About the Book
Book: Legends of the Donut Shop
Author: Terry Overton
Genre: Fiction/Middle Grade YA
Release date: March 19, 2022
At seventeen years of age, Wes Williams is injured in a head-on collision and nearly loses his life. Wes does not know if he will live or die. In a mysterious near-death experience, he travels back in time to his earlier years and the time he spent with his grandfather and his old buddies at the Donut Shop. The humorous gang of old veterans, and one retired sheriff, retell their stories once again. This time, Wes understands the meaning of each story.
This is a book of second chances, life lessons, and forgiveness. Wes’s life is changed forever, and he begins a new chapter in his life.
This book was written for a group of actual Donut Shop friends who gathered weekly with my dad. I often went with him to hear the stories these people told. The men were all veterans. At the suggestion of one particular veteran, I wrote the book so that younger people, middle school age, YA, etc., could experience what these groups of guys are like and to appreciate U.S. history.
My dad had seen the cover of the book and a summary of what I was writing. He and my mom both died of Covid ten days before the book was published. He never got to read it. I was able to pass it out to the men from the local donut shop at Mom and Dad’s funeral on March 30th. I hope to pass these stories on, just like Dad wanted.
Legends of the Donut Shop earned 5 Star Reviews from Reader Views and Readers’ Favorites.
Click here to get your copy!
My Impressions
How does a person remember something? Generally, because we attach great emotion to the event. The greater the emotion, the stronger the memory. So, Terry Overton has penned an emotional book, placing 17-year-old Wes Williams in a fight for his life, having flashbacks of important lessons learned with his grandfather and the grandfather’s contemporaries in a local donut shop. This is a book I will remember because of Wes’s emotional and physical struggles. But as I do, the life lessons presented by Grandpa will come alongside. While written for middle schoolers and YA, I believe anyone who enjoys history, values family, or values the spiritual lessons that Overton promotes, will enjoy this novel.
Along the way, I fell in love with the relationship that Grandpa and his friends have so purposely built into Wes. What a great way to show someone the way to live. Spending time, being such an example that others can’t help but want to emulate you!
Since the novel is experienced in the first person with Wes, I was quite eager to read on to find out whether he would live, regain his full abilities, or remain extremely frustrated by his circumstances.
I rather think the title is double-entendre. I love that!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought an ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent!! The strong emotions evoked will surely help you remember the important life lessons! Good book for all ages, while written especially for YA.
About the Author
Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children and six grandchildren. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her book Both Sides of the Border is a Firebird Book Award, Bookfest Winner, America Writing Award, and International Book Award Finalist, for categories of Cross-Genre, Socio-Political Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. Her book, America of We the People was awarded the Firebird Book Award for Socio-Political and Political categories. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.
More from Terry
This book was written for a group of actual Donut Shop friends who gathered weekly with my dad. I often went with him to hear the stories these people told. The men were all veterans. At the suggestion of one particular veteran, I wrote the book so that younger people, middle school age, YA, etc., could experience what these groups of guys are like and to appreciate U.S. history.
My dad had seen the cover of the book and a summary of what I was writing. He and my mom both died of Covid ten days before the book was published. He never got to read it. I was able to pass it out to the men from the local donut shop at Mom and Dad’s funeral on March 30th. I hope to pass these stories on, just like Dad wanted.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 26
Lights in a Dark World, August 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27
Texas Book-aholic, August 28
Inklings and notions, August 29
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 30
For Him and My Family, August 31
Bigreadersite, September 1
Blossoms and Blessings, September 2 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 3
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 4
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7
Simple Harvest Reads, September 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 26
Lights in a Dark World, August 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27
Texas Book-aholic, August 28
Inklings and notions, August 29
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 30
For Him and My Family, August 31
Bigreadersite, September 1
Blossoms and Blessings, September 2 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 3
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 4
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7
Simple Harvest Reads, September 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/210c9/legends-of-the-donut-shop-celebration-tour-giveaway
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 