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Red Mountain Chronicles #1
Red Mountain
***A Pulpwood Queens Book Club Selection
How well do we really know each other?
Red Mountain in eastern Washington is home to a community of eccentrics. Otis Till, the area's visionary winemaker, has been known to howl at the moon--fully nude. Single mother Margot Pierce moved across the country to build an inn, but so far all she does is binge on gelato, the Hallmark Channel, and fantasies of murdering her ex. High school senior Emilia Forester is the daughter of celebrity parents struggling to build her own life outside of their shadow. And Brooks Baker is a man haunted by his past spent living on the streets as an orphan. Somehow, everyone lives together harmoniously, their lives intertwined like the vines in Red Mountain's beautiful and renowned vineyards.
But in a place where everyone knows each other, secrets are like poison...and right now Otis, Margot, Emilia, and Brooks all have something to hide. When their secrets come to light, will their small mountain be stronger for it--or will lives be torn apart?
Heartfelt and wonderfully descriptive, Red Mountain is the story of four complicated people living in a beautiful landscape unlike anywhere else. Told from multiple perspectives and rich with vivid descriptions of wine life, this novel will transport you from the first page to the last.
Boo writes contemporary dysfunctional fiction for open-minded soul searchers that enjoy books by such authors as Pat Conroy, Liane Moriarty, Amor Towles, Jojo Moyes, and Celeste Ng. Look out for the sequel, Red Mountain Rising, coming soon!
How well do we really know each other?
Red Mountain in eastern Washington is home to a community of eccentrics. Otis Till, the area's visionary winemaker, has been known to howl at the moon--fully nude. Single mother Margot Pierce moved across the country to build an inn, but so far all she does is binge on gelato, the Hallmark Channel, and fantasies of murdering her ex. High school senior Emilia Forester is the daughter of celebrity parents struggling to build her own life outside of their shadow. And Brooks Baker is a man haunted by his past spent living on the streets as an orphan. Somehow, everyone lives together harmoniously, their lives intertwined like the vines in Red Mountain's beautiful and renowned vineyards.
But in a place where everyone knows each other, secrets are like poison...and right now Otis, Margot, Emilia, and Brooks all have something to hide. When their secrets come to light, will their small mountain be stronger for it--or will lives be torn apart?
Heartfelt and wonderfully descriptive, Red Mountain is the story of four complicated people living in a beautiful landscape unlike anywhere else. Told from multiple perspectives and rich with vivid descriptions of wine life, this novel will transport you from the first page to the last.
Boo writes contemporary dysfunctional fiction for open-minded soul searchers that enjoy books by such authors as Pat Conroy, Liane Moriarty, Amor Towles, Jojo Moyes, and Celeste Ng. Look out for the sequel, Red Mountain Rising, coming soon!
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2016
16144 people are currently reading
5977 people want to read
About the author
Boo Walker
19 books1,222 followersBestselling author Boo Walker initially tapped his creative muse as a songwriter and banjoist in Nashville before working his way west to Washington State, where he bought a gentleman’s farm on the Yakima River. It was there amongst the grapevines and wine barrels that he fell in love with telling stories that now resonate with book clubs around the world. Rich with colorful characters and boundless soul, his novels will leave you with an open heart and a lifted spirit.
Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.
For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.
Always a wanderer, Boo currently lives in Valencia, Spain with his wife and son. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore. You can find him at boowalker.com and benjaminblackmore.com.
For a free copy of his Red Mountain cookbook, updates, and other goodies, sign up for his newsletter at boowalker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,205 reviews
December 20, 2017
Based on the many great reviews of fellow readers on this platform, I had such high expectations of Red Mountain. Unfortunately, I came to the conclusion that this was the most puerile romance story I’ve come across in a long time. The dialogues were infantile and the plot went nowhere. You have all these well-to-do people living as neighbors on Red Mountain, making wine in this supposedly idyllic setting in east Washington state. They all have quirks and some truly bad morals. Apparently, it’s okay for many of the protagonists to cheat on each other – afterwards they have big dinner together and all laugh about it. I just didn’t get it where this author was going with this story. Why do I keep picking such loser books?
August 16, 2017
Uggggghhhh this was so terrible I wish I could give it zero stars. Or maybe half a star, because I shamefully sort of enjoyed parts of it like one enjoys fried fair food and then feels sick for days after. Let's be clear: this is trash. It is a soap opera that desperately wants to be taken seriously. Just stop. My book club chose it, and I am really hoping everyone hated it as much as I did so we can make fun of it together. No one talks or behaves like these characters in real life, and thank God for that.
February 24, 2018
This has been compared to a soap opera. I would go a step further. It is a soap opera set in Mr. Rogers' organic neighborhood. That is until the ten pages wherein every character has an affair. But, being Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, they all make up with a glass of wine and laugh. Speaking of which, the dialogue was laughable. A lot of perfectly new age hippyish people living the wine-making dream.
I kept waiting for something to happen, but although there were glimmers, just a lot of talk and talk about relationships and self-realization. Some may go so far as to call it drivel.
I didn't enjoy the book.
I kept waiting for something to happen, but although there were glimmers, just a lot of talk and talk about relationships and self-realization. Some may go so far as to call it drivel.
I didn't enjoy the book.
April 19, 2018
“Red Mountain” by Boo Walker is the first “romance” novel I’ve read that is written by a man. It’s a book club read, which means I would have never read, or continued to read, if not for book club. Saying that, it’s a fine story, easy to read.
It’s about a mountain in Oregon that is a focal point of successful vineyards. It’s a story of people who found themselves in the art of making wine, in the nature of the mountain, in the love of community. This is a novel that could be an attraction to the Hallmark Channel. It’s full of women attempting to become sturdy, or women who are sturdy attempting to teach everyone around them to be strong. These women are sexually strong, and I found it a hoot how a man wrote these romance “sex” scenes. Yes, it’s obvious the author is a man.
My favorite character is Margot who came to Red Mountain after her Mayor husband was caught “en fellatio” by the paparazzi. She learned of this while cooking his dinner and watching the news channel. She saw the picture of her husband and the woman on TV. She fled with her son to recreate a new life. Margot’s favorite time of day was her afternoon bath where she soaked in sea salts and imagined killing her husband with kitchen utensils. Yes, Margot was a real character. Who wouldn’t connect with Margot? The others, well, not so much. Maybe Otis who was a septenarian and missed his dead wife so much he howled at the moon. That man, I could relate to.
The novel is sweet. The characters are difficult to relate to. The themes were trite. Can’t say I’d recommend it.
It’s about a mountain in Oregon that is a focal point of successful vineyards. It’s a story of people who found themselves in the art of making wine, in the nature of the mountain, in the love of community. This is a novel that could be an attraction to the Hallmark Channel. It’s full of women attempting to become sturdy, or women who are sturdy attempting to teach everyone around them to be strong. These women are sexually strong, and I found it a hoot how a man wrote these romance “sex” scenes. Yes, it’s obvious the author is a man.
My favorite character is Margot who came to Red Mountain after her Mayor husband was caught “en fellatio” by the paparazzi. She learned of this while cooking his dinner and watching the news channel. She saw the picture of her husband and the woman on TV. She fled with her son to recreate a new life. Margot’s favorite time of day was her afternoon bath where she soaked in sea salts and imagined killing her husband with kitchen utensils. Yes, Margot was a real character. Who wouldn’t connect with Margot? The others, well, not so much. Maybe Otis who was a septenarian and missed his dead wife so much he howled at the moon. That man, I could relate to.
The novel is sweet. The characters are difficult to relate to. The themes were trite. Can’t say I’d recommend it.
