Book Details:
Book Title: Lullaby Road by James Anderson Category: Adult Fiction, 305 pages Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Publisher: Crown Publishing Group Release date: October 16, 2018 Format available for review: print & ebook (mobi) Will send print books out: USA and Canada Tour dates: Oct 22 to Nov 2, 2018 Content Rating: PG-13 + M (No explicit sex scenes or bad language) Book Description: Winter has come to Route 117, a remote road through the high desert of Utah trafficked only by those looking to escape the world and those the world has rejected. Local truck driver Jones, still in mourning over the devastating murder of his lover Claire, is trying to get through another season of his job navigating treacherous roads and sudden snowfall without accident when a mute Hispanic child is placed in Jones’s path at a seedy truck stop along his route bearing a note that simply reads “Please, Ben. Bad trouble. My son. Take him today. His name is Juan. Trust you only. Tell no one. Pedro.” From that moment forward, nothing will ever be the same. Not for Ben. Not for the child. And not for anyone along the seemingly empty stretch of road known as Route 117. Despite deep misgivings, and without any hint of who the child is or the grave danger he’s facing, Jones takes the child with him and sets out into a landscape that is as dangerous as it is beautiful and silent. With the help of his eccentric neighbors—Phyllis, who turned up one day in her Rolls-Royce with two children in tow and the FBI on her tail; Andy, a Utah State Trooper who is on or off duty depending on if his hat is on or off his head; and Roy, an ex–coal miner who has lived in Rockmuse, off Highway 117, his whole life and survives on odd jobs and the kindness of his neighbors—Jones uncovers buried secrets of the desert that are far more painful than he could have imagined. In LULLABY ROAD, readers will find themselves enthralled by Anderson’s vivid sense of place and his beautiful and heartbreaking narrative.
REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Written in the first person style, the reader would truly believe this was a true story, not a novel! This is written from truck driver, Ben Jones. He is from a community in the Utah desert on highway 117. As the author introduces us to the rustic, unconventional community residents who reside along the highway, the reader is astounded and entertained by the uniqueness of the individuals there. Born of a Jewish, Native American heritage, Ben was orphaned at a young age. After living in foster homes, he was adopted and raised by a "Mormon" couple. Although he never accepted their beliefs, he is slowly realizing how he was blessed that they chose to finish raising him. This story tells of a "seasoned" truck driver being informed an acquaintance has left him a package on isle 8. When he stops to discover what this package is, he receives the shock of his life! Why would anyone do this? What is he suppose to do with it? In addition to this incredible situation, he suddenly is faced with other complications and danger... Danger not only for him but those around him he cares about. The mystery builds until the end. The characters and background scenes were all well-developed and easily visualized. This earns a Three and a Half Stars rating. READER BEWARE: There is a lot of profanity and a few sexual innuendos. **REVIEWER'S NOTES: I am familiar with that area so it is fun to be able to relate to it. I also know of personalities that fit with Ben and some of his community members. It has been sad to see so many of these communities which depended on mining, forestry, and other manufacturing of resources, turn, largely, into ghost towns. I am elated with the new administration bringing theses work sources back and enabling these dwindling communities to, once again, thrive!
Praise for Lullaby Road:
“Atmospheric…Arresting desert vistas and distinctive characters leave a lasting impression.” - Publishers Weekly “Anderson’s lyrical prose brings a forgotten corner of the world to life, and the authentic narrative does the same for Jones. Recommended for fans of William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor and Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire.” - BookList “…a delicious cast of colorful characters…Lullaby Road is a triumphant mix of landscape, character, wit and sagacity wrapped in a noir thriller.” - Shelf Awareness "The action is nonstop, and the plot twists are heart-pounding. Anderson’s vivid prose gives a sense of vastness that is the desert he so brilliantly describes – it is an amazing use of language to create a mood and feeling…Fans of Anderson’s first installment of this series will devour this book and long for another visit with the residents along Route 117.” - Library Journal Starred Review 
About the Author:
JAMES ANDERSON was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He is a graduate of Reed College and received his MFA in creative writing from Pine Manor College. His first novel was The Never-Open Desert Diner. His short fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews have appeared in many magazines, including The Bloomsbury Review, New Letters, Solstice, Northwest Review, Southern Humanities Review, and others. He currently divides his time between Colorado and Oregon. Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
Giveaway:
Prizes: Win a print copy of Lullaby Road by James Anderson (open to USA only / 10 winners) (ends Nov 10, 2018) 
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