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THE BOOKS.
Average reader review ~ 5 stars.
Average reader rating - 4.5 stars.
Author does not hire companies/others to post ratings or reviews.
LINK > WHERE TO GET BOOKS
LIBRARIES & STANDARDS.
Both books meet/exceed key guidelines established by the American Library Association for book selection.
In 1934 and again almost 90 years later, it was that same library in the Shenandoah Valley that helped Hillview to move beyond its troubled past. Thanks to today's libraries and dedicated librarians, the beat goes on!
PREQUEL & SEQUEL.
It is recommended that you read Along the Red Dirt Road (prequel) before reading Three Roads Out (sequel). Both are closely tied to each other, yet time frames and circumstances are much different. Along the Red Dirt Road (with its Civil War roots) unfolds primarily in 1933 and 1934. Three Roads Out begins about six months after the epilogue to Along the Red Dirt Road concludes, and ends just before Covid strikes Hillview.
GENRE.
Both Along the Red Dirt Road and Three Roads Out are generally classified as Historical Fiction, but contain key elements of Women's Fiction, Southern History, Black History, Family Saga, Classic Literary Fiction, Humor, Young Adult Fiction, Mystery Fiction, and Mainstream Fiction. Three Roads Out also features key elements of Modern Fiction and Jewish Historical Fiction. Neither book is a romance novel.
AUDIENCE + THEMES + SYNOPSIS + SOCIAL RELEVANCE + SETTINGS.
Use links below for info specific to each book.
ALONG THE RED DIRT ROAD
THREE ROADS OUT
WHAT IF?
What if these books aren't available at your library?
Easy solution here > how to get the books you want in your library
AUTHOR SESSIONS.
- I love doing live author sessions with book club & library groups. Anywhere. Any size.
- Free in-person sessions are available within 50 miles or so of Kansas City, Missouri and Johnson County, Kansas.
- Free sessions via Zoom (preferred virtual platform): These sessions are available worldwide for groups of every size. One member of your group usually serves as Zoom host and I join that session. I strongly recommend that the host uses a paid (not free) account in order minimize the likelihood of slow speed and other technical issues. To insure the best possible experience, I am also happy to use my pro account and serve as Zoom host.
- Free sessions via Skype, Webex, Facetime Group, GoogleMeet: These sessions are also available worldwide for groups of every size. If you have a paid version of one of these and wish to serve as host, I will be happy to join your meeting. I strongly recommend that we test our connections in advance of that meeting.
- Time allowance: This is up to you, but 10 to 15 minutes is typical for my 'talk' portion + time for discussion + time for socializing/book signing/buying books (with in-person sessions).
- Language: All sessions are in English.
- It is assumed that all participants will have read book(s) to be discussed. Details/exceptions below.
WILL HAVE READ.
If everyone in the audience will have read the book(s) to be discussed, I'll look forward to sharing the real people, places, and stories behind these tales, several noteworthy personal experiences, and some writer insights that relate uniquely to each book. Most characters are composites of real people with fascinating stories I'd love to share. Hillview, the Shenandoah Valley, the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, and other settings are also composites - of actual towns, buildings, farms, orchards, cemeteries, and other places with rich histories that deserve their own telling. And yes, I may even shed some light on several sub-plots, some real and some imagined. Without doubt, my greatest pleasure from these sessions is hearing how readers are impacted by various facets of these tales.
WILL NOT HAVE READ.
If your audience may be partially or fully comprised of those who will not have not read the book(s) to be discussed, I will need some details from the organizer substantially in advance and prior to scheduling. My sessions with these groups are also lots of fun and focus on the backstories, themes, social relevance, settings, and references (cultural, historical, and geographic). As with sessions for those who will have read my book(s), I also include some writing and creative insights - but nothing akin to a spoiler.
QUESTIONS & SCHEDULING.
Just email me at ashfoard1@gmail.com with your time/date preferences + rough estimate of group size + other info/questions you may have. On request, I'll gladly email you some sample questions and discussion topics. If you'd like to speak by phone, please include your number and a good time for me to call you.
Peace and love,
Jane Yearout, author