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The Beautiful-Ugly Trilogy #3
Where All the Rivers Run
After being orphaned at age six, sixteen-year-old Connelly Pierce—who has spent a decade, being passed from family to family, or as often no family at all, but always fighting for her very existence, her right to survive—has given up. Even worse, the system that has controlled her life for all those years is about to give up on her. But just before she is sent into long-term care at a California state mental hospital, a little miracle happens.
An intern at the clinic who has taken an interest in her finds an unopened letter at the bottom of Connelly’s raggedy old knapsack. The letter is from a distant cousin of Connelly’s named Elizabeth Walker, or Liz, who has recently lost her husband Jack, left behind a 57,000 acre ranch in Texas, and has since been looking for Connelly. The intern realizes this is the girl’s last chance. If Cousin Liz won’t help her, or if Connelly won’t accept that help, her life, in any normal sense, may be over. But what the intern doesn’t realize, is that calling that phone number he finds at the bottom of the letter is about to change two women’s lives, forever, in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
Book Three of the Beautiful-Ugly Trilogy
An intern at the clinic who has taken an interest in her finds an unopened letter at the bottom of Connelly’s raggedy old knapsack. The letter is from a distant cousin of Connelly’s named Elizabeth Walker, or Liz, who has recently lost her husband Jack, left behind a 57,000 acre ranch in Texas, and has since been looking for Connelly. The intern realizes this is the girl’s last chance. If Cousin Liz won’t help her, or if Connelly won’t accept that help, her life, in any normal sense, may be over. But what the intern doesn’t realize, is that calling that phone number he finds at the bottom of the letter is about to change two women’s lives, forever, in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
Book Three of the Beautiful-Ugly Trilogy
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2014
456 people want to read
About the author
James Snyder
9 books64 followersJames Snyder was born in Memphis, Tennessee and lived in many parts of the United States before settling with his family in Napa Valley. Among a variety of careers and occupations, he was a soldier with a tactical mobile operations unit in Germany, as well as an executive for a Fortune 500 company.
He has published short stories in the Houghton Mifflin Black Mask anthologies, the Ginosko Literary Journal, and was a finalist in the New Letters’ Alexander Patterson Cappon Prize for Fiction. He is the author of the military thriller AMERICAN WARRIOR, the suspense thriller DESOLATION RUN, the literary coming-of-age THE BEAUTIFUL-UGLY, and the short story collection TALES OF THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY
He occasionally blogs at jamessnyder.net and currently lives in Texas where he writes full time.
@jamessnyder22
www.JamesSnyder.net.
He has published short stories in the Houghton Mifflin Black Mask anthologies, the Ginosko Literary Journal, and was a finalist in the New Letters’ Alexander Patterson Cappon Prize for Fiction. He is the author of the military thriller AMERICAN WARRIOR, the suspense thriller DESOLATION RUN, the literary coming-of-age THE BEAUTIFUL-UGLY, and the short story collection TALES OF THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY
He occasionally blogs at jamessnyder.net and currently lives in Texas where he writes full time.
@jamessnyder22
www.JamesSnyder.net.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2017
The main character has been through a lot in this series, so it was nice to see her have a few happy moments in this installment.
This still wasn't a book I loved, but it was the best one out of the series for me. It was more enjoyable, and again, it was nice to see Connelly happy.
This still wasn't a book I loved, but it was the best one out of the series for me. It was more enjoyable, and again, it was nice to see Connelly happy.
May 18, 2016
This book is awful and painful to read, though it got a bit better or maybe bearable towards the end. From reading the first two books in this trilogy I know the author includes way too much unnecessary detail which makes the books drag but this was so much worse. 9 chapters of nothing happening or an over abundance of scenery descriptions. I had to skim through a good portion of the chapters otherwise I wouldn't have been able to finish this. It took me forever to get through this book. The last few chapters were decent and an actual story but as like the other books, not very realistic. Spoilers to follow...
For example, Connelly is about 2-3 mths pregnant when she is thrown to her almost death (you can determine this since she gives birth in June and this happens somewhere btwn Thanksgiving and Christmas). Please explain how she doesn't lose the baby? C'mon now. And the fact that she is so hateful to Will while he's in prison.....seriously? He's there for killing the man that hurt her and she treats him like crap and refers to him as "that Will". I'm glad that things worked out at the end but wish the end happened sooner. I wish we would've known what happened with her art work and how she felt about it being viewed and considered by the art dealer in NYC.
No this book was not good. In general, it wasn't necessary for this to be a trilogy. This could've been a much better novel if all three books were combined into one and all of the dragged out boring details were left out. I am so happy to have finally finished this book and that I can go back to liking reading again.
For example, Connelly is about 2-3 mths pregnant when she is thrown to her almost death (you can determine this since she gives birth in June and this happens somewhere btwn Thanksgiving and Christmas). Please explain how she doesn't lose the baby? C'mon now. And the fact that she is so hateful to Will while he's in prison.....seriously? He's there for killing the man that hurt her and she treats him like crap and refers to him as "that Will". I'm glad that things worked out at the end but wish the end happened sooner. I wish we would've known what happened with her art work and how she felt about it being viewed and considered by the art dealer in NYC.
No this book was not good. In general, it wasn't necessary for this to be a trilogy. This could've been a much better novel if all three books were combined into one and all of the dragged out boring details were left out. I am so happy to have finally finished this book and that I can go back to liking reading again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2015
really? All the over doing it and then to just not say anything else about him taking her art behind her back? She's ticked he was in jail but then just lets that slide? And when he gets home from jail after being so snotty she just says well, guess we will get married here...... What??? There was SO many unnecessary details about irrelevant things I skipped entire pages! It needs some serious editing. I should have stopped after book 2. That was an ending enough for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2015
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Connelly is still in hospital, and faces being sent to a state mental hospital for the rest of her life if she doesn't start talking. Instead, a hopeful doctor sorts through her belongings and finds a letter that Connelly seems to have forgotten.
This final novel in the trilogy is one of hope, and yet despair. Connelly deserves something more from what she was given from age 6, but she must claw and fight her way for it.
It this novel, I felt like I lost touch with Connelly. I no longer knew what she was going on about, and I felt like the painting took her away into her own world. Perhaps that was the aim of the novel, or the aim of the author - you must be truly alone before you can get your way back into the light.
While I was thinking about this novel, I thought about the previous one again. And it occurred to me that none of the menfolk seem very bright. And Bobby and Roxie seem like what they have is dysfunctional. It's only in this novel that you begin to see some healthier relationships. Even then, no one seems to think of the consequences of their actions.
Connelly is always said to be very beautiful, and she attracts men to her. I wonder though, how pretty is she after all the drugs she went through? And Will, well, he might be a fool for loving her, but at least they have each other.
I really loved the scenic descriptions of the countryside. And the life on the Ranch. Cousin Liz has so much going for her! And a child doesn't hurt either.The thing with the illegal immegrants seemed backwards to me.
I wish I had looked more closely for where this novel was set. And also when. I don't know anything about the foster care system that failed Connelly. I would imagine that the Australian system might not be better. So many people fall through the cracks.
Connelly is still in hospital, and faces being sent to a state mental hospital for the rest of her life if she doesn't start talking. Instead, a hopeful doctor sorts through her belongings and finds a letter that Connelly seems to have forgotten.
This final novel in the trilogy is one of hope, and yet despair. Connelly deserves something more from what she was given from age 6, but she must claw and fight her way for it.
It this novel, I felt like I lost touch with Connelly. I no longer knew what she was going on about, and I felt like the painting took her away into her own world. Perhaps that was the aim of the novel, or the aim of the author - you must be truly alone before you can get your way back into the light.
While I was thinking about this novel, I thought about the previous one again. And it occurred to me that none of the menfolk seem very bright. And Bobby and Roxie seem like what they have is dysfunctional. It's only in this novel that you begin to see some healthier relationships. Even then, no one seems to think of the consequences of their actions.
Connelly is always said to be very beautiful, and she attracts men to her. I wonder though, how pretty is she after all the drugs she went through? And Will, well, he might be a fool for loving her, but at least they have each other.
I really loved the scenic descriptions of the countryside. And the life on the Ranch. Cousin Liz has so much going for her! And a child doesn't hurt either.The thing with the illegal immegrants seemed backwards to me.
I wish I had looked more closely for where this novel was set. And also when. I don't know anything about the foster care system that failed Connelly. I would imagine that the Australian system might not be better. So many people fall through the cracks.
