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Publisher's Weekly Review from Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

I've received my official second prize, a Publisher's Weekly review of the Recalculating Route Manuscript. I'm pleased. See what you think.

ABNA PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW

Widow and former home economics teacher Marsha Davison is still trying to recover from the death of her husband, Eric, 19 months earlier when she meets Ben Mayfield, a wealthy retired geologist who invites her on a road trip along old Route 66. The ex-husband of a dear friend, Ben’s courtly manner and sense of adventure intrigue Marsha. Although initially she declines, Marsha decides to throw caution to the wind and she and her dog, Lindy, go along for the ride. After a nearly three-month jaunt on the road, Marsha returns to her home in Sedona, Arizona, and Ben to his in Texas, planning another roadtrip -- an East Coast one this time -- for the fall. But soon after returning to their respective homes, Marsha and Ben soon realize that their relationship is far from being a simple friendship, it’s turned to love, and then quickly they decided to marry. It isn’t all smooth sailing because both have grown children who object to the relationship for various reasons, and they live hundreds of miles away from each other. But can these obstacles stand in the way of true love? The author writes movingly of the mixed emotions that come after mourning a beloved spouse and then dating again in this sweet romance that targets a less-than common demographic: those in the later stages of life, who refuse to give up on love. A sweet treat.

Now for the required disclaimers: Publisher's Weekly is an independent organization. Review was based on entered manuscript and not the published version (which is slightly different).

The reviewer at Publisher's Weekly also graded the manuscript from one to five on character development, originality of idea, plot, prose/style, and overall strength of submission, but we won't get to see the scores. The five entries with the highest scores in each category will advance to the semifinals. I can't tell from the review how highly the reviewer would have rated me in these categories, but I'm hopeful. Semi-finalists will be announced June 13th, so until then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

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