Reviews

„ Joyce, I got your new book in the mail the other day and just finished reading it. It is delightful. You touched on our use of imagination, living without and feeling rich and blessed and I enjoyed it greatly!!! Thanks!"

„ This review is from: The Other Side of the Fence (Paperback) This book is very well written and has a lot of history about Rathdrum, Idaho and the Chinese who helped build the railroad. The story line is fast paced and very interesting. Told from the memory of a grandmother to her granddaughter. The author has just published another book called "The Magic of Ordinary Times" I am purchasing because this book was so good."

„ Dear Joyce, I finished reading your book last night. Now, I want to go and visit Rathdrum and learn more of the history there. Thank you for your compassion to share the difficulties of those who are treated so bad because they look different. You did great!"

„ I have lived in the Rathdrum area for 12 years and had no idea about its Chinese history. The extreme prejudice effected me especially because I now have two of the sweetest, smartest, adopted Chinese grandchildren anyone could ever want. You did an incredible job of integrating the specifics of the Chinese culture into your story. Very well written. I just recommended it to the people at my book club meeting. ”

„ Part I liked best: When Hong Haoli set off to find his sister, basically...The entire book!!! When I first received the book, It was Lost! When finally it did surfaced on its own, I could not put it down ‘til I finished it. Wow! Great Job!!! Love the story line. You made me feel like I was there watching each character unfold. I Can't wait for the sequel!! I can expect it to hit the store shelves when?? Congratulations!!!  ”

„ Thank you for a beautiful story! It was so easy to forget that it was fiction!  Would be an excellent book for high school students to read in literature or history class! An eye opener to the history of the Chinese people who came to this country to provide for their own families. Thank you Joyce!  ”

„ The neat thing you did in your book was to put a human face on the "Chinese." You showed us they are people first and an ethnic secondly. They weren't pure and good but they certainly weren't a "menace." They were free and imprisoned by culture (theirs and ours) and circumstance at the same time -- just like everybody else! So you showed us not so much Chinese people as people who happen to be Chinese. And for that, very nice job!  ”

„ Joyce, you're on your way!! I want to read your next book, too! I have never never thoroughly enjoyed a book as I did this one!! Thank you for sending it to us. I knew there was history in and around Rathdrum, but not as interesting as this! It does make one appreciate all the hardships different ethnic groups endure. Thank you for writing this story, very well written! Take Care,  ”

„ ~ I loved the story being told from the old dying Chinese woman's point of view. She lived a long and colorful life filled with hardship, sadness, love and joy.  She endured much discrimination but rose above it all. The author did an excellent job researching history for the facts this book is based upon.  I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical novels. You'll especially like it if you live in North Idaho (Hauser Lake, Post Falls, Rathdrum) or parts of Montana (Drummond, and Butte).  ”

„ ~Joyce, we (DAR) so very much enjoyed your talk--very informative. It is amazing all your research and the history of this area--you are educating all of us, Thanks!  ”

„ ~This is a very good book. It was a hard book to put down. We were always taught to respect others no matter their skin color or what language they spoke. Thank you very much for writing this book.  Please let me know if you write any more. I would like to read them.  ”

„ Joyce, Thanks for sending the book so quickly. I read it straight through and at one point it made me cry. Keep it up, you are a very good writer. Regards,   ”

„ ~ Darn it Aunt Joyce, I was just going to read a few pages before going to bed, then found myself still up at 2AM ! Great story!   ”

„ ~ Loved the book, great story of courage and hope! My favorite part was the chinaman getting help from the fat Jewish guy in the noodle house and getting the girls out of the whore house.  ”

„ Everyone should read this book! Maybe the world would be a better place when people treat others as they would like to be treated, like the Golden Rule. Good, fast read, I'm so glad I took the time to get a copy and read it. I have a new understanding of the Chinese people. Thanks Joyce!  ”

„ After reading your book, "The other side of the fence," I had to take some time out to view how the characters blended into this historical fiction. There are a few people mentioned in this book that I could grow to hate because of their actions towards the Chinese people after what the Chinese have done for this country and especially the area where I live which is the area this book is mentioned. I am disappointed by the actions of the "Whites".
I thought this story was well written especially with it's historical values of the Rathdrum area. If only we all could work together in harmony with each other. Ah, but a dream. One day it will happen; when the Godly people are home. Ah, but a dream. Thank you for a great book of historical value.  ”

„ ~ I just finished your powerful book.  What a treat!  It was masterfully told and painted a vivid picture for all readers.  I enjoyed it immensely!
You mentioned William Marsh in the book.  Was that your grandfather?  What is the connection of your family and you to the story?
Again, masterfully done!  It is a wonderful addition to literary works awakening us to many things that must change. "
~ [Yes, Gordon, William Marsh was my grandfather whom I never knew(he died when my father was a young boy). Last summer my cousin, in Livermore, CA gave me his original Citizenship papers dated Oct 18, 1886 in the State of Louisiana. I fudged a bit, (fiction writers are allowed to) changing the date to July 1886 and placed him in Idaho to fit the story.] 

„ This is a wonderful historical novel about the Chinese people who were an integral part of building the railroad in the Rathdrum, Idaho part of the country.  It is filled with how the lives of these people were lived and how those outside the Chinese population treated them.  It is very factual and totally exciting to follow true to life, fast paced book.   ”