The Adventures of Mountain Ma'am
By Juliana Rew
Struggling to survive
in the treacherous Colorado Rockies, Callie Dawson never expected to find a
friend - let alone a partner. But when she befriends the wild wolf Sina, Callie
learns she has a destiny intertwined with the future of the American West. She is
the Mountain Ma'am!
Together with Sina and her soulmate Johnny, Callie leads the Laramide Nation, a loose coalition of humans and animals dedicated to protecting the land and all who live there. Battling crooked interests, feuding animals, and evil magical forces, Callie and the Laramide Nation protect Leadville and work to ensure that Sina's endangered descendants will always have a home in their native habitat.
Together with Sina and her soulmate Johnny, Callie leads the Laramide Nation, a loose coalition of humans and animals dedicated to protecting the land and all who live there. Battling crooked interests, feuding animals, and evil magical forces, Callie and the Laramide Nation protect Leadville and work to ensure that Sina's endangered descendants will always have a home in their native habitat.
"You are of the mountains. You are the Mountain
Ma'am..."
Callie
Dawson had always been a free spirit, which was perhaps why she had rushed into
marriage with the handsome and charismatic Harry. However, there was another
side to Harry. He was controlling, cruel and violent. Callie had no choice but
to flee into the mountains.
Alone
in the Colorado Rockies, Callie has plenty of time to reflect upon her life and
her choices. Her first mistake was marrying Harry. Her second one was running
away to such a harsh and unforgiving place. How was she going to survive in a
land that is as savage as it is beautiful?
Help
comes at the least likely of moments and in the form of a wolf. Callie thought
she must be losing her mind when she heard the wolf speak. Things like that
didn't happen. Animals do not talk. But this one did.
Callie's
eyes are opened to a world that she never knew existed. Now she must decide if
she is to fulfil her destiny and become The Mountain Ma'am — the protector of
the Laramide Nation.
What
a charming and delightful book. Split into eight short stories The Adventures
of Mountain Ma'am by Juliana Rew is the perfect escapism for a quick coffee
break.
I
was intrigued as to why Rew decided to write this book not as a complete
full-length novel but as a short story cycle. Initially, I did have some
concerns that Rew would not be able to pull this off as at times the language
she used was rather simplistic. However, with each tale, I learnt more about
the heroine and the world that the story is set in. This careful use of
word-building made this book refreshingly charming.
The
heroine of this tale is Callie. Callie is a strong-willed heroine, who is
incredibly pragmatic and accepting of the strange paranormal world that she
finds herself in. In each short tale, we learn a little more about her, which
makes this collection into something resembling a journey of discovery. There
is a cast of supporting characters, my favourite being Johnny, that helps to
drive the narrative forward.
There
is a heavy dose of the paranormal in this little book, from talking wolves,
arguing woodpeckers, and a fairy King, which kept me turning those pages.
If
you are looking for a quick yet charming read, then look no further than The
Adventures of Mountain Ma'am.
I
Recommend.
Review
by Mary Anne Yarde.
The
Coffee Pot Book Club.
Pick up your copy of
The Adventures of Mountain Ma'am
Juliana Rew
Juliana Rew is a former science and technical
writer for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado,
and has won over a dozen technical writing competitions. She also writes
science fiction and is chief editor and publisher of Third Flatiron
Anthologies, a quarterly science fiction and fantasy publication available via Amazon.com.
Third Flatiron is an Affiliate Member of SFWA.
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See you on your next coffee break!
Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx