Bobby's Diner

Bobby's Diner #1

by Susan Wingate

Bobby's Diner is a story of a woman trying to find herself in a town where nobody wants her. Georgette Carlisle, twenty-five when she saunters into the rustic town of Sunnydale, Arizona, snags husband, Bobby, away from another woman, Vanessa Carlisle. After he dies fifteen years later when the story begins he leaves his restaurant called Bobby's Diner to both women. But, that's not the only problem. Bobby's Diner, situated on an attractive highway corridor property, is slated as the next boutique tourist site and sits smack in way of Zach Pinzer's dreams and future with Chariot International Incorporated, a large developer headquartered in Phoenix. Even after Zach arranges to destroy their property and fatally wounds their beloved busboy and gardener, he nearly kills Roberta, Vanessa's daughter. Georgette and Vanessa hold fast to the only thing they have, each other, and they fight. Georgette's story tells a tale of life, love, death, grief, pain, loneliness, and redemption. And, she finds her true family with the most unexpected people

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

"My love of books is largely due to the Sevilla Elementary School librarian. I ran to her to tell on Jeff Sloggins who, after slurping spinach around in his mouth, gagged, choked, then barfed on our table in the school cafeteria." ~Susan Wingate

Susan Wingate holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lindenwood University. Her poetry, short stories, and essays have been published in journals such as the Virginia Quarterly Review, the Superstition Review, and Suspense Magazine, as well as others.

Susan's novel, How the Deer Moon Hungers received eight book awards. Susan is a proud member of PENAmerica.

Susan Wingate writes about big trouble in small towns and is the primary caregiver of her husband who suffers from frontotemporal dementia. They live off the coast of Washington State on San Juan Island.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby’s Diner is the first book in the Bobby’s Diner series by American author, Susan Wingate. Still grieving from the sudden death of their husband, Bobby Carlisle, his widow Georgette and his ex-wife Vanessa are shocked by a certain item in his will: Bobby has left his diner to them both as joint owners. Ever since Georgie arrived on the scene fifteen years earlier and stole her husband, Vanessa and her daughter Roberta have hated her. How is this ever going to work?

Bobby’s Diner is a successful business, almost an institution in the small town of Sunnydale, Arizona, and both women are determined it will continue to be. So they come to terms, and they work hard to keep it going. When developer Zach Pinzer turns up at the diner’s kitchen door with a lucrative offer to buy, they quickly see him off. But Zach is persistent, and not averse to using other means to get his deal.

The story is quite a good one, although this copy would benefit from an edit: it demonstrates the pitfalls of “replace all” in word processing; and while the plot may be a little predictable, the journey to the climax, featuring a crooked local politician, a city hit man, bonding over target practice, a town full of loyal customers, a wife suffering under coercion, two murders, one near-fatal shooting, and a cat called Gangster, that journey is a moving and entertaining one and more of this cast is definitely welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press

[Ruth Chatlien · Rating 4 out of 5]

With sumner coming on, I think this would be a good beach book. It is a quick read that deals with serious personal events without bogging down in analysis. The dialogue is snappy and fits each character. Even though I tend to prefer more time spent on the interior life of characters, I liked the four main women featured in this novel, particularly Georgie. I plan to read this author again.

[Bonnye Reed]

TheFussyLibrrian

[SANDYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional roller coaster!

A great story full of love, hate, anger, forgiveness, deceit, mystery, suspense, secrets, and love. It has a little bit of everything for every reading interest. One ex-wife and one widow inheriting and running their dead husband's diner together. As you can imagine, things didn't always go smoothly. Enter in one underhanded money hungry real estate mogul, and a misguided Mayor, and things get even more chaotic. You won't be able to put it down once you start reading, and the ending will surprise you in more ways than one.

[EZRead eBookstore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems a cruel trick for a husband to leave his well-established and popular diner to both his wife and his ex-wife. Reading the story from the perspective of Georgette, it’s easy to sympathize with her grief and feel her pain at being known as a home-wrecker in the town. But, there are always two sides to a story, and watching Vanessa’s own bitterness from her divorce can tear a reader in two: Do I feel for Georgette or for Vanessa? I could no sooner pick one color from a rainbow.

The hot Arizona setting of this novel was set up perfect from the beginning. I can almost hear the Georgia drawl and tempo of speech with some of those lines: “I miss him like a child misses hard candy at Christmas time.” As an outsider, Georgette is the only one with an accent in Arizona, which helps set her apart and develop her characterization, as well as the mood. For some reason, the heat in Arizona is more believable coming from the tone and descriptions of Georgette.

If the setting and tension between the two wives wasn’t heated enough, then there’s the conspiracy behind the mayor and contractors who want Bobby’s Diner for the land. The plot sounds reminiscent of an old southern tale about battling for land, but fighting for property is as far as that similarity goes. Aside from the danger that inevitably follows the greed from the contractors, most of the story leaves a reader’s heart aching for the ladies, rather than going pitter patter from fear.

