Customer Reviews

Angels of Interstate 29

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished reading "Angels of Interstate 29" written by Donald James Parker, and I must say that it was a good read. I am always interested in the role God and spirtuality plays in the lives of those who live under self-condemnation and an unability to forgive self and and others. The author created characters that were very flawed -- they used unpleasant language, and cynicism ruled the pages.

Toward the end, I learned that the main character, Tex, is living with the pain of his granddaughter's death and the role he played in that tragic occurrence. It is at this point that I, as the reader, realize that this is an intensely spiritual story (although you are not beat over the head with religiousity).

When the characters are confronted with the possibility of being killed and sexually assaulted, Lizzy repeatedly rebukes these evil forces, prays fervently and miracles happen. Those of us who have been taught to call on our spirituality in times of trouble are pleasantly reminded of the power of forgiveness and the Word!

I couldn't resist "septuagenarian" Tex Harris. Parker has a knack for characterization and his dialogue is witty and real. The themes of faith and forgiveness are introduced without being heavy-handed. The pace moves along swiftly and there's enough conflict and suspense to keep the pages turning. It's a thoroughly entertaining tale that proves you're never too old for adventure and love. I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, but I really enjoyed this book and I'll be picking up any others written by Donald James Parker.

See my complete review on EzineArticles- http://www.ezinearticles.com/?id=2262125

There are key elements that make a winning story. Story characters are one. Tex Harris, the leading character in Donald James Parker's ANGELS OF INTERSTATE 29, is larger than life. At age seventy, he's forced into retirement but isn't ready for pasture. He feels he along with the residence at the senior center can still be an asset. His plan is to organize the seniors to patrol up and down I-29 keeping a lookout for people in distress. Lizzy Adams One volunteers in his adventure and soon he falls in love, but so does the rest of his posse.

This Chicken Soup for the Soul flavoring is mixed with sharp banters between Tex and his friend, Parnelli. At the beginning, it was cute, but wore thin as the story progressed. It was just too much. Also, many of the scenes were straight dialogue. The lack of description made it difficult to visualize the characters talking.

The story wasn't just about the creation of the organization. Closer to the end, Tex reveals a heavy burden he's carried around for a long time. It's Lizzy who helps brings Tex closer to God and helps him to forgive. This was done in a non-threatening manner without a lot of heavy religious overtones. The focus is on forgiveness through God's love.

All-in-all, it was a unique story with colorful characters, but was slowed down with trivial matters. One example was the purchase of a computer. The scene could have been summed up and using less dialogue.

The author said I looked a great deal like the way he envisioned his character would look and would I allow him to use my picture on the cover. I didn't see any reason why not, but I did find myself wanting to know if the similarity went further. I got my chance, he sent me a copy.

I found it to be a light-hearted romp with three senior citizens courting a spry widow lady. I did identify with the characters, except for the phony talking professor and I don't believe I was supposed to like him anyway. I did relate to the character I was supposed to represent, althouh he used a bit of language I'd never use. Still, the widow lady made him clean up his act from even doing that.

It was an enjoyable read, start to finish.

Terry Burns

The Mysterious Ways Series from River Oak Press

(Official Apex Reviews Rating: 4.5 Stars)

Seventy year-old Tex Harris has just been "put out to pasture"; due to mandatory retirement laws, his longtime employer has officially relieved him of his duties, and he finds himself wondering just what he'll be doing with the rest of his life...fortuitously, he doesn't have to wait too long when an unexpected event quickly changes his life forever.

When he notices a young woman stranded on the side of the road, Tex - the Southern Gentleman that he is - pulls over to offer his assistance. Two young men are already on the scene, but something about them strikes Tex the wrong way, and his intuition is proven right when the situation quickly devolves into a tense standoff. Thankfully, the woman and her baby escape unharmed, but her would-be assailants manage to elude law enforcement and make a hasty getaway. Nonetheless, as a result of the breathtaking encounter, Tex is infused with a new reason for living: assisting those in need when no one else is around to do so.

So, he launches The Angels Of Interstate29, a vigilant group of civic-minded seniors, who, like Tex, are retired but yet unwilling to pass quietly into the twilight of their lives. Joined by his best friend, Parnelli, and the lovely Lizzy, a widow he meets during his initial recruitment stop, Tex and crew embark on their collective quest to save innocent lives. As times goes on, though, the natural complexities of humanity inevitably emerge, and, at the same time that Tex competes with Parnelli for Lizzy's attention and affections, he soon finds himself contending once again with unresolved dangers from the not-too-distant past...

Angels Of Interstate 29 is quite the enjoyable read. Donald James Parker is a veritable master at crafting unique, original characters whose lives and leanings lend the story an impressive authenticity. Moreover, the wit and candor of his narrative style give it a distinctive edge that moves the story along at a compelling pace.

Last but not least, Parker's ability to bring equal parts intrigue, mystery, and suspense together into a convincingly coalesced whole treats the reader to a well-balanced, carefully-crafted tale hard to put down. A sure treat for fans of a good old fashioned, well-told story.

Latonya Franklin

Apex Reviews

If anyone thinks they are too old for love, think again. This delightful book of three "old codgers" around the young age of 70 meet a woman similar in age that just sweeps them off their feet! These men are definitely rough around the edges with their mild profanity in the beginning of the book. They smooth their speech out as well as work on slimming their waist size down in hopes of bagging this sweet chick for their very own. They have a sense of humor that won't let up. A pun with practically every breath and no one comes up for air. One problem: she has discovered she has many questions about God and wants to know how she can live to please Him and not just herself. Will they get her focus off God long enough to bring her to their home for the prize?

Add to the competition pot: the foursome decides to start an organization named Angels. These are dependable folks who desire to help stranded people along Interstate 29, making that stretch of highway a safer place for people to travel. You now have one book full of adventure, fun, and yes, love.

Those who are faint of heart with not so pretty language, take heart. Love does surprising things.

The first few pages of "Angels" certainly had me intrigued. The hero is seventy. The love interest must be something similar. And the humor is wild and crazy, like watching prime-time TV. Donald James Parker has created some very believable characters, and I immediately wanted to know them better.

Parker's realistic dialog captivated me wonderfully. I've read how writers should avoid "he said, she said." But "Angels of Interstate 29" might be a classic example of how to keep the voices separate without ascribing words to speakers. Eventually the conversations did begin to drag, but with perfect timing, that was when Parker began to ramp up the relationships.

Tex and Parnelli are long-time friends--Tex perhaps the wiser of the two. And Alistair is the smooth-talking newcomer who seems set to win Lizzy's hand. I29 is the freeway where Tex plans that the old folk might angelically rescue the stranded. But the first person rescued is Tex when he puts his back out, and Lizzy is the rescuer. The reader begins to hope for more out of their relationships, but first there are problems: Tex's secret sorrow, a fishing trip with attendant worms and rocking boats, eating well and exercise, and church.

Parker introduces God, and Tex's aversion to God, in a very natural way. And just as the relationship issues are beginning to wear thin, faith and forgiveness rush into the fray. The last quarter of the book races past in a blur--threats and fear, excitement, healing and hope. The impossible turns out to be more than possible, and faith and love win through.

This was a surprising book. I guess I didn't know what I was getting into, but I was more than glad to be carried along, and the ending left me smiling with tears in my eyes. A thoroughly enjoyable read--just don't expect the heroes to be perfect angels; they are the "Angels of Interstate 29" and you take them as you find them.

I laughed until I thought I'd cry over the antics of these over-the-hill Angels. Boys will always be boys, regardless of their age, especially when a pretty little gal comes on the scene. Competition gets hot and heavy between life-long friends and a newcomer on the scene in the form of a snooty professor.

Life takes on new meaning when these four decide they still have a lot of wear on their tires. They want to feel useful and so come up with the idea of helping strangers who have trouble along Interstate-29. That's when things get hot and not in the way they are expecting. A couple of small time crooks keep showing up like the proverbial bad pennies, making the Angels' lives miserable.

The outcome will surprise you, make you laugh, cry and even stir up some anger. Just remember that all is fair in love and war.

You'll want to read all of Donald James Parker's books after this one. They all have a different flavor, but excellence is the byword.