Julie L. CannonBesprekingen

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Twang by Julie L. Cannon is a beautiful novel about forgiveness, faith and trusting God. It is an enlightening and heartfelt story of healing that I highly recommend. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.

This book was really interesting at first then it just dragged on, and on. I didn't end up liking the main character near the end, I kind of related at first to her-hormonal, misunderstood etc-all the stuff most teenagers go through. But then some of her actions just didn't make sense, and a lot of this was really more the author's fault-the characters lost a lot of credibility in the last few chapters.

I enjoyed this southern novel every bit as much as I loved Truelove & Homegrown Tomatoes. 'Mater Biscuit is a slow-moving novel or small-town Georgia as it (believe it or not) really is. Imo has to take in her mother after her dementia gets her kicked out of her apartment in a home for the elderly. This is hard for Imo, not only because she is already raising her own child, Jeannette (a teenage mother) and her baby and Loutishie (the child of her deceased sister) but also because Her mother was such an abusive mother. Imo is flooded with unpleasant memories of her terrible childhood at the hands of this woman and finds it hard to give her the care she needs. As she struggles to care for her mother, she grows more distant from Jeanette and Loutishie and neglects her friendship with her best friend Martha. The only thing that gives Imo solace is her precious garden. This is a heart-warming story of forgiveness that teaches the true meaning of family.

Title: Scarlett Says
Author: Julie L. Cannon
Pages: 304
Year: 2014
Publisher: Abingdon Press
I never know what to expect from authors based on the title or even the cover of a book, but that makes the joy of discovering the story all the more fun. In the book, a young woman named Joan in the throes of her teenage years read Gone with the Wind by Margret Mitchell, and Joan wants to be like the character Scarlett. Joan starts a blog totally committed to anything and everything related to the novel Gone with the Wind. Her posts discuss themes, characters and more from the novel.
Joan is afraid of the real world; she prefers anonymity and the world of the internet because she sees it as safe. Joan, in time, with the help of a therapist overcomes her phobia enough to enter the working world where she meets a man nicknamed Siggy, who befriends her along with giving her words of wisdom. His friendship helps Joan in many ways as readers will discover in the tale, as well as learn about Margret Mitchell’s real life history.
At first, I wasn’t quite sure where the novel was going, but the deeper I got into the pages the more I felt pulled into the characters’ lives. I remember reading Gone with the Wind in high school and having to write a report on the book. A few years back I watched the movie again, amazed at my change in perspective that came with growing up. The novel touches on themes like real relationships compared to internet or virtual ones, slavery, the Civil War and many topics Gone with the Wind reveals. There is also a lot of banter the online community has on the Scarlett Says blog that Joan writes, written very well by Julie L. Cannon. I liked how the friendship between Joan and the janitor developed into a true friendship that in many ways challenges Joan’s perspective and lifestyle.
It is pretty amazing that some of the themes revealed in Gone with the Wind and this novel are subjects still discussed in our day. Faith in God or the questions that come when life is different than expected, add the emotions the character Joan displays toward God when she is confronted with overcoming her past make for interesting reading. I hope you take time to enjoy the book and consider revisiting some of the history of Margret Mitchell and her novel Gone with the Wind.
My rating is 4 stars.
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Scarlett-Says-Julie-L-Cannon/dp/1426753578/ref=sr_1_1?s=bo...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

The reason I read this book was because it had to do with tomato gardening and the south.

I did get some great tomato growing tips, but there was a lot more than that. The premise of the novel is about an elderly woman who has just lost her husband, is trying to raise her two teen and tween adopted daughters.

Vegetable gardening becomes a passion for the woman as she mourns her husband, try's dating different men and deals with the huge issues the daughters are bringing into her life.

