As I watched I was of course applying these observations to myself." (94) The volume is full of what one nineteenth-century after-dinner speaker called "carriage speeches"--the revised discourses he made to himself on the way home in his carriage.

Bushman includes curious speculation about the nature of ultimate reality (60-62), which concludes with his pronouncement that "Mormons are not the only source of light" and that "Christ radiates throughout the world, through many voices." Yet he is willing enough to play down such sentiments for the present when Mormonism is "under attack from evangelical Christians." Bushman also expresses discomfort at Joseph Smith's polyandry and yet, for unspecified reasons, he swallows Smith's angels and golden plates whole. In the end, Bushman admits that by writing Rough Stone Rolling for both Mormons and non-Mormons, he attracted educated believers but lost readers at "both ends of the spectrum"--conservative Mormons who wanted an unsullied prophet with supernatural gifts and non-Mormons who were confirmed in their previous belief that Smith was only a charlatan.

Richard Bushman has published a brief account of dealing with his book, "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling." I have read several other accounts of author's process of writing and reacting (John Steinbeck most notably), but have not felt that I reached the heart and soul of a man as this book does with Richard Bushman. He leaves nothing out.

Most interesting are his attempts to deal with an anti-Mormon audience vs. conservative Mormons. His motivations are pure and having read "Rough Stone Rolling," I think he has pulled off a major accomplishment. He is a great and sincere man. He certainly is at the forefront of LDS historians and scholars.

The scope and explanatory power is astounding and it's great to read on the beach!!

I always judge a book by its cover and this book has a great cover. I was not disapointed.

The scope and explanatory power of this book are astounding and it's a great book to read on the beach!!

The scope and explanatory power is astounding and it's great to read on the beach!!

If it wasn't for Mr. Lask's writings i'd still be eating beans out of a can. Haven't read his latest, but I've heard great things!

Pelican Road is a vivid and graphic account of the steam locomotive age and those who worked on the trains. The dangers of not only the trains but the railroad yards are masterfully recounted. The writing is so rich and deep that I kept reminding myself to slow down and notice every word and phrase. Now that we are living in the electronic age it is important to remember the risks and crushing work involved in the world of steam engines and other machine driven industry.

First, in the interest of full disclosure, I must say that I loved Bahr's Civl War triology. Boy, can he write. In this novel about railroading in the 1940's Bahr applies the same wonderful techniques of character development and setting descriptions that he so successfully used in that Civil War trilogy. All of the characters are memorable, and though I wasn't around during the early 40's as a railroad man, his descriptions of that whole scene strike me as eerily right on the money. I enjoyed the novel immensely and reccomend it for anyone but especially for the reader who not only enjoys a rip roaring tale, but one told with unbelievable eloquence. You're gonna love this book.

Howard Bahr is noted for his novels regarding the american Civil War. His novel, The Year of Jubilo was a New York Times notable book of the year. Now, Mr. Bahr turns his attention to the american railroads in the deep south just before the start of World War 2, and once again, he has written a fine book which captures the era in a very intimate way. Mr. Bahr is an ex railroad man himself, and his knowledge of the business and the people who work on it runs true in every page of the book. Mr. Bahr has always written beautifully, and this novel is no exception. He sets moods which will linger with you for quite awhile. He also likes to touch his books with a amall piece of the supernatural in all his works, just a small touch to really set the mood. The story involves two railroads destined to meet on Christmas eve, and the characters whgo you wil become involved with are richly drawn. You will be caught up in the inevitability of the outcome, hoping against hope that something will be allowed to intercede to stop the rush against time and rail space on the railroad.

Those who are familiar with Howard Bahr's work know that he is one of those rare writers that Mark Twain referred to as "word musicians." Just about anyone can tell a story, but it takes a true talent to make music with words. Bahr does it again with Pelican Road, his fourth novel.

The setting is a bit of a departure for those readers who are accustomed to the 19th century historical fiction of Bahr's three previous novels, but no one should be disappointed by that. Christmas Eve 1940 on the railroad comes alive in this book, thanks to Bahr's beautifully vivid descriptions of people and places. The characters become the reader's steadfast friends - we hope the best for them, and weep for their tragedies. And while Pelican Road may be a tragic story, it is not without hope.

Buy this book, early and often. Give a real writer the recognition he deserves.

This is a beautifully written novel about a couple of days in the life of railroad men, written by a former railroad man. You see life through the eyes of the engineers, the firemen, brakemen, railroad detectives, conductors, and yard men. The novel is rich in detail and authenticity. This is not a novel about the lives of passengers, chance meetings in the dining car, that kind of thing. The characters are wonderfully drawn--no one-dimensional or two-dimensional people here. You get a very good feeling for the life of the railroad.

