Helping Helper

by Tara C. Allred

"He's not a friend, he's my husband. And he's gone."
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En route to Salt Lake City, intending to start over, their car breaks down near the struggling mining town of Helper, Utah—and then Tony leaves Kora behind.
​
Alone, broken and angry, especially that her family was right in their judgment against Tony, Kora decides to stay in Helper and aid in it’s art-centered transformation.
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But in working to save her new home, Kora learns first love only happens once.

For a second chance at love, a much greater risk is required.

"...a good solid story. I was fooled a couple of times with the plot twists!" —E. Campbell

"...a beautiful piece of artwork. This novel is going to stick with me." —B. Boman

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

318 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2017

About the author

TARA C. ALLRED is an award-winning author, instructional designer, and educator. She has been recognized as a California Scholar of the Arts for Creative Writing and is a recipient of the Howey Awards for Best Adult Book and Best Adult Author. She lives in Utah with her husband.

Her published works include REMEMBER (The Existence Series), SANDERS' STARFISH and UNAUTHORED LETTERS (John Sanders Series), HELPING HELPER and THE OTHER SIDE OF QUIET, a 2015 Kindle Book Award Finalist and Whitney Award Winner.

To learn more about the author, visit www.taracallred.net.

Reviews

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Helping Helper
By: Tara C Allred
Publisher: Patella Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Helping Helper" by Tara C. Allred

My Thoughts....

What a story that showed when you turn it all loose and truly forgive you will be able to take hold of your life as it was for Kora who seemed to have a hard time with all she went through to get to the right part of her life s she learns to trust the right person.....herself! What had happened when Kora's then husband Tony was simply horrible at what he had done leaving her in Helper. However, was this a good thing due to the fact that in Helper it seemed like maybe Kora life was changing for the good in so many ways. Will Kora even find a love there in Helper after she divorces Tony? Working in the restaurant and becoming involved with the community activity working on the Plein air which was about "painting in natural light instead of a studio" and it seemed like all was going well for Kora but you guessed it...things don't always go the way they should. With Kora meeting a lots of wonderful people there in Helper as she really is starting to have a different view of her life after all that she had gone on with her ex husband but what will happen when her sister Tess tell Kora really what had gone on in her on personal life with her husband Tony? How will this make Kora feel toward her sister who she had always thought of her as being miss prefect. Will Kora and Tess be able to "make the right choices to find happiness?" And now Tony comes back in the picture and will this present a problems for Kora? Is Kora still wishing and hoping for a wonderful life she had written and read in her journal about this guy, Tony? Now, I will say that Kora worked my last nerve at times as she seemed to drift back and forth but with a few interesting characters [from Tony, Martha, Tess, Luke, Colton, Greg] to name a few that will be in the story as some of them will hopefully keep her on the right path. I enjoyed how this author was able to bring out all out of what had happened previously between Kora and her parents. The author gives the reader a little suspense toward the end that had me holding my breathe. The story "Helping Helper" will definitely keep you turning the pages as this author will take the reader through a lots of it all from the 'wishy-washiness ' of the main character as [Kora] makes up up mind what is best for her and in the end I thought she was quite surprised at how things ended for her. At lease I was! To find out how Kora life will come out from this story you will have to pick up the good read to see how well the author presents "Helping Helper" it to the reader.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, clean
This was an interesting read. Kara, Tony, Colton, Greg, and all the side characters in Helper, was a town I loved visiting. Kara's choices, her dilemma after figuring out her life when abandoned, figuring out what love is, what it meant for her, and how to come to terms with her life, her past, her family, and the other love interests, how to figure out their place in her life, and for some of them their life direction, was an interesting and worthwhile read. The author goes on a little book blurb about love types, and other things twice in the book, and while a bit lecturish, it was ok to help Kara figure out what she needed to do with her life. I would have loved more of Kara's final choice in the book as a more developed character. He felt a bit flat for me as a reader. I wanted her heart to really fully be in that relationship, other than kind of a fail safe, fall into place after all the other choices were presented. That being said, it was still a fun read, Kara was real, honest, hurting, the other side characters were interesting and fun. More of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but I rounded up just because I enjoyed the story so well.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair review from a reading group. Opinions are my own.

