Dakota Blues

Karen Grace #1

by Lynne M. Spreen

Cut loose at midlife, Karen Grace is fired after attending her mother's funeral in her Midwestern hometown. Now she's fifteen hundred miles from home, just one more aging worker out of a job in a tough economy. To make matters worse, her husband left her for his pregnant girlfriend. At a crossroads, Karen must find the courage to change. Needing time to think, she agrees to take an elderly neighbor on one last road trip, but on a deserted highway in Wyoming, Karen is forced to make a lethal and life-changing decision.

Genres: Fiction, Drama, Romance, Contemporary

305 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2012

About the author

Lynne M. Spreen writes later-in-life romance and women’s fiction that celebrates reinvention, resilience, and the rich complexity of a woman’s second act. Her debut novel, Dakota Blues, won a literary award and launched a new chapter in her life--she's up to twelve books and counting. After waiting half her life to pursue her dream of writing, she brings hard-earned insight to every story she tells.

Lynne lives in Southern California with her husband, where she balances the demands of the author life with line dancing, gardening, and the occasional round of zombie video games with her grandkids. When not writing, she’s most likely reading, researching, or quietly cheering for anyone brave enough to begin again.

To see more, please visit http://www.SilverRomanceBooks.net

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While attending her mother’s funeral in her North Dakota childhood hometown 50 year old Karen Grace is facing some interminable changes in her otherwise carefully mapped out life, her marriage is falling apart and her highly stressful job of many years is in question, when she misses her flight home she decides to take a small break and get to know the family that remains and the friends she left behind. This impromptu visit causes a domino effect of actions and reactions in Karen’s life so when the opportunity for an adventure arises Karen decides to go for it. Thus begins a journey that will have ups and downs, joys and danger and one that under normal circumstances Karen would never have taken. But at the end of this endeavor will she have learned anything or will she continue on the same safe path as before.
I would have not thought it possible for a 50 year old woman to star in a coming of age novel, but thanks to debut author Lynne Spreen that’s exactly what Dakota Blues is. And among re-learning attitudes and readjusting approaches she gave me a delightful look into what one woman does to re-invent herself at the age where most of us “of a certain age” are just settling into the more comfortable second half of our existences. She tells her story with uncomplicated, straightforward dialogue that flows effortlessly with characters who are enigmatic, eclectic and interesting and from one 50 something to another I saw much of myself in her protagonist Karen and I wonder if given the same situation I would be as courageous as she was, but then they say that fact is stranger than fiction so maybe I would.
Thank you Lynne for the gift of the novel, the gift of your time on my B&N forum and this very precious gift of your story.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently I've adjusted to the shock, trauma, and relief of relinquishing a professional title that--looking back--I realize I worked too hard to achieve. My reflections over the past year have been similar to those of the protagonist in Lynne Spreen's terrific book, "Dakota Blues." In frank, honest terms, she tells the story of a bright and interesting woman, Karen Grace, often in scenes I recognize from my own current life. Her experiences are very real....

I remember as an adolescent finding comfort and enlightenment in books about girls like me--teens experiencing the same things I was experiencing: puberty, dating, coping with parents. We were all making that frenetic dash to The Future--career, marriage, kids--all of the most life-shaping decisions made by wide-eyed, hopeful girls looking for the path of most promise and of least regret. In the blink of an eye, here we are now, over fifty, experiencing the tumult of menopause, aging partners, and the descending arcs of our careers.

This book elicited from me tears of empathy and laughter of self-recognition as Karen Grace tackles (gracefully, as it turns out) the enormous new decisions required for this stretch of life's journey. "Dakota Blues" is a wonderful, suspenseful, engaging book for any gender and any age. And Yippee! It's also a fun, eye-opening, age-appropriate read for girls like me. (Let's hear it for a sequel: Clearly, the story has only just begun!)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Grace is called back to North Dakota by her mother's death. A successful human resources executive, Karen bears the burden of a husband who has left her for a younger, pregnant lover, a high-pressure job, and the onset of menopause, in addition to the death of her mother. She is in every respect a woman at the crossroads of her life.

Early in the book, I wondered where the author was taking me. Since the writing was so intense, fresh, and on-point, I willingly went along for the ride. In the middle of the book, I wondered if the story was going to devolve into a diatribe against men and marriage. By the end of the book, I was examining my own life. Am I settling? Am I living my life for others? How do I make the most of this time I have on Earth?

In Dakota Blues, author Lynne Spreen challenges women readers to consider if they are living their lives for others or for themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

[Florence Osmund · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the positive side, this book was very well written with respect to sentence structure, grammar, flow, and style. There was excellent character development, and the author’s descriptions of the physical surroundings were so realistic, I felt like I was there. Technically, in my opinion, Lynne Spreen is a very good writer.

On the negative side, nothing happened of any consequence until halfway into the book--up until then, it was all backstory and set up. Throughout the book, there were several long scenes that didn’t go anywhere and therefore didn’t move the story forward.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What would it feel like to be one of only three people left in your family that had shared such a life… What happened to the memories when you died, but more than that, what happened to the lessons learned, the maturation a person gained from living through such hard times?”
Karen speculates about this after going through a family album with her Aunt Marie. I would hope for the ancestor’s sake one of the three would be Lynne Spreen. By the time I reached this part of her wonderful novel, I felt I knew many of the people preserved in that family album. Lynne has masterfully resurrected them, breathed life into the memories, and walked them through the pages of this book.
Ironically her ancestors could have known or been mine. My family descended from German Baptist, who came to American for the same reasons at about the same time.
“The lessons and memories live on and are passed on through the heart and writings of Lynne M. Spreen. “

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workaholic Karen Grace is fired after attending her mother’s funeral in her Midwestern hometown. Now Karen is fifteen hundred miles from home, just one more middle-aged worker out of a job in a tough economy. To make matters worse, her husband recently left her for his pregnant girlfriend.

At a crossroads, Karen must find the courage to change her life. Needing time to think, she agrees to take an elderly neighbor on one last road trip, but on a deserted highway in Wyoming, Karen is forced to make a lethal and life-changing decision.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It is hard to believe that someone can be fired for attending their mother’s funeral and taking care of final details but it happens and it happens way too often. Thankfully Karen is a strong woman and confident in her skills. Losing her job gave her a huge wake-up call. Life was passing her by and she was just letting happen. Her marriage fell apart and her mother passed away. How many other things did she miss while she buried in work and at her boss’s beck and call? She was a caring person but she forgot to care about herself and her family.

It does take courage to move on and courage to take some time for yourself and help someone you barely even know. Frieda was quite a woman and truthfully she reminded me a bit of my mother. There are things woman over 80 can get away with. Frieda at 90 was a woman with a mission and just because her best friend had died wasn’t going to stop her from getting where she wanted to go. I love the way she just kept at Karen until she got her way. The trip was short and did have a few challenges and a scare but both women grew on this journey.

This story really touched me personally. As many of you know I am paralyzed on my right side and several years ago there was an added complication where the doctor told me to live each day like it could be my last. Thankfully I am still here and there is still time. Unfortunately I am unable to take off the way Karen does in this story but she sure has given some hope and ideas. There is a group of ladies in this story I wish I could join. Maybe someday.

This book won the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Finalist Award for Women’s Issues. It was well deserved. I can’t believe this was Lynne Spreen’s debut novel. She has written a wonderful story. I enjoyed the German references, several immigrants ended up here in Wisconsin, including my ancestors. She also gave me a different picture in my mind of North Dakota. I was inspired by the book and think you will be too!!

[Linda Hoye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. It is a well told story of a woman-of-certain-age experiencing a personal crisis that brings her back home but also one that had me reflecting on choices I've made in my own life. Dakota Blues took me back to my own prairie home in Saskatchewan where I walked the dusty streets of the small town and felt the embrace of relatives I've long since forgotten about. I found myself cheering the heroine on as she took a journey that enabled her to come to the place of appreciating all that being a fifty-year-old woman brings. A great story that both entertains and affirms.

[C.L. Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Coming-of-Age (Golden Age)Story. Full of vim and vigor and insightful humor crafted in lyrical yet intimate prose, Dakota Blues takes one back to one's true roots, where family and friends provide the necessary grounding that carries one through life's ups and downs. The road trip is a total blast, peppered with delightful and heartbreaking surprises that make the reader laugh and cry, wishing it would never end. An absolute Must Read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway from the author, Lynne Spreen. Thank you!