March 16, 2017
What I liked: the insight into the wine industry; the cast of unique characters with interconnecting stories; the friendships between characters of different ages
What I disliked: howling at the moon in the nude; the attempts by the characters to solve every problem with sex; the many many really stupid decisions they made; the New Age philosophy that was spouted as a cure for all life's problems; the fact that after forcing my way through the entire book the ending was a cliff hanger with almost nothing resolved in any of the characters' stories
I am really surprised at how many people gave this book 5 stars. I understand that readers can disagree on how they feel about things like all the New Age content and the amount or type of sex they want to read about. But even eliminating those factors, I did not feel this writing was worthy of even 4 stars. The idea for the story was good, but the execution was very flawed IMO.
What I disliked: howling at the moon in the nude; the attempts by the characters to solve every problem with sex; the many many really stupid decisions they made; the New Age philosophy that was spouted as a cure for all life's problems; the fact that after forcing my way through the entire book the ending was a cliff hanger with almost nothing resolved in any of the characters' stories
I am really surprised at how many people gave this book 5 stars. I understand that readers can disagree on how they feel about things like all the New Age content and the amount or type of sex they want to read about. But even eliminating those factors, I did not feel this writing was worthy of even 4 stars. The idea for the story was good, but the execution was very flawed IMO.
October 5, 2025
A lot of reviewers have compared this book to a soap opera. I would agree, only adding that it's a bad soap opera. It really is trash. That being said, I finished it only to enjoy the stupidest ending ever written. That being said, I have to believe that the author wrote this as a parody. If you accept that, then it was pretty good--actually funny--and enjoyable. However, I can't recommend it to anyone and I'm embarrassed I finished it. The only thing that is more embarrassing is that I am going to read the sequel with full knowledge of what I am doing and why.
May 14, 2018
Naked and howling at the moon? What? Male teacher making a move on female student! By the fourth chapter I had had enough.... I had looked forward to reading this, and am very disappointed. Wish I had read more of the reviews before I started, and now must agree with the negative ones. Not something I care to waste my time on.
January 2, 2018
One of my favorite ways to vacation is visiting wineries in the Pacific North West. So, when I saw that Red Mountain was about a vineyard in a small town in Washington it sounded like something I would enjoy. And I did enjoy it.
Red Mountain is a small town that is starting to have a few growing pains as more and more people are taking a chance with the wine profession. But for now, it is still a small town, with all the quirky characters and small town drama that you would come to expect.
The four main characters are Otis Till, Margot Pierce, Emilia Forester and Brooks Baker. There are several secondary characters too. At first, I would have to rethink each character, but I eventually was able to keep them straight.
I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the setting of the vineyards and learning more about the wine making process. I see that this is book 1 of 2, so that explains the abrupt ending that leaves you hanging.
I will definitely read book 2, since I feel invested in these characters and in Red Mountain.
Red Mountain is a small town that is starting to have a few growing pains as more and more people are taking a chance with the wine profession. But for now, it is still a small town, with all the quirky characters and small town drama that you would come to expect.
The four main characters are Otis Till, Margot Pierce, Emilia Forester and Brooks Baker. There are several secondary characters too. At first, I would have to rethink each character, but I eventually was able to keep them straight.
I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the setting of the vineyards and learning more about the wine making process. I see that this is book 1 of 2, so that explains the abrupt ending that leaves you hanging.
I will definitely read book 2, since I feel invested in these characters and in Red Mountain.
Read
March 27, 2026Rating: minus 15 on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
This made possibly by YouTube - Doctor Who\Never Cruel or Cowardly, fig tree, National Centre for Military Intelligence, Miracle Aligner, Blooms and Greens by Chloe,
Welcome to Ukraine, Kaelyn Partlow, Kathy's Flog from France, Naughty Nana DUZ, WhiteNoiz CA, Postmodern Jukebox, No Justice, Russian Media Monitor, Mia Mulder,
I'm Autistic Now What, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Tanya Fiona, ATP Geopolitics, AllShorts, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, Cruising Crafts, LetterKenny, ScaredKetchup, Clouding, StanziPotenza, Ms Modeller, Gamers Nexus, Table Top Times, Real Vintage Dolls House, Honest2Betsy, RevolutionarythOt, Modelling and Miniatures, FAFO,
House of El, Claus Kellerman POV, The Enemy from Within, Captured in Words, Leena Norms, Aid Thompsin, aidan knight, Lady of the Library, Emilie's Literary Corner, Anthony Gramuglia, HIstory with Kayleigh, Gutsick Gibbon, Riverboat Jack, Boardgame Sanctuary, Cosy Creative, Benn Jordan, Bands of HM Royal Marines, Dark Brandon,
Scotland History Tours, Very Casual Librarian, Lily Simpson, Council of Geeks, Roughest Drafts, Reads with Rachel, Luke Sherlock, Pinsent Tailoring, Shannon Makes, Break N Remake, Blooms and Greens by Chloe, Lynn Saga, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, LuckyBlackCat, Great War, Petticoats and Prose, Queen Penguin, Queen City Minis,
Ministry of Miniatures, Dungeons and Discourse, According to Alina, Jess Owens, Cindy's Villa, Valhalla Drums, Asturia Quartet, Wednesday, Kazachka, Cindy Pinchart, Reese Waters, Northern Narrowboaters, North of MAGA, Jen the Librarian, Some More News, Scallydandling About the Books, Ember Green, Harry Sahota, France 24.
I saw an idiot who in the midst of insulting an essayist whom I mention, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The behaviour of the Snowflake (arrogant, self-important., vicious US tittie-baby) no longer surprises. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include the miniatures wargamer, sewist, lesbian, Irish, boat restorer, architect, socialist, bi, writer, lumber yard worker, cosplayer, English language instructor, Indian, intersex, mechanic, married, miniatures painter, military historian, botanist, queer, anarchist, WOC, sociologist, painter, van life, cis, Danish, agricultural economist, autistic, tall, trans, mediaevalist, chemist, lawyer, engineer, asexual, theoretical physicist, redhaired, train historian, het, Norwegian, pensioner, witch, marine biologist, news presenter and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the poorly educated are the fashion historian, Finnish, other LGBTQIA, short, reenactor, archaeologist, tailor, bookseller, science educator, Ugandan, anthropologist, city planner, wood worker, game historian, horticulturalist, other BIPOC, language historian, Narrowboater, mathematician, other neurodivergent, paleontologist, military boardgamer, Canadian, zoologist, photographer and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, seek emergency therapy and\or develop a new skill, perhaps reading and\or seek the nearest Taoist monastery.
These revisions are more tedious than the originals. When I am discouraged, I remember that my feelings towards the Snowflake are similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more. Unto the book, dear friends. I abandoned the story less than halfway in. It is a celebration of pretentiousness, class consciousness, sexual license (limited and determined by class), the trappings of new age spirituality and the terrible struggle of those who only have wealth to aid their search for ????
This is not a quirky Tom Robbins novel with big questions and a strange future. This is a sad class driven comedy romance with no value, no substance, no heart.
The characters are not just flat but are offensively separated by class stereotypes. These everyday people (those who own a hefty vineyard or two, have a few million to start a winery on a whim, build a cute country hotel, or whatever) all have European connections by marriage, etc., all of whom are incredibly accomplished. I am sure that there is at least one Contessa or Viscount tucked away in this charming circle.
The terrible, travelling aunt would be equally at home in a Wodehouse manor house at least four centuries old as on her multimillion dollar ranch.
She terrorizes and matchmakes wayward nephews who need the right kind of wife. Since she's American, she can't be "Lady" or "Dame" but one can wish. I suspect that the writer did not realize that Wodehouse was gently mocking the inter war class of useless entitled gentlemen.
