Rating: 
Summary: Surprising read, very good
Review: This book surprised me. I was hesitant to buy it and read it, really. The characters were well drawn; the plot was well played. I felt the actions were realistic. This was a GOOD book. I cried toward the end and really felt so invested in the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Christian Fiction
Review: This is one of the most enjoyable Christian fiction novels I've every read. I was born & raised in Kansas and spent 21 years in a small town (not unlike Leeway). I was very impressed with how "real" the whole story, place and setting were. I'll be reading more of this author's works. Well done!!
Rating:
Summary: Is Vinita still cooking?
Review: Velma Still Cooks in Leeway was a very satisfying read for me, a former Writing/Lit major and a small-town pastor. The story itself was worth telling and thinking about (a preoccupied pastor, prejudices, date-rape, escalating spouse-abuse, grieving, a genuine but stereotype-busting Christian, unfounded fears, founded fears, faithfulness, and God-at-work-in-it-all). But even more impressive than the story was the storytelling. I kept thinking, "This writing has VOICE!" Velma, the narrator, is one of those very alive, flawed but real people that I enjoy discovering in MY small town, the sort of person that you like whether you are a church attender or not. Wright's plotting is tight, highly structured, and full of surprises. A sense of dread becomes palpable right through the chuckling.My biggest problem with the book is waiting for the next novel from Ms Wright. Grace at Bender Springs was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read but down a notch from Velma. I really do want an answer to my question, "Is Vinita still cooking?"
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