October 5, 2014
note: i won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. i have not read the first two books in this trilogy.
blurb:After being orphaned at age six, sixteen-year-old Connelly Pierce—who has spent a decade, being passed from family to family, or as often no family at all, but always fighting for her very existence, her right to survive—has given up. Even worse, the system that has controlled her life for all those years is about to give up on her. But just before she is sent into long-term care at a California state mental hospital, a little miracle happens.
An intern at the clinic who has taken an interest in her finds an unopened letter at the bottom of Connelly’s raggedy old knapsack. The letter is from a distant cousin of Connelly’s named Elizabeth Walker, or Liz, who has recently lost her husband Jack, left behind a 57,000 acre ranch in Texas, and has since been looking for Connelly. The intern realizes this is the girl’s last chance. If Cousin Liz won’t help her, or if Connelly won’t accept that help, her life, in any normal sense, may be over. But what the intern doesn’t realize, is that calling that phone number he finds at the bottom of the letter is about to change two women's lives, forever, in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
thoughts: i am still digesting this book because on the one hand it's a reasonably straight-forward story of two women learning to trust/love after the death of loved ones. on the other, there's a lot of diversions into philosopy and Connelly's internal life which... didnt seem to make much sense. hopefully it's just because i havent read books 1&2/was reading late at night. i also found, that while i understood why Connelly had to almost-die, her assault felt gratuitous (sorry, Mr Snyder).
the book also seemed to end in the middle - i understand that life is like this, but i do prefer my books a little more ...definite. the epilogue i really didnt get.
blurb:After being orphaned at age six, sixteen-year-old Connelly Pierce—who has spent a decade, being passed from family to family, or as often no family at all, but always fighting for her very existence, her right to survive—has given up. Even worse, the system that has controlled her life for all those years is about to give up on her. But just before she is sent into long-term care at a California state mental hospital, a little miracle happens.
An intern at the clinic who has taken an interest in her finds an unopened letter at the bottom of Connelly’s raggedy old knapsack. The letter is from a distant cousin of Connelly’s named Elizabeth Walker, or Liz, who has recently lost her husband Jack, left behind a 57,000 acre ranch in Texas, and has since been looking for Connelly. The intern realizes this is the girl’s last chance. If Cousin Liz won’t help her, or if Connelly won’t accept that help, her life, in any normal sense, may be over. But what the intern doesn’t realize, is that calling that phone number he finds at the bottom of the letter is about to change two women's lives, forever, in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
thoughts: i am still digesting this book because on the one hand it's a reasonably straight-forward story of two women learning to trust/love after the death of loved ones. on the other, there's a lot of diversions into philosopy and Connelly's internal life which... didnt seem to make much sense. hopefully it's just because i havent read books 1&2/was reading late at night. i also found, that while i understood why Connelly had to almost-die, her assault felt gratuitous (sorry, Mr Snyder).
the book also seemed to end in the middle - i understand that life is like this, but i do prefer my books a little more ...definite. the epilogue i really didnt get.
November 9, 2015
I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program. Although I took my sweet time to actually pick it up and read, I'm glad I did.
The 3rd book in a trilogy, I had no trouble picking up the story. 16-year old Connelly wants nothing more than to join her parents and beloved brother in death. Discovered practically comatose with her brother's body, her own wrists slashed, she is taken to a mental hospital to patch up her wounds. But some wounds don't heal, at least not when you have nothing and no one to go back to.
A sharp intern is intrigued by the girl who won't cooperate with the doctors. He takes the time to search through her meager belongings, looking for some clue as to where she belongs, and finds an unopened letter from her Cousin Elizabeth. The doctor contact Liz, who travels to California to meet her long-lost niece. It's now up to Liz to convince Connelly to come live with the only family she has on a ranch in Texas. Reluctantly, the girl agrees.
We follow the two women as they search for common ground, which comes in the form of old family diaries of the early settlers who populated the area when it was wild and untamed. Connelly uses her artistic talent to express the feelings this lonely place evokes. All is going well until the arrival of a handsome, mysterious cowboy looking for work.
By no means a deep novel, this is a very enjoyable quick read. Connelly is a sympathetic character, Cousin Liz is the epitome of good, hard-working country folk, and the cowboy? Well, you'll have to read for yourself.