This book has an interesting view of sexual relationships. This is the only book which I ever read that portrayed high school teachers "dating" students in secret, as sweetly romantic. Eww! The winery manager is unsure of his worthiness to date the employer's nanny. That feels so very Upstairs/Downstairs without the social criticism.
The writer did capture the tragedy of the rich and useless. I for one never realized that the rich sometimes experience the sadness and must drown their cares in fine food, wine and sex, plenty of sex. It was gut wrenching to read that horror.
With new age trappings to achieve a semblance of spirituality, if not personality I am certain that they will overcome the ennui which darkens their horizons. They were a brave lot and I almost connected with one character (a jest, even were I not a communist, I despise useless people who whine).
These are a wine aficionado's dream characters. They are sanitized by references to accomplished European spouses, relatives and whatnot. I doubt that I will bother to read this writer again.
Because of books like this, I stopped using Amazon for book recommendations. The streaming services do this type of story better and are far more entertaining.
I stumbled onto the BookTube 😍 after my introduction to literary criticism through the wonderful Lindsay Ellis. 😍 These channels host communities of curious, polite, thoughtful readers, who are enamoured of all things bookish. Quite the opposite to the Goodreads environment.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote my last original review something like three years ago now. It was my opinion of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran.
Originally blurbed as akin to a Heinlein classic, it was instead a poorly executed rehashing of "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon. The story is that of the heroic effort of a rich twat enlisting the military in overthrow of a US government in order that he not pay taxes.
This and similar themes are heavily represented in the Unlimited library. I found them to be unhealthy, dangerous and now prophetic.
Travis self-described as Libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), employee of an unnamed US agency,
advocate for the return of chattel slavery (Popular US stance, with new forced labour prisons being built for the unhoused including poor auto, van residents and their families. As their status is now criminalised, there seems no pathway to release. Given US history with its continued justification of 250 years of slavery followed by a further 150 years of denial of civil rights, access to federal or state supports, publicly acknowledged and normalised persecution through a special application of police and legal apparatus towards Black citizens, a lack of outrage from either Party, the media or citizenry in general, it would seem generational enslavement must be in the cards. I
The strange line item in all these constructions is inclusion of large furnaces for disposal of biologicals. With the agencies involved having had and continuing to enjoy no accountability for detainees and thousands missing from children to adults, Nazi population reduction processes are a strong possibility.),
US veteran, admirer of Putin's Russia (popular US position with a leader compromised by two foreign governments at least, publicly practising corruption in the billions after the Moscow fashion, Intelligence Head a Russian asset, pretence of equal application of law and court authority dropped and replication of Russian levels of poverty exciting no concern in the citizenry).
Travis and six fellow patriots were outraged by my seeming defence of their democratic system. They expressed their displeasure over a year of constant comments. No mention was made of the book, though I was gifted with opinions of my intelligence, narcissism evidenced by my lack of response, World history, Western philosophy, women readers of science fiction and more.
While the hoped for discussions of the intersection of quantum physics, evolutionary biology, synthetic biology and Roger Penrose were not forthcoming, I was left the comfort of layers of irony.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. After referencing the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They and allies had launched a year-long tsunami of vile sexist, racist, anti-LGBTQIA and similar comments against apparently every channel I listed. It continues still.
The early teen boater and her mother, astrophysicist, primatologist, anthropologist and other female creators were unmoved by this US charm offensive.
Despite that failure, They certainly increased the global overabundance of unpleasantness and delivered a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (poorly socialised, barely literate, womanphobic US baby-man) to a multinational audience.
On balance, quite a Victory. Should the above cause the least discomfort, there are BookTubers to direct you to saner, safer, true reader forums.
A stepaway earned. This last made possible by YouTube - Doctor Who\Without Reward,
Novara Media, Munecat, The Narrowboat Pirate, Boat Time, Matriarchetype, Fun Size Reader, Sabine Hossenfelder, Sarah Z, Tulia, Austin McConnell, Prime of Midlife, Second Thought, 2 Cellos, Camper Vibe, Dr Becky, Katie Colson, Katie Halper, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Gingers are Black,
Lilly's life, Zoe Baker, World War Two, The Great War, Joe Scott, Filaxim Historia, Northern Narrowboaters, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Chloe Stafler, Karolina Zebrowska, Jill Bearup, Lindsey Stirling, Rowan J Coleman, Engineering with Rosie, Red Viburnam Song, Between the Lines, Katy Montgomerie, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Sally's Economics, JimmyTheGiant, The Kavernacle, No Justice,
Thirdworld Booknerd, Hello Future Me, Philosophy Tube, Swell Entertainment, Invicta, Avalishvili, Olly Richards, The Jacobin Show, Amie's Literary Empire, What Vivi did next, The Juice Media, Luciana Zogbi, Serena Skybourne, Jessica Gagnon, World of Antiquity, Tom Nicholas, SciFi Odyssey, A Cup of Nicole, Violet Orlandi, Owen Jones, KernowDamo, It ain't half hot mum, Smack the Pony,
Double Down News, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Kings and Generals, The Budget Museum, Dakota Warren, With Olivia, We're in Hell, Patrick is a Navajo, Three Arrows, Pentatonix, Travelling K, Spacedock, Half as Interesting, Dan Davis History, Casual Navigation, Factnomenal, Institute of Art and Ideas, Fundie Fridays, Marsh Family, Amanda and Shaye, Electro Swing, Algal the Bard, Hildegard von Blingin,
Chris Animations, Lee Francis, Natasha's Adventures, J Draper, The Cold War, Military History Visualized, Perun, Tank Museum, Leah Passaniti, Autumn's Boutique, A Life of Lit, FunkyFrogBait, Steve Shives, Happy Pancake, V Birchwood, Bernadette Banner, Jessie Gender, Honest Government Ads, Brittany the Bibliophile.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gang described is not the first which I encountered and they are active in the romance \romantasy spaces also. Their activities extend to the stalking, doxxing, hacking, threats and beyond.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline deranged members, punish writers who encourage them, nor dismiss employees who enable both.
My limited message history was given over to these thugs, allowing a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one Goodreads whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my history failed.
Amazon only demonstrated concern when we shared our experience widely. No apology. My page format and options were returned to normal, Lurker whom I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, periodic bricking of my Kindle ended, comments masked and the rest.
A BookTuber had a review deleted as "Hate Speech" because she addressed problematic elements of book. She after received her first Goodreads comment suggesting she "should die".
Another BookTuber had cloud library and Kindle internet access blocked when she reported an obvious Amazon double billing.
A seventh ex-employee of EBay, who had been the Chief of Global Security or something like was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site had been deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions.
With the increased protections afforded US data firms, I expect more and more serious abuses will occur.
I suggest precautions. Remove all personal information from profile. Remove all lurkers, those who never post. They are likely monitors for gangs or employee dummies. For Goodreads, these should suffice.
Kindle are the more serious. Do Not Use Kindle E-mail, Contacts, Calendar or Files. Amazon's Sign Into Customer Emails without notice or permission. Make of that what you will.
Do Not purchase Amazon ebooks. You own only your device and if Kindle, even that is conditional. If purchased download al titles immediately. There are BookTubers to guide a reader to other ebook and tablet vendors or alternatives to ebooks altogether.
Silk searches should be innocuous and non-critical.
