SONG OF THE ROAD by Dorothy Garlock
Novelist Dorothy Garlock has been called "the voice of America's heartland" because of the locales of her stories. Most take place in America during the 1920's to 40's. Her latest series of books have taken place during this time and are set along Route 66, or "the Mother Road" as it was called. SONG OF THE ROAD is the latest in her series of books about this area, and it is one of her best books ever.
The focus of the story is on Mary Lee Clawson. She is a young widow who is returning home after a few years of being away with her husband. He is dead and she is pregnant. She has nowhere to go but home, even though it is a run down motel where her drunken mother lives. Her beloved father is also dead, but he has left her the motel in his will.
Mary Lee is one determined young woman and she is positive she can make the motel profitable again. She had better because there is an outstanding note on it and the bank is just waiting to foreclose. Her major obstacle to success is her alcoholic mother who is determined to thwart every idea for success Mary Lee has.
The one ray of sunshine in her life is Jake Ramero. He rents one of the motel rooms and has taken it upon himself to be Mary Lee's protector. The only problem is he is an ex-con and Mary Lee doesn't know how much she should trust him. A better ally is teenage orphan Eli Stacy. Mary Lee found him sleeping in one of the vacant rooms and befriended him. He quickly becomes devoted to her.
Darkness gathers around Mary Lee's life as evil people plot not only for her to lose the motel, but also for her to lose her life and that of her unborn child. They are afraid the "child" will inherit that which they want.
Garlock masterfully builds the suspense in her book as well as the circumstances regarding the love that grows between Mary Lee and Jake. The reader is never sure which way the plot is going to twist and that makes for interesting reading.
One added enjoyment to the story is the bringing back of Deke, a character from two of Garlock's previous books. His appearance in this story is a surprise and a welcome one at that. He is as charming and likeable here as he was in the other two books.
Once you have read any of Dorothy Garlock's books you are hooked on her style and substance. She is a consistently good writer who knows her location and her characters. Throw in the fact she is brilliant in inventing plots and you have a woman who is truly "the voice of America's heartland."
You will love SONG OF THE ROAD. Let it be the "road" that leads you to other adventures in Dorothy Garlock's world.
SONG OF THE ROAD is published by Warner Books. It contains 402 pages and sells for $12.00.