Drums Along The Jacks Fork

Rating:
Summary: Very highly recommended reading
Review: Billie Staley is a determined young woman still suffering from the sudden deaths of her parents when she accepts a government job in Woodland Hills, Missouri. But before she get underway in building a new life for herself she is caught up in a computer technology backlash and a sinister militia movement. Throwing herself into her work, Billie unexpectedly discovers that the new man who has entered her life and her heart is more than he seemed. Things get out of hand as one catastrophic even of uncertain origin leaves the town of Woodland Hills in ruin and Billie must fight for her life while discovering how such an unexpected disaster came to be. Very highly recommended reading, Drums Along The Jacks Fork is a polished work of considerable originality and clearly documents author Henry Hoffman as an able novelist whose readers will look eagerly forward to his next effort.



Rating:
Summary: engaging slice of Americana
Review: In 1993, still mourning the plane crash deaths of her beloved parents, Wilhelmina "Billie" Staley accepts a job as librarian of the Woodland Hills Public Library in the Ozarks part of Missouri. She also moves in with her Uncle Ray.

Her first day on the job opens with a controversy when state official Chad Jenkins arrives insisting that the local facility automate or lose accreditation. Apparently, the town's deceased previous librarian dedicated the building and funds as long as the library remained computer-less. Billie insists that she will do what is best for her patrons, which is not necessarily automation. Chad gives Billie two months to decide.

A second controversy surfaces when militia move into the area leading to a divided populace. Still Billie goes about her job trying to replace a local legend while also falling in love with trail ride guide Cory Winston. However, her new town is heading to disaster with no happy ending in sight as the militia activities endanger one and all.

DRUMS ALONG THE JACK FORD is an engaging slice of Americana as the locals skirmish over two diverse issues, that of automating the library services and welcoming the militia. The two subplots easily could have stood alone as each contains plenty to merit its own tale be told so both end up competing for top dog. Still Billie is a delightful protagonist who keeps the two themes focused so that the audience tastes small town life at a time when outsiders threaten everyone's lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: engaging slice of Americana
Review: In 1993, still mourning the plane crash deaths of her beloved parents, Wilhelmina "Billie" Staley accepts a job as librarian of the Woodland Hills Public Library in the Ozarks part of Missouri. She also moves in with her Uncle Ray.

Her first day on the job opens with a controversy when state official Chad Jenkins arrives insisting that the local facility automate or lose accreditation. Apparently, the town's deceased previous librarian dedicated the building and funds as long as the library remained computer-less. Billie insists that she will do what is best for her patrons, which is not necessarily automation. Chad gives Billie two months to decide.

A second controversy surfaces when militia move into the area leading to a divided populace. Still Billie goes about her job trying to replace a local legend while also falling in love with trail ride guide Cory Winston. However, her new town is heading to disaster with no happy ending in sight as the militia activities endanger one and all.

DRUMS ALONG THE JACK FORD is an engaging slice of Americana as the locals skirmish over two diverse issues, that of automating the library services and welcoming the militia. The two subplots easily could have stood alone as each contains plenty to merit its own tale be told so both end up competing for top dog. Still Billie is a delightful protagonist who keeps the two themes focused so that the audience tastes small town life at a time when outsiders threaten everyone's lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner