Review: At the End of the Line by Kathryn Longino

A wrong number, and a cry of desperation at the end of the line, sparks a long distance friendship between two women who’ve never met. Through fourteen years of trouble and heartache from a stagnant domestic life, the struggle for civil rights, and the stigma of interracial relationships, a bond forms between the two that changes both of their lives forever.

It’s 1958, a time when women and Negroes are deemed second-class and are being second-guessed, from there arises the perfect storm for change, and the perfect time for an unlikely friendship.

Beatrice “Beanie” Peterson, forced to marry at fifteen and live with two sister wives, six children, and an abusive husband twenty years her senior, is looking for a way out.

Adeline “Liddie” Garrison, friend of Jack Kennedy, wife of a prominent Boston business man, and resident of Beacon Hill has already found her way in.

I received this book to give an honest review.

This was a good story overall. Though at times I was wondering why we would jump from Beanie to Hattie or Beanie to Adeline before we were finished with finding out what happened in a particular chapter. 

Beanie, is a young woman who is married off young. She lives in what I assume is a polygamous lifestyle as she has sister wives. But her life there is like living in hell. Beanie one day decides to try to find an old friend who taught her how to play a piano. But since she didn't have all the numbers she ends up calling the wrong person but that person seems to be closer to her than anyone else in her life.

Beanie learns to live life on her own and we follow Beanie as she fights for the rights of African Americans, goes on a March and demonstrations. 

It was very interesting to see how Beanie and Adeline became friends from a simple phone call and eventually meet so many years down the road. The way it kept being played out I figured Beanie and Adeline would never meet.

Adeline lives a lavish life, but she also has a secret lover which we get to learn a bit about. Adeline once I learned who she was I didn't even see it coming. I have to say I enjoyed that hint of surprise towards the end. Adeline tries to help Beanie and offer advice when she believes it is needed. 

Now for me there was some confusion as to why Hattie was playing a big part in this story even though she didn't have as many what can I call it, I guess 'chapters'. About I want to say 80% into the book that is when her story came out and I was very surprised.

While I am on the topic of Hattie there is a scene where her son gets injured and is put in the hospital now this is something minor but it bothered me as I wanted to know what had happened to him. It just mentions her grandparents were watching her son then he went to the hospital and Hattie prayed and prayed. But there was never any mention as to what happened. The way it was all written I felt it was something very scary but never ever details.

I can see the story plot being a good one, and I did enjoy how it all came together. I thought some of the things the characters did or said was not right or didn't feel right to me. But overall a good story being told. 

This is a story of two women from different walks of life who come together in the end. There is talk of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., President Kennedy. We learn what some people went through but it all made them stronger in one way or another. We get to watch Beanie grow into a remarkable woman and we get to learn about Adeline's secrets. I would say get this book and give it a try I was glad I received it as it is out of my normal genre. 

Abby L Vandiver

Through her various occupations, Ms. Vandiver discovered her love of writing. She'd always been told she had a gift for telling stories, combining the two, she became an author.

Her debut novel, In the Beginning, was an Amazon #1 bestseller in its category. It was written on a whim, and because life got in the way was put in a box for more than a decade. Excited when fate smiled and she rediscovered it, Ms. Vandiver completed In the Beginning and published in 2013. In the Beginning's stand-alone bestselling sequel, Irrefutable Proof, was published on February 7, 2014 and has been on Amazon's Bestseller list ever since.

Under the pen name Kathryn Longino, Ms. Vandiver partnered with author Kathryn Dionne and wrote, At the End of the Line. A #1 bestseller, the book spans from 1958 through 1972. It is a historical/women's fiction novel of friendship, redemption, and survival. It is available on Amazon.
Ms. Vandiver is currently collaborating with two other authors on projects, and will pen a paranormal romance novel to be published sometime in 2014.

Ms. Vandiver has a degree in Economics, a master in Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor. A lifetime resident of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. Vandiver spends all of her time writing and enjoying her three wonderful grandchildren, Gavin, Sydne and Riley.

Kathryn Dionne

Kathryn Dionne lives in Southern California with her husband, Jeff, and their two Shar Peis, Bogey and Gracie.
From an early age, Kathryn's love of treasure hunting sparked an interest in archaeology. As an amateur archaeologist, she's been fortunate enough to uncover some very unique artifacts in different parts of the globe. However, she's still searching for that very special scroll.
In addition to writing, she manages their five-acre property and their grove of Italian olive trees. Her husband has lovingly named their business; Saint Kathryn's Olive Oil.

In her spare time, she makes cookie jars and throws pottery in her studio. She also creates mosaics from discarded objects and sells them under the category of Found Art.
Kathryn's books:

The Eleventh Hour Trilogy, an Amazon #1 best seller, is a supernatural thriller set in Israel. The story is based on a terrifying end-of-the-world dream she had over fifteen years ago that still haunts her to this day.
She has also written a children's book called, Derek the Fireless Dragon. It is collection of illustrated humorous poems and rhyming stories suitable for children of all ages.
Under the pen name Kathryn Longino, Kathryn has partnered with author Abby L. Vandiver and wrote, At the End of the Line, an Amazon #1 bestseller. The book is a women's/historical fiction that spans from 1958 through 1972. It is a story of friendship, survival, and determination during one of the most tumultuous times in America's history.
Kathryn is currently writing a new series called; Chasing Time, which she hopes to have published some time in 2014.

To learn more about Kathryn Dionne, please visit her website at:
www.kathryndionne.com