Dakota Blues

De: Lynne Spreen

Narrado por: Caroline Miller

While visiting her Midwestern hometown after many years, workaholic Karen Grace risks a few extra days away from the office, to get reacquainted with her extended family and childhood friends. She visits the crumbling homesteads of her prairie ancestors, and rediscovers their immigrant dreams and sacrifices. When her tyrannical boss fires her, she's 1,500 miles from home, just one more middle-aged worker out of a job in a tough economy. To make matters worse, her husband just left her for his pregnant girlfriend.

At a crossroads, Karen must find the courage to change. Needing time to think, she agrees to take an elderly neighbor on one last road trip, but on a deserted highway in Wyoming, Karen is forced to make a lethal and life-changing decision.

I wrote Dakota Blues because I'm fascinated by the idea that the second half of our lives could be more powerful than we've ever imagined, but there's a problem: Our culture teaches us that our youth is the good half, and once that's over, forget it. In Dakota Blues, I try to show a woman who breaks free at midlife and struggles to win her freedom.

©2012 Lynne M. Spreen (P)2014 Lynne M. Spreen

Delightful!

In Dakota Blues, Karen Grace continues her journey of self-discovery by facing her painful divorce and with dreams to create her own business. Her mother has just passed away and she's going home to Dickenson, North Dakota for the funeral. As she discovered many personal truths, she realized how important it is to rely on herself to reach her dreams. I have to admit that Dakota Blues was special to me since I grew up in North Dakota and have relatives in all of the cities the author mentioned. The trip back home was punctuated by the re-connection she made with her high school sweetheart. Kurt has always loved her and, after high school, could only watch her walk away because she had plans to build a business in California. Now she's back, even if for a few days, and he's going to take his shot with her.
Caroline Miller does an admirable job with the narration. Her dynamic voice, varied intonation and inflection gave each character a unique voice and personality. She kept the pace steady and it was a joy to listen to her bring the story to life.

Dakota Blues

Any additional comments?

This is one of those stories that will not appeal to everyone. It's about learning to let go, coming to terms with your life and finding your own happiness. While it is an overall interesting and entertaining story it's not a fast paced exciting action packed tale. It is a story that feels "real" and has some really good parts but at the same time there were periods where the story dragged for me.

It's a mid-life coming of age story. Many of the issues Karen deals with in the story are ordinary things many of us have dealt with or will have to deal with at some point in our lives. It's a story of personal discovery for Karen after the death of her mother, the connection/history we all have to a place, it's people, the memories, the things we've forgotten vs. the path our lives have taken.

When Karen's comfortable familiar life is suddenly turned upside down on several fronts and she is basically cast aside she has the chance to re-evaluate what she wants and the direction she wants her life to go.

Really enjoyed Karen's relationship with Frieda. We all need a Frieda at some point in our lives. The older people in our lives have a wisdom gained through a lifetime of experiences to share, if you just listen.

Loved F**k It list, I think I have one those just didn't call it that. It's more of a I'm too old for this sh*t list.

Caroline Miller did a really good job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to a book she has narrated. Pleasant voice. Very easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Good character voices. She was able to bring the characters and story life. Very enjoyable

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

Slow, very chill. A good one.

This is a slow-paced read that gives a look at a woman going through some major changes in multiple aspects—midlife contemporary fiction? Something like that.

Took a bit to get into it but I did get into it enough to see it through.

Features:
Fresh start.
Moving on, from multiple facets of life.
Life after divorce & cheating.
Small town life.
Slow living vibes.
Adventure.
Road trip!
Fresh starts.


Overall:
Not a bad read at all—perfect for accompanying me at work!
Took a little while to get into it, but eventually it hooked me.


🎧 Audio:
I loved this narrator’s voice—the delivery was unfortunately not as nice as her voice. A bit too robotic for my taste on the delivery. Overall sound quality was flawless.

Lovely story

A lovely story about a 50-year-old woman who looses it all, but gains even more. l was glad l read the prequel California Blues first to have some perspective.

Good narration

Good story about changes and life. Narration was really good. This was an enjoyable story.