You may never be targeted but any temporary immunity rests on the whims of Amazon madlads. might be prudent to always be aware that these Snowflakes,, member and employee alike are devoid of recognisable morality but are US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy good reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
Roisin's Reading, Subha Reads, Read with Cindy, Barry's Economics, Stephanie's Story, Verilybitchie, NerdForge, Lena Down Under, Reedsy, Willow Talks Books, Library Ladder, Science Insanity, Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Feral Historian, Danish News English, Cambrian Chronicles, Kate Horlor, Lady Izdihar, Tale Foundry,
American Museum of Natural History, Dwarkesh Patel, Heather Cox Richardson, Lauren the Mortician, Clouds and Sky, Megalithhunter, Megaprojects, Brandon Fisichella, Viva La Dirt League, Squire, Leeja Miller, Miranda Mills, The Vintage Vault, Lives and Histories, Erika Jordan, Audaciously AuDHD, Autism from the Inside,
Veritas et Caritas, Chloe Daniels, Autistic Jenny, Caelan Conrad, Lore Reloaded, Jay Exci, Kozak Siromaha, IMY2, Ukraine Today, DW News, Vlad Vexler, Silicon Curtain, Riverboat Jack, Jabzy, HBomberGuy, Saga Lore AI, Zeteo, Declassified UK, kgb detected,
Dreamloop Cinema, Anark, Guardian News, Certifiably Ingame, Alt Shift X,
Friendly Atheist, Holy Koolaid, Inside Archaeology, ExtincTZoo, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Tachyon Pulse, Hawk's Podcasts, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Mia Mulder, DUST, I'm not a Robot -Short Film, Giant Freakin Robot, Outlaw Bookseller, SciFi Graveyard, Bradley Smith, Unlearning Economics, Hear Me Out On This, Raw News and Politics,
Professor Tim Wilson, Kaelyn Partlow, Elvira Bary, Mandy, Wednesday, Raw America, Planet D, Kelly-Ann Maddox, German Science Guy, Acollierastro, Emma Thorne, Vortex Mythology, Dr Myriam Francois, Secular Talk, Zhebrd, The Russian Dude, Astro Alexandra,Sarah C M Paine, Mythical wukong, The Resistance, Frankie Paz,
Fran Blanche, White Stork, Legendary Tactics,Zilla Blitz, Jean's Thoights, Boardgame Bollocks, NS Miniverse, The Dice Treasures, Deerstalker Pictures, Broken Peach, TableTop Minions, Student Commander, Warship Designs, It's Black Friday,
Nikki Osborne, Farm to Taber, Liz Webster, Charlie Angus, Guard the Leaf, Elisabeth Wheatley, Knitting Cult Lady, HIstory of Everything, Purple Sweater, Dropkick Murphys, Solo Second Half, Dust and Data, Stone and Bone, Omeleto,
I wish you a sunny morning, a breezy afternoon, a cosy evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.
Hope is not weakness but a great strength.
Meditations, Dark Sisters
This made possibly by YouTube - Doctor Who\Never Cruel or Cowardly, fig tree, National Centre for Military Intelligence, Miracle Aligner, Blooms and Greens by Chloe,
Welcome to Ukraine, Kaelyn Partlow, Kathy's Flog from France, Naughty Nana DUZ, WhiteNoiz CA, Postmodern Jukebox, No Justice, Russian Media Monitor, Mia Mulder,
I'm Autistic Now What, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Tanya Fiona, ATP Geopolitics, AllShorts, Ship Happens, Sailing Melody, Cruising Crafts, LetterKenny, ScaredKetchup, Clouding, StanziPotenza, Ms Modeller, Gamers Nexus, Table Top Times, Real Vintage Dolls House, Honest2Betsy, RevolutionarythOt, Modelling and Miniatures, FAFO,
House of El, Claus Kellerman POV, The Enemy from Within, Captured in Words, Leena Norms, Aid Thompsin, aidan knight, Lady of the Library, Emilie's Literary Corner, Anthony Gramuglia, HIstory with Kayleigh, Gutsick Gibbon, Riverboat Jack, Boardgame Sanctuary, Cosy Creative, Benn Jordan, Bands of HM Royal Marines, Dark Brandon,
Scotland History Tours, Very Casual Librarian, Lily Simpson, Council of Geeks, Roughest Drafts, Reads with Rachel, Luke Sherlock, Pinsent Tailoring, Shannon Makes, Break N Remake, Blooms and Greens by Chloe, Lynn Saga, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, LuckyBlackCat, Great War, Petticoats and Prose, Queen Penguin, Queen City Minis,
Ministry of Miniatures, Dungeons and Discourse, According to Alina, Jess Owens, Cindy's Villa, Valhalla Drums, Asturia Quartet, Wednesday, Kazachka, Cindy Pinchart, Reese Waters, Northern Narrowboaters, North of MAGA, Jen the Librarian, Some More News, Scallydandling About the Books, Ember Green, Harry Sahota, France 24.
I saw an idiot who in the midst of insulting an essayist whom I mention, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The behaviour of the Snowflake (arrogant, self-important., vicious US tittie-baby) no longer surprises. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include the miniatures wargamer, sewist, lesbian, Irish, boat restorer, architect, socialist, bi, writer, lumber yard worker, cosplayer, English language instructor, Indian, intersex, mechanic, married, miniatures painter, military historian, botanist, queer, anarchist, WOC, sociologist, painter, van life, cis, Danish, agricultural economist, autistic, tall, trans, mediaevalist, chemist, lawyer, engineer, asexual, theoretical physicist, redhaired, train historian, het, Norwegian, pensioner, witch, marine biologist, news presenter and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the poorly educated are the fashion historian, Finnish, other LGBTQIA, short, reenactor, archaeologist, tailor, bookseller, science educator, Ugandan, anthropologist, city planner, wood worker, game historian, horticulturalist, other BIPOC, language historian, Narrowboater, mathematician, other neurodivergent, paleontologist, military boardgamer, Canadian, zoologist, photographer and other creators known (outside the US) as Human Beings.
Should the voices persist, seek emergency therapy and\or develop a new skill, perhaps reading and\or seek the nearest Taoist monastery.
These revisions are more tedious than the originals. When I am discouraged, I remember that my feelings towards the Snowflake are similar to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island, when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their response was "Russian warship, go f@ck yourself". Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more. Unto the book, dear friends. I abandoned the story less than halfway in. It is a celebration of pretentiousness, class consciousness, sexual license (limited and determined by class), the trappings of new age spirituality and the terrible struggle of those who only have wealth to aid their search for ????
This is not a quirky Tom Robbins novel with big questions and a strange future. This is a sad class driven comedy romance with no value, no substance, no heart.
The characters are not just flat but are offensively separated by class stereotypes. These everyday people (those who own a hefty vineyard or two, have a few million to start a winery on a whim, build a cute country hotel, or whatever) all have European connections by marriage, etc., all of whom are incredibly accomplished. I am sure that there is at least one Contessa or Viscount tucked away in this charming circle.
The terrible, travelling aunt would be equally at home in a Wodehouse manor house at least four centuries old as on her multimillion dollar ranch.
She terrorizes and matchmakes wayward nephews who need the right kind of wife. Since she's American, she can't be "Lady" or "Dame" but one can wish. I suspect that the writer did not realize that Wodehouse was gently mocking the inter war class of useless entitled gentlemen.
This book has an interesting view of sexual relationships. This is the only book which I ever read that portrayed high school teachers "dating" students in secret, as sweetly romantic. Eww! The winery manager is unsure of his worthiness to date the employer's nanny. That feels so very Upstairs/Downstairs without the social criticism.
The writer did capture the tragedy of the rich and useless. I for one never realized that the rich sometimes experience the sadness and must drown their cares in fine food, wine and sex, plenty of sex. It was gut wrenching to read that horror.
