Little Town, Great Big Life

By Curtiss Ann Matlock

Book Overview

So what if Winston Valentine is ninety-two years old? He isn't dead yet And he's out to prove it. His exuberant show of life--coming to you live from radio dial 1550--revitalizes Valentine, Oklahoma, for its centennial celebration. The townsfolk are determined to make this an anniversary to remember. Except Belinda Blaine, who, at thirty-eight, doesn't feel like celebrating. Suddenly she's carrying a child--and the guilt of an earlier pregnancy nearly twenty years ago. No one in her close-knit community knows of either, including her sweet-mannered husband, Lyle. But disclosing this pregnancy will mean revealing her past and opening her heart. And Belinda's not quite ready for that. As Belinda struggles over what to do, she finds comfort in unexpected places. After all, in Valentine, neighbors are family and strangers are friends. And this small town holds secrets and mysteries, and takes care of its own.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778327884
• ISBN13: 9780778327882
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Better late than never

This book seems to be one of a series with which I was previously unfamiliar. Well, it is delightful gentle fiction, populated by down-to-earth characters. I quickly became absorbed in their lives, praying for them to prevail in believable situations. The breakfast scene with cinnamon rolls in Chapter 13, alone, was worth the price of admission. This volume has no problem standing without its predecessors, but I am looking forward to looking backward, anyway. Neither sappy nor predictable--Valentine, OK is just a great place to visit--with or without a carousel in the park.

Loved it!

I love this series! I am also very sad to hear that CAM will no longer be writing this series. I wonder if she is done writing all together, or simply with the Valentine series. I am so glad that Corrine and her family are prominently featured in this story. I fell in love with them in "Cold Tea on a Hot Day" and while I have enjoyed the later novels, they were the reason I started reading CAM. Lots of little story lines going on here, but I definitely enjoyed the main one featuring Belinda. I'm not sure I bought her guilt and motivation 100%, I felt it was a little overdone, but certainly I have never had a loss such as hers to compare to. I can't stress how wonderful it was to "see" familiar characters and get more tidbits into their lives. Maybe things were wrapped up a little much a la Harry Potter Book 7 but I found it satisfying. Absolutely start from the beginning of this wonderful series if this was your first CAM book. Makes you yearn for small town life and a soda shop!

Little town, but..

Valentine is my kind of place! Everyone knows everyone, and they all seem to come back, never being able to stay away long. Sure they all have their troubles but in the end, they all are one big family and stick together. The major part of the story is Belinda, who is married; has found out she is pregnant. Although excited she doesn't tell anyone. One, she is 35 and afraid of miscarrying. Two, she feels like she doesn't deserve the baby because she had an abortion many years ago. What she doesn't think about is God's grace, and Psalm 30:5....a major theme of this book. Which Winston repeats quite a bit. It has many other things going on, like Andy, who is he really? What will happen with Paris? All in all, a really good story, loved the ending.

Wise and Wonderful

I am surprised by Harriet's review. Belinda, one of our main characters is no Grinch! She not only attracts your empathy; you begin to admire her and root for her throughout the book. She is a source of support to many of her town friends (and not such good friends) going through turmoil. Winston and Willie Lee (and dog, Munro) (whom we met in previous books) delight us with their relationship of love and support. We big city dwellers look upon the characters in this book wistfully, wondering if such a small town feeling of support and caring really exist. The subplots make it even more interesting. I was pleased to see that Curtiss Lee Matlock had written a new book. I was even more delighted to have the privilege to read it. It is another warm cup of tea- relaxing and fulfilling. Thanks, CLM! Now I'm going to see which of her books I missed and get them promptly!

great uplifting yet melancholy tale

In Valentine, Oklahoma, nonagenarian Winston Valentine is featured on the local radio show as a model of energy and everyone admires his spirit. As such with the town about to celebrate centennial celebration, many want to honor their most ebullient citizen although he might not make it to the gala. There is one Grinch in town, thirty-eight years old pregnant Belinda Blaine. Carrying has brought back depressing memories loaded with guilt from two decades ago; a secret she has shared with not one not even her husband, Lyle. She knows she owes him the truth, but fears admitting it will not set her free. Teenage Paris Miller uses tons of makeup to conceal the battering she receives from her abusive grandfather. She considers running away, but rejects that as her grandfather needs her and she needs him. Café owner Fayrene Gardener has loved and been hurt before. However, still an optimist she is dating a newcomer. Although there are too many subplots in Valentine, this entry is a great uplifting yet melancholy tale. Readers will enjoy the return of stars from previous novels and appreciate the issues the ensemble leads of Little Town, Great Big Life cope with. Fans will join the centennial celebration that honors town legend ninety-two years old Winston. Harriet Klausner