This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Festival: At Trails End by John Strother starts with Conrad Becker, the new editor of the Trails End Tribune, aiming to revive the newspaper. Given the previous editor and a divided community due to the Cumberland Research Center's arrival, it could prove challenging. The band OutlawX chooses a non-paying gig at a retirement center to lay low, and because it's a school night. Conrad organizes the German Heritage Festival, but his teetotaler wife prevents a beer garden. It turns out, nobody considers trouble from a goat. OutlawX and the Durbins fall out during the Club Fair, leading to accusations at Trails End High School, the Fighting Rams Reporter is resurrected to bring back Mr. Buz Moxen, and Mrs. Anna Becker is selfishly motivated to change the school's image. And then, there's The Lost Souls Baptist Church's chili supper fundraiser...
"Buz smiled, holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers. 'Last time I counted. But it ain’t no problem. Heck, now they just match my eight toes.'" Festival: At Trails End by John Strother is a load of fun right from the very beginning and keeps getting better as this witty and engaging story progresses. The dialogue is the standout to me as it brings the characters to life and feels authentic, from conversations about stuffed squirrels to the hyper-drama of small-town high school. The cast is dynamic even when presented in bite-sized parts, and no reader will be able to say they never knew a Miss Finley or Paul Matthews. Conrad, OutlawX, and the carousel of kids take the cake though, and following this slice of their lives is an absolute delight. Very highly recommended.
