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Pleasant Day
In the town of Hollow Creek, South Carolina two separate murders, fifteen years apart, unite fifteen-year-old Pleasant Day and sixty-year-old Clarissa Blackwell. As Pleasant struggles with her mother's distance, her father's infidelity and the death of her best friend, she draws closer to Clarissa, an older woman with an uncanny, almost psychic, ability to 'read people.'
As Clarissa uncovers the stories behind the murders, both Pleasant and Clarissa's worlds are transformed by the truths they’re forced to accept, and both find solace and strength in the shared histories that have shaped them.
As Clarissa uncovers the stories behind the murders, both Pleasant and Clarissa's worlds are transformed by the truths they’re forced to accept, and both find solace and strength in the shared histories that have shaped them.
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First published February 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 6, 2015
I love a great mystery. Especially when I have to wait to find out all the facts. This book did just that. I was wondering so many things. Are they related, did the person that confessed lie? Was Pleasant's father ever going to learn? There was so much to this story. The plot was well intertwined with the characters. The characters has so many different layers, that as soon as one layer was unpeeled another submerged. I really liked the end, and I could see the leaves turning yellow. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.
April 21, 2015
I just love this author (my 4th by her)! I always know I am going to be in for an eventful evening when I start reading one of hers. She writes it like it is, she doesn't candy coat anything. If you are squeamish in any way (swearing, sex, violence etc.) her books are probable not for you.
Her books are not erotic, they are raw, honest, and very gripping!
Holy cow! This one is suspenseful! With lots of twists and turns this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once again we are taken to the deep south of SC where we meet Pleasant. What a character she is! Pleasant is way older than her fifteen years and has experienced much more than a usual teen should. As usual, excellent character development. I loved Pleasant as well as Clarissa.
There is never a dull moment in this book!
Here is a sample of her writing style that I just love! -
"Looking over yonder I can see my mama putting clothes on a line. There's a bunch of purple flowers between me and her. The clothes are all white except for one blue towel. It looks so proud to be different. Mama's hair is dandelion yellow, golden against the daylight. She's a compliment to the natural environment around her, like an oak tree is to a back yard and like a lone cactus would be to a wide desert."
"Nothing worse that grey light coming in your window on a Sunday morning. Personally, I don't like the color grey. It reminds me of the absence of color. I know, I know, people say grey is a color but it isn't. It's grey. Grey like smoke, like clouds, like ash. Grey like dirt and shale. Grey is Mr. Wiley's hair and a cat bit me once was grey. Grey is a deadly color, Grey gets between me and the sun and threatens rain. It is a downer, grey is. Don't ever wear grey, people are likely to avoid you."
~ I just LOVE this paragraph! I think it may be one of my favorite paragraphs ever. I personally hate the color grey! And this literally takes the words right out of my mouth!
So here I am - waiting for the next Vera Jane Cook book! She can't write fast enough for me.
Thank you Vera for sending me this copy of your book and "Virtual Author Book Tours" for letting me join your book tour in exchange for my honest review!
Her books are not erotic, they are raw, honest, and very gripping!
Holy cow! This one is suspenseful! With lots of twists and turns this will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once again we are taken to the deep south of SC where we meet Pleasant. What a character she is! Pleasant is way older than her fifteen years and has experienced much more than a usual teen should. As usual, excellent character development. I loved Pleasant as well as Clarissa.
There is never a dull moment in this book!
Here is a sample of her writing style that I just love! -
"Looking over yonder I can see my mama putting clothes on a line. There's a bunch of purple flowers between me and her. The clothes are all white except for one blue towel. It looks so proud to be different. Mama's hair is dandelion yellow, golden against the daylight. She's a compliment to the natural environment around her, like an oak tree is to a back yard and like a lone cactus would be to a wide desert."
"Nothing worse that grey light coming in your window on a Sunday morning. Personally, I don't like the color grey. It reminds me of the absence of color. I know, I know, people say grey is a color but it isn't. It's grey. Grey like smoke, like clouds, like ash. Grey like dirt and shale. Grey is Mr. Wiley's hair and a cat bit me once was grey. Grey is a deadly color, Grey gets between me and the sun and threatens rain. It is a downer, grey is. Don't ever wear grey, people are likely to avoid you."
~ I just LOVE this paragraph! I think it may be one of my favorite paragraphs ever. I personally hate the color grey! And this literally takes the words right out of my mouth!
So here I am - waiting for the next Vera Jane Cook book! She can't write fast enough for me.
Thank you Vera for sending me this copy of your book and "Virtual Author Book Tours" for letting me join your book tour in exchange for my honest review!
May 21, 2019
Good day my fellow prospective reader. I am here to tell you that this mystery set in the Southern state of South Carolina, will surely have you intrigued and entertained as you read it from cover to cover. It is the story of a tough, strong teenager named Pleasant Day, yes, that’s her name who hears about the murder of her dear friend Millie, whose body was found in the box springs of the bed of another friend of hers John Peter. Now Pleasant is a girl with a lot of male friends instead of galpals. There’s Angus, there’s Bodean, there’s her brother Sawyer (who is gay) and there’s her dad whom she adores (and vice versa) named Graham. Now it just so happens that with the death of Millie, a lot of old skeletons are let out again. This includes the murder of a woman named Chloe who previously had an affair with Graham and the coincidental meeting of Pleasant with Chloe’s godmother Clarissa Blackwell.