The 3rd book in a trilogy, I had no trouble picking up the story. 16-year old Connelly wants nothing more than to join her parents and beloved brother in death. Discovered practically comatose with her brother's body, her own wrists slashed, she is taken to a mental hospital to patch up her wounds. But some wounds don't heal, at least not when you have nothing and no one to go back to.
A sharp intern is intrigued by the girl who won't cooperate with the doctors. He takes the time to search through her meager belongings, looking for some clue as to where she belongs, and finds an unopened letter from her Cousin Elizabeth. The doctor contact Liz, who travels to California to meet her long-lost niece. It's now up to Liz to convince Connelly to come live with the only family she has on a ranch in Texas. Reluctantly, the girl agrees.
We follow the two women as they search for common ground, which comes in the form of old family diaries of the early settlers who populated the area when it was wild and untamed. Connelly uses her artistic talent to express the feelings this lonely place evokes. All is going well until the arrival of a handsome, mysterious cowboy looking for work.
By no means a deep novel, this is a very enjoyable quick read. Connelly is a sympathetic character, Cousin Liz is the epitome of good, hard-working country folk, and the cowboy? Well, you'll have to read for yourself.
July 21, 2014
I won this book from a contest on Goodreads.
When Connelly Pierce was found barely alive beside her dead brother from an attempted double suicide, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Her and her brother had been orphaned and put into different foster homes. Since the loss of her parents, and now her brother, her own botched suicide has put her in a severe depression along with the overwhelming grief for the loss of her only brother.
A letter was found in Connelly's personal belongings from her Cousin Elizabeth Walker and she was brought in to see Connelly. 'Liz' had been recently widowed and persuaded Connelly to come and live with her on her 57,000 acres ranch in Texas. It was here on Liz's magnificent ranch that Connelly was able to let go of her grief and begin to feel alive again. When a new ranch hand begins working there, Connelly has feelings arise in her she never knew existed. Was it possible that she was ready to give her heart to another and to live a normal and happy life?
When Connelly Pierce was found barely alive beside her dead brother from an attempted double suicide, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Her and her brother had been orphaned and put into different foster homes. Since the loss of her parents, and now her brother, her own botched suicide has put her in a severe depression along with the overwhelming grief for the loss of her only brother.
A letter was found in Connelly's personal belongings from her Cousin Elizabeth Walker and she was brought in to see Connelly. 'Liz' had been recently widowed and persuaded Connelly to come and live with her on her 57,000 acres ranch in Texas. It was here on Liz's magnificent ranch that Connelly was able to let go of her grief and begin to feel alive again. When a new ranch hand begins working there, Connelly has feelings arise in her she never knew existed. Was it possible that she was ready to give her heart to another and to live a normal and happy life?
February 23, 2019
3.5 stars
I have to say that as the final book in a trilogy, it was just okay. I mean, just like the other books this one has its moments of blandness that seems to drag out making it a boring read, but then have its moments of fast-paced excitement that really messes with your emotions! There were a few parts of the book where I was elated, or enraged or just didn't know how to feel.
The setting of this book completely contrasts with that of Into the Abyss: Connelly is living on her family's rich, isolated ranch in Texas. She is "happier" and is painting again, making friends, and finding real love. But her life roller coaster continues which is really frustrating since she has found happiness.
The ending is nearly perfect! I can't pinpoint what's missing, but it did leave me content.
So many questions from the previous books are answered here, and it is definitely worth the read. Everything is concluded in a way readers would be happy with.
I have to say that as the final book in a trilogy, it was just okay. I mean, just like the other books this one has its moments of blandness that seems to drag out making it a boring read, but then have its moments of fast-paced excitement that really messes with your emotions! There were a few parts of the book where I was elated, or enraged or just didn't know how to feel.
The setting of this book completely contrasts with that of Into the Abyss: Connelly is living on her family's rich, isolated ranch in Texas. She is "happier" and is painting again, making friends, and finding real love. But her life roller coaster continues which is really frustrating since she has found happiness.
The ending is nearly perfect! I can't pinpoint what's missing, but it did leave me content.
So many questions from the previous books are answered here, and it is definitely worth the read. Everything is concluded in a way readers would be happy with.
