Review: Queentide

Queentide by Donna Fisher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What happens when the formally oppressed become the oppressors?

This is a work of fiction and is set in Australia, but if you look at what is going on in the USA right now, you will see that it really isn't truly a fictional book.

This book and the author's thoughts on equality for all are ambitious in their scope. I liked the ideas of what it takes for women and other minorities to regain (or gain) their 'selves', to be treated as equals.

This book looks at two different women and how they plan on making these changes. As you know from the synopsis, this book is set slightly in the future after Covid 19 in a world where the men have the rights and privileges they had back in the late 1800s. Women are now poised to take back what they have lost and then some. This book shows two different ways of going about this. Neither way is perfect since no matter what, the formally oppressed will become the oppressors.

This was an interesting read that might make some people a tad uncomfortable or jubilant. It depends on how you see things.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and BookSirens.

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SYNOPSIS: "Australia in 2026 is not an easy place to be a woman.

Authoritarianism has crept into the country and women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them.
They have set up a radical feminist group, Queentide, to steal the upcoming election and make Aboriginal politician, Kathleen, the next Prime Minister of an all-women Government. The ex-wife of a senior Minister, Lilith, vows to help them by sharing explosive secrets that will guarantee Queentide's success.
But two things might stop them. A state-backed, violent men's rights group and a bitter power struggle that threatens to tear Queentide apart.
Can the women harness the storm and smash the patriarchy?
Or will Queentide wreck itself?"

Review: Viral

Viral by Robin Cook
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It breaks my heart to say this, but this book was just no up to par. I know that Dr. Cook is very devoted to the state of healthcare in this country, and this book does a wonderful job pointing out that our healthcare sucks. But he does so over and over and over ad nauseam. I mean talking about beating a dead horse.

It did do one good thing to get me off of my butt and make sure we had decent insurance (not short-term health insurance), and our local hospital was not part of a chain.

DR. Cook did a great job setting this story up during the Covid pandemic, but changing the danger to EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis ) and explaining why climate change is making our parts of the world so ripe for this virus.

*ARC provided by the publisher, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss.

The story in itself was eye-roll-worthy and obvious to the reader, especially as you get into the book and the conclusion...well, what can I say. I guess an eye for an eye?

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SYNOPSIS: "In this electrifying new medical thriller from New York Times bestseller Robin Cook, a family's exposure to a rare yet deadly virus puts them at the center of a terrifying danger to mankind--and pulls back the curtain on a healthcare system powered by greed and corruption.

Brian Murphy and his family are enjoying a relaxing summer excursion in Cape Cod when his wife, Emma, comes down with mild flu-like symptoms. But their leisurely return home to New York City quickly turns into a race to the ER as she begins seizing and falls into a coma. At the hospital, she is diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare and highly lethal mosquito-borne viral disease caught during one of their evening cookouts. Worse still, Brian and Emma's young daughter exhibits alarming signs of the same illness.

An already harrowing hospital stay turns even more fraught when Brian receives a staggering hospital bill full of outrageous charges and murky language. To make matters worse, his insurance company won't cover the cost, citing dubious clauses in Brian's policy. Forced to choose between the ongoing care of his wife and daughter and bills he can never pay, and furious at both an indifferent healthcare system and the lack of public awareness about a virus that poses a growing threat, Brian vows to seek justice. But to get to the bottom of the predatory practices targeting his family and countless others, he must uncover the dark side of a historically ruthless industry--and bring down the callous executives preying on the sick and defenseless before the virus can claim even more people..."

Review: Complications

Complications by Danielle Steel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is going to be a very short review.

I have always heard wonderful things about Danielle Steels writing, but this is the second book I have read by her, and I must say I was not impressed. Perhaps her early work was wonderful; I don't know as I don't remember reading anything by her when I was young. With 179 books under her belt, including more than 146 novels, there must be something out there I would love!

