Review by Leese -- Look Before You Jump by D.A. Bale
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Leese
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Review by Leese -- Look Before You Jump by D.A. Bale
[Following is a volunteer review of "Look Before You Jump" by D.A. Bale.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Vicki Bohanan is a loud, opinionated and sometimes brash Southern wild-child who often acts before she thinks, or speaks... or does anything, really. While she may come across as obnoxious and reckless, through Look Before You Jump we come to find out why she does the things that she does and that, actually, she does have a heart and will go to any lengths to protect and help those she loves and cares about.
Rather than live off the fortune of her parents and accept hand outs from them like many in her position would, Vicki decides to rebel against everything that her family stands for and carve her own path in life with each hangover bringing with it memories of another wild night. Her refusal of her parents' help has a lot to do with the ill-feelings she harbors toward her father, making her determined to succeed on a modest bartender wage and the tips that come with it. Not exactly a lifestyle that a God-fearing society would approve of, but that doesn't deter Vicki. In fact, that's probably one of the things that drives her on even more.
As the reader, we are privy to all of Vicki's scandalous, eyebrow-raising and unbelievable antics. From losing her virginity to the pastor's son in the bed of a truck to her absolute fear of commitment and unquestionable ability to hold a grudge against those who have wronged her, and we come to find that there really is a reason for everything.
When her old sweetheart returns to town, along with his pregnant wife and the chance to take up the position of pastor of the local church, Vicki is knocked for six. As old memories are brought up, it's clear to see that there is still an unspoken bond between the two that has never left. When tragedy strikes, Vicki finds herself in the middle of a murder-mystery that she is determined to solve, even if the local police department doesn't share her views. She'll go to any length to ensure that her friend isn't convicted of a crime she knows he didn't commit.
With a habit of making more enemies than friends and of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, things don't always go Vicki's way, but with a former-lover/friend in the police department and a mouth that can talk her out of bad situations almost as quickly as it lands her in them, she tackles any obstacle that threatens to throw her off course without a second thought.
Leaping into the line of fire on more than one occasion, it's up to Vicki to help get to the bottom of what really happened and why a newcomer to the town wound up dead when it looked like she had everything going for her.
Bale has a talent for really making you feel connected with Vicki. Between the witty thoughts, sarcastic internal monologues and "actually, don't answer that" questions for the benefit of the reader, I really felt like I knew who Vicki was and why she was the way she was.
When I first started reading I had no idea of the twists and turns that lay ahead. Bale has crafted a clever, interesting and unique plot that will leave you speechless and cheering on Vicki as she fights against the police, her family, her community and anybody else who stands in her way to prove the innocence of her friend and bring him home.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It has a very interesting and attention-grabbing plot and Bale's relaxed and humorous writing style definitely lends its hand in bringing Vicki to life as a character. Overall I felt like the pacing could have been a little better and some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out a little more but on the whole it was an enjoyable read. I wasn't expecting quite the adventure that I got with this one and it surprised me in the best way.
******
Look Before You Jump
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like Leese's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
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Vicki Bohanan is a loud, opinionated and sometimes brash Southern wild-child who often acts before she thinks, or speaks... or does anything, really. While she may come across as obnoxious and reckless, through Look Before You Jump we come to find out why she does the things that she does and that, actually, she does have a heart and will go to any lengths to protect and help those she loves and cares about.
Rather than live off the fortune of her parents and accept hand outs from them like many in her position would, Vicki decides to rebel against everything that her family stands for and carve her own path in life with each hangover bringing with it memories of another wild night. Her refusal of her parents' help has a lot to do with the ill-feelings she harbors toward her father, making her determined to succeed on a modest bartender wage and the tips that come with it. Not exactly a lifestyle that a God-fearing society would approve of, but that doesn't deter Vicki. In fact, that's probably one of the things that drives her on even more.
As the reader, we are privy to all of Vicki's scandalous, eyebrow-raising and unbelievable antics. From losing her virginity to the pastor's son in the bed of a truck to her absolute fear of commitment and unquestionable ability to hold a grudge against those who have wronged her, and we come to find that there really is a reason for everything.
When her old sweetheart returns to town, along with his pregnant wife and the chance to take up the position of pastor of the local church, Vicki is knocked for six. As old memories are brought up, it's clear to see that there is still an unspoken bond between the two that has never left. When tragedy strikes, Vicki finds herself in the middle of a murder-mystery that she is determined to solve, even if the local police department doesn't share her views. She'll go to any length to ensure that her friend isn't convicted of a crime she knows he didn't commit.
With a habit of making more enemies than friends and of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, things don't always go Vicki's way, but with a former-lover/friend in the police department and a mouth that can talk her out of bad situations almost as quickly as it lands her in them, she tackles any obstacle that threatens to throw her off course without a second thought.
Leaping into the line of fire on more than one occasion, it's up to Vicki to help get to the bottom of what really happened and why a newcomer to the town wound up dead when it looked like she had everything going for her.
Bale has a talent for really making you feel connected with Vicki. Between the witty thoughts, sarcastic internal monologues and "actually, don't answer that" questions for the benefit of the reader, I really felt like I knew who Vicki was and why she was the way she was.
When I first started reading I had no idea of the twists and turns that lay ahead. Bale has crafted a clever, interesting and unique plot that will leave you speechless and cheering on Vicki as she fights against the police, her family, her community and anybody else who stands in her way to prove the innocence of her friend and bring him home.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It has a very interesting and attention-grabbing plot and Bale's relaxed and humorous writing style definitely lends its hand in bringing Vicki to life as a character. Overall I felt like the pacing could have been a little better and some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out a little more but on the whole it was an enjoyable read. I wasn't expecting quite the adventure that I got with this one and it surprised me in the best way.
******
Look Before You Jump
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like Leese's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Probable Cause for Vengeance" by David Wolf