The story feels very familiar when I was reading it because I’ve come across similar novels in the past with a group of teenagers involved in a murder and no one will come forward to claim him or herself as the killer of Millie. Clarissa Blackwell has visions and so when she says that she keeps seeing a two-headed man kill her goddaughter, Graham’s dead mistress, I was like this better be good. And in the end, it was alright. There were some elements about it that made me say to myself that I’ve read more advanced whodunits but in this case since the location is in the South, I figured oh well, that’s probably because in the South life is simple and everyone knows everyone there. Since this is a novel for women, it felt like one of the movies I’d watch on the Lifetime channel. The romances that Pleasant Day makes herself involved in is typical of small communities and to my delight, Pleasant herself is tough and strong enough to survive an almost rape when she goes with Bodean (a bully in the making) in his car. The killer is rightfully the killer in Clarissa’s visions. You will find out why Clarissa saw a two-headed man instead of a normal human being.
I recommend this book to all female readers who are fans of mysteries and romances gone wrong. I also think it will be enjoyed by those who love the Lifetime channel. This book was a breeze to get through and you can finish it all in one night although I had to read it for four nights because I am a busy man myself. Okay, all’s sorted. Have a great Springtime and God bless!
The story feels very familiar when I was reading it because I’ve come across similar novels in the past with a group of teenagers involved in a murder and no one will come forward to claim him or herself as the killer of Millie. Clarissa Blackwell has visions and so when she says that she keeps seeing a two-headed man kill her goddaughter, Graham’s dead mistress, I was like this better be good. And in the end, it was alright. There were some elements about it that made me say to myself that I’ve read more advanced whodunits but in this case since the location is in the South, I figured oh well, that’s probably because in the South life is simple and everyone knows everyone there. Since this is a novel for women, it felt like one of the movies I’d watch on the Lifetime channel. The romances that Pleasant Day makes herself involved in is typical of small communities and to my delight, Pleasant herself is tough and strong enough to survive an almost rape when she goes with Bodean (a bully in the making) in his car. The killer is rightfully the killer in Clarissa’s visions. You will find out why Clarissa saw a two-headed man instead of a normal human being.
I recommend this book to all female readers who are fans of mysteries and romances gone wrong. I also think it will be enjoyed by those who love the Lifetime channel. This book was a breeze to get through and you can finish it all in one night although I had to read it for four nights because I am a busy man myself. Okay, all’s sorted. Have a great Springtime and God bless!
August 9, 2019
Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is southern women's fiction with a cast of intriguing characters. Pleasant Day is actually someone's name, in this case a young teenager who loves to read literature. This is certainly at odds with her family, as they each have their own quirky personalities. Her mother is aloof, her father is an adulterer, and her brother is borderline effeminate. Pleasant is quite the character with a dirty mouth, and inquisitive nature, not your typical teenage girl. The gist of the story revolves around a murder mystery, one of Pleasant's friends actually. This plot device is paired nicely with another mystery from the past, and when Pleasant meets Clarissa, an older woman, they find history is intertwined. Overall, a good book, strong plot, and very well described and quirky characters. A very light touch of editing could improve some sections and word usage, but overall, an interesting and compelling book. Fans of southern and women's fiction will love this book because it rings so true on many levels.
May 20, 2019
Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is a novel with so many elements to appeal to readers with lots of different interests. There is humor, human connections, love, mystery and great twists. There is also a great Southern feel throughout the story in the characters dialogue and the setting which I enjoyed. There were a ton of fun Southern phrases and sayings that were nice addition. This lent to the authentic feel of the story and the characters.
This novel centers around two women who are generations apart but living in the same town and connected by murder and much more, as it turns out. The reader gets a first-person perspective of the life of young Pleasant Day, a smart and witty character dealing with difficult family struggles. She meets Clarissa, an older woman, and they build a friendship. But their connection runs much deeper than friendship and takes them through family secrets and deceptions, lies, and murders.
Cook’s writing is vivid with apt detail, I felt the story could have moved a bit more rapidly but it was not stagnant by any means. There were a lot of lines that struck me and stuck with me like when her dad says that he never meant to hurt anyone and Pleasant says, “in life the things we do are always the things we meant to do” or something like that. Her mom says, “it’s not what you know but what you do with what you know.”
This is such a tragic storyline in many ways but there was so much warmth built in amongst the tragedy that the story left me with a feeling of redemption. Overall, this is a well-written novel that takes the reader through a great storyline with lots of unexpected elements. I highly recommend for a fun and entertaining read. I could see this being really enjoyable on a long plane ride or a trip.
This novel centers around two women who are generations apart but living in the same town and connected by murder and much more, as it turns out. The reader gets a first-person perspective of the life of young Pleasant Day, a smart and witty character dealing with difficult family struggles. She meets Clarissa, an older woman, and they build a friendship. But their connection runs much deeper than friendship and takes them through family secrets and deceptions, lies, and murders.
Cook’s writing is vivid with apt detail, I felt the story could have moved a bit more rapidly but it was not stagnant by any means. There were a lot of lines that struck me and stuck with me like when her dad says that he never meant to hurt anyone and Pleasant says, “in life the things we do are always the things we meant to do” or something like that. Her mom says, “it’s not what you know but what you do with what you know.”