With new age trappings to achieve a semblance of spirituality, if not personality I am certain that they will overcome the ennui which darkens their horizons. They were a brave lot and I almost connected with one character (a jest, even were I not a communist, I despise useless people who whine).
These are a wine aficionado's dream characters. They are sanitized by references to accomplished European spouses, relatives and whatnot. I doubt that I will bother to read this writer again.
Because of books like this, I stopped using Amazon for book recommendations. The streaming services do this type of story better and are far more entertaining.
I stumbled onto the BookTube 😍 after my introduction to literary criticism through the wonderful Lindsay Ellis. 😍 These channels host communities of curious, polite, thoughtful readers, who are enamoured of all things bookish. Quite the opposite to the Goodreads environment.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote my last original review something like three years ago now. It was my opinion of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran.
Originally blurbed as akin to a Heinlein classic, it was instead a poorly executed rehashing of "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon. The story is that of the heroic effort of a rich twat enlisting the military in overthrow of a US government in order that he not pay taxes.
This and similar themes are heavily represented in the Unlimited library. I found them to be unhealthy, dangerous and now prophetic.
Travis self-described as Libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), employee of an unnamed US agency,
advocate for the return of chattel slavery (Popular US stance, with new forced labour prisons being built for the unhoused including poor auto, van residents and their families. As their status is now criminalised, there seems no pathway to release. Given US history with its continued justification of 250 years of slavery followed by a further 150 years of denial of civil rights, access to federal or state supports, publicly acknowledged and normalised persecution through a special application of police and legal apparatus towards Black citizens, a lack of outrage from either Party, the media or citizenry in general, it would seem generational enslavement must be in the cards. I
The strange line item in all these constructions is inclusion of large furnaces for disposal of biologicals. With the agencies involved having had and continuing to enjoy no accountability for detainees and thousands missing from children to adults, Nazi population reduction processes are a strong possibility.),
US veteran, admirer of Putin's Russia (popular US position with a leader compromised by two foreign governments at least, publicly practising corruption in the billions after the Moscow fashion, Intelligence Head a Russian asset, pretence of equal application of law and court authority dropped and replication of Russian levels of poverty exciting no concern in the citizenry).
Travis and six fellow patriots were outraged by my seeming defence of their democratic system. They expressed their displeasure over a year of constant comments. No mention was made of the book, though I was gifted with opinions of my intelligence, narcissism evidenced by my lack of response, World history, Western philosophy, women readers of science fiction and more.
While the hoped for discussions of the intersection of quantum physics, evolutionary biology, synthetic biology and Roger Penrose were not forthcoming, I was left the comfort of layers of irony.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. After referencing the contents of my last message exchange with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They and allies had launched a year-long tsunami of vile sexist, racist, anti-LGBTQIA and similar comments against apparently every channel I listed. It continues still.
The early teen boater and her mother, astrophysicist, primatologist, anthropologist and other female creators were unmoved by this US charm offensive.
Despite that failure, They certainly increased the global overabundance of unpleasantness and delivered a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (poorly socialised, barely literate, womanphobic US baby-man) to a multinational audience.
On balance, quite a Victory. Should the above cause the least discomfort, there are BookTubers to direct you to saner, safer, true reader forums.
A stepaway earned. This last made possible by YouTube - Doctor Who\Without Reward,
Novara Media, Munecat, The Narrowboat Pirate, Boat Time, Matriarchetype, Fun Size Reader, Sabine Hossenfelder, Sarah Z, Tulia, Austin McConnell, Prime of Midlife, Second Thought, 2 Cellos, Camper Vibe, Dr Becky, Katie Colson, Katie Halper, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Gingers are Black,
Lilly's life, Zoe Baker, World War Two, The Great War, Joe Scott, Filaxim Historia, Northern Narrowboaters, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Chloe Stafler, Karolina Zebrowska, Jill Bearup, Lindsey Stirling, Rowan J Coleman, Engineering with Rosie, Red Viburnam Song, Between the Lines, Katy Montgomerie, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Sally's Economics, JimmyTheGiant, The Kavernacle, No Justice,
Thirdworld Booknerd, Hello Future Me, Philosophy Tube, Swell Entertainment, Invicta, Avalishvili, Olly Richards, The Jacobin Show, Amie's Literary Empire, What Vivi did next, The Juice Media, Luciana Zogbi, Serena Skybourne, Jessica Gagnon, World of Antiquity, Tom Nicholas, SciFi Odyssey, A Cup of Nicole, Violet Orlandi, Owen Jones, KernowDamo, It ain't half hot mum, Smack the Pony,
Double Down News, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Kings and Generals, The Budget Museum, Dakota Warren, With Olivia, We're in Hell, Patrick is a Navajo, Three Arrows, Pentatonix, Travelling K, Spacedock, Half as Interesting, Dan Davis History, Casual Navigation, Factnomenal, Institute of Art and Ideas, Fundie Fridays, Marsh Family, Amanda and Shaye, Electro Swing, Algal the Bard, Hildegard von Blingin,
Chris Animations, Lee Francis, Natasha's Adventures, J Draper, The Cold War, Military History Visualized, Perun, Tank Museum, Leah Passaniti, Autumn's Boutique, A Life of Lit, FunkyFrogBait, Steve Shives, Happy Pancake, V Birchwood, Bernadette Banner, Jessie Gender, Honest Government Ads, Brittany the Bibliophile.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gang described is not the first which I encountered and they are active in the romance \romantasy spaces also. Their activities extend to the stalking, doxxing, hacking, threats and beyond.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline deranged members, punish writers who encourage them, nor dismiss employees who enable both.
My limited message history was given over to these thugs, allowing a request through Pine Gap Centre that Australian Security services interrogate the one Goodreads whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my history failed.
Amazon only demonstrated concern when we shared our experience widely. No apology. My page format and options were returned to normal, Lurker whom I'd not been Allowed to remove were disappeared, periodic bricking of my Kindle ended, comments masked and the rest.
A BookTuber had a review deleted as "Hate Speech" because she addressed problematic elements of book. She after received her first Goodreads comment suggesting she "should die".
Another BookTuber had cloud library and Kindle internet access blocked when she reported an obvious Amazon double billing.
A seventh ex-employee of EBay, who had been the Chief of Global Security or something like was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce site had been deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions.
With the increased protections afforded US data firms, I expect more and more serious abuses will occur.
I suggest precautions. Remove all personal information from profile. Remove all lurkers, those who never post. They are likely monitors for gangs or employee dummies. For Goodreads, these should suffice.
Kindle are the more serious. Do Not Use Kindle E-mail, Contacts, Calendar or Files. Amazon's Sign Into Customer Emails without notice or permission. Make of that what you will.
Do Not purchase Amazon ebooks. You own only your device and if Kindle, even that is conditional. If purchased download al titles immediately. There are BookTubers to guide a reader to other ebook and tablet vendors or alternatives to ebooks altogether.
Silk searches should be innocuous and non-critical.
