Reviews
Dark River (Formally The River)
“Run, Ronnie, run,” whispers the river. And Ronnie runs. Daily, long-distance jogs help her come to terms with her father’s psychological crisis, the sudden addition of two foster siblings and the family’s abrupt transition from city-dwellers to country innkeepers. Running helps Ronnie cope, and she looks forward to it until the day her carefree run turns into a mad dash for help. In desperation, Ronnie runs to the Ranger’s office to report the discovery of her young friend Karen’s body in the river. Ronnie has to run yet again, this time for her life, when she crosses the path of some dangerous criminals as she searches for clues about what happened to Karen. In insightful and often surprisingly funny prose, Beaufrand presents the search for Karen’s killer, interspersing it with Ronnie’s memories of special times she enjoyed with Karen. Supporting characters, including Ronnie’s troubled friend Gretchen and foster brother/potential boyfriend Tomás, are not fleshed out as much as one might hope, but the story is really about Ronnie, and she feels entirely real. Compelling. (Suspense. YA) (Kirkus Starred Review)
Primavera
“A welcome stepping stone for fans of Karen Cushman…who are on the road to popular “painting novels” for adults.” (School Library Journal )
“Along with the story’s dramatic near escapes and perilous politics, Beaufrand inverweaves rich details of Renaissance culture, especially through Flora’s interactions with artist Sandra Botticelli (from whose real painting the novel takes its name). (Booklist)
“Renaissance Florence comes alive in the pages of this novel…[Primavera] has an air of authenticity with a historically accurate portrayal of this period…an especially engaging, vibrant reading experience.” (Library Media Connection )
**************
Woodrow Beaufrand, Basset Hound
And some other reviews from local sources:
“I couldn’t put it (The River) down. I even read it while I was making toast this morning. Have you ever tried to read and make toast at the same time? Not pretty. It turned into a giant burned mess.” –Rene Kirkpatrick, Third Place Books
“I really liked the character of Curtis the Nurse (in The River).” –Curtis Hine, Northwest Asthma and Allergy, Redmond Office
“MJ does an adequate job of washing the dishes. Not in the book. At home I mean. She probably washes dishes adequately in The River, too.” –Juan Beaufrand, MJ’s husband
“I’m afraid of dishes.” –Woodrow Beaufrand, Basset hound, ex-Humane Society Pooch (he’s got issues).
Humane Society
“Yeah, The River was fine, but when are you going to finish your novel about Nancy Drew?” –Cindy Corujo, Island Books, Carolyn Keene Aficionado and Amateur Sleuth
“Are you going to make me sing opera again?” Sofia Beaufrand, 9 ½ years old, talking about the launch party for The River. (Yes, MJ made her sing opera for the launch of Primavera.)
“How come you cut the scene of the tall Latino guy single handedly saving the Oregon Trail wagon train? (in The River). I really liked that scene.” –Juan Beaufrand, tall Venezuelan guy
“I’m afraid of tall guys.” –Woodrow Beaufrand
“I think Woodrow’s afraid of me. Do you think it might help if I gave him a piece of cheese?” –Will Zink, 16, MJ’s nephew (he’s six foot two.)
“It’s about what? Men of cheese?”– Rene Kirkpatrick, Third Place Books, about Primavera
“No, Medicis.” –MJ, to Rene Kirkpatrick of Third Place Books, about Primavera
“Oh, come on. I’m not that evil. I’ve never cut off anyone’s hand.”– Maurizio Valentini, MJ’s brother-in-law, about the character Signor Valentini in Primavera
“(Snorting). Does he understand that you don’t consider it a novel until someone at least loses a finger? By the way, I’m still waiting on your Nancy Drew novel.” –Cindy Corujo, Island Books
“I don’t know who Nancy Drew is, but I’m pretty sure I’m afraid of her.”—Woodrow (again, he has issues).
“How bout a treat?”—MJ, to Woodrow, trying to coax him out of cowering in the rhododendrons.
“(Pause). Yeah, okay.” –Woodrow. “Don’t listen to Cindy. I think your next book should be about a clan of mighty, warrior Bassets. Like me.”
*****
It seemed appropriate that Woodrow have the last say. For those of you out there who are thinking about getting a pet: don’t forget the Humane Society and other rescue shelters and organizations. Second-hand beasts tend to be loyal and very grateful for their new homes.