This is such a tragic storyline in many ways but there was so much warmth built in amongst the tragedy that the story left me with a feeling of redemption. Overall, this is a well-written novel that takes the reader through a great storyline with lots of unexpected elements. I highly recommend for a fun and entertaining read. I could see this being really enjoyable on a long plane ride or a trip.
March 30, 2019
This book forced me to clear my schedule just to finish it as it was impossible to put down once I started turning the pages. The southern fiction is a beautifully told story full of mystery and charm. Cook draws delightful characters and combines an interesting tale with wonderful humor. It creates for an eventful evening with the tone of the book presented as it is easy without sugar-coating anything. The book is certainly not meant for those who are squeamish about violence, swearing and sex and the suspense the author creates with turns and twists around the mystery of murder proving more than enough entertainment in a single sitting.
The book centers around two characters who are years apart in age difference but who are brought together, and it takes you on an imaginative ride of your life. The tale of an old mystery surrounded by a dark secret is created in a well-plotted story that draws you shrouded with enough suspense and drama. I liked the character of Pleasant Day given her straight-talking manner at such a young age. Fans of southern fiction are guaranteed one of the best stories with this book.
The book centers around two characters who are years apart in age difference but who are brought together, and it takes you on an imaginative ride of your life. The tale of an old mystery surrounded by a dark secret is created in a well-plotted story that draws you shrouded with enough suspense and drama. I liked the character of Pleasant Day given her straight-talking manner at such a young age. Fans of southern fiction are guaranteed one of the best stories with this book.
May 22, 2015
Pleasant Day by author Vera Jane Cook is an intriguing southern women's fiction with a suspenseful murder mystery twist that will keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seats!
Set in the small southern town of Hollow Creek, South Carolina, this riveting story is told in the first person narrative by fifteen year old Pleasant Day, who wants to solve the mystery of who really killed her friend Millie Grady. Pleasant unexpectedly meets sixty year old Clarissa Blackwell, who has the gift of psychic ability. With a small town full of complex people, buried secrets, and two murders that were committed fifteen years apart, Pleasant and Clarissa are brought together by an old mystery and a dark past that comes to the surface and will forever change their worlds.
Pleasant Day is an intriguing tale that has enough drama, mystery, and suspense that easily drew me in and kept me turning the pages. Author Vera Jane Cook weaves a complex story told by a sassy southern teenage girl with a potty mouth, she's an old soul whose point of view was so unique that I found myself liking this straight talking and take no crap kind of teen, even though I wanted to wash her mouth out with soap!
There is a great mixture of humor and raw gritty drama within this multi-layered storyline, it has enough gripping twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. As a fan of southern fiction, the author does a great job of transporting the reader to the small town of Hollow Creek with a rich description of the setting, southern charm, and quirky memorable townspeople. From the complex relationships between the characters, the deeply buried town secrets, to the clever intertwining of the past and present murder mysteries that unexpectedly brings Pleasant and Clarissa together, Pleasant Day is a thoroughly riveting story that will keep you captivated until the surprising conclusion!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Premier Virtual Author Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Set in the small southern town of Hollow Creek, South Carolina, this riveting story is told in the first person narrative by fifteen year old Pleasant Day, who wants to solve the mystery of who really killed her friend Millie Grady. Pleasant unexpectedly meets sixty year old Clarissa Blackwell, who has the gift of psychic ability. With a small town full of complex people, buried secrets, and two murders that were committed fifteen years apart, Pleasant and Clarissa are brought together by an old mystery and a dark past that comes to the surface and will forever change their worlds.
Pleasant Day is an intriguing tale that has enough drama, mystery, and suspense that easily drew me in and kept me turning the pages. Author Vera Jane Cook weaves a complex story told by a sassy southern teenage girl with a potty mouth, she's an old soul whose point of view was so unique that I found myself liking this straight talking and take no crap kind of teen, even though I wanted to wash her mouth out with soap!
There is a great mixture of humor and raw gritty drama within this multi-layered storyline, it has enough gripping twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. As a fan of southern fiction, the author does a great job of transporting the reader to the small town of Hollow Creek with a rich description of the setting, southern charm, and quirky memorable townspeople. From the complex relationships between the characters, the deeply buried town secrets, to the clever intertwining of the past and present murder mysteries that unexpectedly brings Pleasant and Clarissa together, Pleasant Day is a thoroughly riveting story that will keep you captivated until the surprising conclusion!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Premier Virtual Author Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
June 23, 2015
Disclosure: I received a print copy of Pleasant Day in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
Author Vera Jane Cook once again shows her talented writing with Pleasant Day. Pleasant Day is a murder mystery with plot twists that will keep you on you wanting more while on the edge of your seat.
When I first heard the title of this book it sounded like a lighthearted read. Come to find out not only is Pleasant Day the name of the main character, she is not a simple character but rather complex. This is one of those books that you think you know exactly what is going to happen next. But instead you are taken in a different direction as the book goes on.
I do not write spoilers when I do a book review. I feel this would negate the whole purpose which is to read the book. What I can tell you is Pleasant Day is a 15-year-old girl who finds out another girl in the neighborhood is found dead. From there you will read along as Pleasant tells the story from her point of view. You will want to keep reading until the end and if you can't read it in one sitting, you will wish you could.
