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J Lee Bagan
I am not a writer; I haven't the discipline to be one. No outlines or story arcs, just a few post-it notes and a bulletin board. I am a storyteller. Once a setting and a couple of main characters are kicked out of head, I follow them around with a pencil at the ready. I stalk them from the shadows. What mischief will they encounter, and who in turn might they create? I find it fascinating when a minor character refuses to go away, and instead becomes a major influence, and often a favorite. Go figure. So gather round the campfire and I'll tell you a story and spin you a yarn.
Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Eight-year-old Billy Dee has to care for his mother, Teri Marie, who struggles with drug addiction. His father, Luther, is in jail somewhere in Georgia. Billy Dee lives in the small town of Mountain Home, Arkansas. His caring neighbor, Ella May, tries to support the lonely boy. Billy Dee loves to wander in the nearby forest when the weather permits. He meets old Madighan, or Maddy, and her red bloodhound, Beaudreau, or Boo. Maddy is a Druidess warrior and the keeper of one of the many secrets of the Ozarks forests. Teri Marie takes a desperate step, and after living with Ella May for some time, Billy Dee moves to Maddy's unusual house. Deeply bonded, the boy and the bloodhound explore the forest together. Maddy has a plan for Billy Dee, but her and Boo's time is running out. Billy Dee of the Ozarks by J. Lee Bagan, the first book in the Gods of Destiny series, is for fans of literary and Southern fiction, fantasy, drama, and coming-of-age novels.
In J. Lee Bagan's Billy Dee of the Ozarks, the narrative takes us to the magnificent old forests inhabited by mythical creatures and mysterious animals. The author tells a stirring story about belonging, finding our place in life, and those who will love us unconditionally. Free will versus a predestined future is another thought-provoking topic. While a manifestation of free will takes courage, fulfillment of destiny requires responsibility, respect for elders, and a noble heart. Bagan explores this conflict thoroughly as the events unfold gradually. The author adds surprising twists to the plot with a touch of irony. Billy Dee is an appealing main character. He stays open-minded and open-hearted in any circumstances. Maddy is a profound, complex character, representing the timelessness of the myth. But I loved Ella May the most. Kind and strong, despite hidden scars, she is the depiction of a true Christian. I highly recommend this novel.
