I first ran across Deborah Smith by accident. I was new to e-book technology and ran across a free book of hers that was titled “The Crossroad Café”. At that time I had very few book titles on my kindle. I expected a quick fluffy read that would entertain me, but soon leave my mind completely….however, years later I still love that book…it took me completely by surprise and was so much more than I ever expected….I seriously love Deborah Smith. She has a wonderful writing style. Very real. She makes the characters come to life. So when I heard this novella was coming out revisiting the characters I had first met in TCC, I was so excited! I started this book the minute I got my copy.
This short novella was a very nice way for me to go back to Crossroad Cove for a visit. I usually do not care for novellas, but this one was a nice break for me. I’m not sure if it was a formatting issue (I am reviewing a copy from NetGalley) or just how the book was written, but it was confusing at parts when the point of view jumped between the lead characters. It was easy enough to figure it out, but it should have been seamless, and it was not. I understand that this is one part of what will eventually be three novellas to make one book….two sibling stories are to follow….however, I feel that there was plenty of story between the Tal, Doug, and Eve to merit a full novel. I felt this was rushed and I missed the building up of their story. I can easily see where 200 +more pages could have been written about them. There was so much history before they all came together, more time should have been made to hear their full stories. I still love Smith’s writing style, but I feel she cheated us on this one….I wanted more!!!!
*spoiler*
My major complaint (besides the rushing of the story) is the rushing of the characters. I don’t necessarily agree that a small child calls a stranger Daddy two days after meeting him. This really bothered me. If this had been a full-fledged novel, this could have been avoided and would have been a moot point…instead, it’s something that left a bad feeling for me.
Still really enjoyed the book and am now more firmly cemented as knowing Smith is a “need to read” for me….
Review copy provided by NetGalley
~Urania
Buy it now The Biscuit Witch (A Crossroads Café Novella, Book One of the MacBrides)
This short story, part of Smith’s Crossroads Cafe series, is as quirky and eccentric as the novellas that came before it. The Yarn Spinner focuses on Lucy, a woman recovering from a brutal attack that almost left her dead. Cousin Delta’s biscuits — and the unconditional Appalachian love of Crossroads Cove-ites — save Lucy’s heart and soul. 
Random Book Muses 