Customer Reviews

Playing by the Rules: A Novel

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Playing by the Rules by Elaine Meryl Brown is deftly written and an engaging and emotionally rich sequel to her debut novel, Lemon City. Almost a year later, life seems to have returned to normal for the quirky, eccentric folks of Lemon City. The Dunlaps appear to have gotten over the scandal caused by the death of their former son-in-law who was also an Outsider. They seem to have adjusted to their granddaughter, Faith, leaving Lemon City (the first resident to ever do so) and settling in New York. Seasons have changed, Outsiders have left and Insiders have once again settled into their usual routine. Do not be fooled, it is simply the quite before the storm.

As the story opens the Dunlaps are preparing to celebrate Christmas 1973. The family has barely gathered when stranded Outsiders soon appear at the Dunlaps' steps. Who is the mysterious, yet handsome young gentleman who has graced the family's doorsteps with a young, cute and gregarious little girl? Jeremiah Richardson and his younger sister, Ruby Rose, are on the run. After a few false starts and several years later, Jeremiah, a Vietnam Veteran, has finally founded his younger sister. Since his mother's untimely death, Ruby Rose has been in the foster care system. As is often the case, the foster home she resided in left a lot to be desired. Ruby Rose is elated when her brother finds her and rescues her from her current home, albeit without the permission of her unfit foster mom. Nevertheless it is still considered kidnapping and Jeremiah seeks to put as much distance as possible between him and the location of Ruby's Rose's former home. Unfortunately, his car does not co-operate and his plans to head North and commune at Dick Gregory's four-hundred-acre farm in Plymouth, Massachusetts are put on hold. The seventh Lemon City rule is to: Help Those In Need and Never Judge Them by the Holes in Their Socks. But past experience has shown that Outsiders do not usually fare well in Lemon City and trouble soon follows after they arrive. Will things be different this time?

On the Homefront, Insider Medford, at age forty-four is ready to settle down. Nana Dunlaps' granddaughter, Louise, while eighteen years his junior, Medford has known her all his life and she is the women he would like to marry and hopefully start a family with. He believes that Louise is ready to wed as well and probably expecting an engagement ring for Christmas. Before he can commit to Louise there is some unfinished business he must resolved. He needs to find out who his birth mother is. Pre-occupied with finding his mother, Medford does not realize that he is distancing himself from Louise. Nor does he notice that Louise is spending time with one handsome Outsider who seems to occupy all of Louise's spare time...and space. Will said Outsider cause Louise to violate rule number one: Never Marry an Outsider. If You Do, the Boll Weevil Will Bite You Back.

Playing by the Rules was a delightful treat for a lazy, summer afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised that the sequel was better than the original storyline. Having read Lemon City, which was just an okay read for me, I had no intentions of reading Playing by the Rules. Thank goodness for the positive word of mouth from a fellow literary buddy who encouraged me to give it a try. There were actually a few things I liked about Playing by the Rules. I enjoyed that the author brought back familiar characters from the first book, while introducing new characters who tugged at my heart in the latest read. I liked how the author used vivid imagery to bring the town and the characters to life. The early 70s backdrop was a nice touch. As a child of that generation, I could easily relate to the topical themes of the Vietnam War, fashion statements of the time, hair styles, the feminist movement, the music, etc. As I read, it was a walk down memory lane as I reminisced and recalled some of the things that I experienced during that era. With Playing by the Rules the quirky characters came to life for me this time, they grew on me and I was better able to identify with some while understanding others. The secondary characters were fully developed and integral components of the storyline. For anyone who read Lemon City, Nana Dunlap and Ole Miss Johnson are still up to their usual antics. (Although this time there just might be enough distractions to call a truce...hmmm maybe not.) Brown's use of foreshadowing had me quickly turning the pages as well as anticipating and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. (Until it was revealed, I never did figure out who was Medford's mother.) The second time was a charm. I am thoroughly invested in the players of Lemon City and would love to see a series featuring these characters. Playing by the Rules is one of my Top Ten reads for 2006 and I recommend it to those looking for a refreshing change of pace.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

Playing By The Rules a novel by Elaine Meryl Brown.