This was a short book, and it had a lot of potentials. It was interesting up until about the halfway mark, and then it just became repetitive and, to tell the truth, predictable and boring.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "Scandal and tragedy erupt against the backdrop of an exclusive Paris hotel in Danielle Steel’s riveting novel.

Known for its luxurious accommodations and bespoke service, the Hotel Louis XVI has been the most lauded boutique hotel in all of Paris for decades, attracting an international clientele of the rich and famous. Now, after four years of renovations and the death of its legendary and beloved manager, it is set to reopen its doors at last. An esteemed group of loyal returning guests is set to descend upon the hotel, joined by a number of new faces who have managed to secure coveted bookings in the wake of last-minute cancellations.

Awaiting them all is the Louis XVI’s new manager, Olivier Bateau, an anxious man whose lack of experience leaves him unprepared. He and his level-headed assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe, both strive to continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. But they quickly realize that anything can happen at any moment, and on one cool September evening, everything does.

A successful art consultant arrives at the hotel for the first time since her brutal divorce, and is surprised to find new love—if she is willing to risk her heart again. A new guest contemplates ending his life, and saves a life instead. A couple finds their once-in-a-lifetime trip interrupted by a tragic medical emergency, leaving the idyllic future they’ve long waited for hanging in the balance. And one of the hotel’s most high-profile guests, a French politician and assumed presidential candidate, holds a mysterious meeting in his suite that will threaten his life and legacy. Rocked by the events of this one fateful night, guests and staff alike brace themselves for the aftershock, as it quickly becomes apparent that more dramas and misfortunes are still in store.

Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story about a famed hotel, where a few complications quickly escalate into a matter of life and death, changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors."

Review: Holdout

Holdout by Jeffrey Kluger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic and action-packed read. The author is a respected author and a writer for Time magazine. He most especially specializes in science coverage/space travel. With that said, you can be sure that this book was researched within an inch of its life...and it shows.

Unfortunately, with some of this book, I had to suspend disbelief in several parts. Some of the info dumps bogged me down a tad also. However, the rest of this novel was so fascinating that there was no way I could give this book less than the 4 stars I did give it. I powered through this book like a tornado.

We have it all, including:

Space accident
Rebellion against the US government.
Hijacking of the International Space Station
Crimes against humanity
Meningitis
Fires in Amazon Basin to get the tribes off of tribal lands
More space trouble with the Space Station...oh my!

What more could you ask for?

I'm not usually one for something so scientific, but this book had me reading and wishing I didn't have to sleep!

ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley -ATTL/Edelweiss.


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SYNOPSIS: "When evil forces are going unchecked on Earth, a principled astronaut makes a spilt-second decision to try to seek justice in the only place she knows how—the International Space Station.

Walli Beckwith is a model astronaut. She graduated at the top of her class from the Naval Academy, had a successful career flying fighter jets, and has spent more than three hundred days in space. So when she refuses to leave her post aboard the International Space Station following an accident that forces her fellow astronauts to evacuate, her American and Russian colleagues are mystified. For Walli, the matter at hand feels all too clear and terrifying for her to be worried about ruining her career. She is stuck in a race against time to save a part of the world that seems to have been forgotten, and also the life of the person she loves the most. She will go to any length necessary, using the only tool she has, to accomplish what she knows is right."

Review: See Jane Snap

See Jane Snap by Bethany Crandell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good grief, this was one of the funniest and heart-rending books I have read lately. This was also a speedy read, and I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a great beach read. Oddly this plotline(partner lying about sexuality) is becoming a popular one for me lately. This is the second book in a row that uses this idea.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something different.  Something that will make you wet your pants ( and I literally did so-but then again, at my age, that is to be expected!LOL!) laughing at parts and then find yourself crying during other parts.  The ending is just slightly vague, but you can tell that there is at least a hopeful happy ever after!

There is some swearing, and that could be expected, one semi0-sexual scene but nothing too explicit.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

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Description

Handsome, successful husband. Adorable daughter. Chairwoman of the PTA. Security for her ailing mom. Jane’s got everything life has to offer. Including the lie that could destroy it all.