You may never be targeted but any temporary immunity rests on the whims of Amazon madlads. might be prudent to always be aware that these Snowflakes,, member and employee alike are devoid of recognisable morality but are US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy good reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
Roisin's Reading, Subha Reads, Read with Cindy, Barry's Economics, Stephanie's Story, Verilybitchie, NerdForge, Lena Down Under, Reedsy, Willow Talks Books, Library Ladder, Science Insanity, Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Feral Historian, Danish News English, Cambrian Chronicles, Kate Horlor, Lady Izdihar, Tale Foundry,
American Museum of Natural History, Dwarkesh Patel, Heather Cox Richardson, Lauren the Mortician, Clouds and Sky, Megalithhunter, Megaprojects, Brandon Fisichella, Viva La Dirt League, Squire, Leeja Miller, Miranda Mills, The Vintage Vault, Lives and Histories, Erika Jordan, Audaciously AuDHD, Autism from the Inside,
Veritas et Caritas, Chloe Daniels, Autistic Jenny, Caelan Conrad, Lore Reloaded, Jay Exci, Kozak Siromaha, IMY2, Ukraine Today, DW News, Vlad Vexler, Silicon Curtain, Riverboat Jack, Jabzy, HBomberGuy, Saga Lore AI, Zeteo, Declassified UK, kgb detected,
Dreamloop Cinema, Anark, Guardian News, Certifiably Ingame, Alt Shift X,
Friendly Atheist, Holy Koolaid, Inside Archaeology, ExtincTZoo, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Tachyon Pulse, Hawk's Podcasts, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Mia Mulder, DUST, I'm not a Robot -Short Film, Giant Freakin Robot, Outlaw Bookseller, SciFi Graveyard, Bradley Smith, Unlearning Economics, Hear Me Out On This, Raw News and Politics,
Professor Tim Wilson, Kaelyn Partlow, Elvira Bary, Mandy, Wednesday, Raw America, Planet D, Kelly-Ann Maddox, German Science Guy, Acollierastro, Emma Thorne, Vortex Mythology, Dr Myriam Francois, Secular Talk, Zhebrd, The Russian Dude, Astro Alexandra,Sarah C M Paine, Mythical wukong, The Resistance, Frankie Paz,
Fran Blanche, White Stork, Legendary Tactics,Zilla Blitz, Jean's Thoights, Boardgame Bollocks, NS Miniverse, The Dice Treasures, Deerstalker Pictures, Broken Peach, TableTop Minions, Student Commander, Warship Designs, It's Black Friday,
Nikki Osborne, Farm to Taber, Liz Webster, Charlie Angus, Guard the Leaf, Elisabeth Wheatley, Knitting Cult Lady, HIstory of Everything, Purple Sweater, Dropkick Murphys, Solo Second Half, Dust and Data, Stone and Bone, Omeleto,
I wish you a sunny morning, a breezy afternoon, a cosy evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.
Hope is not weakness but a great strength.
Meditations, Dark Sisters
November 5, 2016
Best book I've read in over 50 years....
I just finished reading your book, Red Mountain. This is one that will stay with me for a long time......I loved every word. Please say there will be a sequel to this story. Every single glue character is so real to me. I am 65 years old and have been reading books my whole life but I can 't think of another book that grabbed me this much except " A Tree Grows In Brooklyn". That was more than 50 years ago.
I truly hope you are considering it.
Thank you for this gift of a truly great story.
Wishing you all the best.
A Connecticut fan
I just finished reading your book, Red Mountain. This is one that will stay with me for a long time......I loved every word. Please say there will be a sequel to this story. Every single glue character is so real to me. I am 65 years old and have been reading books my whole life but I can 't think of another book that grabbed me this much except " A Tree Grows In Brooklyn". That was more than 50 years ago.
I truly hope you are considering it.
Thank you for this gift of a truly great story.
Wishing you all the best.
A Connecticut fan
July 23, 2020
There is a place called Red Mountain where the women are beautiful and wise (or working on it) and the men are manly. A utopia. These folks who have settled in this picturesque wine producing area are successful, some even famous. Of course, a few are unhappy or face challenges. But wait. There is an angel, a wise woman named Joan, who can guide them to happiness with deep breathing, yoga, and healthy food. And these people have saved the beautiful Mountain from its original residents, poor, hard drinking (Budweiser. Yuk.) dog abusing, truck driving troglodytes. All represented by the evil man who lives next door to one of our heroes, winery owner Otis. These people wouldn’t know a fine vintage if it bit them.
Mr. Bo Walker has given these wine making, fancy inn owners, rock musicians, and supermodels a voice in florid prose. Some favorite passages:
“. . .her wet-sand eyes tore into him.” Sounds painful.
“She looked at her hand, the one he’d touched, and she licked it, tasting the salty ruggedness.”
Mr. Walker has written an ode to the successful, the wealthy, the elite. Never mind the idiots they are buying out.
Mr. Bo Walker has given these wine making, fancy inn owners, rock musicians, and supermodels a voice in florid prose. Some favorite passages:
“. . .her wet-sand eyes tore into him.” Sounds painful.
“She looked at her hand, the one he’d touched, and she licked it, tasting the salty ruggedness.”
Mr. Walker has written an ode to the successful, the wealthy, the elite. Never mind the idiots they are buying out.
April 4, 2019
Do not read
This book is filthy and trash. I kept reading for a few chapters too long. The setting is in a wine growing area in Pacific Northwest. The character s are all boozing wine growers whose kinky sex lives are described in too much detail and their d words and sexual innuendo grow more plentiful as the story progresses. I will not finish the story which could have been interesting but I don't want to read trash. I will not read any other books by this author.
This book is filthy and trash. I kept reading for a few chapters too long. The setting is in a wine growing area in Pacific Northwest. The character s are all boozing wine growers whose kinky sex lives are described in too much detail and their d words and sexual innuendo grow more plentiful as the story progresses. I will not finish the story which could have been interesting but I don't want to read trash. I will not read any other books by this author.
January 31, 2026
I’ve read and enjoyed several of this author's books. The last one was Before We Say Good-bye. It was a prequel to this book. Since I enjoyed it so much, I moved on to this one,which is part one of a trilogy.
The book is set in a community situated on Red Mountain, Washington. The community is in a wine growing region. The people making up the community are diverse and interesting in personalities and backgrounds.
There is a lot of drama in the story. At times, it becomes soap opera-ish. But, not in a bad way. I couldn’t wait to see what happens next. There is always a lot going on. There is not really a main character, the plot revolves around several sets of people, all of them interacting.
The ending left me wanting more…..everything did not wrap up in a tidy way. On to book #2 of the trilogy.
The book is set in a community situated on Red Mountain, Washington. The community is in a wine growing region. The people making up the community are diverse and interesting in personalities and backgrounds.
There is a lot of drama in the story. At times, it becomes soap opera-ish. But, not in a bad way. I couldn’t wait to see what happens next. There is always a lot going on. There is not really a main character, the plot revolves around several sets of people, all of them interacting.
The ending left me wanting more…..everything did not wrap up in a tidy way. On to book #2 of the trilogy.
January 20, 2018
I was excited about reading this book. It sounded so good. I enjoyed it until about 1/3 of the way through. After that, it appears the author couldn’t figure out what do with the characters and how to ‘end’ the book. He didn’t - left you with a cliffhanger so he could write a sequel. The children characters in the book were not believable and the adults had absolutely zero morals. I managed to finish it but came away feeling cheated because it could have been a great book.
July 4, 2022
Awful. Worst book I've read in ages. Sexist, classist, puerile.
Jasper, on Emilia: she was great enough to be married to the President? why not she was great enough to be" President?
The tampon story? Jesus, can this guy not figure out that a recently removed used tampon will not roll on the floor? What an idiot.
The author seems to hold Emilia responsible for her teacher's pedophilia. Emilia "realizes how wrong she had been to let the teacher touch her". WTF.
Joan, mythical perfect Joan, who teaches how to cure your aneurysm with the power of positive thinking?
This book is garbage times ten.
Jasper, on Emilia: she was great enough to be married to the President? why not she was great enough to be" President?
The tampon story? Jesus, can this guy not figure out that a recently removed used tampon will not roll on the floor? What an idiot.