I had a hard time getting into the beginning of this book but after getting to the "meat" of the book I couldn't put it down. This novel was definitely not super fast paced or action packed but rather heartwarming and loving, a journey where a woman changes herself before it is too late.

I don't really think the description of this book actually described it. When I first read the back, I felt like it was spoiling the novel for me! Turns out that's not the important stuff in this book. Yes, the main character had to make a "lethal and life-changing decision", but that really was only one small part of the journey. There was so much more going on this book. I loved how the main character grew in this book, I was sad for her losses, I was happy with her "wins," overall I really felt connected to her even though I've never been in her position and can't really relate!

Karen is a 50 something woman whose husband has left her for his pregnant girlfriend. To top it off, she loses her job while she is in her hometown for her mother's funeral. Still, she can't seem to slow down. She wants to get back to California as fast as possible to find another job, regardless of how her remaining family feels about it. She meets an elderly lady, whom she (begrudgingly) takes on one last road trip that turns out to be life changing for both of them for different reasons.

[J.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the plot was unconventional but it kept me engaged even though part of my brain was trying to figure out where the plot was going. What kind of a book is this? I pride myself in identifying the publisher's marketing/genres of books. Once you know the category/genre, you know what to expect, and what book to read next. however, this book doesn't cater to any category. It felt like a romance novel, but there was no central focus on the romantic happy ever after. It felt like a memoir because of all the "how to live a good life" questions and answers, but it was fiction. It felt like a coming of age, but the main character is fifty years old. It felt like a travelogue because there is are vignettes of places and scenery as the character wanders through Dakota in a camping van. It is all these things, and none of them.

I had all kinds of personal connections to te character's world: a professional life, a mid-western childhood, a wise-woman granny, a SoCal life, and many adult attempts to "grow-up" Not too many authors align themselves with all these. I read the whole book (free on my Kindle) in one sitting.

I felt that there were quite a few random, unfinished stories. Was that done to mirror life? Many loose ends, and a loose ending. It does not fit a conventional genre, or follow the standard arc of a plot, and some may say that it lost a bit of punch because of it. But it did better, this book hits my "favorite" shelf.

[Sandra Nachlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAKOTA BLUES by Lynne M. Spreen is my favorite kind of story, one in which the protagonist is someone I’d like to have as a friend. She seems real, her problems are believable, and she faces life in a realistic and completely understandable way (without magic or supernatural powers). The story of Karen Grace comes to life on the pages.

Fifty-year-old, high-powered executive Karen faces three life-changing crises. When her mother dies, she must leave California and return to her rural hometown in North Dakota to attend the funeral; her husband is threatening divorce because his young girlfriend is pregnant; and her career is in serious jeopardy due to massive layoffs, especially of older employees. But when she meets 90-year-old Frieda, she’s offered an opportunity to break away and make some changes.

Karen’s journey is both physical and emotional, and she encounters obstacles along the way which she overcomes, leading to a satisfying ending. I couldn’t put this book down, and I highly recommend this fascinating story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I will confess right up front: I am a baby-boomer and I happen to enjoy (love) reading books about "mature" people who hit a rough patch in the road of life and are forced to make a detour -- all the while finding wisdom and strength along the way. In fact it should be a genre: mature-people-hit-rough-patch-in-life-then-change-and-grow books.

Karen, the workaholic main character, is forced into several changes in her life (ending a marriage, changing a career, losing a loved one) and she begins to grab onto little opportunities and openings in the cosmic thread. I liked her and was rooting for her all the way. She is the sort of woman you want on your team, and I enjoyed her journey -- both the physical and philosophical. The geography she passes through on her trip is very familiar to me, as I live in the West. This may have created a comfort zone for me picturing what I read, yet it was also an opportunity to see familiar places through another person's eyes.

"Dakota Blues" is a wonderful summer read!

[Beth Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of this book, Karen is (figuratively) running like mad on a treadmill where someone keeps turning up the speed. She’s convinced that if she ever takes a break or even slows down, everything will fall apart. But it’s not long before things begin to go wrong anyway, and for the first time in a long time, Karen had to take the time to think about out what happens next.