[Brittanymariko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping Me!

I truly enjoyed this novel. I am a big Tara C Allred fan and have read all books she has written available on Amazon. I love Allred's writing style. She has a way with words, that is so descriptive. She is able to explain her character's feelings without saying how they're feeling, but showing and revealing their words through their actions and words.

I was unable to put this book down from the moment I began reading this story. The book is about a woman who has been dealt a very difficult hand in life. Though she feels like giving up, you see how Kora, the main character, actually copes.

I don't want to give too much away because the book is worth reading. I recommend this book because it is extremely well written with plot twists, character development and growth, and overall just a joy to read. It was a very quick read for me and I recommend this to anyone looking for a few moments away from their life.

I loved that this book wasn't explicit in anyway.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping Helper by Tara C. Allred was better than I thought it would be. The story felt real and that it could happen to anyone. Tony and Kora leave Colorado for a better chance of life. They have been married for 6 years and Tony doesn’t have it together at all. Kora is hoping this new job in Utah will help them start fresh. Then their car breaks down about 5 miles from Helper. They walk to get help and the first place they find is a fast food place, Tony leaves Kora there and says he is going to see about getting help. He did come back and left her with $45. That was the last time she saw him. So, she is stuck in a small town, no money and no clue what to do.
I found this story very refreshing to read. I loved that the people felt real and cared about each other. I felt the author did a great job with the characters and seemed to pack so much into the story that made it awesome. The description, the history and the people make this story so wonderful. I also thought the issues with Tony were spot on and I felt exploring Kora’s feelings was another plus. There is a lot in this story and it worked. I hope there is a 2nd book.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you are with someone for 6 years a man who promises the world with all the stars you can see leaves with no goodbye in a town you know nothing about? You decide the heck with it as your world comes apart and your heart is being torn apart. For one woman she decides to stay where she is and starts all over pulling her pain inside herself. She finally gets a divorce and just may have a start of a new relationship when he comes back. What do you do stay with your new life or go back to your old one? For some this might be an easy choice for others not so easy. Come take the journey with Kora and learn her story of pain and heartbreak. You might find new insight for your own pain and find forgiveness for those that have done you wrong.

This is a very touching story about life, forgiveness, reality, hurt, loss and the cruel world. This is a roller coaster ride that changes right before your eyes. The characters are good the plot is good, it really shows the fear and helpless of Kora it is easy to relate to her and her pain, hate and anger. Like with all of us there are many sides to us with Kora she does have a kinder side that the author pulls out with some wonderful scenes. It really is a very emotional story that pulls you in from the first page.
******************

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was just so emotional and intense and heartwarming and heartbreaking. I think I felt the gamut of all the emotions while reading this book. I appreciate an author's writing that can do that. The story is captivating from the first moment when Kora and her husband Tony are traveling to a new life in Utah. It becomes a jolt of horror when Tony leaves her stranded in the town of Helper when their car breaks down. He just leaves. Kora has to figure out how to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and survive. It's suspenseful, and also heartwarming as the people of Helper one by one gather around her, creating a safety net that she can heal in. I believe this story is a beautiful one of forgiveness and love. It has a lot of wisdom about life and marriage and finding true happiness. There are plenty of great new friends in the story, and it's inspiring how Kora builds a new life. I like the way the story of Kora shows someone mending mistakes of the past and bringing closure and a new path to the future. I highly recommend this book. It's a story you won't forget.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well written and have depth and nuances that blend well with both the character and the story. There are actually four stories being told: Kora, Tony and Greg, Greg, Colton, and Martha. Each has personal obstacles to overcome in order to truly move forward in life. For Kora, it is having closure with her ex-husband Tony, coming to terms with a possible relationship with Greg, and finding herself and who she really is. For Greg it is being able to move forward from the death of his wife three years prior and trusting enough to love and not be hurt. For Martha, it is finding a way to have lived out a promise and see what tomorrow can bring.
I was touched by all of the stories and the ways in which resolutions were found for each.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping Helper by Tara C. Allred is another must read. This book will grab you from page one. It will hold you down and then you'll just watch those pages turning and turning and turn some more. When you get to the last page you'll say, "WOW!". Tony and Kora are on their way to Utah to begin a new life. Their car breaks down and Kora is left at a café while Tony goes for some help. He never returns. Kora begins a life in Helper and learns that there is love when you are not looking and with the person you may not think loves you. Tony returns. What will happen with the new life that Kora has made for herself. Will she leave with Tony or will she stay. Does love really conquer all? This book is a great book for your bookshelf and a great gift to give anyone. It is more than 5 stars but unfortunately that is all I can give it. Tara C. Allred has done it again with this book and I wait for the next great read from her. You go girl !

