BOOK NOOK: TREADWELL

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

It's easy for me to write an enthusiastic review today, because I absolutely couldn't put down Treadwell by Dana Joy Wyzard (a.k.a. Little Lotta Joy at Witless Relocation Program).

I read Treadwell while I ate; I read Treadwell in bed; I even read Treadwell while I talked to Elvis Aaron Schwarz.

Hi! Remember me?
I'm Elvis Aaron Schwarz.
I'm disconsolate because my baby doll loves Treadwell
more than she loves me. Dana, you are not my friend -- yet.
My baby doll says I will love you after I read Treadwell.

Yes, Jo Elvis, you are absolutely right. You are going to fall in love with Dana when you read Treadwell. All y'all (as some folks in Florida say) are going to fall in love with Dana when you read her book. It's that good.

I was caught up in the story from the very first page. Nelda Pike is an irresistible character. A widow who lives alone near the small town of Treadwell, Indiana, Nelda embodies common sense and kindness. She takes in a young woman, Laura, who is on the run from her evil stepfather, Paul, and his son, Adam. When the bad guys get their hands on Laura, Nelda teams up with her old friend, Wosie Mae Briar, to rescue Laura.

And let's not forget to mention that both women have the tenacity (and the guns -- they're sure shots) to do whatever it takes to save Laura.

I'm crazy about these characters. This book is the kind that's driven by the characters. The plot comes from them, and that's as it should be.

I also love it that these women are older and they have their aches and pains, but they do what needs to be done. Nelda and Wosie Mae don't sit in their rocking chairs and wait for a man to come along and take care of them. Treadwell shows some women at their best, and some at their worst -- just like real life -- but the characters are not stereotypes. There's no prostitute with a heart of gold.

Wyzard's writing is outstanding. She maintains her sense of humor while keeping the story exciting:

Laura glanced up at the window and was presented with the shape of a man's head, silhouetted against the bright background.

As the scream split the air, Adam was already sliding down the side of the hill. Paul pulled the car forward to meet him at the base of the rutted driveway.

Laura's second scream was accompanied by a deafening roll of thunder. Adam slammed the car door and Paul pulled out onto solid ground and pushed the accelerator to the floor. 

"She saw, God dammit! She saw me!" Adam yelled while Paul pulled to the side of the road and made another U-turn. 

"Where the hell are you going dad? We can't go back to that house. That woman has a shotgun!"

I can't begin to tell you all the reasons you'll love Treadwell because I'd ruin the fascinating story for you. I don't want to do that, because I'm confident you'll want to buy this book.

You can purchase it at 
http://www.amazon.com/TREADWELL-Sheltered-foothills-Southern-reclusive/dp/1483603644 

or http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0131151003/TREADWELL.aspx.

One more reason this book is special: Treadwell speaks to a cultural phenomenon -- that of the retiring baby boomers. There are a lot of us, and we want good books to read. It's not easy to find books with characters we can relate to, characters who are our age but are active, characters who are not vampires or zombies. Well done, Dana Joy Wyzard.*

Treadwell has The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


*Please note: I don't want you to think this book is only for us older folks. It has young characters, too, and it addresses contemporary situations.

P.S. To read the first part of my interview with Dana Joy Wyzard, click HERE, and to read the second part of the interview, click HERE.