Happy Valley: A Novel

by Sugar Ray Dodge

Hal Harper is an independent filmmaker living in Happy Valley, Utah. He is engaged to the beautiful, yet sometimes overbearing, Penny Garland. Her mother hates his guts and will do anything to get between them. When Hal lands the horror film deal of his life, things go wildly out of control.

Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Dave Chadwick (aka SUGAR RAY DODGE) is an American graphic designer, illustrator and puppeteer. He hails from the Great State of Utah and fancies himself something of a world traveler and pompous blowhard. He has lived in Israel, Colorado, Germany, Iraq and Maryland. He is a former U.S. Army Recruiter and is a two-time Iraq War veteran.

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strange book about the Mormon religion.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of unexpected twists and turns, however, the EDITING was aboslutely horrible. I don't know if I had a first edition or what, but Sugar Ray Dodge should really fire his editor. The mistakes didn't make it so that i couldn't understand the book, but towards the middle it was over the top and really frustrating. All in all though the book was pretty good. Could have had a bit better ending, but the twists and turns throughout made up for the not so ORIGINAL ending!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of Sugar Ray Dodge's "Happy Valley: A Novel" from the Goodreads.com website. It's quirky, original and amusing.... Since I am a major fan of originality, I have to give this one five stars. I look forward to reading the next two.
Note - Since I have two brothers, one of whom is a former sailor, I've certainly heard worse language than what is used in this book, but I guess I would not recommend it to people who have 'delicate sensibilities'.

[T.K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Granted, I am only 11 pages in as I write this review, but I can go no further. The typos are painful, the writing style is disjointed, and the author appears to be writing this book to get back at Mormons who have irritated him. Also, it's quite vulgar (grabbing "honkers" and "porking" have been mentioned several times by page 11). It's time for this book to meet my trash can.