[C bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

netgalley

Great read. Loved this book.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! It kept me guessing right up until the end. I kept wanting to slap the main character for not doing what I thought she should do, and being so wishy-washy, but it made for a great read. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary romance.

[Joan]

From my updates:

The plein air competition is suggested on page 72, but I had to wait until page 101 for an explanation of what that is.

I don’t understand Kora. She comes across as far too needy and nervous most of the time and then she is downright rude to total strangers. I don’t really like her. And the people of the town are intrusive and creepy.

I despise Kora now. She is full of self pity.

This is why I dislike small town America. Everyone quick to jump to conclusions. Planning to 'punish' a man who they think had kidnapped a child before they know the facts.

I LOATHE vigilantes. And then we are told that the police 'aren't pressing charges.' Why SHOULD they?? He is totally innocent!!! Or - wait a minute - this is small town America with small town minds and small town bigotry.

So, having finished the book what do I think?

The writing varies from smooth and flowing to clunky. There are sentences such as:

* After a tour of the nice apartment and a simple lunch, Tessa suggested a drive to the park to enjoy the spring day.

* Luke remotely locked the doors to his Lexus and strode towards them in his typical suit.

Come on. Really? A best selling author should be able to craft better sentences than those! The story itself is pretty standard, and there was a lot of potential but Kora was unlikeable. She started off as an nervous, timid woman who has been abandoned by her husband, but then she morphed into this brilliant all-powerful being who knew everything about organising an art festival and yet i had NO sense at all of there being any 'strength' in her character or the organisational ability to do this. The 'plein air' aspect seemed 'thrown in' somehow without any real basis or background. It didnt help that I had to look it up in a dictionary to get any idea of what she was going on about. And really? Painting outside was going to SAVE the festival?? The plot had a feeling of being thrown together.

There was a HUGE thing made about one character being caught drink driving. Yes, its a crime. Yes its not a good thing, but really? rehab? And then Kora does something SO bloody stupid, so utterly selfish, so WRONG, that I lost any liking for her at all.

The ending is .... not really an ending. It leaves the reader hanging in mid air somehow, unfinished - a possible HFN but certainly not a definite HEA.

(And if I had been Greg, I couldn't have forgiven her.- ever)

I'm not going to rate this right now. Maybe I'm not the 'audience' for this book, maybe I am too picky, but I have to respect characters in a story and I simply didn't like most of these. That's small-town America for you - full of interfering busybodies who have no respect for anyone. ;)

[Davidandkelley Crandall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching story about the journey of forgiveness, the turmoil surrounding love, the harshness of life while dealing with hurt and loss, and finding yourself through it all. Allred has sent a clear message that anyone, young or old, can relate to while warming your heart and soul with a topic so profound that you will find yourself connected with a roller-coaster of emotions.

The editing and formatting of the novel are disappointing, with posted blurb and most of the chapters containing grammar, spelling and punctuation errors that largely distract from the overall enjoyment of the read – to a point that it cannot be overlooked – not expected in a novel that is not the debut by the writer.

Characters introduced have strengths, as well as vulnerabilities, that become enhanced in the descriptions of the scenes. However, there is more telling instead of showing the reader the details and makes it frustrating and difficult to want to connect to Kora, Greg, Tony, Colton, Tess, and Martha to feel substantial emotions for them. Even though Kora (through too much of the story) is consumed with fear, hatred, and anger, there are also moments that show she can maybe be generous, sweet and lovely to become a protagonist who could stay with some after the final page is turned.

The flow of the story is disconnected at parts and sometimes provides an unrealistic feel while Kora herself is not memorable. But as you read, she does help you to focus on making decisions with the mindset that they ultimately have far-reaching consequences.