This is a lovely story, moving along at a leisurely pace, so that I was able to feel and grow along with Karen. The characters were believable and I enjoyed the setting, the contrast between the crowding of California and the open spaces of North Dakota. The history of the place, the Catholic church and the German phrases gave me a clear picture of where Karen had come from. It’s one of those stories that will stick with me.

[Jim Misko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynne Spreen looks at mid-life from the standpoint of a woman who was born and raised in the middle of our country. She goes back to Dakota to resolve issues of family and self-awareness in such a moving and thoughtful way. While not a genre I generally read, I was interested because I know Lynne and admire her as a person with humor and integrity and intelligence. Now, for an octogenarian male to read, digest, and enjoy a story about a woman in mid-life crisis, is praise enough. I will read it again when I remember where I parked it in my library. If you are like the majority of readers you will count it amongst your best reads.

[P Karr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title seemed to be a typical of a Mills and Boon or Harlequin romance. But the book was anything but. Although Dakota Blues will make you smile a bit, it is more likely to make you cry or tear up, reading about the bittersweet moments we all encounter in life, and the choices we make.

A Million Kindle Books

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't be afraid to live your life, because if you don't, someone else will."

I enjoyed this one; especially the age group, camping, and traveling. I thought that the ladies were occasionally rude, but overall enjoyed it very much.

[D.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

At 50, it all came crashing down on Karen Grace, a successful human resources executive for a struggling health care corporation Her marriage was on the rocks, her mother had died suddenly, and her boss was a cost-cutting tyrant, lacking any empathy for her HR role.

With her plate overflowing at work and her husband taking steps to force her from their home, Karen reluctantly travels from southern California to Dickinson, North Dakota to attend her mother’s funeral and settle her affairs. The small, rural, never changing town of Dickinson was Karen’s childhood home. Her parents lived there and never left. Karen did leave, and rarely returned.

Dakota Blues, by Lynne M. Spreen, is not so much a story of how Karen Grace arrived at this point in her life, it is more about what she is going to do with the rest of it.

While Karen deals with the grief of her mother’s death and the guilt of not being closer over the years, the conflicts of being away from her job and her failing marriage pull at her. She discovers being in her hometown with what family and friends remain, and in the fresh and expansive serenity of Dickinson, to be equalizing and stabilizing forces. Electing not to fly immediately home after the funeral, she takes off cross country in a motorhome with one of her mother’s old-time friends, Frieda. Much of the story revolves around what Karen learns about herself on that journey.

To put my review in perspective, I'm a guy who reads mostly action/adventure, police and detective novels, so this was a departure for me. If you're expecting to find any male action heroes in this book, you won't find them -- Karen's boss is a jerk, her husband is a philanderer, she nearly runs over an abusive husband at a campground, and a gang of drunken men threaten her life. Guys, I enjoyed it, and read it in a couple sittings.

There are exciting, suspenseful moments in Dakota Blues. The characters become familiar and real, and you come to appreciate Karen’s inner strength and what guides her decisions. But I found the author’s strength was her poetic description of every scene, every moment in Karen’s journey. She is able to pull from our inventory of past experiences and memories to draw us into her similes and rhythmical literary illustrations. A very good read from Lynne Spreen.

[Mary Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic read!! I've been meaning to read this and was thrilled when I saw it on audible.com, thank you for that.

I must admit it took me awhile to feel connected or even like the protagonist Karen, mostly because I'm so different than she is.
Karen is simply a good girl who works hard to please everyone else and has done so for years until she finds herself fifty, getting divorced, dealing with her mother's death, and then out of a job.

I didn't really start to like Karen until I saw some passion and "caution to the wind" with the introduction of Kurt. It was then that book started to flow more naturally. There were definitely parts of the book that made me want more and some parts I definitely wanted less of.

But in the end, I was left satisfied and found myself being a cheerleader for Karen.
as I find myself in my mid thirties this book made so thankful for embracing my capricious nature during my twenties, wandering through Europe alone, living in Seville, Spain for many months, living and teaching in Hawaii, just living and doing whatever I wanted, it is now that I settle and I know the experiences I've had will last me a lifetime and when I'm older I'll not have these Same experiences that Karen has. my retired teacher friends tell me all the time how they wish they were a bit more selfish instead of focusing on the career and the family.