July 24, 2014
There is so much raw emotion running through Connelly's story, yet it never loses touch with the reality of the situations depicted in the book. The way James Snyder writes about the passage of grief and the scars it leaves behind is deeply moving and the reader is taken on the journey as Connelly finds her way through to the other side and dares to feel hope again.
For most people who have experienced profound grief there comes the moment when you realise that you now have to make a conscious decision to go on with your life and I think this book captures that moment beautifully and describes how hard it can be to open yourself up again and feel that exposure, that vulnerability.
I particularly liked the confrontation between Connelly and Liz in the diner and also the imagery of the 'spectres' haunting the halls during Connelly's stint in rehab!
For most people who have experienced profound grief there comes the moment when you realise that you now have to make a conscious decision to go on with your life and I think this book captures that moment beautifully and describes how hard it can be to open yourself up again and feel that exposure, that vulnerability.
I particularly liked the confrontation between Connelly and Liz in the diner and also the imagery of the 'spectres' haunting the halls during Connelly's stint in rehab!
April 1, 2014
WHERE ALL THE RIVERS RUN
Obsessively this is the story of a shattered and darkly damaged teen-aged girl who is moved to a ranch in the hill country of Texas, where she learns to exorcise her demons through the medium of her paintings. James Synder draws as accurate a picture of the souls of the girl and her much older cousin as any man is capable of drawing woman. More significantly he draws the lines, colors, and soul of the harsh hill country as he reveals the mystical was that the land can mold people. (This is the first five star rating that I've give. It is the first Kindle book that I had to look up to see.)
Obsessively this is the story of a shattered and darkly damaged teen-aged girl who is moved to a ranch in the hill country of Texas, where she learns to exorcise her demons through the medium of her paintings. James Synder draws as accurate a picture of the souls of the girl and her much older cousin as any man is capable of drawing woman. More significantly he draws the lines, colors, and soul of the harsh hill country as he reveals the mystical was that the land can mold people. (This is the first five star rating that I've give. It is the first Kindle book that I had to look up to see.)
July 21, 2014
I love James Snyder's amazing ability to create a character on pages into life. As a painter myself, I totally understand Connelly's instinct to paint when she was going through a tough time. It's almost heartbreaking to read about Connelly because she is really just a orphan who went through a horrible and dysfunctional child protective system and suffers so much because of the care she should've but didn't recieve. This is the final book of the trilogy and it's very fitting in which it ends. Not very satisfying, but it makes a lot of sense.
October 24, 2014
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
I think this was my favourite book in this trilogy, and I’m actually glad I stuck with the series.
Connelly continued to have a tough time in this book, but she also finally found her feet, and finally had some good things happen in her life!
I liked the storyline in this book because it was a bit brighter than the previous two books. I really liked the part of the book where Connelly delivered a baby calf, and I also loved that Connelly
Good end to the series!
6.5 out of 10.
I think this was my favourite book in this trilogy, and I’m actually glad I stuck with the series.
Connelly continued to have a tough time in this book, but she also finally found her feet, and finally had some good things happen in her life!
I liked the storyline in this book because it was a bit brighter than the previous two books. I really liked the part of the book where Connelly delivered a baby calf, and I also loved that Connelly
Good end to the series!
6.5 out of 10.
August 5, 2014
DISCLAIMER: I was given a free copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads.
This review is going to be a fairly short version of my actual review.
I'd just like to say this book was absolutely fantastic! The writing was excellent, the characters were relatable and real, and the plot was to die for! It was an magnificent end to an amazing series. It's definitely worth the read!
This review is going to be a fairly short version of my actual review.
I'd just like to say this book was absolutely fantastic! The writing was excellent, the characters were relatable and real, and the plot was to die for! It was an magnificent end to an amazing series. It's definitely worth the read!
August 18, 2014
I won this book as a giveaway on Goodreads. Thank you to the author. This is book 3 in a trilogy. Having not read the first two (unfortunately they can only be bought through Amazon), it was good enough to stand alone and I don't feel I missed too much from not having read the first two. It was well written; kept my interest.
January 19, 2015
This book really pulled everything that has happened to Connelly together and showed her strength to persevere. This book was a beautiful ending. This trilogy will always have a place in my heart.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews