Customer Reviews

On the Right Side of a Dream: A Novel

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ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF A DREAM by Sheila Williams
June 5, 2005


ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF A DREAM by Sheila Williams is the story of Juanita Lewis, a woman who finds that after raising three children and catering to their whims and needs, realizes that it is now her turn. She is a middle aged African American woman who is now on a journey to find her inner self. So, one day she moves out of her home in Columbus, Ohio and eventually ends up in a small town called Paper Moon in the state of Montana.

Life in Montana was a big change of scenery for her, and Juanita discovers that she loves living in this small town she now calls home. She meets Jess, who becomes the new man in her life, and also befriends an eccentric old lady named Millie Tilson, who has lived her life to the fullest and is still going strong. Juanita's best friend is a lesbian truck driver named Peaches, and it's because of her that Juanita travels around the western United States, meeting people that will influence her future.

It's when she hears about Millie's death that Juanita finally returns home to Paper Moon, and finds that she's inherited the Bed and Breakfast inn that Millie ran. Juanita wants to continue what Millie started, but finds she has made an enemy in Millie's estranged son, who is trying to take over the B and B so he could tear it down to make a parking lot.

I surprisingly found this novel a wonderful experience, as I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. While the first part of the novel meanders a bit as Peaches and Juanita travel through California and beyond, it helped set up the novel for what was to come, and I was able to appreciate that. While this book is probably labeled as African American Lit, it certainly had a different feel compared to the books by Eric Jerome Dickey as well as Terry McMillan. This is not a bad thing, and it was refreshing to read a new voice in this growing genre. I am definitely recommending this book, and hope to read her first novel, DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF. Sheila Williams is a writer that I believe is going to go far.

In this enjoyble new novel, Sheila continues the story of Juanita. Some of us liked Juanita for leaving home where her life was so dreadful. We loved that she didn't know where she was going or what she would do when she got there. I thought Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, where we first met Juanita, told her story skillfully and completely, but now I see there was more to be written.

Now Juanita, with a better life, a good man, a better job and friends, takes off again. But this time she is not running away from anything, which made this adventure better for me. She decides to explore her interest in cooking and maybe take it to the next level. She sees more of the country settling for a while in another place. She makes more friends, as she loses one.

Fate steps in and provides Juanita with a life that was unexpected, yet good. Some family issues are difficult to resolve,just like in real life.

I became even more proud of Juanita in this new book, and more proud of the Author Sheila Willias too.

Easy read, enjoable characters, and good writing make this, Sheila's third literary sucess.

"My mother said that I was a slow learner. It took me nearly forty years to figure out that she was right," so says Juanita Lewis, who continues her adventures of self-discovery and serious soul-searching in Sheila Williams's latest release, On the Right Side of a Dream. It picks up where Dancing on the Edge of the Roof left off, with our "shero", the middle-aged Juanita who ran away from home to preserve her sanity, pursuing another dream - a view of the Pacific Ocean. She is trucking across the Rockies with Peaches and pondering her next move and along the way she prospers spiritually and financially via the use of her culinary skills. Just as she thinks she has a life plan, fate intervenes and she must return to Paper Moon, Montana to bury an old friend (Millie). Surprisingly, she inherits an aging, haunted bed and breakfast inn and struggles to keep her promise to Millie while her world seems to crumble around her. Stress comes in all forms, but Juanita's constant source is that of her children. Her daughter is insisting she return to Columbus, Ohio to baby-sit for an indefinite length of time and her son has been arrested for dealing drugs. What's a mother to do? She follows her heart with interesting results.

Although I think the start was a little slow, I found the novel filled with mother-wit and eccentric yet lovable characters (which are seemingly becoming Ms. Williams's trademarks). This novel does not disappoint-I enjoyed following Juanita on her daily adventures. The pacts she makes to herself and the lessons she learns along the way are jewels that should be treasured.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

This book is the sequel to Dancing On the Edge of the Roof. Both books are excellent. In this sequel the main character further develops into this amazing indepedent woman that had no experience outside her home town of OHIO. I love the adventures that goes on and the people that surround her and support her. How many of us thought that it would be wonderful to packet it up and leave but stay because of our family obligations. Join in Juanita's search for love, happiness and adventure. You will not be disappointed.

Juanita Lewis and many of her friends from Dancing on the Edge of the Roof return in the sequel, ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF A DREAM. Despite the fact that this book is a sequel, the author provides enough background so the book can stand alone. However, having read the first book, I think I had a better understanding of Juanita's history, which enhanced my reading experience. Juanita decided one day that she had had enough of her unfulfilled life, packed up and eventually found herself in Paper Moon, Montana. While in Paper Moon, she made new (very zany) friends, found romance, and really began to love and appreciate herself.

As the story opens, Juanita is riding off with her friend Peaches, a young, lesbian truck driver, to see the West Coast for the very first time. As she continues to think about what her future holds, Juanita struggles with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. She hopes and prays that things will come together for her. Well, she soon learns to be careful what she wishes for. As job offers, educational opportunities, and a surprise inheritance emerge, she feels a bit overwhelmed. And just when she thinks she can't possibly deal with any more, drama from her family and the past she left behind emerge. As she navigates this journey, Juanita soon discovers and relates to readers that there are times in life for questions, times for answers, and sometimes answers just lead to more questions.

Sheila Williams has written a thoughtfully crafted tale about a middle-aged woman's continued journey to self-discovery. Through Juanita's character, readers are reminded that everyone has fears and doubts, and that life is indeed a constantly evolving process. I loved being privy to Juanita's inner dialogue and her sarcastic wit. The only shortfall with this book was it's pacing, which at times was a little too slow for my tastes. ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF A DREAM is a mature read, and one that I really enjoyed. (RAW Rating: 3.5)

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Ms Williams is becoming one of my favorites; She write in an easy going style with humor and interest to keep you going; Well, this book brings us back to Juanita, who left Paper Moon, and got another adventure on her own, when Peaches take her to see the Pacific, and to her psychic, who get Juanita to take over the cooking while there until her dear old friend Millie Tilson dies, and has Juanita packing and going back to Montana and Jess; there she finds out that she is the owner, lock,stock and barrel of Millie's B&B, but gets some resistance in the form of Millie's stiff necked and upper lip, very British, very upper crust, son, complete with small entourage to challenge the will; Then at home, Juanita's daughter brings her home about a sick daughter,Telisha(won't divulge too much on that). And some things just don't change; But with new challenges, she comes out well in the end; Wouldn't mind seeing a third book;

Okay, I was happy for this sequel but!! It was a little slow and I liked the juicyness of the first. I wanted Jess and her to marry. Okay you've guess it. I like love stories. This is still an awesome story that I wanted to go on and on.

I just love this book series - the first book - 'Dancing on the edge of the roof' and lead character Juanita life's journey. I have loaned that book to several people and everyones reaction to it has been great. This book continues her journey to discovery and self worth along with how one person can impact some many other individuals.

I would highly recommend this book and would encourage every woman to step out of their box to find there way to new horizons and to there life's dream - even if you aren't sure what that is.

Shiela Williams is an excellent author - I have read almost everything that she has written - and look forward to her next book.