The Ballad of Sam and D. Lila

by Karen Stockwell

When Dora Hoffman receives a gift certificate to the Old Town School of Folk Music for her birthday, she knows her family is sending her a message about what she’s doing with her life. Still reeling from a great loss, Dora fills her time with too much recreational shopping and taking work home. As she contemplates signing up for a guitar class, her mysterious and handsome co-worker Sam Watts encourages her to go for it. And so it begins: the re-learning of lost skills; the adrenaline rush of performing; the joy of making music with a creative partner; and the longing for love. As their collaboration blossoms into the duet known as Sam and D. Lila, the two hone their musical skills at open mics in Chicago, including Handle-Bar Boogie, a raucous venue where anything goes. Yet they live a double life as they keep their partnership a secret at work where intimacy between staff members is forbidden. When a near tragedy strikes, they make a decision that deepens their commitment, yet begins to tear them apart. But Sam has one more secret that can save it all.

264 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2016

About the author

In her creative life, Karen Stockwell has been a visual artist, a journalist, a poet, a singer-songwriter, a jewelry designer, a fiber artist, and now, a novelist. She’s made a living by working for advertising agencies and an educational publisher. She holds a B.A. in Art Education and a M.A. in Art History and has taken many classes and workshops in the arts, including poetry and creative writing. Her craft work and articles have been published in Belle Armoire and Altered Couture magazines. She balances her "free time" between working on her projects like a maniac and reading in her recliner surrounded, and sometimes buried by, her cats. She is currently working on several manuscripts and deciding which to focus on for the next book. Right now, it's the post-dystopian series which tells the story of what happens to the bad guys. With her husband Clinton Stockwell, she divides her time between Chicago and Galena, Illinois.

Reviews

[Galena Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Larissa Distler, Adult Services Librarian

I reviewed Karen's previous book, "Dreams of Darkness and Light," back in 2014 and was excited to delve into her new book, "The Ballad and Sam and D.Lila."

Sam and Dora have worked together at an ad agency for quite a while, but both remain rather aloof. Dora is focused on her work and avoiding the tragedy in her life and has no time for socializing. Sam is obviously focused on something else, but what that is a mystery until Dora receives a gift certificate for guitar classes at the Old Time School of Folk Music by a well meaning family member trying to open her up to new possibilities. She decides to use the gift to take a guitar class and suddenly she's a lot closer to Sam than she ever thought she would be.

Stockwell does a great job of fleshing out her characters and creating distinct personalities. The scenarios they find themselves in are entirely believable. I loved the juxtaposition of the ad agency and the open mic scene. It made for such fun interplay between the the two worlds.

I can get bored of romance pretty quickly, but this is not an over the top, head over heals romance. Sam and Dora take their time like real people and get to know one another. Their connection doesn't feel forced or too fast, I appreciate that.

FIC STO

[Jemma (Aussie BookWorm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Karen's debut novel Dreams of Darkness and Light, so when she told me she was in the process of writing another, I jumped at the chance to read and review it for her. The Ballad of Sam and D.Lila is very different from her first book; it is a romance that follows two amateur musicians as they try to break into the industry as a duo. All the while the two work alongside each other in their day jobs, where office romances are "frowned upon". I really liked Dora's character, she was easy for me to relate to and I found her to be such a realistic protagonist. Sam on the other hand took me a very long time to warm up to; he was realistic as well, and I just didn't like him. I thought that he was going to turn out shady and hurt Dora and I just couldn't trust him. I think maybe some of the reasons for that was because Karen showed us into what the mind of a man is like; honestly. With conflicting thoughts and sometimes a wondering eye, Sam was true to his attractive musician stereotype. But he did break through that and he and Dora were truly stronger together. Their progression into a relationship was a lovely journey and I just loved how realistic everything was. The issues and how they worked through them, the juggling of creative and financial work, the compromises and arguments; A+ for them all. While music isn't my choice of creative living, writing and reading is, and the book shared a lovely journey that I got to share with a range of characters. It was gentle and steady, realistic and kind; everything I enjoy in a romance novel!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*

[Suzanne Manners · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book started out sort of slow, but as I got further along I started investing in the characters and hoping things would work out best for them. I also had a friend read aloud to me while I drove on a long trip, so I know first-hand that this book would make a great audio. It may be the listening is what hooked me. The plot is a realistic look at office romance as Sam and Dora (D.Lila) have to keep their relationship a secret in order not to jeopardize their jobs. I have worked for a company, in fact a music store, where dating co-workers was frowned on. It may seem awkward, but I was once married to my boss. I know from experience that bringing work into a relationship can definitely take its toll. But in this case, these two make a great team and as I cheered them on, I hoped for the best and a "happily-ever-after" ending. This "feel-good" romance ends well where we leave Sam and Dora, but I was left thinking about them and wondering if their love continued to grow and stay with them through the years. Maybe that is a sign that this story is a REALLY good one!

[Elizabeth]

I just received this book today. It is another great book from the giveaway books that Goodreads offered. I haven't started reading this one yet, but when I do, I will be back to let everyone know how my progress is going. I will say the cover picture would make a good looking poster, as it reminds me of my younger days.