With an unfolding mystery and unexpected friendships, sinking into this book is easier than slipping into a warm bath.

- EZRead Staffer, Amelia


like the review? Buy the eBook: http://www.ezread.com/book.asp?EAN=97...

[Rebecca Sloop · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of promise. The characters were good, but not as well developed as I like. The plot was good, but it seemed like the story was told in fast forward - not enough time to fully get the characters reactions. The author switched from first person to third person and the transitions were a bit choppy. But very heartfelt.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual inheritance, was left to the Widow and his ex wife, in which to keep running Bobby’s Diner, or to sell. It is popular, and a prime real estate. Adding to them not getting along and people wanting the place.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but I it could have been better. I accidentally read the sequel first and her writing improved in that one.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about relationships

Bobby's Diner to me seemed more about female relationships versus mystery. Of course there definitely is a mystery to solve, and a good one it is.

[Susan O'Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Bobby's Diner," the small-town diner is left to ex-wife Vanessa and wife No. 2 Georgette. They can either work together, sell or sell out to the other. In addition to distinct personality differences is the fact that Bobby cheated on Vanessa with the much-younger Georgette.

Tensions build between the two women, but they have to make a choice - learn to work together or lose everything. From putting together a kitchen routine to fending off a scheming land developer, they come together as a team, despite Vanessa's anger from the past and Georgette's lack of self-identity.

Susan Wingates has put together a respectable story, although it's one without much excitement. It's predictable, providing an easy and quick read when you just need a mini mental vacation.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read that had me reaching for the Puffs a couple times. Being divorced I could relate to the relationship that Vanessa had with Georgette but to have them work together. Yes, Susan was right lots of wine would have to be involved for me. Susan did a terrific job describing the making of Sunnydale, Arizona and as a reader you felt like you just stepped off the bus and she doesn't miss a beat. Great relationships. The scene from the garden when Vanessa was reading from the Bible is powerful to me. No longer alone now, Vanessa finds the strength and love to finally bring some peace to her changing world. I loved how Susan kept this scene lowkey and tranqil. A nice read.

[Stephen Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby left an interesting legacy when he died. A popular local diner in a small desert town, a wife who loved him, an ex-wife who still had strong feelings for him, and a daughter who can't forgive him. The story begins with the reading of the will, where we learn that Bobby has chosen to leave equal shares of the dinner to the two women who had been his wives, and who had worked with him, at different times, in the restaurant.

As the women grudgingly begin to work together, they must also deal with outside threats to the diner, and to their own safety.

I really enjoyed the well developed characters in this book, as well as the richly developed small town desert setting.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly I really enjoyed this book. For those that are looking for a high fast action paced story this isn't it. Its a slow build easy relaxing read. Where it lacks in suspense it makes up for in character interaction. Bobby's Diner has heart and that's something rare to find in books these days.

[Amelia M.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the setting and tension between the two wives wasn’t heated enough, then there’s the conspiracy behind the mayor and contractors who want Bobby’s Diner for the land. The plot sounds reminiscent of an old southern tale about battling for land, but fighting for property is as far as that similarity goes. Aside from the danger that inevitably follows the greed from the contractors, most of the story leaves a reader’s heart aching for the ladies, rather than going pitter patter from fear.

[Heidi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently had the pleasure of reading Susan Wingate’s Bobby’s Diner, the winner of several finalist awards, including the 2010 International Book Awards. Bobby dies and leaves the diner to his wife and his ex-wife--a great set up for fireworks! Susan says the greater premise of this book is that a sense of family can be found with anyone you choose to give love to and from whom you receive love.

I'm looking forward to reading Hotter Than Helen, the sequel.

[nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

i know this book has received several awards but it seemed to be written by a 6th grader. there was no character development, ony 118 pages, little was explained, the plot was choppy at best. i wonder how it ever got any award.

[Susan Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALIST in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards! Well, okay, I wrote this book BUT it has been getting phenomenal reviews. Check out the website at www.bobbysdiner.com.

[Michelle Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so wonderful it made me cry at the end. I love books like that! I guess it won some awards too.

[Syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Hooks you from first chapter. Great storyline and characters. Also like Drowning by same author.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this on my Kindle. It was an okay book and story line. It just moved a bit slow at times and at other times is was a bit unbelievable. I won't be saving it on my Kindle but will archive it.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite sure what to make of this book. Felt very disjointed but at times heartening. What should have taken a couple of days to read took more than a week. Disappointing.

[Gayle Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a gem and has so much more depth than I expected. Don't underestimate this one or you will miss out on a remarkable read.

[Susan Wingate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conflict starts off right away and keeps building in risk. Great pace. Great message.