Author Vera Jane Cook once again shows her talented writing with Pleasant Day. Pleasant Day is a murder mystery with plot twists that will keep you on you wanting more while on the edge of your seat.
When I first heard the title of this book it sounded like a lighthearted read. Come to find out not only is Pleasant Day the name of the main character, she is not a simple character but rather complex. This is one of those books that you think you know exactly what is going to happen next. But instead you are taken in a different direction as the book goes on.
I do not write spoilers when I do a book review. I feel this would negate the whole purpose which is to read the book. What I can tell you is Pleasant Day is a 15-year-old girl who finds out another girl in the neighborhood is found dead. From there you will read along as Pleasant tells the story from her point of view. You will want to keep reading until the end and if you can't read it in one sitting, you will wish you could.
April 14, 2015
Totally Mind-Blowing Read: With Murder In Common, Friendship Is Inevitable!
July 31, 2019
[English review + Reseña en Español]
Pleasant Day, by Vera Jane Cook. Published by Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC. 2015. 322 pages. Genre: Mystery / Southern Women’s Fiction.
Hollow Creek, South Carolina. The body of a teenage girl has been found in the home of one of her classmates. Pleasant, a 15-year-old girl, friend and partner of both, decides to solve the crime that has taken her best friend, while trying to understand why her mother behaves distantly with her and why her father seems to be more at ease in the company of other women than with his wife. Clarissa, a 60-year-old psychic, confused by the motives and mechanisms of a betrayal, seeks to solve another crime of the past in which she lost a loved one. An accident will cause the paths of Pleasant and Clarissa to join, and some uncomfortable truths from the past will get afloat, uniting them forever in a friendship that will help them understand the mysteries that enclose their lives.
With a plain, simple and direct language, typical of the ages and circumstances of the characters, the plot develops naturally and with a very good rhythm. The characters are very well developed and their reactions feel very real at all times. The plot is full of twists and details through which the stories of several of the characters are interwoven in unexpected ways and make up a complex and carefully written universe.
I have enjoyed reading this flawless, well written, well reviewed and totally human story. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a realistic story, starring very well built characters.
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Pleasant Day, por Vera Jane Cook. Publicada por Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC. 2015. 322 páginas. Género: Misterio / Southern Women’s Fiction.
Hollow Creek, Carolina del Sur. El cadáver de una adolescente ha sido encontrado en la casa de uno de sus compañeros de clase. Pleasant, una chica de 15 años, amiga y compañera de ambos, decide resolver el crimen que le ha arrebatado a su mejor amiga, mientras trata de entender por qué su madre se comporta distante con ella y por qué su padre parece estar más a gusto en compañía de otras mujeres que con su esposa. Clarissa, una psíquica de 60 años, confundida por los motivos y mecanismos de una traición, busca a su vez resolver otro crimen del pasado en el que perdió a un ser amado. Un accidente hará que los caminos de Pleasant y Clarissa se junten, y que algunas verdades incómodas del pasado salgan a flote, uniéndolas para siempre en una amistad que las ayudará a comprender los misterios que encierran sus vidas.
Con un lenguaje llano, sencillo y directo, propio de las edades y circunstancias de los personajes, la trama se desarrolla con naturalidad y con muy buen ritmo. Los personajes están muy bien desarrollados y sus reacciones se sienten en todo momento muy reales. La trama está lleno de giros y detalles a través de los cuales las historias de varios de los personajes se entretejen de maneras insospechadas y conforman un universo complejo y escrito con mucho cuidado.
He disfrutado mucho leer esta historia sin fallas, bien escrita, bien revisada y totalmente humana. Recomiendo este libro a cualquier persona que quiera leer una historia realista, protagonizada por personajes muy bien construidos.
Pleasant Day, by Vera Jane Cook. Published by Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC. 2015. 322 pages. Genre: Mystery / Southern Women’s Fiction.
Hollow Creek, South Carolina. The body of a teenage girl has been found in the home of one of her classmates. Pleasant, a 15-year-old girl, friend and partner of both, decides to solve the crime that has taken her best friend, while trying to understand why her mother behaves distantly with her and why her father seems to be more at ease in the company of other women than with his wife. Clarissa, a 60-year-old psychic, confused by the motives and mechanisms of a betrayal, seeks to solve another crime of the past in which she lost a loved one. An accident will cause the paths of Pleasant and Clarissa to join, and some uncomfortable truths from the past will get afloat, uniting them forever in a friendship that will help them understand the mysteries that enclose their lives.
With a plain, simple and direct language, typical of the ages and circumstances of the characters, the plot develops naturally and with a very good rhythm. The characters are very well developed and their reactions feel very real at all times. The plot is full of twists and details through which the stories of several of the characters are interwoven in unexpected ways and make up a complex and carefully written universe.
I have enjoyed reading this flawless, well written, well reviewed and totally human story. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a realistic story, starring very well built characters.
-----
Pleasant Day, por Vera Jane Cook. Publicada por Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC. 2015. 322 páginas. Género: Misterio / Southern Women’s Fiction.
