I fell in love with Jerome Peterson's Latest novel as I read...

"Jonas failed in telling his deceased mother. He also failed in telling his sister about his dream of buying a farm in America. Weeks melted into spring. The day finally arrived. Jonas received his long-awaited letter. He knew it was the letter because at the end of the return address, printed in bold, brave letters, was USA. Jonas stared at the envelope as if it were divinely sent and he was the prophet who awaited prostrate before golden tablets that would toughen his feet and light his path. He kissed the envelope several times before bolting across the street to find Antoine, who was the only one he knew that could read English. Antoine was busy fine tuning a business suit for a rich Polish aristocrat. He was studying the garment closely when Jonas shoved the important envelope in his face...
"HA! That is it my friend! That letter you have read is the beginning of a dream come true. I can see me out in the fields plowing. I can hear the cows mooing and chickens cackling. Antoine, I can almost smell the dirt of America!" Jonas brought both of his hands to his nostrils and inhaled...
"Have you told Evelina?"
"The truth of the matter was that Jonas had nothing under control. He definitely wasn't looking forward to telling his sister..."
English: Andrew Peterson Farmstead in Waconia, Minnesota, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leaving Family Behind




By Jerome Peterson






After reading The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai by Peterson, I didn't know what to expect when asked to review his latest. Indeed this historical literary novel was surprising even within the book itself as the story evolved! By the time I had finished, honestly, I did a search on the main female character's name to see if she really lived. That's how much she had become so real to me! But who knows, somewhere at some time, another young girl did exactly what Evelina did! If you enjoy historical novels, this one gets my highest recommendation... Let me tell you a little about it...

There was much that brought fond memories of my past to me...perhaps the same will be true for many readers...

The story begins in Lithuania where we meet the Violettskus family. For generations the family had been farmers, except for this one. Father had taken up furniture making and Jonas had been taught and worked with him. When Evelina was old enough, which was early teens, she was sent to apply for a job at a nearby home who hired servants.

The family life was hard, but was it because the father had become so withdrawn and cold? Evelina was grateful for the opportunity to walk to the house where she was to be hired and along the way, she enjoyed the sounds of the birds and other noises which routinely surrounds us. Soon she was singing, humming along and in her mind creating complementary songs!

The woman who owned the house in which she worked was a concert pianist. Evelina had never heard a piano so she was immediately drawn when she heard the sound for the first time...

Fortunately, Irena was a kind and good woman and soon she had made arrangements to start teaching Evelina--quickly discovering she was a prodigy!

Also, fortunately, Evelina's mother spoke up against her husband to ensure her daughter had this chance. Evelina was soon giving concerts and also was given a scholarship for college...

She was never able to go...

Her parents died; her brother finally told her of his own dream to go to America and return to the farming life of his family... She was 17 and underage. Everything she tried failed to allow her to follow her dreams while Jonas followed his to America. Nothing worked, especially because Jonas knew he needed her to go with him and was just as stubborn as their father when he wouldn't give in.

The next part is an event in itself--learning and seeing how most of our early immigrants paid $25 to board a ship, live on the bottom floor near the engine room, on cots, with inadequate ventilation, restrooms and other facilities. The detail of this voyage is dramatically presented and a young female stowaway adds a poignancy that highlights the plight of lone women...This was a special learning experience for me, realizing what it took to come to America, maybe only a few steps higher than conditions of those brought over as slaves...

Ahhhh, but once in America, I began to love Evelina as a sister or daughter...I was so proud of her. I will only say that when she finally was 18, she began playing music--as one of a group called the Black Diamonds. And the ending was perfect!

Needless to say, I highly recommend you consider Leaving Family Behind!


GABixlerReviews

Check my review of Peterson's first book...
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-haunting-of-andrew-sharpai.html#

Jerome Peterson is the author of Thumb Flagging and The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai. He lives in Sonora, California, with his wife, Carolyn, and is working on his next novel. For more information, visit the author’s website:www.jeromejohnpeterson.com.

Review: First in Gus LeGarde Series A Winner!

Double Forte'
A Gus LeGarde Mystery



By Aaron Paul Lazar


When you get to do a marathon of books, it’s logical to start at the beginning of a series. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first Sam Moore Mystery, I next turned to Double Forte' which is the first in the Gus LeGarde series. I must confess that the title and the subsequent role that music plays in this series gave it some extra points for me.

