Review: Rock n Rollin all the way!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 17, 2012
THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN:Pam Howes takes us back to exciting times in the early sixties, when the growth of sex, drugs and rock n roll burst onto the music scene. They were heady times for young people, with new freedoms and opportunities. This era gave birth to a lot of big names, leaving a legacy of music which is very much alive and kicking today.The author captures the mood of those times with ease, and I took a trip down memory lane with the references to landmarks such as Ringway- now Manchester International Airport- the fish n chip suppers, the films and cars of that time, all the crazy fashions and Jackie magazine! It is proudly working class, and rich with the expectations, hopes and dreams of that time. It is more than a love story and it has more than one complicated thread wrapped around the central plot; that of the rise to fame of The Raiders. And it has plenty to offer anyone too young to remember the real mods and rockers with it's romantic, teenage angst and all the relationship problems with parents, friends and lovers.It is a very special skill to write in any one particular year, because the plot and the characters need to exist solely in those times. No birth pill, no mobile phone, no internet, no major roads. The list is endless but the author has a firm handle on all the `props.'A small negative now; the balance of dialogue to narrative. I would have loved more of a reflective, thoughtful kind of backstory from the main characters in place of some of the dialogue. In fact Pam's style has a distinct screenplay type quality to it, given her penchant for dialogue...hint hint programme makers out there! Now who could we have to play Eddie? Yes, in places this novel reminds me of those wonderful programmes Heartbeat and Happy Days. Nostalgia done well is so appealing, even for those outside of the era looking in.A complete story in itself, Three Steps draws to a climax but the door has been left sufficiently ajar for the next book in the series. Who can resist?TIL I KISSED YOU:This is the second book in the series, and what a melting pot of action it is!We catch up with Eddie Mellor and the Cantello family, some 20 years on from the first book. It is a smooth transition, with reminders of the important points from series one and written in the same, chatty plot driven style, with plenty of twists and turns.Set in the eighties, I was perhaps a little more in tune with the era than the first book, and I have to admire the author's skill in keeping the mechanics of those times firmly rooted where they should be within the context of the story. Great references to Live Aid, pubs in Stockport and Simon Le Bon. Some nice humour; I especially liked the line about the estate agent's teeth not looking out of place in Red Rum's mouth!This book centers more on the family relationships than the first one; with affairs, surprise pregnancies, a tragic bereavement, sexual discovery and a brother-sister relationship. There's a lot going on, but hey this is rock n roll and The Raiders don't live a quiet life!Typical of those times, The Raiders are planning a reunion. In the midst of this, Roy Cantello has a midlife crisis and gets himself in a mess with Olivia. The Mellor family are not left out, remember the controversy surrounding Jon's parentage? I liked the thread about Jon and Jess, thinking they were related and falling in love. There is a nice build up to the denouement when they learn the truth.Yes, Roy is a weak, very naughty boy in this one and there is a lot of cheating, but for me the real hero is loyal, steady Eddie and he provides a nice balance to Roy's philandering. I thought Olivia was painted rather well, and the scenario between Sammy, Olivia and Roy, whether you agree with their action's or not, are, I suspect, typical of that lifestyle.ALWAYS ON MY MIND:This is the third book in the Rock N Roll series and Pam Howes (Stockport's very own Jackie Collins?) takes us almost into current times as Roy reaches 60. Not that it slows him down! Brace yourself; Roy does not change his spots when his past lover, Olivia, returns to see the child she had with him 16 years ago. Of course this is the catalyst which heralds a whole new helter-skelter of events. Whether you like him or not, Roy is a proper rock star; sex driven and confused!The plot is full of major life changes and the pace is kept pretty full on as we follow the fates and fortunes of the Cantello family, and again, I enjoyed the way the author included real life events such as the 9/11 disaster, to add a touch of realism and all local references from my very own stamping ground.