Hollow Creek, Carolina del Sur. El cadáver de una adolescente ha sido encontrado en la casa de uno de sus compañeros de clase. Pleasant, una chica de 15 años, amiga y compañera de ambos, decide resolver el crimen que le ha arrebatado a su mejor amiga, mientras trata de entender por qué su madre se comporta distante con ella y por qué su padre parece estar más a gusto en compañía de otras mujeres que con su esposa. Clarissa, una psíquica de 60 años, confundida por los motivos y mecanismos de una traición, busca a su vez resolver otro crimen del pasado en el que perdió a un ser amado. Un accidente hará que los caminos de Pleasant y Clarissa se junten, y que algunas verdades incómodas del pasado salgan a flote, uniéndolas para siempre en una amistad que las ayudará a comprender los misterios que encierran sus vidas.
Con un lenguaje llano, sencillo y directo, propio de las edades y circunstancias de los personajes, la trama se desarrolla con naturalidad y con muy buen ritmo. Los personajes están muy bien desarrollados y sus reacciones se sienten en todo momento muy reales. La trama está lleno de giros y detalles a través de los cuales las historias de varios de los personajes se entretejen de maneras insospechadas y conforman un universo complejo y escrito con mucho cuidado.
He disfrutado mucho leer esta historia sin fallas, bien escrita, bien revisada y totalmente humana. Recomiendo este libro a cualquier persona que quiera leer una historia realista, protagonizada por personajes muy bien construidos.
April 7, 2015
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Pleasant Day is a murder mystery with a lot of drama and many twists. I would think I had things figured out and then some new piece of information would come up that changed everything. I like being kept guessing!
A lot of this book is written from Pleasant Day's point of view. It was difficult to read at first but I got used to it after a couple of chapters. Once you get used to it, the way it is written makes the story more realistic.
The characters are complex and they all have their secrets. Living in a small town, though, they should have known that their secrets would come out sooner or later. I think poor Pleasant is the only one without secrets and, at one point, she feels that she can't trust a single person in her life.
The characters' relationships are also complex. From Pleasant's almost non-relationship with her mother to having her father on a pedestal (and, of course, when you put someone on a pedestal, when they fall, they fall hard) to her parents' relationship, and that's just Pleasant's immediate family.
Once I got into this book, I really enjoyed it with all of its drama and twists. I definitely recommend Pleasant Day.
Pleasant Day is a murder mystery with a lot of drama and many twists. I would think I had things figured out and then some new piece of information would come up that changed everything. I like being kept guessing!
A lot of this book is written from Pleasant Day's point of view. It was difficult to read at first but I got used to it after a couple of chapters. Once you get used to it, the way it is written makes the story more realistic.
The characters are complex and they all have their secrets. Living in a small town, though, they should have known that their secrets would come out sooner or later. I think poor Pleasant is the only one without secrets and, at one point, she feels that she can't trust a single person in her life.
The characters' relationships are also complex. From Pleasant's almost non-relationship with her mother to having her father on a pedestal (and, of course, when you put someone on a pedestal, when they fall, they fall hard) to her parents' relationship, and that's just Pleasant's immediate family.
Once I got into this book, I really enjoyed it with all of its drama and twists. I definitely recommend Pleasant Day.
April 24, 2015
Pleasant Day is a 15 year old who find s out from a friend that a girl in the neighbourhood was found dead. To top it off, her body was hidden in a very peculiar way. So peculiar that Pleasant didn't believe it at first. This is just how the book opens, just wait until you read more.
Sorry, I don't want to risk spoilers but lets just say their are secrets that come out along the way, that change Pleasant's world forever.
This is the fourth book I have read by Vera Jane Cook and this is certainly the most suspenseful. It is written in the same no holds barred approach the Cook uses in all her books. Which is one of the many reasons I keep reading her work. Every book she writes is unique, raw, and emotional. Her characters are quirky and original. The southern back drop also adds to her novels.
If you enjoy books with a southern setting that are fresh and original, you need go no further than Vera Jane Cook. You are in for a treat! I highly recommend 'Pleasant Day'! It is a real page turner with plenty of twists!
Sorry, I don't want to risk spoilers but lets just say their are secrets that come out along the way, that change Pleasant's world forever.
This is the fourth book I have read by Vera Jane Cook and this is certainly the most suspenseful. It is written in the same no holds barred approach the Cook uses in all her books. Which is one of the many reasons I keep reading her work. Every book she writes is unique, raw, and emotional. Her characters are quirky and original. The southern back drop also adds to her novels.
If you enjoy books with a southern setting that are fresh and original, you need go no further than Vera Jane Cook. You are in for a treat! I highly recommend 'Pleasant Day'! It is a real page turner with plenty of twists!
April 28, 2015
** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Any thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Pleasant Day was an interesting book and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to review it. The characters in this book are complex and most of them are harboring secrets that they don't want anyone to ever find out. Living in a small town threatens that pipe dream, though, because everyone knows just about everyone.
I really liked the dynamic between Pleasant and Clarissa. It was like a grandmother-granddaughter situation which fit well with the book. Pleasant has seen a lot in her young life and Clarissa is able to help her process and develop as a character. Just when I thought I knew how things were going to turn out, something else I wasn't expecting happened to take the story into a whole other direction. The twists and turns in this book will keep you gripping the pages until the very end!
Pleasant Day was an interesting book and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to review it. The characters in this book are complex and most of them are harboring secrets that they don't want anyone to ever find out. Living in a small town threatens that pipe dream, though, because everyone knows just about everyone.
