Never Too Old to Love

I am very excited to share a new novel that I have been reading with everyone.  From the moment I opened to the first page, I was captivated.  I can't begin to say how thrilled I am to be part of the blog tour for Walter's Muse!

Walter's Muse by author, Jean Davies Okimoto, is one of the first novels I have read that has been written about a "mature" woman. Maggie Lewis, who is, I am guessing from various comments made in the story, around my age, is the heroine, in spite of her eccentric flaws, such as her compulsion to snoop into other people's closets and drawers. The story's tension is developed through Maggie's relationship with an aging children's author, Walter Hathaway. In addition, Walter's dog, Bill Bailey, steals your heart with his silly and loyal ways.

Why is this such a big deal?  First, I haven't been a teenager or a twenty-something in a long, long time!  Most novels feature women around that age that seem to find themselves in trouble and need men to come rescue them. (Is it any wonder women have difficulty finding their own strengths?) Second, I thoroughly enjoyed the humanness of Maggie and Walter's characters.  They are real - like people you already know and love.  Finally, I love animals and Bill Bailey is a dog I can fall in love with without hesitation!

Walter's Muse is the second book in Jean Davies Okimoto's Island Trilogy.  (The first book was, The Love Ceiling.)Set on the beautiful West Coast island of Vashon in Washington state, the story unfolds with grace, humor, enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.  Jean's ability to write descriptively, pulls the reader in, leaving them with the feeling that they really had been in that place, at that time. Perhaps, this is because Jean actually lives on this lush island in Puget Sound that is/has been home to many gifted writers and artists and knows first-hand the beauty as well as the difficulties of living there.

Jean Davies Okimoto is an award winning author.  Among her many honors are the Smithsonian Notable Book Award, The Green Earth Book Award and the International Reading Association Reader's Choice Award. A multi-talented writer, Jean has published numerous books, plays and short stories.  She is also the founder of the Seattle Reading Awards, which recognizes fifth grade students in the Seattle Public Schools who have shown the most improvement in reading. The program focuses on Chapter One, Bilingual and Special Education students and she has served as its co-chair since the awards began under the sponsorship of the Seattle Reading Association in 1986. 

With summer only a few months away, I would highly recommend this book for those who save books to savor over summer vacation.  If, however, you have the time to read this book now, I'd say go for it!  You won't be disappointed.  I wasn't!

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Many thanks to Lisa Munley for bringing this book to my attention and for organizing the blog tour.

Namasté!