Customer Reviews

Dancing on the Edge of the Roof

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Dancing On the Edge of the Roof is the story of one woman's struggle with her current life and her need for another. At forty-two years old, Juanita has had it with her manipulating and dead beat adult children, her job and her surroundings. What does she do................she jumps on a Greyhound bus and heads west to points unknown. What she discovers is an entire world so different from her past surroundings that she seeks further knowledge by staying awhile.

The residents of Paper Moon, Montana are so smitten with Juanita that they welcome her and her knowledge of cooking with open arms. While in Paper Moon Juanita discovers a cast of offbeat characters that are as strange to her as she is to them. Several characters play an intimate role in Juanita's metamorphosis, but the one that stands out and forces her to seek her true self is Jesse Gardiner, a full- blooded Indian with his own demons that he must conquer. With Juanita's interference in his restaurant business and with his suffering, Jesse and Juanita form a strange bond that may be broken if she leaves Paper Moon.

Dancing On the Edge of the Roof is a poignant adventure that is both humorous and inspiring of one woman's gumption to change the course of her life in search of self. A very good and a recommended first novel!
Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves, APOOO BookClub

I am sure many of us have heard this Dr. Phil-ism. I believe it is true in all its forms--self-fulfilling prophecies and such. DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF is a simple, straight-forward book, and readers will benefit from its eloquence. Exaggerated, overblown writing may have its place, but Sheila Williams' first book will have a place in your spirit. Strip away the main character's (Jaunita Louis') skin color, occupation, neighborhood--all of the superficial things that can separate us from her story, and we will see ourselves. Facing the same challenges. On the same journey toward fulfillment.

What I got from DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF was a lesson: Do everything you fear to do. Get locks or a long weave, if you must. Learn to merengue. Take a trip to northern China. Study at an institution for culinary arts or interior design. Take your vacation in Fiji. Have a baby at 40. Get your MBA at 54. Do it all, because this is the only life we get. Even those who believe in a second life cannot be sure, so we ought to make the best of this world, this life's opportunities.

I was reminded that I cannot blame anyone but me if I don't take those chances in life that will, in the end, make me the best form of myself that I can achieve.

Good For The Soul.

The premise of this book is a lot of fun...a Forty-something woman who has never been able to rise above the hand she was dealt, regardless of how hard she struggled, admits her failings and the troubles, decides she needs a new game, and beats it out of town. I loved Juanita and the nerve she shows in standing up for her own survival, realizing that she has somehow been enabling her children to use her (any good mom tries to do for them, right?) and figuring out what is needed to save both her children and herself. She's sorry for the mistakes she's made but not willing to be suffocated by them. Cheers for Juanita! This was a nice, cold-weather-by-the-fireplace-under-a-quilt story. There were a few places where I wished for a little more of the fine, liquid, story-telling qualities to stay. Mainly, when she first meets her new love interest, the vehemence she displays, indeed, at almost every word from him, is just not verified. She is a woman on a quest but the nasty outbursts don't seem to fit with the way her character was created. She just does't seem that unbalanced and angry and with all her other encounters, she is patient and sympathetic. I guess it was supposed to show how he put her on edge from the start, but for me there wasn't enough motivation for ripping his head off at every turn and constantly (annoyingly) throwing anything loose at him every time he opened his mouth. Maybe she's trying to show who's boss before they get started? the constantly flying towels, fruit, etc seemed like she was stepping into the aggressor's role of abuse that she had run from time after time. Still, that aside, and it was a small part of the book, the story was carried out in a slick, tight format, and was a nice way to spend a few hours. I liked the book over all and look forward to this author's coming career.

This novel is basic,so often the responsibilities of a woman's life are larger in her own mind than in reality. It's inspiring because it made me see what's really valuable inside can almost disappear without our knowledge. I want others to read this novel to get a fresh look at what the people surrounding them may really represent. It's a fast, fun, totally thought provoking read. I look forward to more of the stories of Sheila Williams.

Dancing on the Edge of the Roof by new novelist Sheila Williams offers a fresh read for AA fiction enthusiasts. The main character, forty-two year old Juanita, is ditching her mundane Columbus, Ohio existence to see what lies beyond mothering her adult kids, and going to her nursing job. She ends up in Paper Moon, Montana, about as far away from the inner city projects that she can go. Readers will get a kick out of Juanita, a loving, sassy, and gutsy character who turns the town around with her bold attitude and passion for cooking; Juanita's journey may make readers think of their own life, and will give hope and inspiration to those who seek an existence beyond the ordinary.