I really liked the dynamic between Pleasant and Clarissa. It was like a grandmother-granddaughter situation which fit well with the book. Pleasant has seen a lot in her young life and Clarissa is able to help her process and develop as a character. Just when I thought I knew how things were going to turn out, something else I wasn't expecting happened to take the story into a whole other direction. The twists and turns in this book will keep you gripping the pages until the very end!
April 15, 2015
It is my pleasure to once again read a work by Vera Jane Cook. Thank you to Ms. Cook and Virtual Author Book Tours for the chance to read and review Pleasant Day.
What a pleasant day to sit back and read a nice book with a very pleasant name, right? Wrong! Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is a murder mystery filled with plot twists that will keep you on your toes. And "Pleasant Day" isn't what you'll experience, but who as she is a very complex character. So often I "had it all figured out" only to find that I was having to rearrange my thinking to fit with the newest piece of information.
Ms. Cook is a very skilled author and utilizes her talents to write believable characters with great depth. Pleasant has seen too much during her limited years and it leaves her with a story that needs to be heard. Clarissa is the older woman who befriends her and with her psychic ability she will take us on a journey to solve the mysteries of Pleasant.
With a unique style of writing, Ms. Cook has once again scored big with me and I give Pleasant Day five steaming hot cups of coffee and I highly recommend Pleasant Day to those who enjoy a great murder mystery!
©April 14, 2015
Patricia, Room With Books
What a pleasant day to sit back and read a nice book with a very pleasant name, right? Wrong! Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is a murder mystery filled with plot twists that will keep you on your toes. And "Pleasant Day" isn't what you'll experience, but who as she is a very complex character. So often I "had it all figured out" only to find that I was having to rearrange my thinking to fit with the newest piece of information.
Ms. Cook is a very skilled author and utilizes her talents to write believable characters with great depth. Pleasant has seen too much during her limited years and it leaves her with a story that needs to be heard. Clarissa is the older woman who befriends her and with her psychic ability she will take us on a journey to solve the mysteries of Pleasant.
With a unique style of writing, Ms. Cook has once again scored big with me and I give Pleasant Day five steaming hot cups of coffee and I highly recommend Pleasant Day to those who enjoy a great murder mystery!
©April 14, 2015
Patricia, Room With Books
May 17, 2019
This is definitely a book targeted for woman, however that doesn’t change that it’s a good book. The book follows Pleasant and her struggles in life, particularly with her family. The story is unique in that it brings a huge generation gap together, as Pleasant befriends an older (in her 60s) woman after a tragedy ties them together.
The plot and flow are okay, there are spots in that kind of drag on and seem to just be filler. I couldn’t find any real issue with the writing itself. Cook does wonder with descriptions, both in the physical world and emotional, as she worked through the story. There is often an issue with balance, but cook nailed it in this book.
Overall this is a great book to read, even though it’s focused as a story for women, it’s really a great read for anyone into a well-written story, just be patient through some of the slower sections.
The plot and flow are okay, there are spots in that kind of drag on and seem to just be filler. I couldn’t find any real issue with the writing itself. Cook does wonder with descriptions, both in the physical world and emotional, as she worked through the story. There is often an issue with balance, but cook nailed it in this book.
Overall this is a great book to read, even though it’s focused as a story for women, it’s really a great read for anyone into a well-written story, just be patient through some of the slower sections.
July 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this coming of age, mystery and crime novel all in one. All the characters were fantastic, especially Pleasant who is a strong and independent young woman. The plot while being quite realistic was really entertaining and I enjoyed the book the whole way through. There are so many little twists and turns and surprises throughout the story and I think it's a great read, I loved how everything came together.
April 3, 2019
‘With murder in common friendship is inevitable’
Author Vera Jane Cook has a handle on Southern women’s fiction. PLEASANT DAY is her eighth novel. The tone for the ‘Southern Gothic’ tale is set early on as we meet young Pleasant Day – an apt name for the lead character of this novel. ‘It’s other people boggle the mind with nonsense. That’s why I long to be alone most times, completely alone under a blue sky in Hollow Creek. That’s in South Carolina, not too many people heard of it. Shakespeare would have though the same ‘bout Hollow Creek, that it brings the poet our in people, well, at least in me. Shakespeare was a nature lover and he had his own Hollow Creek over there in England, must have had. He fully understood the perfection of a summer day…’ And this sensitive young girl begins the tale of two murders and two females, the other woman being the insightful older Clarissa Blackwell. The magnetic manner in which Cook paints her story of these two women’s interaction with two murders, fifteen years apart, unveils the strengths and needs of each and bonds them in a touching manner.
The language is raw, as is apropos of young people’s vocabularies, and that aspect when spared with the poetry that influences Pleasant makes for a strong exposition of the story. The description of the murder of the one-armed Millie Grady, Pleasant’ best friend, is fittingly gruesome – a touch of Southern darkness that wisely pervades this book – and the Clarissa’s memory of the murder of Chloe Rappaport shares the space. At the same time there is enough side humor in the language and thoughts of these two women to make it all seem real. A strong story by an artist who knows her craft.
