A Hundred Magical Reasons

Author: Laura DeNooyer
Genre: Dual-time Historical Fiction
Pages: 534
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Publisher: Scrivenings Press

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight.

This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.

In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.

As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quest on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Not a fan of fairytale rewrites, but this one has intrigued me.

It’s definitely a can’t put down tale. I spent an evening reading this excellent novel. Finished it at 4am it was so good!

Sometimes karma comes when you least expect it. Wonderful characters and a plot that will keep you turning the pages within. I didn’t like Mrs. Gordon at first. But later I saw why. We are all on a journey, even Mrs. Gordon and Carrie. 

Honestly, the cover was what drew me in. Beautiful!

This story left me feeling happy and satisfied. I sure hated to see it end. The places described in this story made me feel like I was there. 

I love this quote:

“The good are attracted by men’s perceptions, and think not for themselves. Til experience teaches them to catch by men’s perceptions and think not for themselves. Til experience teaches them to catch and to cage fairies and elves.”

“The end of imagination,” Carrie murmured. “Each flower whimpers when it’s picked, he says. The loss hovers like a cloud of incense.”

You know, I’ve never thought about flowers having feelings. Pretty cool! I love surprises too. This story has an awesome one! Wow! 

Five stars for a job well done. I loved every minute of it and I will look forward to more of this author’s stories. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer is a heartwarming dual-time novel that explores the Land of Oz, fairy tales and the journey we must take to find the courage, heart and brains to get through life.

Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight and wants to clear the name of her husband, who was charged with murder in 1918. She hires Carrie Kruisselbrink to listen to her story and take notes. Both Charlotte and Carrie are dealing with past hurts (some emotional abuse and some physical) that have significantly impacted how they react to people and situations.

Both love fairytales. When Carrie discovers Charlotte knew Frank L. Baum, her journey into Oz takes on a whole new meaning. Charlotte’s childhood memories reveal a surprising amount of common ground between her and Carrie.

I enjoyed learning about Frank L. Baum’s life and how the Wizard of Oz came to be. I did not realize how many fairytales and other Oz books he had written. I have never read his books, having only seen the movie starring Judy Garland. I found the excerpts about his life and his whimsy fascinating. 

However, at times, it seemed the author was trying to fit every little fact about him into the story. This slowed the book down and had me skimming pages. But his bond with Charlotte and the effect he had on her life formed a touching narrative, impossible to resist. 

If you like dual-time fiction, you will enjoy this delightful journey down a yellow-brick road of a different kind.

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