JDCMustReadBooks

By Bette Lee Crosby 

Series: (Wyattsville #1)

ASIN: B005SHN43A

Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing
Publication Date: 9/13/2013
Format:  e-book 
My Rating:  5 Stars 

A special thank you to the author for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spare Change (The Wyattsville Series #1) by Bette Lee is a true gem; a heartwarming and quirky southern charmer, full of suspense, humor, and mystery, and big on important life lessons! A lovable story of how one small troubled boy and one older alone, and independent widow’s life connect—where miracles, hope, and trust are found in the least expected places.

Set in Virginia, Olivia Westerly has always been suspicious of the number eleven, an independent woman working at the phone company. She was in no hurry to get married, nor have children, as she has seen too many women saddled down with kids with no life of their own. One day Charlie comes into her life, and is married for the first time at almost age 60. Charlie’s wife died years ago, and has a son and a grandson; however, nothing for her to worry about, as they are estranged.

Ethan Allen Doyle, age eleven, with a sad troubled and poor life, with a mother who is miserable, (did not want a child), with no motherly instincts, and her life’s desire is to go to New York and become a singer. His dad is abusive, and controlling and the night his mother tries to make the escape, Ethan witnesses a brutal murder and now he has to escape, or risk his life.

The only person he knows is the grandfather who sent him a dollar each year in a card and the only link is the address on the envelope. How will he get there, he is only eleven (this part is priceless). Surely, his grandfather will take him in, and his Dog(named Dog). However, when the murderer discovers Ethan witnessed the tragic event he is after him and anyone who gets in his way. Ethan needs some spare change and even better, a life saver to pull him out of this tragic life—who can he trust?

What a great story! I loved how all the older neighbors supported Olivia in her time of need, as full of wit and humor mixed with the loss and tragedy. I loved Ethan as you want to take him home with you to keep him safe and the road trip honeymoon to South Beach, was fun (as boy, have I made this trip many times, from Carolina's to South Florida).

Highly recommend this beautiful and intriguing deeply moving southern novel, which will warm your heart, making it difficult to put down. Bette has a way of using flawed characters in horrific dark circumstances; just when you think there is no hope left, fate steps in and places the right person in their path, at just the right time--leaving you smiling. Well- developed characters, which will remain with you long after the book ends.

As I mentioned to Bette, the novel reminds me of the non-fiction memoir by Jimmy Wayne, A Walk to Beautiful, (10/14) with the relation of a troubled boy’s past and an older woman who takes him in and changes his life. Also reminds me of Nicholas Sparks’The Best of Me (as saw the movie today) . Books like these, always reiterates the importance of children in older adults' lives--much wisdom, courage, and comfort for both parties as a strong connection and bond.

Bette has been a friend on Goodreads for some time, and this is my first book - now hooked on her writing and glad to have a Florida author in my backyard. Fans of southern fiction will enjoy her stories. I am looking forward to reading Jubilee's Journey (The Wyattsville Series #2), available now, and Passing Through Perfect (The Wyattsville Series #3), coming Jan. 2015.

If you want to learn more about Canasta (the older woman Olivia meets in Hopeful, GA on her road trip), be sure and read the novella e-short story, A Home in Hopeful!