Backseat Saints. Finished 6-9-13, 4/5 stars, fiction, 324 pages, pub. 2010
This one made my small list of books to read this year thanks to Staci (Life in the Thumb) since it made her favorite reads list for last year. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joshilyn Jackson so I was very excited to finally read one of her books. She didn’t disappoint and I am looking forward to the ‘prequel’ Gods in Alabama.
Rose Mae Lolley’s mother disappeared when she was eight, leaving Rose with a heap of old novels and a taste for dangerous men. Now, as demure Mrs. Ro Grandee, she’s living the very life her mother abandoned. She’s all but forgotten the girl she used to be-teenaged spitfire, Alabama heartbreaker, and a crack shot with a pistol-until an airport gypsy warns Rose it’s time to find her way back to that brave, tough girl . . . or else. Armed with only her wit, her pawpy’s ancient .45, and her dog Fat Gretel, Rose Mae hightails it out of Texas, running from a man who will never let her go, on a mission to find the mother who did. (Goodreads)
Rose Mae grew up knowing how to make men take notice. Unfortunately, once they noticed she undoubtedly chose the one that would hurt her the most, just like her daddy. Years after Rose Mae escaped Alabama and settled in Texas with Thom, the man whose hands forced more than one trip to the emergency room, she came face to face with a gypsy, telling her the future was kill or be killed. Ro had always suspected that was her truth and realized the time had come to do something about it.
I don’t know a Rose Mae, or if I do I don’t know it. Her life choices were foreign to me but I was rooting for her to find a different path, to make a change that would give her a future. I like that Rose and Thom’s marriage was shown with the good stuff as much as the bad. But the joy of this book was that this was only the first journey of her story. When Rose decided to face her past so that she could make a future the story became so much more than an abused wife tragedy.
It took me a little while to get into this book. I liked it but it wasn’t compulsive reading until the end and then I devoted a whole Gage nap to finish it. The end (as improbable as it was) was memorable and satisfying. I recommend it and look forward to seeing Rose Mae in Gods in Alabama.
This was from my personal library.
Stacy's Books 
I’ve read 2 or 3 of Jackson’s books – all good! This is on my shelf waiting to be read. Glad you recommend it!
I’ve read all of Jackson’s books and have loved every one of them. My bookseller says her next one is the best of all. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
I like this one a lot and honestly have never been disappointed by this author. Another new one will be out soon as well.
I have loved everyone of her books so far! I hear the audiobooks are exceptional.
I love JJ with all of my heart. Each and every one of her books have spoken to me in different ways (and literally because I refused to READ them…I must listen to her brilliant audios). But if you put a gun to my head, I’d say this book was my least favorite, and my favorites would be A Grown Up Kind of Pretty and Gods in Alabama. I cannot stand waiting for her next one!
I like books with this kind of theme. And I’ll be sure to try to find this one and the prequel too!
YES!! I listened to Gods in Alabama on audio and loved it!
I have her next one due for release in September to read and I am looking forward to it!
Glad you ended up enjoying it. I have a few of her books on my bookshelf and I’m embarrassed to confess they’re all unread … looks like I’d better rectify that lol
I’m thinking about you – hope all is well.
I like it when it ends up being totally worth it to read a book till the end. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one!
This book has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. Thanks for reminding me that I really need to give this author a try! 🙂
I really liked Gods in Alabama, but haven’t been too excited about any others.