Author Vera Jane Cook has a handle on Southern women’s fiction. PLEASANT DAY is her eighth novel. The tone for the ‘Southern Gothic’ tale is set early on as we meet young Pleasant Day – an apt name for the lead character of this novel. ‘It’s other people boggle the mind with nonsense. That’s why I long to be alone most times, completely alone under a blue sky in Hollow Creek. That’s in South Carolina, not too many people heard of it. Shakespeare would have though the same ‘bout Hollow Creek, that it brings the poet our in people, well, at least in me. Shakespeare was a nature lover and he had his own Hollow Creek over there in England, must have had. He fully understood the perfection of a summer day…’ And this sensitive young girl begins the tale of two murders and two females, the other woman being the insightful older Clarissa Blackwell. The magnetic manner in which Cook paints her story of these two women’s interaction with two murders, fifteen years apart, unveils the strengths and needs of each and bonds them in a touching manner.
The language is raw, as is apropos of young people’s vocabularies, and that aspect when spared with the poetry that influences Pleasant makes for a strong exposition of the story. The description of the murder of the one-armed Millie Grady, Pleasant’ best friend, is fittingly gruesome – a touch of Southern darkness that wisely pervades this book – and the Clarissa’s memory of the murder of Chloe Rappaport shares the space. At the same time there is enough side humor in the language and thoughts of these two women to make it all seem real. A strong story by an artist who knows her craft.
July 30, 2019
If you are fan of mystery and romance novels then Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is the perfect one for you. Pleasant is a teenage girl who tries to discover who killed her friend Millie. She meets Clarissa who has a great gift: psychic ability. The two start work together to solve the mystery of the murders and secrets of Hollow Creek.
If you think it sounds like typical chick-lit (a term I’m not fond of anyway) then there is much more in here to surprise you. The book contains real depth of plot and characters and plenty twists and turns perfect for great summer reading.
The book is definitely page turner. I found it an easy-read and easy to get into the story.
If you think it sounds like typical chick-lit (a term I’m not fond of anyway) then there is much more in here to surprise you. The book contains real depth of plot and characters and plenty twists and turns perfect for great summer reading.
The book is definitely page turner. I found it an easy-read and easy to get into the story.
July 13, 2020
'Pleasant Day' by Vera Jane Cook is a great mystery novel. It follows teenager Pleasant and Clarissa, the super-intuitive 60-year-old as they unite to unravel the mysteries of Hollow Creek and the two murders that shook the town. There is suspense, danger, plenty of twists and turns, and a little romance thrown in for good measure.
I loved the relationship between Pleasant and Clarissa and how their friendship developed over the course of the novel. They find real comfort in strength in each other as they confront their shared histories on their quest to find out who killed Pleasant's best friend.
I think Pleasant and Clarissa make a great team, and hope they pop up together in more novels in the future.
I loved the relationship between Pleasant and Clarissa and how their friendship developed over the course of the novel. They find real comfort in strength in each other as they confront their shared histories on their quest to find out who killed Pleasant's best friend.
I think Pleasant and Clarissa make a great team, and hope they pop up together in more novels in the future.
August 12, 2019
This is one of those crime novels that wonderfully combines a dark and intriguing mystery with some lighthearted humor and sweet character relationships. It is a great summer afternoon read, engaging, and fun. The story is of two murders fifteen years apart that both come back down to main character Pleasant Day. The first is her best friend and the second was her father's mistress. I really liked the relationship that was built between Pleasant and Clarrise, who was her father’s mistress’s godmother. They bond over the loss of loved ones and work together to solve the murders. The bond they have is heartwarming and sweet. I also liked that Pleasant has a close relationship with her family. The book definitely can get dark at times as death, loss, and family secrets are major elements of the book, but there is no gratuitous violence, and I wouldn't call the story scary. The story is fairly original, although there are plenty of tropes from the murder mystery genre. This was a fun read that had me smiling and guessing along to the mystery from beginning to end. All in all, this book is a very compelling read that I would definitely recommend to readers of murder mystery novels.
July 10, 2020
This is a fantastic book and you should definitely read it! It's a great little mystery with some very dark overtones mixed with the standard coming of age challenges faced by teen girls and modern day family drama. I really liked Pleasant and thought she made a great lead character; independent, smart and strong minded. The plot was brilliant, exciting and thoughtful, and I really enjoyed the whole experience.
July 14, 2020
Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is surprisingly humorous, though it is a murder suspense novel. A teenage girl, Millie, is murdered and her boyfriend is cleared. Somewhere there is a killer. Pleasant Day is bound to find the killer of her friend, putting her in danger. Clarissa doesn't believe the man who went to prison for the murder of her goddaughter is guilty of her death. She was just another number to claim. The question still remains where did her infant daughter go? How are these two murders connected?
The triangle of lies and secret loves makes Pleasant Day an interesting coming of age novel. Vera Jane Cook keeps the reader hooked as the story unfolds into multiple depths. The killer, or killers, could be anyone. The connection with Pleasant Day is baffling until the killer is revealed. I loved the twists and turns within the story and the complex connection between the characters.
The triangle of lies and secret loves makes Pleasant Day an interesting coming of age novel. Vera Jane Cook keeps the reader hooked as the story unfolds into multiple depths. The killer, or killers, could be anyone. The connection with Pleasant Day is baffling until the killer is revealed. I loved the twists and turns within the story and the complex connection between the characters.
