Book Blurb:
Sequel to Sitting on Top of the World
June’s new normal: Her brother is gone, her dad is gone, her mother is grieving, and June must find her place in the world. Her beaux Jimmy is her only tonic. But when tragedy strikes again, she knows exactly who to blame for all her sorrows: Paul Burnett, the railroad bull who started the chain of devastation when he killed her brother. June sets out on a dangerous journey to make him pay, hopping freight trains to get where she needs to go, and accidents, floods, and attacks plague her route to revenge. Then when she gets to the Burnett farm in Lafayette, Virginia, she learns the truth about what happened to her brother out on the rails, and she’s drawn right back into the things that made her fall in love with this place a year ago – including Paul. Now she must decide where she belongs – with Paul and his family, or back home with Jimmy in Maynardville, where everything she holds dear is there under the pawpaw trees.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/Yney
Author Bio: Cheryl King is a dyslexia therapist and longtime educator, and Sitting on Top of the World is her debut novel.
Editorial Review:
The first time I thought about killin’ Paul, I was sittin’ out under the pawpaw trees, on Josy and Daddy’s graves. It was just a fleeting thought then, no real plan or nothin’. But thinkin’ about everything I’d gone through put the idea of revenge in my head.
I couldn’t get over losin’ my brother Josy. He was more than a brother – he was the person in the world I looked up to the most. I’ll never forget the day ol’ Charlie and Pate brung him home all beat up by railroad bulls and barely alive. Three days. He lasted three days after they brung him home. And our world just fell apart after that.
Right from the onset, the urgency of June's predicament and the atmosphere of the era envelops readers, compelling them to delve deeper into the unfolding drama.
From the deeply rooted charm of Cheryl King's initial offering, "Sitting on Top of the World", emerges its sequel, "Under the Pawpaw Trees", a tale that not only sustains the magnetic allure of the predecessor but also amplifies the emotional depth and narrative expanse.
From the very first line, you’ll be sucked into an intriguing tale. From vengeful thoughts to grief, hopes, and so much more, you’ll hang on every word, flip every page, until the stunning conclusion and a wedding to remember.
One cannot simply flip through the pages of June's life without being consumed by the intricacies of her journey. The vivid descriptions of her grief, the inner turmoil driving her towards vengeance, and the relentless quest to find her place amidst loss sets a tantalizing pace. Each chapter beckons the reader further down a winding path of raw emotions and challenging choices. The compelling storyline keeps you turning the pages, eager to see what happens next.
The craftsmanship of King's prose is bolstered by meticulous editing. Each sentence flows seamlessly into the next, with an impeccable format that makes for an immersive reading experience. The dialogue is also very well done. Each line moves into the next seamlessly.
When Jimmy’s finally done laughin’, I remember why I came to over here in the first place.
“Say, Jimmy, did you hear we’re gettin’ electricity in Maynardville and out to the farms? Mr. Willis at the post office said the president signed some law that will help rural towns and farms get electricity.”
Jimmy shakes his head. “The president ain’t got nothin’ to do with it. It’s the townsfolk that are makin’ it happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“A bunch of ’em are gettin’ together to form an electric co-op. Mr. Tomlinson – you know he’s runnin’ for mayor – anyway, he’s heading it up, so you should talk to him. The plan is to get everyone in Maynardville and out past your farm to sign on.”
I think about what Margaret Ann has told me about her new life in Nashville, which includes having electricity in the house, and I start to get excited about it. She said she can pull a chain from the ceiling and a light comes on. And they can cook without puttin’ wood into a woodstove. And they can plug in an iron and it gets hot just like that.
“Well, where do I sign up?” It sounds magical to me.
“Talk to Mr. Tomlinson. I’ll go with you. You just have to be able to pay the electric bill.”
One of the strongest parts of this story is the character development. June's transformation, from a girl grappling with monumental loss to a young woman wrestling with revenge, showcases King's prowess in character development. Her internal battles, her interactions, and her eventual revelations are penned with precision, making readers resonate deeply with her travails.
“Then when she gets to the Burnett farm... she’s drawn right back into the things that made her fall in love with this place a year ago – including Paul.”
I also appreciate the continuity of the story and how well it all flows together. The narrative continuity from "Sitting on Top of the World" to its sequel is praiseworthy. Old friends, new revelations, and lingering memories weave a tapestry that maintains the series' heart while propelling it forward.
Without delving into spoiler territory, the culmination of June's journey, whether it be reconciliation, redemption, or reprisal, offers a deeply satisfying resolution that remains etched in one's memory long after the book is closed.
I really appreciate how unique this story is. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, King's portrayal of a young girl's emotional odyssey offers a fresh perspective, blending historical fidelity with poignant storytelling.
Other folks musta had the same idea, ’cause downtown is full of people walkin’ around, peekin’ in shop windows, pullin’ tree limbs outa the road, sweepin’ the sidewalk. While Mama talks to folks, I hear the same exclamations everywhere. Thank God no one was hurt! It’s a miracle there wasn’t more damage. It’s incredible how that tornado zipped around and left everything still standing.
I wonder if any of them lost their whole chicken coop, chickens and all, or have a big tree limb stickin’ straight up outa the roof of their house or have broken windows and glass shattered everywhere. But I don’t say nothin’.
The tornado’s all anyone talks about for days afterward. The roadside is packed with the hustle and bustle of folks clearing away debris, cuttin’ up limbs and broken trees, and combing the grounds like they’re searching for treasure. Mr. and Mrs. Porters’ rogue cow and pig made it home alright. Turns out the tornado didn’t blow ’em away. They got out hours before, and the storm got ’em all scared and disoriented.
The charm of King’s writing lies in its duality - the ability to paint vivid, expansive landscapes of the era while zooming into the intimate, fragile moments of human emotion.
Beginning with loss and ending with profound revelations, the arc of the narrative is masterfully crafted, encapsulating the highs, the lows, and the transformative moments of June’s life.
"Under the Pawpaw Trees" is not merely a sequel but an evolution. It stands as a testament to Cheryl King's innate ability to weave history and emotion, creating a tapestry that is both enlightening and heartrending. This book is a journey through time, through grief, and through the very essence of humanity. Highly recommended for those who seek a narrative that is as profound as it is poetic.
*****
“Under the Paw Paw Trees” by Cheryl King receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission