Lookin' Back, Texas

WOW!! If you're "lookin'" for a fun and quirky read that packs a one-two spiritual punch, then Lookin' Back, Texas is the book for you. And NOBODY delivers down-home, Texas-size fun better than the Queen of Quirk, Leanna Ellis. With flawless prose, easy-does-it dialogue and heart-and-soul characters that become like family (quirks and all!), Ms. Ellis weaves a truly memorable and wacky yarn that will have you chuckling on one page and tearing up on the next. Delightful and deep at the same time, Lookin' Back, Texas is one of those unique novels whose unforgettable characters--and the lessons they learn--will have you "lookin' back" in fondness for a long time to come.

I'd enjoyed Elvis Takes a Back Seat and was very much looking forward to Leanna Ellis' newest novel--and was WOWed, completely. Lookin' Back Texas presents a story extraordinarily appealing on so many levels: as pure escape entertainment with quirky Texas characters (the local gossip, a bumbling deputy shooting a rattlesnake in the sheriff's office and so many more), as "coming home" story, a mother-daughter saga, and--especially--a tender and heart-warming exploration of two generations of marriages (for better or for worse--and boy, can it get rough). Ms. Ellis writes with humor and heart, and weaves a subtle message of faith throughout. I look forward to more work from this author--and to my next visit to Luckenbach, Texas. She's made it feel sort of like . . . going home.

This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I won't rehash the story line, as it's been clearly covered in the first three reviews, Personally, I find the input from reviewers more helpful than hearing a summary of the story, so I'll cut to the chase. I chose to read this book on a very long flight home, knowing I wouldn't have time to finish it once I arrived. My busy schedule doesn't allow a lot of time for reading, and it often takes me a couple of weeks to finish. Not so with this one. The humor, unusual plot line, and realistic main characters kept me picking up the book and putting other work aside. I was captivated by the depth and strength of Susannah's introspection and emotions. The spiritual thread was believable and well done. I laughed, worried, found myself surprised at plot twists, and thrilled at the strength shown by Susannah's husband Mike. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a clean, fun, thought provoking read. Leanna Ellis has written a winner!

Lookin' Back Texas by Leanna Ellis is a startling look at the damage a lie can do to a marriage and a life. Susannah Mullins is going home to attend her father's funeral. But he's not dead. Susannah's mother Betty Lynne is so angry at his leaving her, that she has pronounced him dead and bought the casket. Susannah has returned to her hometown of Luckenbach, Texas in years, and when she does, old friendships and rivalries are quickly re-ignited. But trouble really starts when her husband Mike and son Oliver come to town exposing a secret Susannah had kept in the depth of her heart for over sixteen years. Ellis has a real ear for dialogue making it zing with humor and cut with truth. Many of the characters are typical fiction: small town=quirky, but Susannah and her family are real and multi-faceted. She's very angry with her mother, but can't help seeing those same flaws in her own life. She's tried so hard to be completely different that her mom, but they are both hiding secrets and desperately trying to control everything around them to keep those secrets from spilling out. Ellis doesn't go overboard on the Christian aspect of the book; it's important to Susannah, but she knows that her faith doesn't make her perfect nor does it stop her from sinning. I truly enjoyed this book about faith and family.