There's A.P. Dunn, the engineer on the southbound freight, a longtime veteran who appears to have problems with Alzheimer's. Rufus Payne is the engineer on the crack express Silver Star, out of New Orleans bound for Atlanta and Washington, running late and stubbornly determined to make up time. Artemus Kane, conductor on the Silver Star, keeps thinking back to his days in France in the Great War. Eddie Cox is Dunn's firemen, and due to retire the following day. Donny Luttrell, disgraced college student from a wealthy family, runs the tiny isolated Talowah depot as a penance--he's the only one there, and manages the switches, yardwork, telegraphy, waybills, etc--in some ways he's one of the most interesting characters in the novel. The lives of these men and others are all intertwined.

The sense of time and place is unforgettable--the grime and soot, living conditions aboard a caboose, the always present threat of death and disfigurement for those who aren't careful enough (one of the characters is missing three fingers). The characters in the novel at one point discuss "boomers"--skilled railroad men with a wanderlust who move from railroad to railroad, often crisscrossing the country. Bahr himself served with 5 railroads. There's an excellent railroad novel titled, appropriately, "The Boomer" by Harry Bedwell. This is an episodic work about Eddie Sand, a skilled telegraph operator--these are always in short supply, and the railroads have too many Talowahs, tiny depots that need telegraphers who can manage the switches and the signals the way Donny Luttrell does. Boomer and Pelican Road are both "railroaders' novels", told from an insider's point of view. Up to now, Boomer perhaps stood on its own as the only good railroad novel--but now we also have Pelican Road. Great reading!

We were returning from Greenwich tired and footsore. The LONDON MAPGUIDE indicated we could transfer to another bus to Paddington right on Russell Square. When we alighted, there were no layover stops for the elusive Bus #7. After tromping for ages around Bloomsbury, we gave up and hiked back past the British Museum to Oxford Street, where we knew we could get a bus.

The flaw of this and all other map guides to London are the bus routes. The Underground is fun, but sometimes a bus is more convenient, and, as G. K. Chesterton wrote, the best way to see London is from the top of a double-decker bus.

Even London Transport's "Travelling in London" folder doesn't do justice to the bus system. Granted, it is diabolically difficult to keep up with route changes, but if someone were to undertake it and do a more thorough job, the result would be a truly useful map guide.

But don't let one complaint detract from the value of this otherwise outstanding guide. Because of the lack of bus information, most travellers take to the Underground and are quite satisfied with it. I still recommend THE LONDON MAPGUIDE and still would use it myself, if only for lack of anything better.

I have used this mapguide since 1990 -- it is my "bible" in London. Far more portable and much less overwhelming than "London A-Z," this mapguide contains everything a traveller in London will need. If I could only take one book to London, this would be the one.

The subways (tubes) are cleverly color coded and it's easy to decide where to make your connections. Bus numbers are confusing but only rode bus one time since tube system is so clean, quick and efficient.

Print is large enough to easily read, but overall size of book is small enough to fold and place in most jacket pockets, purses and shoulder bags. Informative enough to be the only reference material you need when leaving your hotel room for your daily excursions through the city.

I am a frequent traveler to London, and have worn out more than one copy of this excellent map! Among its best features are locations of prominent buildings and numbers of bus routes. Don't leave home without it!

This book was so very exciting and it keep my attention and interest all the way through. I loved the colorful way in which this authors words were written and her ability to take life experiences and create a book that can captivate me all the way through is highly commendable.

Having been interested in ghosts since I can remember,this book helped me really understand what and who ghosts are. I cried each time I read about Mary and Bill helping another lost soul find her way home. This book helped answer so many of my questions involving spirituality and eternal life. A must read if you are at all interested in ghosts!

Probably the most rewarding work that such advanced souls as Mary Summer Rain could possibly do....helping Lost Souls (?Ghosts?) go "towards the light", home, away from the suffering they have endured here on Earth, into the arms of Our Mother and Father.....

This book kept me glued to it, I could't lay it down for long. I actually stayed up till 5 AM to finish this one. I hope she continues to writes more like this one. Summer and Bill rescue wayward spirits and send them home to God. It gets pretty intense at times.

Having been interested in ghosts since I can remember,this book helped me really understand what and who ghosts are. I cried each time I read about Mary and Bill helping another lost soul find her way home. This book helped answer so many of my questions involving spirituality and eternal life. A must read if you are at all interested in ghosts!

