For fiction-loving feminists,
for adult readers who enjoy suspense thrillers and for readers who enjoy
fiction with merit and for the scores of women who didn’t enjoy Fifty, I suggest Plenty. D. Donovan, Senior
Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Reviews, had
a lot to say about Plenty –
When you become involved in a group effort, sometimes you don't
quite know what drives that effort, as Camille discovers when she volunteers
for a small town youth outreach program, only to discover that its leaders are
overseeing criminal activities and that her affair with the sheriff's son who
co-presides over the program has landed her right in the path of danger.
Plenty is a novel about love and corruption, friendships and
salvation, the descent into hell and the effort to survive: as such, it's not
for those seeking either a romance story or an easy leisure read. Indeed,
readers who expect a novel filled with positives (an innuendo perhaps provided
in both title and the fact that the small town is ironically named
'Prosperity') will find it abundant, instead, with conflict, sexual and
psychological angst, and the efforts of two women to change the course of their
lives.
One of Plenty's many strengths is that the female
protagonists are anything but helpless, the situation anything but hopeless.
The reigns of control and domination are fluid and move steadily between
oppressors to oppressed. Satisfying twists and turns of story line keep readers
guessing, while underlying thoughts and psychology are realistically depicted
as characters come to grips with the evil they are facing and their own part in
events: "Her body trembled as the unmistakable truth tore away her
protective shield of confidence. With each breath, she felt the stinging,
choking sensation of ammonia inhaled. The more she breathed, the more she
stressed. Moments filled with silence quieted the room. Camille paced and cried
as the truth trampled her self-perception."
At times readers feel they are in an emotional meat grinder; at
other times, protagonist strengths come to rescue. No easy or light read, Plenty
is a vivid, revealing story recommended for any who would absorb two women's
methods for regaining power in their worlds, and uses compelling,
thought-provoking devices to bring this atmosphere to the forefront of
attention. Female readers seeking an antithesis to Fifty Shades of Gray
with more dynamic, powerful female characters will find Plenty more than
fits the bill.
In contrast, one reviewer called
it a “Hot Mess.” But unfortunately, she misrepresented the plot – video cameras
are in place. There’s no interruption by people to put them in place. Additional
scenes lead up to the dreadful shower scene.
After reading her summary of
the action in the first couple of chapters, I have to say that I’m even more excited about this novel which
hits the ground at an exhilarating full gallop, not a leisurely lope or canter.
Truly proud of Plenty which deals with the fight for empowerment,
acceptance, self-actualization and happiness after being buried in a hellish abyss,
created by a horrible upbringing and bad choices. Many prisms of color shade
this book – red, black, blue, green and gold. And like other books, trudging
through darkness may lead to the light of day.
As many authors do, I draw
from true stories and commit to research to craft my novels. As with Beautiful Evil Winter, many threads of
truth bind this book together. “Truth is stranger than fiction” as someone
said. One of my favorite quotes is “Life isn’t G-rated.”
Thanks to my well-educated developmental
editor, Sara Kocek, and skilled, seasoned, tested copyeditor, Melissa, from noteworthy
Editceterra for helping me find the center and balance of the novel. Happy that
I found the spine myself. Thanks to
Damon Za for a killer book cover that mirrors the thrilling intriguing plotline.
Finally, if the silver glint
of a gun and an R-rating, for language, sex and violence, offend you, please
pass on my book, even if it’s free, because there will be no appeal. I don’t
write about G-rated worlds. I write books about resourceful, strong, resilient women
who rescue themselves and the men who love them for it. What to expect from an
author who adores Tiffany Maxwell and Silver
Linings Playbook? Maybe, hopefully, one
hot mess.
