Driving to BelAir: A Novella [Kindle Edition]

William G. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Is it the road trip from hell, or once last chance to make things right again?

When Dale moved to New York, he thought he left his old life behind. Then a phone call from his ex-fiancé sends his old life crashing around him. Before he even knows what's happening, he's trapped in a cantankerous old car with the brothers he abandoned, his still-bitter ex-fiancé, his current live-in girlfriend, and a pee-happy poodle. All they have to do is scatter their father's ashes in the ocean and they'll never have to see each other again. But with so much baggage in the car, will they even make it that far?

(40,000 words) 


WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

"Hilarious and really heart-warming.... There are some really funny moments and the characters are all vividly drawn with their own particular quirks.... A great story about the importance of family, laughably funny, lovable characters." - Book Stack Reviews

"I laughed and I cried. No, I really did. This novella packs a big punch." - Amanda Chambers, Living, Learning, and Loving Life Book Review

"This book was recommended to me when I was looking for something funny, uplifting, easy and fun to read. Thanks, because that's exactly what I got. I really enjoyed the ride to BelAir.... I'm usually pretty good about predicting outcomes but I have to say that this one had some surprises for me and I like that. And, I think you'll like Driving to BelAir." - Lia Fairchild, author of IN SEARCH OF LUCY

"Driving to BelAir is filled with characters who think and act like real people. I laughed and cried, became frustrated, annoyed and completely and wonderfully engaged.... If you don't read Driving to BelAir you are missing one really great road trip." - Pam Bainbridge-Cowan, author of SOMETHING IN THE DARK

"I thought it had the perfect amount of drama and I found the story extremely engaging... I highly recommend this novella. It's a wonderful story with intriguing characters that will keep you hooked from start to finish." - Vanessa Boekie, Boekie's Book Reviews

"Driving to BelAir is one of those stories you hope some smart Hollywood director picks up because it would make an excellent film... fantastic character development, descriptive writing and excellent pacing make this a novel you will be happy to pick up." - M. L. Archer, author of THE CALLING OF MIKE MALONE

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William G. Jones is a University of Kentucky alumnus and has worked in media and graphic design for over a decade. His short stories have appeared in InFuze Magazine, and his story "Choices" was selected for InFuze Magazine's Best-of 2005 anthology. He currently resides in Western Kentucky.

Product Details

• File Size: 1386 KB
• Print Length: 153 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: J.R. co... Publishing; 3 edition (August 25, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005JLVFHM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,407 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book November 13, 2011

By A. Chambers

Format:Kindle Edition

I laughed and I cried. No, I really did. This novella packs a big punch.

Dale ran fast and far from an abusive father and the family farm. Three years later, he's back with a spoiled girlfriend and her little dog, too. To fulfill his father's last wishes, he is supposed to make a trip from Indiana to Florida to scatter Dad's ashes in the ocean. The catch is that he has to go with his brothers. One has just a little problem with marijuana, and the other is nursing a huge grudge against Dale for leaving home.

Can they make it all the way without killing each other? Or leaving someone on the side of the road? Maybe. But whatever happens along the way, you'll laugh out loud. You might even shed a tear or two. It's all worth it.

I got this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read October 23, 2011

By Jolly Roger

Format:Kindle Edition

This short story was a fun afternoon read. I loved how the family dynamics were realistic. Everyone has family drama and this story centers around 3 siblings, and ex fiance trying to fulfill a father's last wish. While begrudgingly going out on a road trip anything that could go wrong does. In the end it's a feel good family centered read that gives everyone hope for their own troubled siblings. I loved that I was able to spend an afternoon and quickly get in to, and finish the book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story! October 16, 2011

By BoekiesBookReview

Format:Kindle Edition

I thoroughly enjoyed Jones' short novella Driving to BelAir. I thought it had the perfect amount of drama and I found the story extremely engaging. Arissa was probably one of my favorite characters. Although, she was sort of the background character her personality was extremely likeable and she was always there to help Dale out, even without him asking. I loved watching Dale's character evolve. He was definitely a strong leading character and it was interesting watching him handle the different dilemmas. I had mixed feelings about Billy's character, he annoyed me half the time because of his immaturity. But, overall his character's eccentricity did help drive the overall story, which in turn made for a better drama. My main complaint is I felt the ending could've been a little bit more. It seemed unfinished. I highly recommend this novella. It's a wonderful story with intriguing characters that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

More About the Author

William G. Jones is a University of Kentucky alumnus and has worked in media and graphic design for over a decade. His short stories have appeared in InFuze Magazine, and his story "Choices" was selected for InFuze Magazine's Best-of 2005 anthology. He currently resides in Western Kentucky.