So Long As It’s Wonderful: A Roosevelt County Novel

by Sheila Quinn

Willie Tollett has her future figured out until she meets a stranger in the dark. John Musick, a World War I veteran from East Texas, is a good worker, but his off-duty pastimes are problematic for his pious employer. When Willie’s father takes Mr. Musick on as a hired hand, her simple life gets complicated. A town controversy, a midnight Howler, and Zane Grey Westerns come together to challenge everything Willie knows about the world. So Long As It’s Wonderful honors the heritage of the women of the West and celebrates the imagination that expanded their prospects and possibilities for the future.As she walked from the dugout to the house, Willie wondered how much her father knew about John Musick. She doubted he would hire a man who read Western stories, played baseball, or went to the pool hall on Saturday nights. She considered telling him, but there was a depth to John Musick’s gray eyes that made her want to protect him.Similar to Kristin Hannah, Quinn weaves love and loss into an authentic western landscape that operates as its own character. Part Zane Grey western, part love story, Quinn’s tale based on her own great grandmother will leave you smiling with sand in your teeth.—SJ Dahlstrom, author of the Adventures of Wilder Good seriesI just finished reading So Long As It’s Wonderful. Though I hadn’t planned to read the entire book in a single sitting, I found myself caught up in a world that felt a lot like the one in which I grew up, filled with people like those I knew. A harder time in many ways, but also a simpler one. As an avid (book-a-day) reader myself, as an author of historical romances as well as non-fiction and edited works, and as the current president of Zane Grey's West Society—now in its 42nd year—I was especially pleased to see Grey’s work included so prominently in the story. Very gratifying to watch as two characters are drawn together by the power of Zane Grey’s Western romances!—Rosanne Vrugtman, Ph.D., President, Zane Grey’s West SocietySheila Quinn’s historical novel is a love letter to her great-grandparents, Western author Zane Grey, and readers everywhere, who’ve had the moving experience of seeing their private thoughts and longings writ boldly on the page. Quinn is a keen observer of human behavior, and I found myself rereading passages simply for the joy of savoring smart characterizations and strong writing. Place and time are beautifully rendered; Quinn’s details about life on the family farm make it come alive. The plot offers several surprises, and I was compelled to race to the end!—Kate Anger, author of The ShinnerySheila Quinn braids together the triple skeins of Western, romance, and postwar novel into this story of one young woman’s coming of age. If anyone doubts that the dusty seam of Texas and New Mexico was still the frontier as late as the 1920s, in So Long As It’s Wonderful they’ll discover the authentic lifeways and genuine dreams of its resolute inhabitants—while they’re falling in love with Willie Tollett’s view of the place. A work of deep longing and telling insight. —Barbara Brannon, coauthor of The Paragraph Ranch novel seriesSheila Quinn grew up in West Texas and spent significant time in Eastern New Mexico listening to the stories of her grandma, upon whose life and family her fiction is based. She lives and writes with her family in Franklin, TN. For more information, visit sheilaquinn.com.

442 pages, Paperback

Published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Pam Goebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a debut! I loved this book and I loved the author notes at the end! It was a sweet story that had family drama, coming of age angst, romance and the harsh realities of living off the land and coping with post WW1 trauma. Hope this is a first in a prolific series!

[Sequoyah Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is so wonderfully rooted in the rural area and Zane grey novels the characters read!
The pacing got a little slow at times, but the character development was wonderful!

[Rachel Enochs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting historical fiction novel that I thoroughly enjoyed! It's amazing to think of how little people lived with just 100 years ago compared to all the excess and consumerism we have surrounded ourselves with today. Life seemed more joyful and simple with the absence of the manufactured first world stressors we have put upon ourselves. The characteristics in this novel are well developed and I found myself rooting for all of them to succeed. It's also fascinating to follow the journey of the book's protagonist and how she struggles as a young woman, coming of age, with very different dreams for her life that didn't align with the expectations of a woman's role in the 1920s.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! Especially since it’s her first novel. I love that it’s based on the stories of her own great grandmother. I can’t wait to hear what happens to the rest of her family and then next books . At least, I sure hope it’s a series

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down for two days. As a lover of historical fiction, having this book based on the author’s own grandmother made it especially heart warming. Hoping Sheila Quinn will decide to write more.

[Mandi willanzheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The character development was great. The family dynamic hit close to home. That fact that it was based on her own family and the picture of them at the end really made it special. My only complaint is that I want to know what happens next, so I hope this will be a series!

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about a young lady coming into adulthood and navigating a lot of the decisions that go along with being a woman in a world that really did not value the thoughts and opinions of girls.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book quickly as it was written so well, and the author drew me into the storyline unlike many books that are hard to break into. Felt like I knew the characters personally. As I read, I could see the action and dialogue between them. Would love to read a sequel.

[Sherry Heatherly]

Willie was my grandmother. It was a very enjoyable read seeing her as a young girl becoming a woman.

[Brandy Rodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! This was a heart-warming story that I really enjoyed. I recalled many farm stories and experiences my family shared when I was growing up. I look forward to future books and stories on the characters in the book.