Customer Reviews

Fairy Tale Blues (Nal Accent Novels)

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Tina Welling's entertaining second novel guides us through the troubles of a midlife marriage while engaging us in a tale of humor, adventure, and extramarital temptation. "Fairy Tale Blues" tells the story of a loving, reliable, but flawed partnership. The narration seesaws between the wife Annie and the husband Jess. I found myself rooting for the rebirth of the marriage rather than taking sides. Annie longs for meaningful emotional contact, but Jess doesn't know how to deliver. He needs to address his past and deal with his wife's legitimate desires. She needs to expect less, accept more, and take action on her own behalf instead of nursing resentment. The reader listens in on phone calls and private thoughts as the struggling lovers move toward honesty and personal healing for the sake of love. Welling shows us how to bump our way through the deep ruts until marriage becomes smooth and satisfying again.

Tina Welling is a good writer who loses sight of her story about half way through. The beginning of her story is very believable and conceivable following her character's frustration and disappointment with her marriage, but after her heroine moves to Florida to get away and reflect, she becomes less believable. After 26 years of marriage and 2 kids, wouldn't she cut loose a little? Instead, she recreates the same in Florida, and connects with her ailing father and meets some created character named Daniel. And what is the deal with this Daniel? He is so unbelievable - his construct is so transparent and vague - and her interaction with him is so "prissy". I would love to rewrite the middle and end of this story to give it more zeal, readability and believability!

Fairy Tale Blues is a good read and a book that many of us can completely relate to. Like her earlier book, Crybaby Ranch, the author explores the complexities of male/female relationships in insightful and meaningful ways, yet still manages to bring us laughter as well as tools for everyday living.

I am looking forward to reading Tina's next book. As for this one - I have already bought three other copies for friends who found it just as helpful as I have.

is a fun book to read, whether you're in a marriage or single. Welling provides insights on what successful marriages might require and pushes you to think about what might be missing from your life.