Janelle Meraz Hooper
Reviews & Comments
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Janelle Meraz Hooper Reviews & Comments |
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On
Nook- A romantic ribbon weaves its way through a latticework of exotic pets, jewelry, and Northwest cuisine including cherry
pie! All of this against the backdrop of urban
"..was unable to put it down, stayed up till 3am the day I got my copy! Of course I did that again with her other
book also!" Pat Dickerson, Puyallup, WA “Just
sat down this morning and finished the book. It is a keeper.” Danny E., Oklahoma Janelle M. Hooper's latest book "Bears in the Hibiscus" is a delightful read. She handles the twists
and turns of her characters' life with a sense of humor that is uplifting and her very own. I recommend this book as a remedy
against depression. "I loved the book i will read it again!" H.B. Tacoma, WA. I just finished reading Custer and His Naked Ladies, and read Bears in Hibiscus, and A Three Turtle Summer before that. I enjoyed all three books and found myself wanting to read them instead of working! N.D. Puyallup, WA "Just finished the book, it was a great weekend read. I recieved a Kindle for my birthday so am planning on downloading your other books as well." S. M, Puyallup, WA "I finished your book. It was wonderful. I could hear your voice reading it to me." S.B. Puyallup, WA "I read your book and I loved it. Parts were hilarious!" L.S., Sumner, WA
Reviews and Comments
"Custer
and His Naked Ladies," is not normally a book I would just pick up and read. Personally, I'm more of a historical fiction
and sci-fi nut. It was a pleasant deviation from my usual literature-diet. I
loved the setting. Not many people think great stories can come out of the American mid-west, or even The
second unique factor I enjoyed was the age group. With the exception of the few key characters; Glory, Soap, and Ben, everyone
was a senior citizen. Most stories feature characters between birth to middle age, so it comes to no surprise that most are
convinced that all the fun has to end when you turn sixty. This story, and this cast of characters, proves different. They
are all the most feisty, and entertaining lives I have ever had the chance to glimpse at. I
also highly enjoyed the romance between Glory and Soap. I kept thinking, "Oh please get together, please get together." You
don't see enough older romances and they're beautiful. The love scene (yes, there is a small one) was revealing, modest, and
simply lovely. The
third, and perhaps best, was the inner-weaving of so many plot lines. You not only had the drama with Glory going on; her
divorce and endless fear of never finding true happiness, which was the main arch. But also the drama going on in the community,
the casino debate on the reservation and over-reach of the Mob. As I live-long Washingtonian, I am very familiar with the
love-hate relationship between reservations and casinos, but until I read this book, I was unsure of how the Mob worked into
all of this. And the measures the ladies take, is both hilarious and serious. The third plot was the side story of Dan, a
cousin of Glory's, who is kidnapped while on a mission trip to If
you want a break from the daily grind of the Northwest winter, pick up "Custer and His Naked Ladies." No only will you feel
relaxed and refreshed from all that great Tiffany
(Richards) Elliott Freelance
writer and part-time critic
Janelle
Meraz Hooper has done it again! Custer and His Naked Ladies is filled with quirky and likable characters in a richly detailed
setting. Humor, family and love come shining through. There is a poignant line in the book that has stayed with me: "Old age
had crept in and stolen their bodies while they were dancing through life." These women have danced! VF Gibson, I purchased "Custer and His Naked Ladies" at your booth on
July 4 in Steilacoom and promised I'd let you know what I thought of it. After
I finished it my husband decided to read it (we both had enjoyed "A Three-Turtle Summer" a few years ago) so I waited
to hear his comments.We thoroughly enjoyed the book. We both agreed
that you are excellent at spinning a yarn and at painting a verbal picture of people and places. You can quote us on that!
P. R., Tacoma
I
just finished reading your book "Custer and his Naked Ladies" LOOOOVE it, excellent writing and story. It gave me a nice
inside view of the wonderful culture of our American indians. Good job Janelle! S.Z., "Custer and His Naked Ladies was great!!!!!!!!"
Dan Eppler, Geronimo, Oklahoma
"I have read the book and really liked it! I don't often have the
chance, nor the time, to read novels, but once I started this one I couldn't put it down."
B. G., Lawton, Oklahoma
"I am LOVING your books. I'm on Custer right now. Just started
it. You are an awesome author!"
Shirley Diaz, Puyallup, WA
Turtle and Brown were good and close to my heart. Custer ties them all together .
Most of all I loved the conversations and atmosphere you created of all your beloved Oklahoma folks. Believe you captured
the spirit of simple Mexican-Indian culture. Its wonderful, joyful times and the sad times which your little people know how
to handle well. They are so brave and think nothing of it. This is true courage. I Your relatives, the naked ladies,
felt familiar , like I know them. It's like peeking in and being a part of the culture. True Oklahoma spirit in Custer. AND,
yeah, you can write a love story! Wow! I feel you have put your heart and soul into this book. I liked all your additional information at the end. Shows real tender loving care
for your story and respect for history. Your romance novel (next?) will really sizzle. I can already feel the smoke. Jane
W., Pasadena
Reviews & Comments
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A Cool Book Review (www.cool-book-review.com) Janelle Hooper has brought a story of domestic violence into fine focus with this book. It is a tragic tale but one reflecting the persistence of the human spirit which eventually brings a final relief from the agonies of pain, fear, and violence. The demeaning treatment of the heroine of this tale by her husband and her resourcefulness to secretly battle him could only be told by someone who has been very close to similar actual events as either participant or observer. Note: This reviewer is very observant. This book was written about my parents but listed as fictional to protect my mother while she was living. It's correct category should be autobiographical-fiction.