The author seems to hold Emilia responsible for her teacher's pedophilia. Emilia "realizes how wrong she had been to let the teacher touch her". WTF.
Joan, mythical perfect Joan, who teaches how to cure your aneurysm with the power of positive thinking?
This book is garbage times ten.
May 30, 2024
A deep dive even amongst fluffiness
I just had to 5 star it!
Was it cheesy, yes! Was it drama filled, yes and these are books I don't usually enjoy or would DNF however ...
I was so emotionally invested by the end and really cared about Red Mountain. The story was real, raw and dealt with some deep subjects such as child grooming, death, grief, love, loss, cheating and trauma. It was drama filled, but it was a small community. It also highlighted the importance of family, following your dreams, second chances, and forgiveness. It started off all a little bit fluffy until it absolutely wasn't anymore. The switch up was done really well, and I was crying by the end. That ending though , broke me! I need to read book 2 to find out what happens!
Fave quote : Jasper
This one’s for the girl whose light blinds all my darkness. And she doesn’t even know it.”
I just had to 5 star it!
Was it cheesy, yes! Was it drama filled, yes and these are books I don't usually enjoy or would DNF however ...
I was so emotionally invested by the end and really cared about Red Mountain. The story was real, raw and dealt with some deep subjects such as child grooming, death, grief, love, loss, cheating and trauma. It was drama filled, but it was a small community. It also highlighted the importance of family, following your dreams, second chances, and forgiveness. It started off all a little bit fluffy until it absolutely wasn't anymore. The switch up was done really well, and I was crying by the end. That ending though , broke me! I need to read book 2 to find out what happens!
Fave quote : Jasper
This one’s for the girl whose light blinds all my darkness. And she doesn’t even know it.”
December 5, 2017
Sorry I did not like it. Will try not to spoil it. Idea was great but with everyone doing something that was so wrong, it was like a soap opera. Too many characters with too many problems. Overall idea of forgiveness sounds good, but to what extent? Gay/lesbian/bi characters were thrown for good measure. Just came across to me as phony. Yes, many romantic fictions are just as phony, but I look for books with a bit more of substance.
January 26, 2019
Don't waste your time.
I live a few miles from the setting of this book and hoped it would be good. Thankfully this book was free. I found it sexist and the characters were trite. The author seemed to project his fantasies into the story and the pedophile high school teacher was not portrayed as a villain. I could only read about 30 pages before giving it up as mind numbing. If anyone wants to read a good local author from the Tri Cities Wa area I recommend Patricia Briggs.
I live a few miles from the setting of this book and hoped it would be good. Thankfully this book was free. I found it sexist and the characters were trite. The author seemed to project his fantasies into the story and the pedophile high school teacher was not portrayed as a villain. I could only read about 30 pages before giving it up as mind numbing. If anyone wants to read a good local author from the Tri Cities Wa area I recommend Patricia Briggs.
July 27, 2020
To many characters, to the point that I didn't feel any real connection to any of them. I skimmed pages and still didn't feel like I lost any major information. And don't mess with dogs, not cool dude!
July 19, 2018
A first with this author. There is a long introduction to the characters. Almost too long. I was going to close the book, unfinished, but this did start to pick up. I simply had to remember that it's not an action or horror book where things are going on left and right from the very beginning, but a study of the human condition on Red Mountain. The story gets a wee bit hokey, but one expects that from the original description. Having said all that, you may be surprised by my review, I just don't know.
This book was well planned, organized, written and (yes!) even edited. There are several protagonist, I think. I never had the idea that one character stood out more than the other...maybe Otis, the older gentlemen, but not sure. Maybe that will develop more in the the promised sequel. I think there is only one antagonistic and in my opinion he was a stereotype and maybe that stereotype was not well deserved. I think I would have been happier with the author is this antagonistic would have just been a crazy, alcoholic, drug addicted crazy man. I felt there were other stereotypes in this book, but some I won't discuss because they would be spoilers and I want you to enjoy the book and not have first hand knowledge of what happens, specifically.
I have to say, I liked all the protagonist. Even thought I thought they were each stereotypes in their own way. The community has a well formed social interaction with each other. Love is a word used often. I like that. I know that Christianity gets a bad rap these days, but this community reminded me of an honest to God Christian community. One of love, forgiveness and fortitude. I don't know our author's faith and it's none of my business, but if he had chosen to make this community a Christian community, I think his book would have failed miserable. Our society as a whole, does not seem to want to accept that the most important "thing" (can't think of the word and my walking Thesaurus just walked upstairs) for a Christian is Love...of course the way some Christians act and respond to given events one would think they don't even know that themselves. So having another faith and way of life became Okay with me, I suppose. That part was a bit, I know I already used this word, hokey, but then again when an author is writing, I suppose, from the heart about believes, whether his believes or not, the language can be a bit hokey. But he gave the main character in this part of the story such a pleasing personality, gently spirit, spiritual leadership qualities and a girl who just wants to have fun! One let the "hokey" stuff just blend in.
All-in-all, I greatly enjoyed this book and I can honestly say I have never read one like it. I gave it 4 stars, because I liked it, but didn't exactly love it...I'm not sure we can love a book...but maybe we fall in love with the characters. Yes, I did fall in love with the characters and all they stood for.
Where is the second book?? Wasn't this one released in 2016? Come on, Mr. Walker...surely you had the second book outlined and partially written before the first's release. I know you want this second one to be as good as the first, but don't keep you fans waiting needlessly.
This book was well planned, organized, written and (yes!) even edited. There are several protagonist, I think. I never had the idea that one character stood out more than the other...maybe Otis, the older gentlemen, but not sure. Maybe that will develop more in the the promised sequel. I think there is only one antagonistic and in my opinion he was a stereotype and maybe that stereotype was not well deserved. I think I would have been happier with the author is this antagonistic would have just been a crazy, alcoholic, drug addicted crazy man. I felt there were other stereotypes in this book, but some I won't discuss because they would be spoilers and I want you to enjoy the book and not have first hand knowledge of what happens, specifically.
I have to say, I liked all the protagonist. Even thought I thought they were each stereotypes in their own way. The community has a well formed social interaction with each other. Love is a word used often. I like that. I know that Christianity gets a bad rap these days, but this community reminded me of an honest to God Christian community. One of love, forgiveness and fortitude. I don't know our author's faith and it's none of my business, but if he had chosen to make this community a Christian community, I think his book would have failed miserable. Our society as a whole, does not seem to want to accept that the most important "thing" (can't think of the word and my walking Thesaurus just walked upstairs) for a Christian is Love...of course the way some Christians act and respond to given events one would think they don't even know that themselves. So having another faith and way of life became Okay with me, I suppose. That part was a bit, I know I already used this word, hokey, but then again when an author is writing, I suppose, from the heart about believes, whether his believes or not, the language can be a bit hokey. But he gave the main character in this part of the story such a pleasing personality, gently spirit, spiritual leadership qualities and a girl who just wants to have fun! One let the "hokey" stuff just blend in.
All-in-all, I greatly enjoyed this book and I can honestly say I have never read one like it. I gave it 4 stars, because I liked it, but didn't exactly love it...I'm not sure we can love a book...but maybe we fall in love with the characters. Yes, I did fall in love with the characters and all they stood for.
Where is the second book?? Wasn't this one released in 2016? Come on, Mr. Walker...surely you had the second book outlined and partially written before the first's release. I know you want this second one to be as good as the first, but don't keep you fans waiting needlessly.
February 10, 2017
My fave of the year so far!! Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Check out the full review at https://spinesinaline.wordpress.com!
