Driving Lessons

by Curtiss Ann Matlock

Book Overview

Following her sister Rainey's story in Lost Highways, Charlene Darnell, a 40-something mother of three, struggles to put her life back together after her husband leaves her. A man who claims he's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551665999
• ISBN13: 9781551665993
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 443 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A new found friend

I couldn't put down this charming book with such wonderfully believable characters. I would just love to move to such a town where people care about each other.I felt like I could talk to Charlene about her problems with Joey, while sipping on a glass of iced tea, or get my nails done at the beauty shop where she works. Living in the South myself,this story touched my heart. Am trying to locate Ms Matlock's other books about Valentine, OK so I can visit again!

PLEASE STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES...

I've spent the last two days in the wonderful, and now very familiar town of Valentine, Oklahoma. I worried, I laughed, I cried and I even prayed with each of Curtiss Ann's characters---folks I know and will remember for a very long time to come.

Unforgettable cast of true-to-life characters

After 21 years of marriage and three children, Charlene Darnell's husband Joey has just up and walked out, leaving her confused, feeling like a failure, and not sure whether to be sad or angry. Her entire married life has been dedicated to being there for everyone else; now, for the first time, circumstances are forcing her to put herself first, figuring out what CHARLENE wants, for a change. The last thing she needs is the sudden, and admittedly very flattering attention, of one Mason MacCoy, a man who's harbored a secret love for Charlene for more than ten years. As with the other books of Curtiss Ann Matlock's that I've read, the pages of DRIVING LESSONS fairly teem with eccentric but loveable characters and down-home, humor-laced wisdom. Don't expect to find lots of fast-paced action here, or a bunch of steamy sex scenes. Those aren't Matlock's style. What you WILL find is an uncanny ability to capture the magic in small moments and everyday occurrences, and a sexual chemistry that far surpasses anything merely physical. Since this is primarily Charlene's story, the romance seems more of a subplot than the driving force of the storyline, but it is a lovely, sweet romance all the same. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the ending seemed a tad abrupt after such a luxuriously developed story -- and I did want to know what happened with Rainey and her baby! But Charlene and Mason are wonderful characters, flawed and appealing and real. . .as are all the inhabitants of Valentine, Oklahoma. Another keeper for sure.

Great read

After twenty-one years of marriage, Joey Darnell fails to return to his home from a business trip. Instead, he moves into a trailer owned by Sheila Arnett. His wife Charlene and two children are devastated and the townsfolk of Valentine, Oklahoma thinks he is nuts. Everyone advises Charlene that Joey is suffering a mid-life crisis, will come to his senses, and should never have hurt her like this.Slowly, Charlene begins to gather herself together. She drives for the first in six years and takes a job at the beauty parlor. Mason MacCoy begins to court her. Unbeknownst to Charlene, Mason has loved her ever since he first met her a decade ago. In her forties, Charlene begins to regain her self-respect and buried hopes even as she starts to fall in love with her suitor.DRIVING LESSONS is an interesting character piece that demonstrates the width of talent that best-selling author Curtiss Ann Matlock possesses. The story line centers on the actions and reactions of various players to Joey, who is not an evil person, leaving his family. This tale is a thought-provoking novel because the author avoids the pitfalls of turning Joey into pure evil and Charlene into pure goodness. Instead these are real people coping with a crisis and the way the author handles that will bring much acclaim to Ms. Matlock.Harriet Klausner

Another delightful visit to Valentine, Oklahoma!

Readers will be delighted to find "romance writer extraordinare" Curtiss Ann Matlock is treating them to another exciting visit to Valentine, Oklahoma. In Curtiss Ann's previous novel, "Lost Highways, we were introduced to Rainey Valentine and her whole slightly-strange family. In this new novel, we meet Rainey's sister Charlene and learn her story of heartache and renewing love.Charlene is devastated when her no-good husband Joey decides to move in with the town tramp. However, this might just be the best thing to ever happen to the spoilt, somewhat whiney Charlene. She is forced to take a good look at her life, and decide exactly what she is going to do.But love is not far away from Charlene. Mason MacCoy has loved her from afar for as long as he can remember, and with a little tenderness, he is determined to win the hand of the woman he adores.In her wise and gentle way with words, Curtiss Ann Matlock's emotional and meaningful story line leaves readers with the message that everyone needs someone to love them and for them to love. I enjoy the fact that Curtiss Ann can convey a sense of passion and sensuality between her characters without having them fall into bed every other page. This is a woman who knows what the meaning of real love is. I also enjoyed and could relate to the more mature character of Charlene, who is in her forties. Driving Lessons is a keeper!Sharon Galligar Chance, Times Record News