See Jane smile. Thirty-nine-year-old Jane Osborne appears to the world like she has a charmed life. Her daughter attends private school. Jane chairs the PTA. Even her marriage to Dan, the handsome, prominent surgeon, is blissfully happy. Her universe is stable, and her future is fixed…just like that smile. Because it’s all a ruse. Unbeknownst to anyone, after eighteen years of marriage, Dan’s revealed that he’s been living a double life and is in love with a man. But for the sake of his career, Jane must keep that secret, secret.

See Jane lie. With their livelihood on the line, Jane agrees to maintain appearances. But soon the weight of Dan’s deception and the pain of his betrayal get the better of her. Something’s got to give.

See Jane snap. Quite publicly. And a bit unlawfully. With brutal honesty, Jane must confront her choices head-on and determine—for herself—if the facade of stability she’s been protecting is worth the price of her own sanity and happiness.

If the Shoe Fits (Meant To Be #1)

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book kept me engaged even though I am not in the proper age bracket for it.

I am so unsure of how to rate this book and what audience this story was going for. I don't know if this was considered a young adult or even a bit younger of an audience. There was making out, and any sex to be had was behind closed doors and just hinted at. There may have been some moderate swearing, but I honestly don't remember any.

This was supposed to be a sort of remake on the 'Cinderella' theme...I saw it, but it just didn't fully read that way to me.

This was also a very 'woke' novel; most ethnicities were portrayed and pointed out. I'm not too sure about the gender identity issue; to be precise, a non-binary person. I had no problems with that whatsoever; what I did find confusing (and this is probably my age speaking) was the usage of pronouns and determiners (they and their) being used instead of the person's name. It made for a bit of a challenge for me.

The story itself was very fast-paced, nearly to the point that the falling in love bit didn't quite ring true. I will repeat myself-no matter what issues I had; I still enjoyed the story; I loved that body issues are being addressed in such a fun way. Unfortunately, our heroine did have other issues besides her body, which was a tad depressing for me.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn't expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own"

Review: For the Love of Friends

For the Love of Friends by Sara Goodman Confino

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will tell you right now that this book is going on my 'comfort read' shelf -this is the shelf of books that I constantly re-read because they just have something wonderful in them. I loved this book! Every bitchy moment of it! Yes, there is a lot of body shaming in it, and Lily doesn't make the best choice of how she voices her opinion, but in the end, she learns some very valuable lessons, and that counts for a lot with this novel. This book is perfect for anyone who has ever questioned if they are 'good enough,' has been in a wedding where the bride turned into someone unrecognizable or spoke before thinking especially when they've had a couple too many! The perfect beach read. *ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "A sharp and hilariously relatable novel about the business of weddings, the toll they can take, and the lengths one exasperated bridesmaid will go to for the love of friends.

Lily Weiss is her mother’s worst nightmare: thirty-two and single—the horror! She’s also a talented writer but hides behind a boring job at a science foundation. To her friends, she’s reliable and selfless, which is how she winds up a bridesmaid in five weddings in six weeks. Anything for her three best friends and two (younger) siblings, right? Even if her own love life is…well, she’d rather not talk about it. To keep her sanity, Lily needs a safe place to vent.

And so her anonymous blog, Bridesmania, is born. The posts start pouring out of her: all the feels about mom-zillas, her vanishing bank balance, the wicked bridesmaids of the west, high-strung brides-to-be, body-shaming dress clerks, bachelorette parties, and Spanx for days, not to mention being deemed guardian of eighty-eight-year-old Granny (who enjoys morning mimosas in the nude) for her brother’s destination wedding.

So far the blog has stayed anonymous. But as everyone knows, few things online remain secret forever…

When all is said and done, can Lily help all five couples make it to happily ever after? And will her own happy ending be close behind?"