I'm somewhat new to the literary fiction genre but this is definitely where to turn if you want a great group of complex and developed characters. The unique part about this book was that the setting becomes as much a character in the story as any of the people are! I can definitely feel the author’s passion for Red Mountain as it comes through strongly in his writing. I’m sure you’ll all feel drawn to this magical place just as I feel now! It really does sound like a wonderful place to live!
The characters themselves, though, are given equal opportunity to grow and develop in this space. The story is told from four different perspectives so we can really come to understand and empathize them as they’re faced with difficult decisions in their lives. I’m still just struck at how good the writing is in this, that I don’t think there was one character that I didn’t like because of how well they were developed. This was maybe the most enjoyment I’ve ever gotten out of reading a book. It hit deep, guys.
That’s not to say this is a feel-good book. Yes, there are a lot of warm moments, of family and friends and just a general love of life, but it is a story of life so of course that comes with hardships. And it’s going to hurt. But I loved it!
The one thing that I’d normally find annoying in books or movies was the use of cliches, like falling in love immediately and friends turned lovers, but I think because of how complex the characters were, and how these cliches were tweaked, that it actually worked well into this story. The more iffy aspects were in regards to the portrayal of some of the female characters. One character in particular was referred to as sexual but in some contexts I felt like this was confused with sexuality. There were also some instances that felt like women were being compared to each other, where the one who used less make-up and was more modest about her appearance was ranked higher than the other. In good news, the stories of two other women focused on their attempts to improve their self-confidence and I felt much better about how this was handled.
Though the story felt contained in this book, I'm very excited for the sequel, if only to get to meet this cast of characters again! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a really enjoyable read!
I'm somewhat new to the literary fiction genre but this is definitely where to turn if you want a great group of complex and developed characters. The unique part about this book was that the setting becomes as much a character in the story as any of the people are! I can definitely feel the author’s passion for Red Mountain as it comes through strongly in his writing. I’m sure you’ll all feel drawn to this magical place just as I feel now! It really does sound like a wonderful place to live!
The characters themselves, though, are given equal opportunity to grow and develop in this space. The story is told from four different perspectives so we can really come to understand and empathize them as they’re faced with difficult decisions in their lives. I’m still just struck at how good the writing is in this, that I don’t think there was one character that I didn’t like because of how well they were developed. This was maybe the most enjoyment I’ve ever gotten out of reading a book. It hit deep, guys.
That’s not to say this is a feel-good book. Yes, there are a lot of warm moments, of family and friends and just a general love of life, but it is a story of life so of course that comes with hardships. And it’s going to hurt. But I loved it!
The one thing that I’d normally find annoying in books or movies was the use of cliches, like falling in love immediately and friends turned lovers, but I think because of how complex the characters were, and how these cliches were tweaked, that it actually worked well into this story. The more iffy aspects were in regards to the portrayal of some of the female characters. One character in particular was referred to as sexual but in some contexts I felt like this was confused with sexuality. There were also some instances that felt like women were being compared to each other, where the one who used less make-up and was more modest about her appearance was ranked higher than the other. In good news, the stories of two other women focused on their attempts to improve their self-confidence and I felt much better about how this was handled.
Though the story felt contained in this book, I'm very excited for the sequel, if only to get to meet this cast of characters again! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a really enjoyable read!
May 2, 2019
Warning - drop this book right now.
It is the worst kind of soap opera publication. I enjoyed it up until the last page. The ending did not disappointment me, but the fact that the author lacks either the integrity or the self-confidence to actually finish the story did. I was on my way to a three- or four-star rating when the author ended the book purposely on the worst sort of cliff-hanger. In a story that read like a Nora Roberts trilogy, he would have had no problem continuing the series, but in the most deceitful manner, he decides he's had enough and drops you in what should have been the middle of the second-to-last chapter. If you want to know what happens....you have to buy the next book.
To me, that is dishonest and proves that the author has no respect for his audience. I will never pick up anything by Boo Walker again.
It is the worst kind of soap opera publication. I enjoyed it up until the last page. The ending did not disappointment me, but the fact that the author lacks either the integrity or the self-confidence to actually finish the story did. I was on my way to a three- or four-star rating when the author ended the book purposely on the worst sort of cliff-hanger. In a story that read like a Nora Roberts trilogy, he would have had no problem continuing the series, but in the most deceitful manner, he decides he's had enough and drops you in what should have been the middle of the second-to-last chapter. If you want to know what happens....you have to buy the next book.
To me, that is dishonest and proves that the author has no respect for his audience. I will never pick up anything by Boo Walker again.
May 18, 2022
What an exciting book that ends in a place of unknowns. I will definitely be reading the next in series. This book covers love, hate, poor childhoods, rich childhoods, secrets, betrayals. Just a wide variety of characters who all have a part and present. No one knows what each of us goes through or where or paths have led us to this place we are in life. It takes place in the wineries of Red Mountain.
Page Turner- going thru daily lives of many but due to the small town like feel they each know, love and support each other through the good and difficult.
I love this book! Excellent author, this is my serving book by BOO. Both 5 stars!
Page Turner- going thru daily lives of many but due to the small town like feel they each know, love and support each other through the good and difficult.
I love this book! Excellent author, this is my serving book by BOO. Both 5 stars!
November 7, 2020
Could only give the a 2. . About 2/3 of the way through the overwhelming number of horrible things the characters did to each other that were quickly resolved or downplayed in the name of forgiveness was ridiculous. I felt like the author had so much going on at that point it was the only way out of most of the storylines until the almost death of a character that, of course, is the storyline of the next book. The characters were not engaging enough for me to read the next book. If I want a small community soap opera, I’ll watch daytime tv.
October 13, 2021
What can one say about this book? To me it was like reading a Barbara Bradford novel; sickly sweet, unbelievable, childish. I really can’t understand how the ratings stand at their present point. There is nothing to this story that remotely fits as literature…unless you compare it to a child’s book. Sorry, but if you are looking for a story that leaves you with any feelings other than wanting to toss it, then move on.
June 20, 2018
I did not finish and I had been so excited about this one, too! It is hard for me to believe this saccharine infused “novel” received such great reviews. First of all, the characters were one dimensional
and B O R I N G and second, the plot was predictable, predictable and predictable. I skimmed to the ending and it was just as awful as I had expected. Don’t waste your time.
and B O R I N G and second, the plot was predictable, predictable and predictable. I skimmed to the ending and it was just as awful as I had expected. Don’t waste your time.
October 22, 2018
This was a soap opera! Really! It had the cliff hanger at the end just like every Friday on the tv serials. This novel was character driven, and if this had been the first character driven novel I had read, I wouldn’t read another. So, if you like a soap opera, this book is for you! But, I would suggest you read Wendell Berry or Maeve Binchy for a well written, character driven novel.
July 1, 2022
This book would be nice if you're in the mood to watch a Lifetime or Hallmark movie in book form (no judgment if you are). I couldn't disagree more with the reviews praising the author's development of the characters. I found the characters to be underdeveloped. The women, especially, with the slight exception of Margot, are such terrible cliches.
November 23, 2016
A truly inspired and obviously heartfelt book--a nice drama with lots of (too much?) information on growing wines in eastern Washington state, where the book's set. One star off for a bit too much telling over showing, but all in all, a good read.
February 17, 2018
Pathetic
What a waste of time reading this tale of sad, broken individuals. The strong thread of infidelity and abandonment does nothing to improve this microcosm of humanity. But a free read get what you pay for.
What a waste of time reading this tale of sad, broken individuals. The strong thread of infidelity and abandonment does nothing to improve this microcosm of humanity. But a free read get what you pay for.
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