If you are an individual who has been hurt, wronged or damaged by someone else at some point in your life, read this story and you will have a clearer vision of whom you want to, or could become. Once complete, readers will be satisfied with realizing that rarely do we accomplish things truly on our own, and without help. This is a novel that teaches that when you forgive, you in no way change the past, but you will undoubtedly alter and maybe even improve your future.

[K.J. Fieler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kora and her husband, Tony, have been having a tough time, but they are headed for a new town and a new beginning. Things are looking up ... until the car breaks down. Then things go horribly wrong. Tony has been lying to Kora. He doesn't have the money to fix the car, but he doesn't want to let her down ... again. So he does something that makes sense to him at the time, but which leaves Kora lost, confused, and at the mercy of strangers. What Kora does, what Tony does, and what the residents of the town of Helper do ... Well, that's quite a tale. And it's one you'll want to read.

I've been a big fan of Tara Allred since reading "Sander's Starfish" and "Unauthored Letters". This new book is classic Allred. Her characters are always exceptionally well developed--so much so, that you miss them when you close the book. Her stories (and this is no exception) are about life; about events that could happen to you or me; situations that change the course of her character's lives, taking the reader through a range of emotions and thought processes along the way. On some level, her stories are philosophical. She creates people you can imagine living next door to and caring about, and puts them through the ringer. But in the end, the reader and the characters have shared a trial and come away changed.

Highly recommended.

[Gayle Cappelluti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this signed book in a Goodreads giveaway. What a fortunate gift. It was engaging from the very beginning and kept me engrossed until the very end.
Kora is a young woman with a big problem. Married for six years to Tony, an addicted gambler who has lost everything, more than once, they reach the deserted and crumbling mining town of Helper, Utah when their old Buick breaks down. Thinking her husband has left her at a diner for a bite to eat while he goes for help, she is crushed when she realizes he has actually deserted her. With no where to go and no one to turn to, Kora makes a life for herself in Helper. She can hardly go back to her Dad who tried to warn her that Tony was no good for her. She simply had to make the best of a terrible situation.
A first love only comes once. Will Kora get another shot at love? Read Helping Helper. It puts a bright light on failure. love, and forgiveness.

[Debbie Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kora and Tony have been together for six years.There had been some harshness and she was still waiting for the life he had promised her. She is determined to have this wonderful life with Tony and she would not give up. Breaking down in the desert, plus a long walk to the next town called Helper was exhausting, but she was commited to making it. Finally at a little diner, She waits for Tony to get back from looking for a garage to fix the car. And she waits and waits. After talking to the only mechanic in town, she realizes Tony has left and she is ALONE!She decided to stay in Helper and make some sort of life. In time she got a divorce… which Tony did not contest. She had a life in Helper and possibly a relationship to work with. Then Tony comes back in her life… Will she go back to him or stay in her new life? Hmmmm, I know what I want her to do! Tara Allred has done a great job in letting us get to know and care about Kora and her life.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kora is abandoned by her gambler husband in a very rural part of Utah in a town called Helper. This is her story as she comes to grips with her new reality and works to piece her life back together. Told with Allred's keen insight into human behavior, the book explores family relationships, heartbreak, forgiveness, and learning to love again. This is a perfect summer novel with an endearing cast of characters that will leave your heart singing for the innate goodness of people in this world.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a really great book!

I was not familiar with this author. I was actually drawn to the title, because it seemed a little silly and I was curious as to what the title was referring to. I'm so glad it caught my attention. This book is so well-written that I hated to put it down. I stayed up late reading it two nights in a row because I really wanted to find out what happened next. The characters are so interesting and the plot was so well presented. I highly recommend this book and this author!

[Barb Eck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book that I won from Goodreads. Tony & Kora were on their way to Salt Lake City when the car breaks down by Helper, Utah. Not wanting to disappoint his wife, Tony leaves Kora at Helper. There she learns there is more to life than thinking of yourself. She learns to help others and have a second chance at love. I discovered a lot about the characters & was sorry when the book ended.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great romanic read

Learning about forgiving and loving and helping in helper. It was a treasure to read. Romantic in more than one way. Everyone in the story grew with help from others.

[Katie Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this years ago and am finally getting to reviewing it. I loved the story, it was entertaining and wholesome.