Dancing of the Edge is full of heart; the character's voice is clear and endearing, and the writing is crisp and to the point, with vivid descriptions. The love and passion that's expressed within this novel shines through with brilliance; it is a recommended read.

I loved this book and read it over the weekend. I felt like Juanita was someone like myself; full of dreams, but paralyzed by doubts, fears & 'what-ifs'. So it was great for me to be able to escape vicariously through Juanita. I couldn't wait until she finally took the step to get away from her grown children who were nothing more than spoiled leeches, until the eldest son's surprise at the end. That caught me off guard, but it was a good thing because I think Randy connecting so quickly with Jess was also good for helping Jess w/his depression about the death of his buddy, Eddie, whom he lost in VietNam. I LOVED the subtle, slow building relationship between Juanita & Jess, loved the way she described the great food she cooked for the town in such a nurturing way; loved the commraderie of the small town that embraced her and claimed her as one of their own & loved the way she slowly embraced the beauty & wonder of Montana. I can't wait to track down a copy of Ms. William next book; she's earned a new fan for life in me!

In Columbus, Ohio forty-two years old African-American Juanita Lewis is disappointed with her two sons and daughter. Rashawn is a drug dealer; Randy is doing time; and Bertie does the clubs ignoring her baby. To flee from her belief that she failed at parenting 101, Juanita escapes into romance novels where she fantasizes of a different life for her and her family, and when she is honest with herself, just her.

Unable to cope with the latest disenchantment and encouraged by her novels, Juanita quits her nurses aide job and takes a bus to escape from her dismal home life. The name sounds romantic and her bus companion mentioned it, so she gets off in Paper Moon, Montana. At the local diner Juanita defeats owner Jess Gardiner in a cook off by providing a simple menu rather than his upper crust bill of fare for the patrons. Soon everyone wants to eat at the diner. Juanita enjoys rustication even conversing with her landlady's cats. Jess begins courting her and they fall in love.

DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF is a fantastic contemporary romance with an insightful family drama that actually comes alive though the perceptions of the heroine. Though the metamorphosis of Juanita from nurturing care-taker to strong "I am woman" seems impossible yet Sheila Williams makes it believable as if Juanita "snapped" in a positive way as she realizes that there is got to be more to life than this and decides to find it. The story line is amusing with its serious message to respect yourself while the J duet fuss, fight, and fall in love within this fine second chance at life.

Harriet Klausner

My review title is just what I felt like doing...when I read this book! I wanted to escape and devour it...which I did. I am not embarrassed to share with the world that I read this book, in my car...while working. (it was that GOOD!) I was introduced to Sheila's work by someone in the literary industry during a literary retreat in Savannah, GA. I started reading the book a week after I returned home and in less than 2 full days, I was done with it.

It is a wonderfully written story of a mother (Juanita) who simply walks away from her (3) trifling kids...to get her own life back..or better yet...to start a new life. The best part of the novel (and it's good all the way through) was...the fact that READING is what changed this woman's life. That was very powerful to me as an avid reader because I can testify that reading has helped me in so many ways over the years. This woman leaves with a one way ticket to a place she's never been to or heard of...which speaks to the notion of her NOT being afraid to step out the box! What awaited her in Paper Moon...was the life she needed and deserved. This book is small in size but a heavy hitter for sure. I assure you..if you purchase this one, you won't be disappointed.

I am looking forward to meeting the author soon as well and to reading her second novel. (real soon)

Juanita has had enough of her unhappy life. Her adult children are draining her, always taking her for granted. One son is selling drugs out of her project apartment. Her daughters' teenaged pregnancy resulted in a baby that she seems to think is now Juanita's responsibility. Her eldest son is in jail and his phone calls are just to ask for money. Juanita starts reading romance novels about beautiful people with beautiful lives. One day she decides to leave. Maybe it won't be like in a romance novel, but it has to be better than her current reality. She buys a one way ticket to Paper Moon, Montana to begin a brand new adventure. I loved being along for the ride.

Nice Story, so glad for the sequal because when I was done, I wanted more. I loved that Juanita left her adult children seeking a better life for herself. I didn't care for the ghosts and spookiness at the B &B with Millie, the reincarnated cats were very strange but I guess necessary. I love the love interest with Juanita and Jess. I listened to the Audio version which was awesome! You will not be disappointed.