I can't wait to see what Karen does next. bravo Lynne you are well on your way and I wish you many future successes.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline and the characters, especially Frieda. I appreciated the portrayal of Karen's internal struggles; these are very real issues that readers of all ages can relate.

Ms. Spreen uses literary tools that leave a richer impression on the reader. I especially liked her descriptions, her use of metaphors, and her grasp of strong verbs and imagery.

The middle parts were a bit slow. Nonetheless, I got a better sense of the main character through those sections.

I appreciated the spiritual sprinkles--not overdone, but gently reminding the reader that we have but a short time on this earth, and that we are but a speck in the story of time.

As a recovery writer and speaker, I'm always on the lookout for books that might depict such messages. This is a great story for recovering codependents.

Disclaimer for Christian readers: There are some instances of profanity and a brief depiction of sexual behavior outside of marriage.

Otherwise, well done, especially for a debut novel.

I look forward to the next one.

[Diane Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Karen is a 50-yr-old workaholic, deep in the rat race of job, commute, sleep a little, and begin again. Just as her marriage is failing because hubby found a younger model, she gets a call that her mother has died in South Dakota. Her boss agrees to let her take 2 days, then come back to work even harder to catch up. Her plan is to fly to her childhood home, attend the funeral, jump back on a plane. As it turns out, it's much longer than that before she goes back. She reconnects with the slow pace and friendly people in the small town, and she begins to see what she has missed by focusing so narrowly on her career. She agrees to drive an RV for an old lady who wants to go to Denver to see her only great-grandchild, and thus begins a hair-raising and heart-warming 'road trip'. I won't spoil the rest. I want to say a big "THANK YOU" to the author for not making this a stupid love story where the 'independent career woman' can't go on with he life without a man. Read and enjoy!

[Pat Mckinzie-lechault · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the lyrical quality of writing alone, Dakota Blues is a compelling read for any age, but it is a must read for women at the crossroads of midlife during that challenging shift of roles between caretaking of children to looking after aging parents. On a soul-searching road trip a strong protagonist, Karen Grace, leaves her high-powered, fast-paced cooperate city career and returns to her roots in the small town of her childhood and rediscovers herself along the way in an unforgettable road trip. Karen grapples with the issues we all will one day face, and the reader comes away with an appreciation and insight into how to cherish what is really important in life.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read much of this on an airplane, and ended up tearing up over and over again...I'm sure it's where I am in life, and struggling, like the main character, to balance life, enjoy the simple pleasures, move from the hectic pace of life. When she returned to her family home, I imagined myself returning to mine and the rich history and beauty of nature and simple things, lovely people and family. Even though it touched me deeply, it's also a fun, galavanting, ride!

[Diana Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. It's about a 50 year old workaholic whose marriage has fallen apart and whose mother has passed away. She presently resides in CA but was raised in N.D. On hearing of her mother's passing she makes plans to return and care for things. People at her office are being fired and replaced by younger workers. Having a position in the company she does not expect her job to be in jeopardy. Author did a wonderful job with this book.

[Betty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

Awesome book

This is a wonderful book which I originally chose because it was based in western North Dakota. However it is one of the best books I have ever read.







I originally chose this book because it was set in southwestern North Dakota. It has a great message and is one of the best books I have read for a long time. I was sorry to see it end.

[Judy Scognamillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from North Dakota the title and the cover picture immediately drew me in. And then I started reading and I was hooked. The author has such a way with words that It didn't take long before I felt I was living the story. And when you find yourself thinking and talking like the main character in a book, you know it is good. This book I will read over and over again. Bravo to the author for a quality piece of writing.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was like a different book from beginning to end to me. I kinda got stuck in the middle but it picked up. Easy read with good writing and even seemed like a real story to me which the woman takes care of herself, I liked it.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, a recommendation of a North Dakota Facebook page. But it kept my interest and also provided some great philosophies on living, especially after the age of 50. A terrific read all around!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book for awhile and finally needed a book where it was in the bookshelf and grabbed it. Enjoyed the mature main character and she was still sexy and attractive! Was a quick read and had a lesson for all to smell the roses in life.

[Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but a lot of the scenes moved too quickly for me; I wanted more from them and from the characters. In the end, though, I liked the storyline and can relate on several levels. I think it still gives enough to inspire the reader.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book, there's a few things that could've made the book better.