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Paperback only
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SUMMARY
Shelby White has a new hobby… running for her life. Instead of fleeing clear across the country, she ends up in the Midwestern city of Plattsmouth, Nebraska where she attempts to blend in to small town life by finding a job and endearing herself to the locals. Her new identity of Jane Johnson doesn’t help her hide for long and her secrets soon catch up with her in the form of murderous men at her doorstep. What is “Jane” hiding? Can she survive her own web of lies? Will she be able to protect the people in small town America that she has grown to love? Find out as the twists and turns of Small Town America take the reader only where 24 different authors can go.
***Small Town America is a chainbooks publication. Brooke Williams wrote chapter 1 and 23 other authors followed in writing the subsequent chapters.
Shelby White has a new hobby… running for her life. Instead of fleeing clear across the country, she ends up in the Midwestern city of Plattsmouth, Nebraska where she attempts to blend in to small town life by finding a job and endearing herself to the locals. Her new identity of Jane Johnson doesn’t help her hide for long and her secrets soon catch up with her in the form of murderous men at her doorstep. What is “Jane” hiding? Can she survive her own web of lies? Will she be able to protect the people in small town America that she has grown to love? Find out as the twists and turns of Small Town America take the reader only where 24 different authors can go.
***Small Town America is a chainbooks publication. Brooke Williams wrote chapter 1 and 23 other authors followed in writing the subsequent chapters.
BOOK INSPIRATIONS
I worked for a company called “Chainbooks” for several months writing first chapters for books. Another author would write chapter two and a third chapter three and so on until the books are complete. I really don’t remember where I got the idea for “Small Town America” and I had no idea what would happen in the book after I set a woman up on a plane with a false identity and a wig. However, after another two authors added to the book, I was so curious as to what would happen that I started to seek other authors out to help me finish it. I traded chapters with authors until the book was complete and my husband took the cover photo for it. I helped with the editing and enjoyed the process that went into creating the book.
I worked for a company called “Chainbooks” for several months writing first chapters for books. Another author would write chapter two and a third chapter three and so on until the books are complete. I really don’t remember where I got the idea for “Small Town America” and I had no idea what would happen in the book after I set a woman up on a plane with a false identity and a wig. However, after another two authors added to the book, I was so curious as to what would happen that I started to seek other authors out to help me finish it. I traded chapters with authors until the book was complete and my husband took the cover photo for it. I helped with the editing and enjoyed the process that went into creating the book.
REVIEWS
I can’t protect you if I don’t know why you’re running.
Small Town America is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read so far. Published by chainbooks, this book is the product of 24 authors writing 1 chapter each. As you read from above, it indicates that: “Created out of a plot summary by the first chapter author, subsequent chapters were written without the benefit of a long-range plan.” Each author wrote his/her chapter “in less than five days without the benefit of interaction or direction from any other author involved.” Don’t you think that this is an extremely intriguing and interesting book?
Knowing the nature of how Small Town America has been written changed my reading experience. Each chapter is a new adventure. As its reader, suspense and anticipation are my constant companions. The most thrilling in reading this book is that you can’t wait what the next chapter will bring. If you pay close attention, you’ll also notice the difference in each of the author’s writing style. As a result, the tone in each chapter fluctuates like a female’s mood during PMS. One chapter is urgent; the next, sentimental; then romantic to cheesy to technical to violent; and so on.
The first chapter, written by Brooke Williams, grabs you by the throat until you bleed with curiosity on why the protagonist is running away from her former life as Shelby White and changing her name into something so ordinary like Jane Johnson. The subsequent chapters build from this mystery, and it is such a pleasure to watch how each author creatively expands from the first chapter.
The overall story is not that extraordinary by itself. I’ve read countless books with similar storylines. I also noticed some inconsistencies in the plot, perhaps due to its numerous authors. An example of this is Steve’s connection with Dave. In earlier chapters, Steve is said to have done something so disastrous that Dave uses it to control him. Then a later chapter explains the “disastrous” scene to be a one-night stand with the wrong woman. I expected something more than this. Perhaps a past crime like fraud or even rape, but no. There are also plenty of scenes that are too convenient for my taste, especially the ending. I think it is too convenient and too happily-ever after.
Nonetheless, Small Town America is a tremendously enjoyable book to read. I focused more on each of the chapters’ surprises, rather than on the overall plot. I also took pleasure in appreciating each of the 24 authors’ writing style. Chapter 19 written by Jean Golliher is the most hilarious. It made me laugh (thumbs up). My favourite is Chapter 14 written by Anne Mette Nordheim. I think it is very well-written and the kind of writing style that I really appreciate.
If you are looking for a stimulating book to read, I highly recommend Small Town America. It is a brilliant and unique book not because of its overall plot but because of how it is written. I salute all 24 authors and chainbooks for making Small Town America happen.”
~Jhobell Kristyl – Your Book Maven
I can’t protect you if I don’t know why you’re running.
Small Town America is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read so far. Published by chainbooks, this book is the product of 24 authors writing 1 chapter each. As you read from above, it indicates that: “Created out of a plot summary by the first chapter author, subsequent chapters were written without the benefit of a long-range plan.” Each author wrote his/her chapter “in less than five days without the benefit of interaction or direction from any other author involved.” Don’t you think that this is an extremely intriguing and interesting book?
Knowing the nature of how Small Town America has been written changed my reading experience. Each chapter is a new adventure. As its reader, suspense and anticipation are my constant companions. The most thrilling in reading this book is that you can’t wait what the next chapter will bring. If you pay close attention, you’ll also notice the difference in each of the author’s writing style. As a result, the tone in each chapter fluctuates like a female’s mood during PMS. One chapter is urgent; the next, sentimental; then romantic to cheesy to technical to violent; and so on.
The first chapter, written by Brooke Williams, grabs you by the throat until you bleed with curiosity on why the protagonist is running away from her former life as Shelby White and changing her name into something so ordinary like Jane Johnson. The subsequent chapters build from this mystery, and it is such a pleasure to watch how each author creatively expands from the first chapter.
The overall story is not that extraordinary by itself. I’ve read countless books with similar storylines. I also noticed some inconsistencies in the plot, perhaps due to its numerous authors. An example of this is Steve’s connection with Dave. In earlier chapters, Steve is said to have done something so disastrous that Dave uses it to control him. Then a later chapter explains the “disastrous” scene to be a one-night stand with the wrong woman. I expected something more than this. Perhaps a past crime like fraud or even rape, but no. There are also plenty of scenes that are too convenient for my taste, especially the ending. I think it is too convenient and too happily-ever after.
Nonetheless, Small Town America is a tremendously enjoyable book to read. I focused more on each of the chapters’ surprises, rather than on the overall plot. I also took pleasure in appreciating each of the 24 authors’ writing style. Chapter 19 written by Jean Golliher is the most hilarious. It made me laugh (thumbs up). My favourite is Chapter 14 written by Anne Mette Nordheim. I think it is very well-written and the kind of writing style that I really appreciate.
If you are looking for a stimulating book to read, I highly recommend Small Town America. It is a brilliant and unique book not because of its overall plot but because of how it is written. I salute all 24 authors and chainbooks for making Small Town America happen.”
~Jhobell Kristyl – Your Book Maven
