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Red Dale Ray: A Sober Rebrand
Ray Bowler has been told there's only one simple thing that needs to change, and that’s everything. He’s struggling to keep Hilda’s afloat, yet stubborn as a moose and stuck in the past. Instead of modernizing his bar, Ray wants to sell out and hit the road.
Ray’s plan of traveling with his vintage travel trailer and drinking beer around campfires are at risk of being foiled. He underestimates Patty, his social media savvy bartender. With her loyal Internet supporters, she’s steadfast in reviving Hilda’s.
Ray’s plan of traveling with his vintage travel trailer and drinking beer around campfires are at risk of being foiled. He underestimates Patty, his social media savvy bartender. With her loyal Internet supporters, she’s steadfast in reviving Hilda’s.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2018
40 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 13, 2019
Ray Bowler is in for a sobering ride in Debra Cunningham’s Red Dale Ray. After a bit of a binger, Ray is ordered to an alcohol free counselling camp where he encounters a slew of quirky characters. Cunningham’s writing is plucky and fun and her story is full of character and heart. Check out Red Dale Ray if you’re looking for a bit of humor and some touching moments!
November 16, 2018
The book is very good. It reminds me somewhat of the movie "About Sdmidt"or "Gone Fishing." If you enjoy those kinds of stories, then this is the book for you. It gave me some perspective into the eyes of an older gentleman, where he is at a crossroads to make a major decision. It is definitely a good read,
December 27, 2018
Review by Mary H. McFarland
Ray Bowler wants to downsize, sell Hilda’s, his failing bar, and hit the road in his Red Dale Ray camper trailer. Ray’s only problem, however, isn’t negotiating his camper’s tiny shower or keeping it jacked up in the mud when the rains hit.
Trouble begins when a city slicker named Bonnie walks in looking to slick Ray out of Hilda’s. After an evening of hard drinking, Bonnie falls drunk into her bar peanuts. From there, Ray’s life goes downhill. From first sentence onward, Deb’s wonderfully wry, laid-back humor in Red Dale Ray is delivered mostly through Ray Bowler’s point-of-view.
If you like feisty, quirky characters and a book-length dollop of easy-going and entertaining humor, you’ll love Red Dale Ray. Not only does Deb handle her humor well, but she also plans exciting twists and surprises for readers, as the tension over whether or not Ray is going to sell his bar escalates. Within the small world of Menta and the nearby campground, where all the cast of Red Dale Ray reside, author Deb Cunningham presents all the elements of well-crafted humor—and more.
Deb’s plotting drives us to anticipate Ray’s next decision. Wouldn’t you know, his desire to simplify his life turns out to be the road less traveled. Deb explores her theme, which is the escapist goal of many I-don’t-give-a-moose-pie, aging boomers seeking inner peace through their outward journey. However, we discover, interestingly, that Deb’s Red Dale Ray is more than a simple tale of Ray’s desire to sell his bar and hit the road. It’s a witty allegory of Ray’s, and thus everyman’s, obstacle-driven flight into the depths of alcoholism—and the path to escape.
Is there a hero in Red Dale Ray? You bet your Eddie Bauer sleeping bag, there is. Ray is beset not only by his own demons, but also by forces outside his control, and isn’t that, after all, part of the challenge of finding inner peace? He’s dealing with a life trashed by alcohol, divorce, a culture that’s bypassed him, and by the decline of Hilda’s due to the rise of nearby micro-breweries. So, essentially, he’s losing everything: wife, bar, income, self-respect.
Yet Ray steps up. He’s real, like courageous people we meet every day. In the case of his estranged wife, who colludes with Patty the bartender to lure more business to Hilda’s (wait ‘til you find out how!), we’d like to avoid Ray’s ex, yet we’re drawn to cheer for her, too, as we are many of Deb’s characters who collude against Ray, yet who are his sole system of support.
Deb’s terrifically funny but flawed characters, coupled with her witty humor, propels us through the daily grind of Ray’s alcoholism, with Ray deep in denial as he negotiates life on his escapist fringe and runs Hilda’s from his camper. Because Deb moves us laughing and cheering into Ray’s world and his struggle with his pain, we cheer for him. We care about him because his demise is that of many we recognize. Deb’s humor connects us not only to story and characters, but also to the larger demise of all alcoholics, Via Ray’s laid-back humor, yet his very poignant circumstances.
Even as he deals with all the quirky folks in his life, and works his way toward the sale of Hilda’s, we know Ray’s facing an uphill battle. Question is, is Ray up for it? Will he win?