As a MX and Offroad rider for over 2 decades, I thought I had a pretty good grasp of my riding ability....and my weaknesses....until I read this book. After applying the techniques and practicing them on the track, it was easy to feel the difference in how I handle difficult situations....easy to see where I fall into the most common, simple to cure, mistakes that make the race a battle with myself more than the guy ahead of me....and it was obvious how much faster my laptimes were. On my website at MotoxMadness, I only recommend one book that every rider should read...this one. Use it and it will change your life. See ya' on the track!

This book is written in an easy to read fashion. Clear and concise, with illustrations that show exactly what you need to know. You can read it from cover to cover or start any chapter you want. Covers all aspects of motocross. I loved it.

This book is a great resource for fundamental motocross riding skills. After reading the book I've attempted many of the techniques described and with excellent results. As in any industry skill is attained through practice. The book does a good job of providing what should be practiced while continuously referring to motivational type phrases to assist in the understand of nothing happens without effort and persistence.

After reading the book, you can easily watch a motocross race and see the pros apply these very same techniques.

I recommend this book for the novice through advanced rider. All skill levels can gain something of value from this book.

I just started racing and this book is very helpful. It practicly tells all the Pro riders secrets and tips. Also, it has sections where Gary Semic (A professonal teacher who teaches Jeremey McGrath)gives inside information on just about everything. If you like to ride Dirt Bikes and possibly thinking of racing, or just tooling around, THIS is THE book to own!

Really helpful for all riders. No matter if you are a beginner or pro, motocrosser or off-road, this book will help improve your skills. Uses lots of cool photos.

I have all of the River Road books and this one is the best of the series. It is not only beautiful, with colorful picture, but it has a durable hard cover to sustain a long life. I can't wait to try the wonderful recipes inside.

I came into this marriage with a husband who had his own river road cookbooks. And a mother-in-law on the committee.... (who hates to cook- guess???) and I LOVE the first, despite the plastic comb, like the second, really appreciated the 3rd, (but healthy and cookbook don't go that well together), and this is a beauty.

I LOVE the hardback, killer format. The photos, and ESPECIALLY the stories. But come on you guys, it is starting to really LOSE the regional flavor that made the first so great. And ASIAN??? I mean, yes, you can get great Asian food almost anywhere now, but I buy regional cookbooks for the regional flair- thus knocked off one of the stars...

what I REALLY WANT to see is a 'BEST OF RIVER ROAD' with all the glitz of the last cookbook, and all the HEFT (number of regional recipes, I have enough Lasagna thanks very much) of the first.... PLEASE

This is my new favorite cookbook. Everything I have made from it has been wonderful. I especially love the recipes for crawfish pie, pecan praline bacon and spinach salad sandwiches. Plus it is a beautiful book. This is a must for all Southern cooks!

This new River Road Recipes is absolutely beautiful! The pictures are gorgeous and the text reads like a Louisiana traveloge. The recipes are new and current but still reflect the types of food people like to eat in Louisiana. Not the same old gumbo recipes but no weird ingredients you have to look up either. We are loving it.

This is a truly wonderful cookbook. It looks beautiful, is laid out well, and most importantly, has lots of terrific recipes. The recipes are not difficult, the ingredients are generally easy to find, and yet they all have that special flare that great southern cooks are known for. I'm buying a second copy to give to my sister-in-law. It is a great addition to your cookbooks and makes a great gift.

What a wonderful resource for anyone interested in exploring the beauty of Virginia via bicycle! I love it and plan to get good milage out of my small investment. The writer has done the hard work by furnishing all the needed details for forty rides scattered throughout the state. All a rider needs to do to enjoy any or all of them is to add bicycle and pedal.

As someone who bicycled through Rockbridge County for years, I know firsthand the beauty of the Goshen Ramble (#29) and the fun that comes with the Rockbridge Challenge (#31). I eagerly awaite Jim's next effort--hopefully Pennsylvania. Jim's descriptions of the sights, eateries, and technical details in "The Basics" are accurate. Here's looking forward to doing the Burkes Garden Ramble (#39) and eating at Spanky's in Lexington! This guide will accompany me when next I travel to Virginia--whether by bike or car.

This is the guidebook that should be in every bikers' saddlebag!
Mr. Homerosky has managed to pack an abundance of information on 40 rides in just a bit over 200 pages. The ride and route information is clear and concise and a delight to read. I like the way the author gives the rider the oppurtunity to tailor the rides to his/her level; the rider can 'go the distance' or opt to
cut it short without missing the best of what the ride has to offer. I like his notations and footnotes that point out the local interests: and the mentioning of local bike shops and watering holes are a huge plus.

