Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel

Valentine #6

by Curtiss Ann Matlock

- At The Corner Of Love And Heartache (Mira Books, 7/02) achieved a 55% NSR.- Cold Tea On a Hot Day (Mira Books, 8/01) spent three weeks on the USA Today bestseller list and achieved an amazing 65% NSR.- Driving Lessons (Mira Books, 8/00) also achieved a remarkable 63% NSR.- Curtiss Ann Matlock is a two-time Rita Award finalist and winner of two National Readers' Choice awards.- There are more than 7 million copies of her book in print in seven languages worldwide.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

577 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Curtiss Ann Matlock is the author of 40 novels. With over 7 million copies in print worldwide, her books have earned rave reviews, spots on the USA TODAY bestseller list and numerous awards.

Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.

Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.

Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.

Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a while back, it is one of my favorite books. A small town story that is a gem.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Claire Wilder reads the mysterious yet hopeful message about searching for ‘real life’ on the wall of the truck stop women’s room, she is inspired to kick off the trappings of her divorce-afterlife and hit the road herself. She quits her job, cuts her hair, packs her car and heads to … Valentine, Oklahoma. It was supposed to be just for one night: time enough to get an impression of the place she was born but never really lived. She just wanted to see where her father’s people – a father she’d never known - had lived and, eventually, passed away. And in her heart of hearts, she wanted a clue to why her father had never tried to contact her.

Claire has a lot to wonder about. On her way out of town, she’d run into her ex-husband, Andrew, who had had second thoughts about his impending marriage to his much-younger fiancée, and now wanted to try for a reconciliation with Claire (something Claire had been wishing for since the divorce two years earlier.) But having made her mind up about this solo trip, Claire surprises even herself by putting Andrew off and wanting to think about it.

Settled in at Valentine’s only lodgings, the Goodnight Motel, Claire begins her search for answers, starting with some of the locals who might have actually known her father or his family. With the help of the charming and gentlemanly, Winston Valentine, she successfully locates her grandparents’ final resting spot. However, the next morning she awakes to find her car and all her belongings have been stolen, and the thief has left behind his frightened and very vulnerable, pregnant girlfriend, Sherrilyn. As Claire tries to help the girl, she becomes more and more a part of the small rural community and her search for her father and his people becomes more and more a search for her real self and a real life.

This sixth book in the author’s Valentine series is a solid, satisfying story of not just one woman’s search for herself but two. Claire has been drifting through life reacting and not actively living, passively adapting around and to the actions of others, relying on others to make her a life, waiting for her father to return to her and her mother, to rescue them. It is good to watch as she finally takes the steps to lead her own life as she desires, overcomes her lethargy, and takes charge. The lost soul, Sherrilyn, is a beaten down thing but her pregnancy has given her a goal and the beginnings of some strength to protect herself and her unborn child. She stands firm when she doesn’t want to have an abortion against the abusive Denny, and refuses to agree to give up the baby for adoption. The characters that populate the pages of the book seem so very real, not unlike those that populate your own community.

I recommend this book for readers that like a story of overcoming the odds and taking charge of one’s life. There is romance and a strong sense of accomplishment throughout the book for many characters.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first time reading this author and I was not disappointed. Vivid, interesting characters with some situations that sometimes seemed a bit contrived, but you know what it had a nice feel good factor and the author tied up all the loose ends by the time the book was finished. If you are looking for an interesting town, quirky characters and a woman deciding to up stakes and move home then this is what you need to be reading.

My thanks to Hidden Gems for a copy of this book, which I reviewed.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish I could rate it 10 stars!!)
Review:
This was my first time reading a book by Curtiss so I was unsure of what to exspect but I loved this book so much!! It had the perfect amount of Chick-Lit Genre in it as well as Cozy Mystery Vibes that made me love the storyline so much!!

The characters were comical to read and gave me a few LOL moments as well!!

I will definitely read more by Curtiss in the future!!!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It was very good with
Down to earth characters in a small town setting. Claire Wilder comes
To the Goodnight Motel and town to find the graves of her grandparents.
She leaves her old life and job behind in the Hope of finding herself,
A life and something she like to do. Claire is a helper and gives of herself
To others and falls for the Motel and people she meets and befriends.
Recommended

[Tommie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! I don't know when I enjoyed a book so much! Maybe it was the title itself!! "sweet Dreams At The Goodnight Motel"! Doesn't that sound intriguing? Claire , who's looking for a different life , divorced, lonely , happens onto this small Oklahoma town... I have read a lot of this author's books... she always has good taste!! Lots of fascinating characters involved!!! Great read ....absolutely entertaining book.....

[Brianna Devlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book about a woman, Claire, finding herself and her roots again after a divorce.

Small town Valentine comes to life as Claire sets up shop at the Goodnight Motel, making new friends and finding new love, as she builds herself a new life while “looking for real life”.

[Coniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving These Valentine Reads!

I know the series is going to run out eventually and I don’t want it to. Enjoying them so much! Curtiss Ann is a brilliant writer!! Not too mushy, not vulgar but romantic and a great storyline.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[ksstannard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Valentine and Sweet Dreams

Characters who walk off the page, believable twists in the plot, and a happily ever after...who could ask for more

[Tressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel and Claire’s discovery of what she wanted out of life. I love visiting Valentine; the characters all have distinct personalities.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story all around. Not a major literary piece, but a feel good story. And we all need a friend or to be a friend like Vella.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book though I had no idea it was part of a series. Now I'll have to track down the rest of it!

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I loved getting reacquainted with the citizens of Valentine. Highly recommend.

[Lynnell Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice, light read - was drawn into the characters and liked that I could picture their town, and the feel of it.

[Amelia Autin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Curtiss Ann Matlock's SWEET DREAMS AT THE GOODNIGHT MOTEL is like listening to Diana Krall's music; it wraps around you like a warm, comfy blanket and seeps quietly into your soul. You'll end up thinking about this book for a long time to come.

I've been a fan of Ms. Matlock's books for more than 20 years, and SWEET DREAMS AT THE GOODNIGHT MOTEL didn't disappoint. I'll admit it took me a little while to adjust to the numerous point of view shifts (not something usually encountered in books these days), but after the first few chapters I easily accepted the story's flow and enjoyed seeing things from so many different perspectives.

There are three main storylines and three female protagonists, each at a different stage in her life and each dealing with emotional landmines. Claire, the main character, who is in her forties, Vella, who's in her late sixties, and Sherilynn, a young, unwed mother-to-be coming out of a toxic relationship with a criminal, all vie for the reader's attention and effortlessly tug at our heartstrings. Then, of course, we also get into the heads of several male characters: Winston, Travis, Andrew, Larkin, Harold. It's like a thick gumbo of emotions the author manages to pull together into a satisfying whole.

This isn't a typical romance, so this isn't the book for you if that's what you're expecting. But if you're looking for something outside the ordinary, you won't be disappointed with SWEET DREAMS AT THE GOODNIGHT MOTEL.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel is a contemporary romance novel by author Curtiss Ann Matlock. This is a time-slip novel: 1963-Modern Day.

Claire Wilder quit her job so she could go back to where she was born and perhaps find her dad who she hasn’t seen since childhood. Andrew her ex is a work-a-holic. Sherrilyn is a young girl that is pregnant with a criminal’s baby.

Did this book meet my expectations? I don’t usually read contemporary fiction, preferring historical fiction. I felt let down by this book because the language was sometimes too rough for my liking and it was much longer than it needed to be. However, the ending brought all the details together and I felt the author did a great job of giving the story a small town feel. I would not recommend this book to readers under 18. I am giving this book 2* because, even though there were some interesting parts, I came away from it feeling disappointed and depressed.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Britt Lovelady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather enjoyable, if cheesily written, novel. Claire decides to up and leave her job and discover her past in the small southern town of Valentine. Suddenly she's the talk of the town, getting all the men to fall for her (a father and son? Really?), and taking in the pregnant girlfriend of the man her stole her her car. Eventually she takes over running the small motel from the title and trying to decide which guy she really wants to be with (including her ex-husband). If all this sounds contrived and, as mentioned before, heavy on the cheese factor, it is. But the small town of Valentine and its residents is surprisingly charming. The story has the predictable, happily-ever-after ending, but no complaints about that from me. I give it a C-.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another installment in the story of the folks who live in Valentine, OK. All the regulars are there; Vella and Belinda from the drug store, Winston, and a new character, Claire Wilder, who stops at the Goodnight Motel and ends up buying and restoring it to its former glory. In between, there is the story of Claire's broken up marriage, a little bit of romance, a theft, a competetion to see whether a father or a son will win Claire's heart. The characters are down to earth, and the book is a gentle tale of small town life.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this series and the people living in Valentine,OK and I hope its not done yet. Ms. Matlock's characters are so real, and her stories just flows with life in the many situations, and humorous outcome of each and everyone connected in the little town of Valentine. You won't want it to end, and it made me wish I lived there. If you haven't read Curtiss's books, then your missing out!

[Amber Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish I had known this was part of series. I would have started at book 1; although, this book stood pretty good on its own. Left a bit of a cliffhanger for me so now I am debating starting at book 1 or going on to the next book which is book 10.

A book about a woman who is on a "vacation". What she ends up discovering is her "real" life. Good book.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Oklahoma connection was enough to pull me in- but this was such a beautifully written story about trying to find your roots and what they mean to you. True to the spirit of the story- this book came just at the right time in my life.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a book that's going to change your life, but it's a relaxing, good read. Valentine is a fun place to visit and I'm interested enough that I'm going to check out a few of her other Valentine books.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable visit to Valentine, Oklahoma with some familiar characters as well as a few newcomers. Claire is searching for her father. She finds friendships and a home. She gets answers to her questions and opens herself up to new possibilities.

[stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

total fluff but fun and easy

[Risley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I read this but I remember it being a sweet story with great characters.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way this author writes. She does a good job of creating characters that are easy to relate to.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and was a sequel to Recipes for Easy Living which was a nice surprise

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about family relationships.

[Nolafactor]

Just started reading.