Humor is Deb’s forte. Readers will enjoy her humorous picture of clashing views on whether or not Ray should sell out and hit the road. Adding another layer, she drops in an intractable moose called “Wally” (Ray’s totem), who helps Teresa and Patty lure in the tourists to Hilda’s. Secretly posting Wally’s personal life via an Internet channel called “Wally Cam,” Patty and Teresa invite all to come see Wally and buy Wally “merch.” To Ray’s chagrin, they come, upending Ray’s vision of life!
What endears Ray to us most of all is his awareness of Wally as a force of nature, not a silly manufactured attraction for city slickers. We’re with Ray: Wally’s his own . . . er . . . person, and should remain so. Bingo! Deb’s story has a deep underlying current of pathos that looks askance, via Ray’s character, at the drive of today’s world to make a buck, the same drive that is the destruction of Ray’s bar—and his life. Deb presents this theme of tragic irony with great humor; thus, just like Ray, we want to yell at the tourists, “Get back on your freakin’ tour bus and leave Wally—and “bull headed” Ray—Alone.
Deb entertains with her insight into the human condition, and propels us with it through Red Dale Ray at a steady pace, and provides a satisfying conclusion. In the end, she leaves us with the story’s lesson, as Ray pursues recovery in a trailer park with other alcoholics. And finally, Deb pulls final plot threads together with more surprises, while maintaining her delightfully humorous writing style and grasp of her characters’ relationship dynamics in Red Dale Ray.
Ray Bowler wants to downsize, sell Hilda’s, his failing bar, and hit the road in his Red Dale Ray camper trailer. Ray’s only problem, however, isn’t negotiating his camper’s tiny shower or keeping it jacked up in the mud when the rains hit.
Trouble begins when a city slicker named Bonnie walks in looking to slick Ray out of Hilda’s. After an evening of hard drinking, Bonnie falls drunk into her bar peanuts. From there, Ray’s life goes downhill. From first sentence onward, Deb’s wonderfully wry, laid-back humor in Red Dale Ray is delivered mostly through Ray Bowler’s point-of-view.
If you like feisty, quirky characters and a book-length dollop of easy-going and entertaining humor, you’ll love Red Dale Ray. Not only does Deb handle her humor well, but she also plans exciting twists and surprises for readers, as the tension over whether or not Ray is going to sell his bar escalates. Within the small world of Menta and the nearby campground, where all the cast of Red Dale Ray reside, author Deb Cunningham presents all the elements of well-crafted humor—and more.
Deb’s plotting drives us to anticipate Ray’s next decision. Wouldn’t you know, his desire to simplify his life turns out to be the road less traveled. Deb explores her theme, which is the escapist goal of many I-don’t-give-a-moose-pie, aging boomers seeking inner peace through their outward journey. However, we discover, interestingly, that Deb’s Red Dale Ray is more than a simple tale of Ray’s desire to sell his bar and hit the road. It’s a witty allegory of Ray’s, and thus everyman’s, obstacle-driven flight into the depths of alcoholism—and the path to escape.
Is there a hero in Red Dale Ray? You bet your Eddie Bauer sleeping bag, there is. Ray is beset not only by his own demons, but also by forces outside his control, and isn’t that, after all, part of the challenge of finding inner peace? He’s dealing with a life trashed by alcohol, divorce, a culture that’s bypassed him, and by the decline of Hilda’s due to the rise of nearby micro-breweries. So, essentially, he’s losing everything: wife, bar, income, self-respect.
Yet Ray steps up. He’s real, like courageous people we meet every day. In the case of his estranged wife, who colludes with Patty the bartender to lure more business to Hilda’s (wait ‘til you find out how!), we’d like to avoid Ray’s ex, yet we’re drawn to cheer for her, too, as we are many of Deb’s characters who collude against Ray, yet who are his sole system of support.
Deb’s terrifically funny but flawed characters, coupled with her witty humor, propels us through the daily grind of Ray’s alcoholism, with Ray deep in denial as he negotiates life on his escapist fringe and runs Hilda’s from his camper. Because Deb moves us laughing and cheering into Ray’s world and his struggle with his pain, we cheer for him. We care about him because his demise is that of many we recognize. Deb’s humor connects us not only to story and characters, but also to the larger demise of all alcoholics, Via Ray’s laid-back humor, yet his very poignant circumstances.
Even as he deals with all the quirky folks in his life, and works his way toward the sale of Hilda’s, we know Ray’s facing an uphill battle. Question is, is Ray up for it? Will he win?