Whether you're a cycling tourist, recreational rider, or competitive cyclist, there's something for everyone in this guide. Mr Homerosky profiles 40 different routes on pavement all across the beautiful state of Virginia from the sea to the mountains. It's obvious he's ridden each one from his descriptions and knowledge of the terrain. His use of title words for each route is especially clever. Each route has a description, map, cue sheet, and when warranted a profile of elevation gain and loss. Pretty neat, and very useful. He also includes contacts in each community so you can further explore the area, or can be helpful for the non-cyclist on your trip.
A must have for any road cyclist wanting a dependable guide of road routes in Virginia.

I bought this new guidebook without much expectation. Boy, was I surprised! Road Biking Virginia may very well be the best written guidebook I ever read. The author takes the reader through the ride, noting scenic and historical highlights as well as areas of caution. I found the narratives addicting, and couldn't put the book down until I read every one. I thought I new a lot about my state - but I actually learned a good deal more. The maps are excellent and the directions are straight-forward and easy to understand.

If there is one flaw, the author doesn't seem to like city riding and doesn't offer any it his selection. But the book does offer fabulous road routes (I've done many myself) emphasizing Virginia's great back roads. Everyone should try the Goshen and Rockbridge rides and at least once in your life, you need to make the trek to Burkes Garden. What a great destination and ride.

I've waited a long time for a road ride book for Virginia. Fortunately, I now have one and it is good. I highly recommend it to all Virginia cyclists. Happy Riding,

Steve

A problem many people face in life - the continuing security of the way things are - or the leap for a much better existence. "The Road From La Cueva" is Ana Howland's problem of facing this - a sheltered life as a housewife under a controlling husband, or her affair with a man who seems to truly love and respect her - but would lead to problems in itself. Ana must overcome these problems and somehow find a resolution - deftly told by Sheila Ortego. "The Road from La Cueva" is highly recommended to romance fans and community library collections catering to the genre.

"The Road from La Cueva" not only brings alive the dynamic wilderness of New Mexico, but also the power of a young woman's drive to turn her life around. With many an obstacle to conquer, Dr. Ortego leads us through Ana's journey to untie the knots within--something all women can relate to. Her vivid pictures of day-to-day life tell the story of finding oneself somewhere you don't want to be and the way out, no matter how difficult the journey.

The book is very well written. I enjoyed imagining the vivid scenery and the allegorical imagery that is presented in different sections throughout. Even though the subject matter is a very serious issue faced by millions of women every day, the author approaches it with triumph and encouragement to all.

I enjoyed every minute spent reading this story. Sheila Ortego has created an exceptional woman with whom the reader can take the journey to personal independence. Along the way, experience a bit of New Mexican geography, the richness of American Indian traditions, the magic of pottery making, and especially the confluence of the amazing characters. This is a wonderful book!

"Reviewed for Front Street Reviews"

The Road from La Cueva by Sheila Ortego is such a wonderful read. It was short, far from sweet and to the point without all the added fluff and filler you will find in most books. This book could pertain to any number of women around the world in trouble.

Ana Howland is an almost to perfect woman for a fiction novel. She's a wife, mother, friend, daughter and lover. Lacking self esteem, being depressed, feeling trapped and scared to death keeps her in a marriage of hardship.

The story is a journey through a year of Ana's life and of the changes that come from a welcoming hand out of the blue. Each day, week, month offer up steps forward and steps backward while Ana tries so hard to find the tiniest morsel of courage to make the right decisions for her and her daughter.

Ana is in an abusive controlling marriage with the constant threat of danger at every turn she makes. What she thought would be a life long loving relationship has been anything but. The only kindness her husband does show is to their young daughter and she wonders how much of that is true.

A stranger comes along and offers her salvation but at what cost. A neighbor becomes friends with her on such a deep level that Ana's husband is jealous and forbids her to stay friends with this person. Both of these people help Ana see that life is not always what you're handed and you can change the outcome. All you need to do is ask for help but does she have the courage and will she escape unscathed.

The author of this book deserves the best of reviews for this touching, heart melting story that could be of any one of our lives. The novel seems too real to be a work of fiction and I wonder how much is fact and how much is truly fiction. I would give this a 5 star rating because it captured me, educated me and let me see that there are true friends and love out there, you only have to reach for them.