Review: Her Turn

Her Turn by Katherine Ashenburg
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I did not give this book only 1 star because I managed to finish it. The first third of the book was ok -we learned about Liz and some of her past. Mind you, this book is written in the first person, so we never really get another person's take on her life. Unfortunately, Liz starts showing her true colors toward the end of the first third. It's not pretty. The second third is even worse as Liz really starts showing her true colors. She is cruel, selfish, manipulative, a user, and can't seem to let things go. By the last third, I was ready to find her and beat some sense into her. This woman did NOT deserve a HEA. I'm sorry, but this just wasn't the book for me-if I wanted political views, I would read a book about politics. If I wanted to know just how little the over 60 crowd is thought of, I would find a book that disparages those of some maturity. And please keep in mind, especially authors -when you make fun of those over 60...you are making fun of those who invested in Amazon, Apple, etc when those companies were just starting out---think about that for a moment. *ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "A delightful debut novel in the vein of Younger and The Unbreakables, with a hint of Nora Ephron, about a journalist who stumbles into an unusual relationship with the woman married to her former husband.

A journalist in Washington, DC, Liz has turned lemons into lemonade after her husband walked out on her a decade ago. She likes her life—she’s the editor of Her Turn, a weekly column in which readers write about their lives, has a few romantic nibbles—some better than others—a good relationship with her teen-aged son, and has come to terms with the shock and heartbreak of her divorce. 

Or so she thinks.

One day at work, she receives a letter for the column she can’t ignore, because it’s written by her ex-husband’s current wife—AKA the other woman. It is the beginning of an unexpected correspondence between the two women—but only Liz knows the truth about their connection. Could it be she still cares? How far will she take this unusual relationship? And what happens if the truth comes out?

Her Turn is an immensely readable, joyful novel about fidelity and forgiveness that explores one woman’s second act in life, and the ties that still bind her to the first."

Review: White Collar Girl

White Collar Girl by Renee Rosen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Renee Rossen does it again. I have been enamored with Ms. Rosen's writing style since I read Park Avenue Summer. I was hooked, which led me to read the very gossipy The Social Graces, and it was all uphill since then. I wonder if I had started with this book if I would have been so eager to keep reading her works? Yes, yes, I would have because I love how Ms. Rosen blends fact with fiction. This book does have a bit extra going for it-it also has a mystery. So in its favor, we have: 1) a powerful woman breaking into what has been typically a man's career. 2) Someone with the testicles to risk it all to get what she wants. 3)Wonderful researching. 4) A strong woman not afraid to admit when she has made a mistake. 5)Love/relationship but not true romance. 6) Personal growth. So there you have it. This novel has everything I love in historical fiction/ strong women genres.

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Review: The Last Debutantes

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Apparently, I am one of the very few that did not like certain aspects of or appreciate this novel as much as I should have. I have been on a historical fiction/non-fiction kick now for some time, and I was thrilled to be chosen to read this book. This novel blended all of my likes into one-or, so I thought.

It was interesting to learn what it was like to 'come out' during the few months left before England became embroiled in WWII. But what I found to be tedious was the beating of the dead horse, Valerie de Vere Cole, the niece of Prime Minister Neville's (yes, she really was his niece) past life. And what some of the women ( at least one of her friends included) treated her when the truth came out. Some repetition is understandable to give you a slow build-up. However, in this book the repetition was distracting and seemed to be just page filler.

To the worst extent possible, this novel showed just how privileged these people were and how they didn't appreciate it; they just took it all for granted and whined, whined, whined.

This was not a horrible book and maybe someday I will re-read it. It just wasn't my cup of tea!

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "Fans of The Kennedy Debutante and Last Year in Havana will love Georgie Blalock’s new novel of a world on the cusp of change...set on the eve of World War II in the glittering world of English society and one of the last debutante seasons. 

They danced the night away, knowing their world was about to change forever. They were the debutantes of 1939, laughing on the outside, but knowing tragedy— and a war—was just around the corner.

When Valerie de Vere Cole, the niece of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, makes her deep curtsey to the King and Queen of England, she knows she’s part of a world about to end. The daughter of a debt-ridden father and a neglectful mother, Valerie sees firsthand that war is imminent.