This was a tender love story set during WWII. It was the time of the Big Band sounds and I liked the way the author wove some of that music into her story. I could tap my feet and hum the songs as I read. I also enjoyed the twist to this story where the girl goes off to serve her country during the war and the boy stays behind and waits for his girl. These characters were very easy to like and you could understand and feel their pain and sorrow, and also the strong love and attraction they each had for each other. I would have easily given this book a 5 stars, but I just thought it ended way to quickly for me.

The year is 1944 and Maggie Culpepper has lost her mother to disease and feels like God just doesn't care about all her prayers. She finds great comfort and strength through her childhood friend, William and they discover the love they both have for each other. William had polio as a boy and cannot serve in the military because he is deemed physically unfit. Maggie struggles with giving her heart to someone for fear something will happen and her heart will break like it did when her mother died. So she enlists, says goodbye to William and leaves everyone she cares about behind. She is going to give herself completely to serving her country and not open her heart up again.

We all probably know how this will turn out, but the deep emotions that William has when he sees the love of his life leave him and tell him to go on and forget about her is very heartfelt. And when you see Maggie struggle to just live her life without caring for anyone you see the impossibility of it. Her anger at God is real and she will need to open her heart again and find God's love had never left her and neither had William's. There is a caretaker in this story named Mr. Byrd ( he works on the Christmas tree farm that William owns) and his story and his Godly advice was very endearing. Then there is the final scenes in the book and there were tears in my eyes at times as this story comes to its conclusion. It was just an all around great love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. So sit back, and be prepared to find yourself humming along to some big band songs that will take you back in time.½

I'm just lovin' this book cover!!!!!

If you've not been to Nashville, TN, just pick up the book "Twang" (and take that trip). The author does a great job in placing the reader in the setting of this story. Music City here she comes! Jennifer Clodfelter, a country gal from Georgia strikes out for Nashville in search of her dream. For Jennifer, there's nothing greater than becoming a country music star. Dreams do come true. And that too can come at a price. Packed with a range of feelings: pain-heartbreak-misery-anger-and sadness, etc., the author's development of characters and storyline has the reader rooting and tooting until the end. You don't have to be a country-western kinda person either - you can be a R&B lover and enjoy the reading. Oh yea, it has some spiritual elements which gives this book substance.

My God, this book was hideously boring.

This is a great book full of life & music.
23 year old Jennifer Clodfelter is a Georgia country hick who knows she is destined for greatness. She heads to Nashville, the land of the country star’s dream and sets out to “be someone”.
Much later after she has achieved the glory she always knew she wanted and deserved, she realizes that all that glitters is not gold.
I have been to Nashville and lived in Tennesse so, the feel of the place and the people is spot on.
This is a wonderful story of music, life, love and with just a hint of spirituality that hit just the right note with me…:)

I've made several attempts to read this book and simply couldn't get past the first 75 pages. The story just didn't pull me in...

Twenty-three year old Georgia girl Jennifer Clodfelter knew she was destined to become a country music star. Leaving her troubled past behind, Jennifer heads off to Nashville to make her dreams come true. After struggling for three years, her hard work and determination finally pays off, and she becomes Music Row's next rising country music star named Jenny Cloud. But success comes with a price: her troubled past and buried secrets rise to the surface and starts to take its toll on her life and career. With the help and support of good friends, Jenny embarks on a journey to put her faith and troubles in God's hands, and learn that forgiveness is the key that will set her free.

Twang is a poignant story of a woman's journey to chase her dream of becoming a country music star while learning to let of go of the past and the importance of faith and forgiveness. This inspirational story is told in the first person narrative, with Jenny taking the readers along on her profoundly insightful journey. This story will captivate you and pull at your heartstrings, you can't help but feel for Jenny as she learns to put her faith and trust in God and to let go of the past, so that the beauty of redemption could set her free to enjoy her life and career. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, the reader is easily transported to Nashville's famous Music Row. You can just hear the ghosts of country music's past as you walk through the hallowed halls of some of Nashville's legendary landmarks. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the author's inclusion of Nashville's flood into the storyline, it simply gave me goosebumps as I remembered the devastation that came out of this event, and the people's unwavering faith while trying to make sense out of it all. As a country music fan, Twang was everything I had hoped it would be and then some, it left me wanting more.

