The Company of Good Women: Three Tickets to Peoria

Three Tickets to Peoria: The Company of Good Women

By Vicki Wight

Another refreshingly real read written by a trio of women who somehow made all their stories share simultaneously the events of three great characters and their extensive families!

In this book, the second in a series of three novels, Juneau, Erin and Willadene “Deenie” are completely exposed to all of the turmoil that seems could possibly happen. Tragedy, triumph, and tickets for each of them to their situational Peoria’s abound as Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris spin an enchanting and haunting tale published by Deseret Book.

In the first novel, Almost Sisters, Juneau lost a baby, and gained a lot more family in a very heartbreaking and loving way as she is advancing in her writing career. In Three Tickets to Peoria, her husband, Greg steps out into a different world as he starts his own business. Yet, there is still Clyde in the shadows. What will happen there? She has been warned by Gabby, Deenie, and her conscience that this is a bad idea, but their weekly chat sessions continue. Her family experiences several highs and lows as one that is loved is lost, another has a terrible case of wanderlust, and another spreads her wings to fly a little farther from the nest and heads to BYU.

Erin has her own battles to fight and troubles at home as her husband, Cory, explores and divulges the thing that is bothering him. Kayla reaches for the stars with her ice skates, and Mark receives honors for his talents on the piano. Ultimately, Erin and Cory define their relationship and changes are eminent as new additions to their family arrive.

Dennie faces unimaginable fears and gives in to the GRIF shortly after the birth of her baby, Evvy. This event in itself opens many more doors and experiences for Deenie. She discovers another side of herself as she becomes Dead Eye Deenie in a more literal sense as a vandal terrorizes the towns Wellsville. Roger, her husband is searching for the right job to finish out his working years and they end up someplace warmer! Beth becomes Liz as she reaches her final years in high school, the mission calls come and each boy serves in different climes.

There are losses and gains all across the character sprawl. Irony abides in every chapter as the women each face their fears head on. Gabby finally faces the skeleton in her closet, as the women and Gabby’s family watch in awe as she gives in to her need to “face the truth before she meets her maker”. She gives the three inseparable women an incredible parting gift as we say goodbye to the COB herself.

This second book in the series is has an incredible way of gathering you in as you turn each page. Each struggle and triumph approach with anticipation that you can taste. Don’t miss the surprising end to this series of good books. Surprise Packages is due out in August. You can get your copy at Deseret Book or most any store where good books are sold.

The Company of Good Women: Almost Sisters

Almost Sisters: The Company of Good Women

How many times have you gone looking for a good book? Just a simple, fun, uplifting, good adult book to read? One that you don't have to hide when your friends come over? One that you could display proudly in your bookshelf? I have looked myself for a book of this caliber for a long time. There are a lot of spiritual books, a lot of trashy books, quick reads and documentaries, but this series is a good book series. You don't want to miss it.

This book series published in 2006 by Deseret Book Company follows the journey of three women who meet at BYU Education Week in 1980. Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris started this lovely LDS novel similarly to how they met - at BYU Education Week!

The main characters are lively, colorful and so real that only a few pages into the first book anyone will find them all to be women that they would be friends with. I felt as though I could be the 5^th COB (Crusty Old Broad). Where do I sign up?

Juneau, a writer, Erin, a young new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Willadene (Deenie), the super LDS mom, meet at Gabrielle (Gabby) Farnsworth's home as they board there during Education Week. They get to know each other over cowboy cookies and milk. Through the course of the week, they come to know each other and vow that they will one day be just as Gabby, all of them Crusty Old Broads! They write back and forth to keep each other (and the reader) updated on what is happening in their very different lives. Though the set up of the back and forth was different at first, I found it quite easy to follow and separate who did what. The stories of their lives are shared with you, the reader, in a flowing, charismatic way that is informative, entertaining and satisfying! There is no need to skip ahead to find out what is going to happen in the next pages, because it comes at such a great pace. There is something going on with everyone and it is all very exciting.

With the turn of each page, you grow closer and more attached to these women, their families and friends, hopes, dreams and disappointments. The side characters are delightful additions to the scenery and really help to evolve and grow the story. Gabby, is the solid foundation, or so the women think. She is just the inspiration we all need in our lives to make do, be happy and change when necessary. Each additional family member adds some more spice to this recipe for a successful novel and each quickly becomes a member that you must know more about. The husbands are quirky and tend to be in the middle of several of the challenges that are presented to the women, and they are just as real as the wives! The children add laughter and tears as they do just what children do. There are even obstacles with the dogs. A little flavor with each character to make a fulfilling delightful dish.

In Almost Sisters, we follow Juneau through a difficult and unexpected pregnancy, as well as surprises from her own two girls and teacher husband. Erin through dating and family struggles. Deenie, through tantalizing and exhausting holidays and children spreading their wings and making decisions as well as a husband who is trying to reach the goal of a Master‘s Degree while working. Each page is inviting, each character explored and well thought out. No one is left out. No character unexplored.

Upon finishing this first installment of the three novel series, you absolutely must have the second book, Three Tickets to Peoria, waiting close by because the ending is merely a pause - a small gap for a brief commercial. You don’t want to miss this series!

You definitely want to get started on Almost Sisters right away as book three is due out in August of 2008, appropriately titled Surprise Package. Don’t miss these fun, good books! They would be a great addition to your family library as they are appropriate reads for any woman looking to read a good book.

~Vicki Wight

Eden, Utah