Whippoorwill

Rating:
Summary: Sharon Sala fans beware!!!
Review: I bought this book without really looking at the storyline because Sharon Sala's name was on the book. What a mistake that was! I HATE writing a negative review so I have to really be disappointed to write one. This book is a total departure from what made me love Sharon Sala as an author. I have always looked Sharon Sala's romances but I could never get into this book. It was more like Historical Chick Lit. There was no "happy ending" that romance lovers look for. In fact, I couldn't find any real romance in this book. It's just my opinion but I believe when an author puts out a book that is so different from what her fans have come to expect from her that a pen name would probably be the way to go. Instead I was left feeling cheated by one of my favorite authors because now I can never have Sharon Sala on autobuy again. Also, I feel slightly insulted as a romance fan. I have noticed a trend by several romance writers to change their format. As a fan it makes me wonder are they ashamed to write romance?

Rating:
Summary: Very Different
Review: I normally love Sharon Sala books, and, at the beginning of this one I though I would like the different setting in the timeline. But I really could not get in the story and I did not really like the way it ends. The characters were interesting but I think she could have givin us a little bit more of their history, of why they ended in that town

Rating:
Summary: Could not really get into it
Review: I usually love Sharon Sala's books. However, in the prologue she tells us this is not one of her usual books. And it is not.

This is a different type of book for her. It has very well drawn characters but I just did not come to care for them as much as I usually do.

Of course it is set in the west at a time of struggle and fighting as well as many decievers.

A saloon girl, a fraudulant preacher, a gambler and a drunk, each has his or her life changed in a split second. When the unscrupulous preacher dies in the lady's bed.

There is humor and irony aplenty in this book. Somehow where there is a will there is a way.

At the end each is redeemed by their experiences. The ending is somewhat ambiguious and did not really satisfy me.

Everyone should be able to stretch their wings and Ms Sala certainly changed from our usual expectations.

Rating:
Summary: Good read!
Review: Not so long ago in our past, preachers were hard to come by in small towns. As news of a new one reaches a small town, it sets every tongue wagging. Plans are made for weddings, baptisms and all the things that really need a pastor to officiate over begin to take shape in minds. Unfortunately, the pastor is in more need of salvation than his flock. Fleeing a scandal, he runs headlong into the town's last whore's bed, and dies. Scared half to death herself, the soiled dove recruits the town drunk to cover the mess, first burying the pastor then cleaning up and taking over his life. What happens next will remind you of the old Ray Stevens' song, The Mississippi Squirrel Revival, as the drunk becomes the pastor that they need.

**** Though it takes a good while for the real plot to kick in, when it does, the message is good. This represents a major departure for Ms. Sala; if you are looking for her usual story, then look elsewhere; if you just want an interesting book, then look here. ****

Amanda Killgore

Rating:
Summary: no point.
Review: This book was pointless. The chapter jumping was difficult to understand. The books plot was thin and not very interesting. The characters were uninteresting and boring. I love Sharon Sala books. but I had to force myself to finish this book!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Good Times
Review: This was a fun read.

Lots of characters, with lots of plots that all end up at the same place for a happy ending.
The characters are gritty, persistent and likeable

The story is a humorous, quick read.

Rating:
Summary: Good Times
Review: This was a fun read.

Lots of characters, with lots of plots that all end up at the same place for a happy ending.
The characters are gritty, persistent and likeable

The story is a humorous, quick read.

Rating:
Summary: strong historical tale
Review: Though she is a prostitute in the White Dove Saloon, Letty Murphy prays every night that one day her prince will come to Lizard Flats, Kansas Territory to take her away from her pathetic existence. So far the love of her life has failed to arrive so Letty does what she has done since she was orphaned at twelve, turn a trick to survive. Town drunk Eulis Potter earns beers cleaning the saloon. He also supplements his drinking with digging graves.

Rumor spreads across the Great Plains that an eastern preacher is coming to Lizard Flats to perform a marriage ceremony. Numerous lost souls needing prayers to include funeral, birth, marriage, and confession arrive in town. However, the preacher shows his calling when he sleeps with Letty only to drop dead in her bed. Frightened that a mob will rip her limb by limb, a desperate Letty asks Eulis to help her. He changes from a mumbling drunk into an eastern preacher, but as he brings salvation to all, who will bring solace to the two neediest souls in the territory?

WHIPPOORWILL is a great western tale that is loaded with colorful characters, as Sharon Sala, known for her romantic suspense, will not lack ideas for future novels. The magnificent multiple subplots superbly blend into a final cohesive story line. However, it is the two most pathetic outcasts this side of Poker Flats that grip the heart of the reader with hope of love leading to redemption for them and all the other seemingly local losers. Fans of historical tales of the old west will appreciate this descriptive winner and want more stories set in Lizard Flats.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: strong historical tale
Review: Though she is a prostitute in the White Dove Saloon, Letty Murphy prays every night that one day her prince will come to Lizard Flats, Kansas Territory to take her away from her pathetic existence. So far the love of her life has failed to arrive so Letty does what she has done since she was orphaned at twelve, turn a trick to survive. Town drunk Eulis Potter earns beers cleaning the saloon. He also supplements his drinking with digging graves.

Rumor spreads across the Great Plains that an eastern preacher is coming to Lizard Flats to perform a marriage ceremony. Numerous lost souls needing prayers to include funeral, birth, marriage, and confession arrive in town. However, the preacher shows his calling when he sleeps with Letty only to drop dead in her bed. Frightened that a mob will rip her limb by limb, a desperate Letty asks Eulis to help her. He changes from a mumbling drunk into an eastern preacher, but as he brings salvation to all, who will bring solace to the two neediest souls in the territory?

WHIPPOORWILL is a great western tale that is loaded with colorful characters, as Sharon Sala, known for her romantic suspense, will not lack ideas for future novels. The magnificent multiple subplots superbly blend into a final cohesive story line. However, it is the two most pathetic outcasts this side of Poker Flats that grip the heart of the reader with hope of love leading to redemption for them and all the other seemingly local losers. Fans of historical tales of the old west will appreciate this descriptive winner and want more stories set in Lizard Flats.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Terrific story! This one will keep your attention!
Review: When a wealthy widow agreed to marry Alfonso Worthy he sent for a preacher to come out to the small town of Lizard Flats in the Kansas Territories to preform the ceremony. It was such a simple thing that should never have caused the chaos it did!

Reverend Randall Ward Howe had only one vice; women. Since he could not stop sinning he jumped at the chance to leave town, FAST, and travel to Lizard Flats. Too bad he could not remain celebrate during the journey either.

The reader gets the pleasure of seeing HOW several other people come about needing the various services of a preacher. Each began traveling to Lizard Flats. But it entire story really began and ended with Leticia "Letty" Murphy who worked at the White Dove Saloon and listened each night for the call of the Whippoorwill.

**** A great story that will hold the attention of its readers throughout the book, yet gets wilder as the ending draws near. The book is a wonderful ride into history. ****