Review of Country Calling

[Kibet Hillary]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Country Calling" by Winsome Board.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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"It was afternoon tea time at Shangri-la, a cattle station in Western Queensland. Strangers called it “Shangreela”, but those who knew the family called it Shangri-la, named after the mythical country of happiness."

From the outset, after reading these opening sentences, my curiosity was piqued. Would the station live up to its name?

Peter's boss, Sergeant Ryan, constantly insists that he has a promising career in the police force and could be promoted to detective. However, after visiting Shangri-la, Peter's heart is captivated by life on the station, especially by Stella Rose. Stella, an unwavering lover of horses, finds solace in living at the station. Peter decides to resign from his law enforcement career, leading to a life of numerous ups and occasional downs. Get a copy of this book to delve deeper into this intriguing narrative and meet more compelling characters.

Country Calling: The Shangri-la Trilogy Book 1 is a historical fiction written by Winsome Board. For enthusiasts of character-driven books, Country Calling is a must-read. Winsome crafts a gripping story that primarily follows a family at Shangri-la. One of the most captivating aspects of the book is the blossoming love between Peter and Stella. The author skillfully conveys Peter's emotions—the uncertainty as he chooses a gift for Stella, the anxiety as he presents the gift, and the worry about her reciprocation.

The characters in the book are ordinary, relatable individuals engaged in everyday activities. Max, a brilliant station manager, stands out with his wisdom in navigating both the good and the bad times. His ability to delegate and involve his family in running Shangri-la adds depth to the narrative. Justin's passion for learning about the Aborigines and filling a gap in history literature is enlightening. Despite uncertainties about his future, Justin pursues his mission with unmatched zeal.

While the story is filled with bits of action, it lacks descriptive and sensory language that would draw the reader in and keep them hooked. Consequently, the allure that would typically keep a reader turning pages eagerly is somewhat lacking. These minor downsides do not significantly detract from the overall narrative, but refining these aspects could have enhanced the story's captivation. Due to these considerations, I deducted a single star from the rating; I rate Country Calling: The Shangri-la Trilogy Book 1 four out of five stars. I recommend the novel to historical fiction fans, particularly those interested in narratives centered on the Aborigines.

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Country Calling
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[Marissa Michael]

I find Peter is relatable about leaving the promising job and venturing to the unknown. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Aleena Augustine]

Your review got me intrigued about the characters and the Shangri-la setting in "Country Calling." The love story and the dynamic characters sound like a great combo. Thanks for pointing out the lack of vivid descriptions—it's good to know what to expect.

[Kibet Hillary]

Indeed, Peter is a relatable character, and so are the many other characters in the book, making the book both gripping and believable. Thanks a lot for the comments.

[Korir Kipchumba Victor]

Too bad to hear that the book does not have sensory language which is something I always look forward to while reading a book. Thank you for your honest review.

[Rashad Deniro Price]

I appreciate the author, Winsome Board, for the attention put into "Country Calling: The Shangri-la Trilogy Book 1." I love stories that are character-driven, so I might have to give this one a try. 
 
 

[Donaking]

Based on the review, "Country Calling: The Shangri-la Trilogy Book 1" seems to be a good historical fiction read, particularly for enthusiasts of character-driven narratives. The author effectively portrays emotions and develops relatable characters. However, the lack of descriptive language slightly affects the story's allure. Overall, it receives a four out of five-star rating and is recommended for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in Aboriginal narratives.