February 5, 2021
Το βιβλίο αναφέρεται στην φιλία που αναπτύσσεται έπειτα από ένα φόνο ανάμεσα σε δύο γυναικες που τις χωρίζει το χάσμα γενεών ενώ την ιστορία αφηγείται σε πρώτο πρόσωπο η μικρότερη σε ηλικία η οποία είναι τόσο έξυπνη που συμπεριφέρεται, σκέφτεται και μιλάει σαν να είναι μεσήλικας πραγμα που πάντα με ξενίζει όταν το συναντώ στα βιβλία. Καθ' όλη τη διάρκεια της ανάγνωσης με "χαλούσε" το όλο μικρομέγαλο του πράγματος γι' αυτό και δεν το απόλαυσα όσα θα ήθελα. Ένα μέτριο ανάγνωσμα κατά την άποψή μου παρά τα δύο γερά πλοτ τουίστς που όμως δεν το σώζουν σε καμία περίπτωση. Αν θα το πρότεινα; Μάλλον όχι.
December 18, 2023
The transition from an innocent and (almost) carefree life as a teenager can take many forms. Pleasant Day’s life is changed when her friend is found dead. In true Vera Jane Cook fashion, long-held secrets and histories unfold, peeling away blinkers from Pleasant’s eyes. The interconnectedness of the varied and quirky characters’ stories is intriguing, and as the threads unravel, the reader is immersed in Southern life and culture and humour. Past pains and future freedom are carefully drawn with a clever twist, conspiring to ensure a satisfying read.
November 13, 2023
Really enjoyed it!
October 5, 2020
Pleasant Day is a murder mystery with just enough humour to keep the story from becoming too dark and taking away from the more positive elements of the book such as the friendship between Pleasant and Clarissa, and Pleasant's the personal growth. The book is full of twists and I found it to be quite surprising throughout. The various characters are cleverly woven together as the story progresses and the ending was fantastic - everything became clear once the murderer was identified. Highly recommend.
November 15, 2024
Some stories don’t just unfold—they unravel, pulling you in with their quiet, persistent force. A Saffron Sun by Vera Jane Cook is one such tale. It’s not loud or dramatic at first glance, but as you turn the pages, it slowly bares its soul, leaving you caught between the comfort of familiarity and the shock of revelation.
Picking up where The Darlings left off, this book plunges deeper into the lives of its characters. There’s a murderer lurking, a scandal waiting to burst open, and hidden desires quietly finding their way. But beyond these twists and turns, it’s about identity and truth—those fragile, slippery things we all grapple with. Cook doesn’t just tell a story; she holds a mirror up to life, showing us how easily convention and fear can blur the lines between who we are and who we pretend to be.
What I loved most was how Cook captures the complexities of relationships—the love that binds us, the betrayals that break us, and the hope that keeps us moving forward. There’s a warmth in her writing, even when the story takes dark turns. It’s like sitting with an old friend who isn’t afraid to tell you the hard truths but does so with compassion.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend A Saffron Sun to anyone who craves stories that resonate on a deeper level. If you’ve ever questioned your choices, wrestled with your identity, or sought a way back to yourself after life knocked you down, this book will speak to you. It’s a reminder that even when the truth feels unbearable, it’s the only thing that can set us free.
Picking up where The Darlings left off, this book plunges deeper into the lives of its characters. There’s a murderer lurking, a scandal waiting to burst open, and hidden desires quietly finding their way. But beyond these twists and turns, it’s about identity and truth—those fragile, slippery things we all grapple with. Cook doesn’t just tell a story; she holds a mirror up to life, showing us how easily convention and fear can blur the lines between who we are and who we pretend to be.
What I loved most was how Cook captures the complexities of relationships—the love that binds us, the betrayals that break us, and the hope that keeps us moving forward. There’s a warmth in her writing, even when the story takes dark turns. It’s like sitting with an old friend who isn’t afraid to tell you the hard truths but does so with compassion.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend A Saffron Sun to anyone who craves stories that resonate on a deeper level. If you’ve ever questioned your choices, wrestled with your identity, or sought a way back to yourself after life knocked you down, this book will speak to you. It’s a reminder that even when the truth feels unbearable, it’s the only thing that can set us free.
January 16, 2022
This book starts like a Southern summer day – slow, steady and calm – until a body is discovered in a box spring – then hang on. The story is woven between a couple of small towns – where everyone knows everyone but might not always see connections. The two main characters, Pleasant, a 15 years old and Clarissa, a mature woman are both on the trail of two separate crimes. Both, as well as many supporting characters, are well written and complex. The plot web that this author created kept me looking for the connections and being rewarded when lines intersected.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but I have a feeling it will not be the last. I always love a book I can slow down and savor and this was definitely in that category.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but I have a feeling it will not be the last. I always love a book I can slow down and savor and this was definitely in that category.
February 27, 2023
Pleasant Day sounds like an unlikely name for a young lady but it works well for a book title. She undergoes a transformation from an innocent when her friend Millie is murdered and Pleasant is drawn into the case along with her newly found ally Clarissa who is a bit psychic. Circumstances unravel revealing links between Clarissa's past and Pleasant's birth mother Chloe and the story rolls along nicely to solve the murder of Millie and also that of Chloe. Nicely crafted in an older style of writing, easy to follow and with the right kind of happy ending.
December 28, 2021
Pleasant Day by Vera Jane Cook is a murder mystery novel that kept me hooked till the end of the book. I love and cherish the relationship between Pleasant and Clarissa because I felt the strength and support they give each other. Also many twists and turns to keep you guessing what's coming next and regarding the characters- complex and interesting. Great quick read!
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