This novel starts by re-introducing/introducing you to Nana and Grandaddy Dunlap. The story is centered around them and their granddaughter Louise who is a modern day woman's libber that wants to make sure she stays in control of her life. She is currently dating Medford who is at-least ten years her senior, but the pair has had their eyes on each other for years. That is until two outsiders appear.

Jeremiah and his sister Ruby Rose are fugitives on the run. They land in Lemon City, purely by coincidence and end up at the Dunlap's house where they are invited to stay. At first sight, Louise finds herself attracted to Jeremiah which leads to problems since she is dating Medford. Ruby Rose is not happy about her brother dating Louise and is determined to break them apart. So much so that she becomes involved with Medford and tries to warn him of Louise's cheating ways. Medford is a little concerned, but he is focusing on finding the missing link of his past.

Ms. Brown takes you on a trip that is lighthearted and comical. The characters are easy to identify and follow. The story has a smooth and easy flow that before you know it leaves you at the end wondering where the time went.

I found that it was a very interesting read and subject matter. It is truly an imagination when you develop a book that all of the characters have to live by ten rules. In today's society, we seem to make them up as we go along. I applaud Ms. Brown for her creativity and story telling ability.
Reviewed By: Eleanor S. Shields, Black Butterfly Review

The Story was made up of loving/eccentric residents of a small town built on rules that everyone lived by and followed. A couple of outsiders wander into town and win the hearts of the Lemonites who welcome them into their home and lives. Everyone is looking for something in this book from love, babies, mothers to winning a contest in the annual County Fair. In the end love is what brings them together and is the potion for solving all of their problems.

A thoroughly enjoyable book with a cast of characters that entertain and delight. Ms. Brown has dreamed up a place that few of us will ever know but it's a lot of fun to visit. Can't wait for my next trip to Lemon City!!!

Readers can thank Brown for this sequel to her engaging "Lemon City." The author's unique voice manages to give us both a witty and mysterious take of the latest goings-on in Lemon City; with "Rules" we're swept into the latest intrigue that interlopers bring. The Dunlaps make us see their view -- often ludicrous-- but always written written with a humane view. For a page turner that makes you laugh and want to visit those Dunlaps again -- don't miss this one.

A perfect read for a warm summer night. The story will have you reading just one more page and then another before drifting off to sleep with all the compelling and quirky characters of Lemon City drifting through your dreams.

Playing By The Rules is a page-turner! The novel is so well written, I couldn't put it down.
It was great taking another jouney through Lemon City.

Ms. Brown does it again with PLAYING BY THE RULES. This is the perfect summer escape book. Elaine Brown's vivid writing style truly brings Lemon City and its unforgettable cast of quirky characters to life. After this read I feel like a real "insider" and I want to know more about the secrets and mysteries that are connect to the Dunlap family. I'm looking forward to the next Lemon City mystery.

Elaine Meryl Brown's "Playing By the Rules" is the kind of book that doesn't come around very often. An excellent read- it's light and incredibly funny, but maintains a gripping plot that will keep you glued to the pages right from the mysterious prologue. Brown has also managed to create characters that are so realistic and human, you'll recognize you're entire family amongst the Dunlap clan.

I can't wait to read what happens next in Lemon City. I hope it won't be too long!!

This is what summer reading is all about! Elaine Brown's second venture into Lemon City is a joyous romp and a thrilling read and thoroughly entertaining. The mysteries of Lemon City continue to unfold as we learn more about the lively characters who live in this fictional town in Virginia...and why trouble keeps turning up where least expected! Fans of the first installment "Lemon City" will be happy to return, and new readers can dive right in without missing a beat. "Playing By the Rules" is a great beach companion -- bring it along and go for the ride! You won't be disappointed!