Nevertheless, Valerie reinvents herself as a carefree and glittering young society woman, befriending other debutantes from England’s aristocracy as well as the vivacious Eunice Kennedy, daughter of the U.S. Ambassador. Despite her social success, the world’s troubles and Valerie’s fear of loss and loneliness prove impossible to ignore.

  How will she navigate her new life when everything in her past has taught her that happiness and stability are as fragile as peace in our time? For the moment she will forget her cares in too much champagne and waltzes. Because very soon, Valerie knows that she must find the inner strength to stand strong and carry on through the challenges of life and love and war."

Review: Together We Will Go

Together We Will Go by J. Michael Straczynski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unique. Emotional. Unexpected. Sad. Happy. You already know that this book is about suicide so you can't be upset if you read this book and then want to complain! The characters are as complex as their reasons are to end their lives. I was totally invested and immersed in each character and I actually wish that their book had been longer so we could see the ramifications of those who chose a different path. The writing is unique since we have a variety of styles-instant messages, journals, recordings (they have been transcribed), and one on one interactions. I am glad that I chose to read this. I was skeptical at first but soon found myself fascinated with this book. *ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss.

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SYNOPSIS: "The Breakfast Club meets The Silver Linings Playbook in this powerful, provocative, and heartfelt novel about twelve endearing strangers who come together to make the most of their final days, from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author J. Michael Straczynski.

Mark Antonelli, a failed young writer looking down the barrel at thirty, is planning a cross-country road trip. He buys a beat-up old tour bus. He hires a young army vet to drive it. He puts out an ad for others to join him along the way. But this will be a road trip like no other: His passengers are all fellow disheartened souls who have decided that this will be their final journey—upon arrival in San Francisco, they will find a cliff with an amazing view of the ocean at sunset, hit the gas, and drive out of this world.

The unlikely companions include a young woman with a chronic pain sensory disorder and another who was relentlessly bullied at school for her size; a bipolar, party-loving neo-hippie; a gentle coder with a literal hole in his heart and blue skin; and a poet dreaming of a better world beyond this one. We get to know them through access to their texts, emails, voicemails, and the daily journal entries they write as the price of admission for this trip.

By turns tragic, funny, quirky, charming, and deeply moving, Together We Will Go explores the decisions that brings these characters together, and the relationships that grow between them, with some discovering love and affection for the first time. But as they cross state lines and complications to the initial plan arise, it becomes clear that this is a novel as much about the will to live as the choice to end it. The final, unforgettable moments as they hurtle toward the decisions awaiting them will be remembered for a lifetime."

Review: Palm Beach

Palm Beach by Mary Adkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was unexpected for me. When I first picked it up, I thought that this would be a long diatribe about politics, veganism, and the rich being horrible, terrible people who must share their money no matter how they earned it.

This book did end up being about showing how someone with such wonderful and pure ideals can sure change their opinion when their child's life is on the line! Suddenly the rich aren't all that bad-they have something 'I' need, so I'll somewhat ignore how they got their money.

Oh, don't get me wrong, idealism does sort of win out in the end, but the line is a lot blurrier than when we started this book.

I loved this novel, and it kept me riveted to the pages-a real beach blanket page-turner just perfect for an idle day!

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and ATTL-Edelweiss.

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SYNOPSIS: "A thought-provoking page-turner from the author of When You Read This and Privilege that captures the painful divide between the haves and have-nots and the seductive lure of the American dream. 

Living in a tiny Queens apartment, Rebecca and her husband Mickey typify struggling, 30-something New Yorkers—he’s an actor, and she’s a freelance journalist. But after the arrival of their baby son, the couple decides to pack up and head for sunny, comfortable Palm Beach, where Mickey’s been offered a sweet deal managing the household of a multimillionaire Democratic donor. 