In fact, Gus LeGarde is a college professor of music, so plan to find this beautiful addition to Lazar's books... We may not be able to hear the notes, but we can see how the music affects him and his family’s life, especially when Gus’ grandson cries, “I called and called, Opa, but you didn’t come. I call you and Mummy, dubbew fortay—he sobbed.” (p. 170)

Gus’ grandson knew that he should cry loudly when he couldn’t find anybody, based upon his ongoing lessons of music terminology...to me, that is soooo cool!

Anyway...to the story... Gus has his daughter, son-in-law and Johnny living with him along with a special character, Siegfried, who is Gus’ brother-in-law and friend. Gus’ wife had died five years ago, although he still had strong loving feelings, missing her.

Gus and Siegfried were out skiing when they discovered a dog that had been caught in a trap. Both rushed to help her. Freddie, Gus’ daughter, was a vet, so Gus went to a nearby house to call her in advance to meet them at her clinic. While getting a very poor reception from the occupant, he was allowed to use the phone, but he also thought he heard and perhaps saw a child...

After getting the dog taken care of, Gus began to think and wonder about what he had possibly seen. It bothered him so much that he began to investigate and ultimately found a child that was held captive. Taking her when he left, he opened the gates to the anger of a mad man, her father, who had, they found, taken the child from her mother.

It was because of the child that Gus formally met Camille. Camille was Gus’ secretary’s daughter, who, playing matchmaker, was very anxious to have the two meet. But both had a background that had left much pain and despair and had not been helpful in that activity.

Still Gus, for the first time since his wife had died, realized that he was attracted to Camille...and then felt the guilt engulf him later...

Camille was a caseworker for children who needed an immediate safe home, so she was asked to take the rescued child; however, Sadie had latched on to Gus as her savior so he was called upon to spend time with her—and thus the relationship to Camille began to be closer.

The father was causing major problems, threatening Gus and his family. Camille was also in need of protection as she was unable to find a foster home and was keeping Sadie herself.

In the meantime, Freddie’s husband’s business partner was missing and then later found dead. And news was coming in that Sadie’s mother had apparently been murdered. Was there just one man out there killing whoever got in his way?

The great thing about Lazar's books is his storytelling and writing ability. He has created characters that you immediately want to know more--making the series ready for followers--and he spends time allowing you to see them at home, at work and within the family and within themselves! When Gus is still mourning his wife after five years, you know that if he is now looking toward Camille, it is going to be a delightful romantic story, especially when he learns of the abuse of Camille's first husband--and her secret!

No doubts in my mind...Double Forte' is great and the series is bound to get better! Especially, since I've already read the next book, which will be coming soon!

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G. A. Bixler

Review: Mozart in the Future - Excellent Children's Christmas Present!

Mozart in the Future
By Tania Maria Rodrigues-Peters
ISBN: 9783950280401
105 Pages

What a wonderfully fun story--Mozart in the Future is not just for children who are interested in music! Written by Tania Maria Rodrigues-Peters, with beautiful illustrations by Pedro Caraca, the story can help children and parents realize and find a balance of activities in their lives.

I love children's books that take special care to provide appropriate and complementary covers, artwork and format. Indeed Mozart in the Future does that extremely well. For instance, instead of boring quotation marks for dialog, every line that shows somebody talking begins with a musical note - Isn't that Cool? And the young Mozart is simply precious, in my opinion.

Then you will meet The Spirit of Music, who comes first to Max, as a beautiful woman dressed in yellow, whose violet eyes and hair match! Max is a young boy who loves learning how to play the piano, but also wants to play with other children. However, his mother believes he is the next Mozart and must constantly practice! Until Max becomes ill and the doctor orders complete rest. It was during this time that The Spirit visited!

Because she actually knew Mozart when he was a young boy--and guess what? Mozart had a very strict father who demanded the same thing from him--constant practice! And Mozart had never had an opportunity to have a friend or play, just for the fun of it!

Until The Spirit of Music brought Mozart into the future!

Can you imagine what two small boys might get into when they meet for the first time, having had no time to play, or have a close friend? Can you imagine what Mozart, especially, must have been thinking when he saw all the magical inventions that were now available? Well, you really don't have to imagine--Tania Maria Rodrigues-Peters, in Mozart in the Future tells us about Mozart watching TV for the first time, about his seeing an escalator, etc.

But Mozart has a whole life of creating beautiful, wonderful music! How is he going to get back home, into his own time?

You know what? I was having just as much fun reading this book, as you and your children will have! Yes, this is a perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas for any child, from say, 6 to 96! Bring a little music into the lives of your children... You're going to love this one, just as much as I did! Don't let this one go without checking it out!

G. A. Bixler