The author has created a wonderful cast of characters who are realistic and down-to-earth people. She brings the characters to life through engaging dialogues and interactions with each other that captivates the reader's attention. I enjoyed following Jenny on her journey, I couldn't help but feel for this young woman as she struggled to let go of the past, her pain and anguish was palpable, I just wanted to hug her and cheer her on. The supporting cast of characters: kindred spirit Roy Durden; business manager Mike Flint; and hairdresser Tonilynn, were all engaging characters who added to Jenny's journey and made the story that much more of an engaging and compelling read.

Twang is an inspirational and deeply moving story of seeking love, faith, strength, forgiveness and redemption. This story will touch your heart, only through heartache and struggle can a good country song and story be told, it will resonate with your soul long after you have read the last words.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/twang-by-julie-l-cannon-author...

Author: Julie L. Cannon
Published by: Abingdon Press
Age Recommend: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA

Review:

"Twang" by Julie L. Cannon was a interesting fiction read of a twenty-three year old Jennifer Clodfelter who was from Blue Ridge, Georgia......who just knew she was to a a country music star...but what she found... was rejection even after all of her determination with her demo homemade tapes...still rejected by each and every music label in Nashville, Tennessee. However, even after all these rejections Jennifer would not give up and after three years it looked as if she was on a journey that would only lead her to the fame that she had wanted. Only was this really want Jennifer wanted?...now having all the fame and glitz and even the number one hits...what was up for her now? A decision would have to be made for Jennifer to "whether to sing her pain to a loving audience or find the courage and faith to face the music in the private studio of her heart." Now, this will be the time that you will have to pick up "Twang" to see what will happens to and for Ms. Jennifer Anne Clodfelter to be later known as Jenny Cloud. Honky Tonk Tomcat was Jenny's first single. "After 5 years, dozen of hit songs, two platinum albums and one particularly ugly romantic realationship".... was Jenny really happy?

The author did present a air of 'trusting in God and being able to forgive' was really the root of the story "Twang." I loved the frist person dialogue when the author was relating the Nashville floods that did have great affect of this storyline.

The characters which were well presented and seemed very real ..... Roy Durden (friend) Mike Flint (manager) and Tonilynn (hairdresser and friend), Bobby Lee, and Aint Gomer.

At first as I was reading through this novel I wasn't too sure I was going to enjoy "Twang" because it starts out a little slow but I am so glad that keep on reading because what I got from this novel left me in tears. Truly by the time I got to 'When the Music Calls Me Home' I was a goner! Now, I will stop here and only say please pick up this read... you will not be disappointed in the end.

This was a real heart felt read and if you are in for a good fiction read then I would recommend "Twang" for you.

Except for the fact that I wanted to shake Maggie, this was a decent book. It is a romance about two lifelong friends during WWII. I enjoy this time period in my books, so I liked this. It's predictable and a feel-good book, but it's still an enjoyable read. I learned a little about the WAVES too, a group I knew very little about.

It is 1944 in Watkinsville, Georgia and William Dove has proclaimed his love for his life-long friend and next-door neighbor, Maggie. William wants to get married but, since her mother's death, Maggie wants to get away from all the memories that Watkinsville holds. In a moment of patriotism, Maggie joins the WAVES and is shipped to New Jersey where she works on airplanes. Back home, William works on the family Christmas tree farm, his polio making him a 4-F. William's letters go unopened as Maggie dedicates herself to a career in the Navy, until a visit to her WAVE friend, Helen's home.½

Bored with her sheltered life in Rigb y, Georgia, fifteen-year-old Tammi Lynn Elco senses a cure for her restlessness when she acquires a stack of forbidden romance novels.