The Road to Cardinal Valley Audiobook

" This was a pleasant read. It's a continuation of the earlier Saddlemaker's Wife, so if you like to read things in order, get that one first. I prefer the Benni Harper quilt mysteries but honestly, I'll read anything Earlene Fowler writes. Hope there are more of both series. "

" Earlene Fowler, author of the popular Benni Harper series, here offers a stand-alone novel set in Cardinal, California in the present day. The book features various members and ex-members of the McGavin family who own a large ranch in the valley. Ruby, widow of son Cole, moves to Cardinal after spending almost a year in Nashville, TN caring for her alcoholic younger brother, Nash. Cole had kept his family a secret from Ruby during the brief time they were married before he killed himself by running his truck off the road, saying his family had all been killed in an accident. Ruby came from an extremely dysfunctional family. How Ruby finds her place in Cardinal society and tries to fix her family form the crux of the story. I had a hard time keeping all of the characters straight for the first half of the book and did not find that it held my interest all that well. However, it really picked up steam in the last third and left me wanting to read more to learn the resolution. Fowler fans will want to read it, but it might not be the best of her books to start with for new readers. On the other hand, perhaps others will find it more gripping than I did. "

" I have to say I really enjoy the Benni Harper mysteries much better. This book delved deep into the characters. I was happy to see dogs play a bigger part in this book, always love dogs. I was surprised the way the main relationships turned out, but all for the better. "

" Excellent! Really cared aboutvthe very real, genuinely human characters. "

" I like this series but enjoyed book one, The Saddlemaker's Wife, more than this. I prefer her other series with Benni Harper because the characters are a bit less preachy "

" The sequel to "The Saddlemaker's Wife". It was ok. I expected more. "

" Followup to The Saddlemaker's wife. Couldn't put it dowm. "

" Good but not one of Earlene's best. Continuance of Saddlemaker's Wife which I loved. Something was missing, not sure what. "

" It was OK, but I really enjoy this author's Benni Harper series more. "

" Just barely not quite as good as "The Saddle Maker's Wife", but only just. Both these will go on my Desert Island list. I hope Fowler carries on with this series. "

" This is the first time I have read this author's work. I enjoyed her weaving of life's joys, hurts, and the faith of a higher power. Her writing in categories/chapters of people's lives and thoughts is enjoyable and she ties them all togeter very well. "

" Love the Benni Harper series. This one is pretty good, but not nearly as good as Harper. "

" I absolutely adore all of Ms. Fowler's books. She has a wonderful cast of characters, and has a way of making them come to life. I recommend getting acquainted with this author. I think you'll be glad you did. "

" Another great book by Earlene... Great characters, great setting.... loved it... "

" Really enjoyed this, even though things totally did not work out as I had expected. Loved the little joke about the previous book. "

" A tender heartwarming sequel to Saddlemaker's wife. "

" Very predictible soap opera type book set in rural Northern California about a dysfunctional ranch family who despite everything loves each other. I picked it because I love Fowler's Benni Harper mystery series. This was not nearly as good although it did pass a snowy day. "

" I loved the Benni Harper books and wish Ms. Fowler's publisher would commission another one. I liked this sequel to The Saddlemaker's Wife, but I thought the way the Nash "problem" was solved was too convenient. "

" Good book, sequel to The Saddlemakers Wife. I recommend it. "

" Loved it, it followed Saddlemaker's Wife. "

" Nice read. Didn't read the first in the series, but still felt connected. She really does bring you in to the lives of the characters and I enjoyed each chapter in a different character viewpoint. "

" I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and enjoyed the author's writing. Some of the twists of plot were perhaps a bit too convenient for reality, but overall I found this a very satisfying read. "

" I've read a lot Fowler's quilt mysteries. This was different, about an intertwined family in a small town in AZ. "

" I love love love these two books. The characters appeal to me, the setting is fabulous, and there was a happy ending without the typical predictableness. Mild language and innuendo but I would let my older teen. read it. "

" The Road to Cardinal Valley is another pleasant reading experience full of familiar characters (if you read The Saddlemaker's Wife) set in Northern California. I always enjoy Earlene Fowler novels. "