Review: Devastating consequences...to drinking and driving!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 10, 2013
Right from the onset, "Less Than Humble Beginnings (Growing Roots)" grabbed my immediate attention. On completion of this well-written novella, I was convinced it was a true story until I read another reviewer call it a work of fiction. That being said, I have had enough exposure to the history of the American Native people to say that this story rings true which makes it all the more enjoyable.First of all, it is an eye-opener for teenagers and older adults alike. Fifteen year old Willie, as she prefers to be called, has taken care and been responsible for her younger sister Babette who is nine,  for some time now. Her mother has no idea who their father is and has broken away from her family for reasons unknown to these two daughters of hers. One unfortunate night, the door bell rings and Willie is greeted by a police officer who tells of the untimely death of Willie's and Babette's mother. She died in a head on car collision while drinking and driving. This sad event turns their lives up side down as they are too young to be on their own. According to their mother's wishes, they will now be living with Aunt Janie, and her family. Two uncles show up to pack up their meager belongings and they commence to travel all the way from Florida to Oklahoma to start their new lives.Aunt Janie, with relatively new husband Uncle Johnny, wholeheartedly embrace these two young girls into their combined family of five children. Re-united with their mother's family and the opportunity to make new friends creates more of a challenge for Willie than younger sister Babette. Talented Author, Chelsea Falin, does a great job of sharing both her heart wrenching and heartwarming story with her reading audience. Her older male cousins quickly treat her as part of the family and introduce her to some pretty neat friends. Spike seems to capture her attention more than the others. Her new found friendship with Deanna also brings some well-deserved happier times into Willie's life.  I can't wait to read the next volume in this series. The use of the following quote in the Foreword of this novella pretty well sums up the this author's heartfelt desire to share Willie's journey. Great job! As a fellow author...I couldn't agree more."A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky." ~ Crazy HorseInspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores AyotteA Woman's Voice - Inspirational Short Stories - Volume 1