Kind words... I'm a fan of Janelle Hooper's writing. Three Turtle Summer and Brown as I Want, not to mention
a number of other works, sit on my bookshelf. She's a prolific writer, so keeping up with her output is challenging.
To that end, I've ordered her latest, Custer and His Naked Ladies. I enjoy reading the Okie-Mex flavored adventures
of Glory and her covey of relatives.
Janelle paints her stories with crisply defined characters, leaving just enough fuzziness around their edges for us to
fill in a color or two from our own life experiences. This allows us to make her characters our own, and adds immensely
to the pleasure of reading her works.
In Three Turtle Summer and Brown as I Want, we watch Glory as a little girl try to stay alive in a stuation
she doesn't understand. This is a tragic story, one that told differently would be a depressing read. But Janelle
wraps the story in situational humor and somehow Glory muddles through, all the while chasing the local bugs and playing
spy with neighbor friends. Her relatives and adult acquaintances are stirred in generously, so the reader - who is most
likely an adult - can readily relate.
And now along comes Custer and His Naked Ladies. Glory is all grown up. This story HAS
to be a romance. What other choice does Janelle have, after all???
James R. Muri Novelist, Sailor
When I read A Three-Turtle Summer I was moved by the author's warm and sensitive portrayal of a woman
trying to free herself from the husband threatening to destroy her. Grace is a survivor determined to protect her daughter
Glory, and turns to her feisty mother and sisters for support. Janelle Meraz Hooper gives us more than a story. She gives
us a cast of hilarious and memorable characters in a vividly drawn setting. Her sense of humor permeates the book and is especially
strong in the dialogue. A Three-Turtle Summer is a keeper. VF Gibson, Reviews of A Three-Turtle Summer I have read A Three-Turtle Summer. Seems such a part of your author's heart. There is bravery, despair, but always the hope that tomorrow will be better. I loved your book and have taken, on many occasions, great glee in describing and recommending it to others. Alice P. in Washington State
Reading 'A Three Turtle Summer' is a learning
and rewarding experience. The author conveys very clearly - yet with measured tact - the insidiousness of discrimination and
prejudice, namely towards minority women. Janelle Meraz Hooper's dialogues are witty and her characters are convincing. Hers
is a moving portrayal of one woman's resolve to conquer herself, against all odds. This is a warm, unassuming and memorable
story with no frills attached. I loved it!
Kelly Creso Bold Media Corporation Reader Reviews
“…I loved it.
The Dwayne character was fun to dislike and watching his life deteriorate, seeing him reap what he sowed, was wonderful. Grace
emerging from the brutality of Dwayne unfolded beautifully. Spinning the sisters and characters in it made the whole book
a lot of fun to read…” M. H., A Three-Turtle Summer
and As Brown As I Want, The Indianhead Diaries: …Just finished reading
them. Both, were very enjoyable. A bit sad, but kept me glued to every page. I do believe Oprah would really enjoy them and
put them in her book club. If I knew how to contact her, I would.” D. S.,
“…I just wanted
you to know I read the books you left in Quad B at S I loved it. The Dwayne character was fun to dislike
Reviews of As Brown As I Want,
The Indianhead Diaries
Janelle
Meraz Hooper has
hit a homerun with her second book, AS BROWN AS I WANT, The Indianhead Diaries." Even better than her
much acclaimed first book, A THREE-TURTLE SUMMER, Janelle's new book propels the reader through a series of unique
situations as experienced by eight-year-old Glory, who always seems just a few steps ahead of her scheming father.
I finished reading As Brown as I Want, and really enjoyed it. I could
not put it down! N. D., Puyallup, WA
I have just finished Brown
and it's extraordinary. Caldicott worthy, at least. Laughed myself silly. Alice Peeples, Lakewood, WA. "I love your second book. You have masterfully written in
a style befitting a child, so fresh and natural, handling a very serious subject in a way to make reading easy, even
if it makes one's heart thump."
Elfi Hornby, author of Dancing to War and Shadow
of Defeat
(Note: Elfi has a new book: So, This Is America!)
"Hilarious!" an Oklahoma reader
I read your book, As Brown As I Want. I thought the book was so
good. I couldn't stop reading it. I got in trouble for reading it in class because i just couldn't put it down. Valerie, a
student
First
of all let me congratulate you on your wonderful stories. I find them to be very funny and entertaining. B. M.,
The Bridge To Divorce: “Very good indeed.” K. A., |
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