Once there, he quickly doubles his salary by going to work for a billionaire: venture capitalist Cecil Stone. Rebecca, a writer whose beat is economic inequality, is initially horrified: she pillories men like Stone, a ruthless businessman famous for crushing local newspapers. So no one is more surprised than her when she accepts a job working for Cecil’s wife as a ghostwriter, thinking of the excellent pay and the rare, inside look at this famous Forbes-list family. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll grow close to the Stones, or become a regular at their high-powered dinners. And when a medical crisis hits, it’s the Stones who come to their rescue, using their power, influence, and wealth to avert catastrophe. 

As she and Mickey are both pulled deeper into this topsy-turvy household, they become increasingly dependent on their problematic benefactors. Then when she discovers a shocking secret about the Stones, Rebecca will have to decide: how many compromises can one couple make?"

Review: Capture the Crown

Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you have read the Merry Gentry books by Laurell K. Hamilton A Kiss of Shadows, and if you have been a fan of Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series Magic Bites, then you will most likely love this book. Just be prepared to think of it not as an adult novel/series but as a young adult novel. Perhaps even a teen novel with a lot of swearing and sexy musings?

This book was filled with cliches and familiar ideas from other books, but I managed to ignore them. The characters, especially Princess Gemma, are shallow at this point, but I can see that she will grow with the next book. This is an excellent thing.

While I cannot rave about this book, I can say that I liked it enough to want to finish it and to want to see what happens next.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

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Review: The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America

The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America by Elizabeth Letts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALMOST EVERYONE!!!

I am in awe of this book, Annie Wilkins, and even the time period. The early 1950s, when America was still unafraid to trust, loved an adventure, and wasn't glued to electronic devices! TV still wasn't as popular as it would get later in that decade.

This was an adventure, as it says in the synopsis, of a 63-year-old woman, her horse (soon to be two horses), and her dog. When Annie finds out that she is losing her farm and perhaps her life she decided to see the coast. Now mind you, she lives in Maine -already on a coast right? Now she wants to see the West Coast before she dies. She takes what money she can make while sick, buys a horse packs up, and just--goes! No map, no GPS, nothing!

The history I learned in her travels was, well words just can't describe what I felt. I learned things I never knew I needed to know! I was thrilled to find out that she even traveled through my home state and believe me I am going to be doing some research about that.

If you like nearly lost causes, horses, American travel, American trivia, history, adventure, then you simply must read this book. I will say that it drags in some places and it does not have a happy ending for all concerned, but it is still well worth your time.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley. With my humble thanks for being able to read this early-I will be going to buy my own copy and will be reading more by this author.

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SYNOPSIS:"The triumphant true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion

"The gift Elizabeth Letts has is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now."--Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv

In 1954, sixty-three-year-old Maine farmer Annie Wilkins embarked on an impossible journey. She had no money and no family, she had just lost her farm, and her doctor had given her only two years to live. But Annie wanted to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. She ignored her doctor's advice to move into the county charity home. Instead, she bought a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, donned men's dungarees, and headed south in mid-November, hoping to beat the snow. Annie had little idea what to expect beyond her rural crossroads; she didn't even have a map. But she did have her ex-racehorse, her faithful mutt, and her own unfailing belief that Americans would treat a stranger with kindness.

Annie, Tarzan, and her dog, Depeche Toi, rode straight into a world transformed by the rapid construction of modern highways. Between 1954 and 1956, the three travelers pushed through blizzards, forded rivers, climbed mountains, and clung to the narrow shoulder as cars whipped by them at terrifying speeds. Annie rode more than four thousand miles, through America's big cities and small towns. Along the way, she met ordinary people and celebrities--from Andrew Wyeth (who sketched Tarzan) to Art Linkletter and Groucho Marx. She received many offers--a permanent home at a riding stable in New Jersey, a job at a gas station in rural Kentucky, even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher. In a decade when car ownership nearly tripled, when television's influence was expanding fast, when homeowners began locking their doors, Annie and her four-footed companions inspired an outpouring of neighborliness in a rapidly changing world. "