Humor is Deb’s forte. Readers will enjoy her humorous picture of clashing views on whether or not Ray should sell out and hit the road. Adding another layer, she drops in an intractable moose called “Wally” (Ray’s totem), who helps Teresa and Patty lure in the tourists to Hilda’s. Secretly posting Wally’s personal life via an Internet channel called “Wally Cam,” Patty and Teresa invite all to come see Wally and buy Wally “merch.” To Ray’s chagrin, they come, upending Ray’s vision of life!
What endears Ray to us most of all is his awareness of Wally as a force of nature, not a silly manufactured attraction for city slickers. We’re with Ray: Wally’s his own . . . er . . . person, and should remain so. Bingo! Deb’s story has a deep underlying current of pathos that looks askance, via Ray’s character, at the drive of today’s world to make a buck, the same drive that is the destruction of Ray’s bar—and his life. Deb presents this theme of tragic irony with great humor; thus, just like Ray, we want to yell at the tourists, “Get back on your freakin’ tour bus and leave Wally—and “bull headed” Ray—Alone.
Deb entertains with her insight into the human condition, and propels us with it through Red Dale Ray at a steady pace, and provides a satisfying conclusion. In the end, she leaves us with the story’s lesson, as Ray pursues recovery in a trailer park with other alcoholics. And finally, Deb pulls final plot threads together with more surprises, while maintaining her delightfully humorous writing style and grasp of her characters’ relationship dynamics in Red Dale Ray.
January 22, 2019
Debra Cunningham’s “Red Dale Ray, A Sober Rebrand” is a familiar story to those who have ever witnessed a family member or friend with alcoholism and their attempt to live a life without realizing/admitting there is a problem. While a weighty subject, Cunningham’s writing and storytelling incorporates a layer of humor and entertainment that makes a serious issue feel not as heavy.
Ray Bowler spends his days on a barstool in the small-town bar he owns and his evenings in the Red Dale trailer setup in the bar’s parking lot. With developers and small craft breweries making their entry in his small-town, separation from his wife and a declining business, Ray is at a crossroads with what’s next in life. These challenges coupled with an obvious alcohol problem, presents daily hurdles for Ray, specifically trying to remember what he said or did the previous day. Even with his snarky humor and surly personality, I couldn’t help but hope his character got enough clarity to turn it around. The perspectives and stories of side characters, such as bartender Patty and Meri, were nice extras to keep the reader engaged. While the antics of wild moose, Wally, are not side-splitting funny, they also add lightheartedness.
Ray Bowler spends his days on a barstool in the small-town bar he owns and his evenings in the Red Dale trailer setup in the bar’s parking lot. With developers and small craft breweries making their entry in his small-town, separation from his wife and a declining business, Ray is at a crossroads with what’s next in life. These challenges coupled with an obvious alcohol problem, presents daily hurdles for Ray, specifically trying to remember what he said or did the previous day. Even with his snarky humor and surly personality, I couldn’t help but hope his character got enough clarity to turn it around. The perspectives and stories of side characters, such as bartender Patty and Meri, were nice extras to keep the reader engaged. While the antics of wild moose, Wally, are not side-splitting funny, they also add lightheartedness.
December 12, 2018
I want to thank the author and publisher for an opportunity to read this book through a giveaway. At first I didn't know what to think about the title but as you go along it makes sense. The book is like that also. The story is about an alcoholic who owns a bar. Like every bar there are the usual and unusual regulars. At the beginning it seems the book will be about the bar and the clientele but as you go along you realize it is about the owner, Ray, and his struggles in life. It is the story of an alcoholic. The book is a great read.
February 8, 2020
I had a very hard time finishing this book. It was very similar to many real-life stories my clients and their families have told me. Wally was a fun diversion. Not sure if I am interested in any more books by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 20, 2020
Spoiler: the title tells you how it turns out. Much of the content is just filler (one whole chapter is dedicated to describing a campground near the Superstition Mountains), and we don't get closure on several things. What about Patty's son in rehab? What about Doc and her tissues? What about Meri/Rita? And the moose??
November 15, 2018
This book was like coming home to me. I grew up in an out of the way place and after college I moved to the NYC, Chicago, and Atlanta. But home was waiting for me in this book. All the folks I grew up where here - and their demons where there too. Thank for for the great book!
October 16, 2018
Funny book
It was an easy and funny read. A perfect book after a long day at work. I highly recommend this book for anyone that has been around someone in recovery.
It was an easy and funny read. A perfect book after a long day at work. I highly recommend this book for anyone that has been around someone in recovery.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews