Audible Book Review: Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

 

Who was Auntie Em before Dorothy Gale blew into Kansas? How did she meet Uncle Henry? How did Dorothy wind up with the childless couple? Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor is a charmingly brilliant story of Emily Gale, Dorothy's beloved Auntie Em. 

In February 1932, Emily Gale journeys back to Chicago after a tragic accident takes the life of her sister Annie and her husband. Bouying her courage, she lays eyes upon Annie and John's only child, Dorothy, who is now her responsibility. Feeling totally unprepared for motherhood, and knowing the unforgiving prairie is no place for a child, she apprehensively brings Dorothy back to Kansas. Uncle Henry has always wanted children, so he welcomes Dorothy with open arms, but would he be so understanding if he knew the whole story? 

As the lack of rain and dust bowls that steal your breath increase, Emily and Henry watch as their dreams shrivel like scorched crops. And when Emily is forced to face her worst fear, she must decide if she will open her heart to Dorothy so that she can heal. 

Oh. My. Goodness! Before Dorothy is not what I expected at all, but it is the backstory that lovers of The Wizard of Oz will appreciate. Traveling back and forth between the present day and Emily's years growing up in Chicago with her sisters Annie and Nell, this is the story of the beloved Auntie Em we never doubted loved Dorothy with all her heart. With excerpts of Emily's thoughts from her journals titled "Wonderful--A Life on the Prairie," readers dive deeply into Emily's life in Kansas. A touching epilogue told from Dorothy's point of view makes this one of the most moving novels about fictional movie characters you will ever read. 

Gaynor has an extraordinary gift for painting vivid images in the minds of her readers, and as she is also a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you will find little hints and nods to that story woven throughout Before Dorothy. This is such a beautifully and masterfully told story that it has led me to order the entire series of books by L. Frank Baum. This is the backstory you never knew you needed until you read it. 

Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 17, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593440331
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593440339

I purchased this book with an Audible credit. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

First Chapter Review: The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author. The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart will be released this month.

BLURB: In his introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum wrote that he created his story as a modernized fairy tale to appeal to the children of his time. Under this same inspiration, The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure is a science fiction re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's classic; for children of all ages of my time.

Searching for her father, Dorothy crashes her airship into the Outcast Zone. The OZ, an inescapable prison, was specifically created to hold the most terrifying criminal the world had ever seen. A psychopath, dubbed The Wizard by an overzealous media, who broke out of every prison that tried to contain him. Until now. If Dorothy has any hope of escaping from the most dangerous place on earth, she must seek out The Wizard of OZ. But can she afford the price he will demand in exchange for his help?

COVER: Again, I am amazed because I love this cover, despite not being a fan of the genre. It has a science fiction feel to it, but the necklace is what truly captures the eye. After reading the first chapter, however, I am a tiny bit confused. If this is Dorothy on the cover, why does she look like an adult? Maybe it will be made clearer as I continue reading, but right now, a bare shoulder on a girl who is only ten in the opening chapter and who on this cover looks more like nineteen is disturbing to me.

FIRST CHAPTER: Professor Benjamin Gale is dressing for his appearance before the Council to request them to allocate money in the annual budget for his proposal. He quickly meets with resistance from Council members who are determined to place the inescapable Australis Penal Colony under inmate control, making them totally independent with no overseer.

Professor Gale's daughter, Dorothy, is hopeful the Council will approve her father's request, so that he will be in a good mood and allow her to continue her education close to home in America instead of attending a boarding school abroad. Armed thugs quickly make school the least of her worries, when they abscond with her father and injure her mother. She must search for her father alone, hoping the special gift he gave her will help.

KEEP READING: Oh my gosh, yes! The opening chapter of this novel has totally captivated me. Considering it is in a genre I would never think to read, I'm thrilled the author offered me a free copy of the book. I might never have discovered it otherwise.

I have to admit to a tiny bit of confusion trying to figure out time and place as the story opened, but pinpointing that quickly became irrelevant because I was so engrossed in this unique plot with its wonderful characters. Stuart moves swiftly to define each person, creating a desire in the reader to know more. And the superb cliffhanger ending is definitely a way to compel readers to move forward.

I'm excited about this one.

I received a free e-copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in anyway.

Interview with Scarlett Archer, Author of 1001 First Lines

Scarlett Rugers (writing as Scarlett Archer) has just released a book 1001 First Lines which is now available at Amazon! You can purchase a paperback, .lit, .epub, .mobi and PDF versions here: http://www.1001firstlines.wordpress.com.

She has been writing for over fifteen years, completed over eleven novels, and her main drive is in speculative fiction or its contrasting opposite romantic comedic novels. She has a passion for studying the art of story telling and is a grand lover of movies. Her focus in work is book cover designs which enables her to put all her energy in to the area she loves most- literature.

You can visit her website at www.scarlettarcher.com.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/scarandthetwit

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scarlett-Rugers-Design/186669264687668

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?  

I used to want to be a singer. Much to the chagrin of my sig-other I have high hopes to become a wealthy cat lady. I should have been in the movie business, considering how much I love films. Maybe when I’m 60 and I have 30 cats I’ll start applying to be a director, or producer. 

Where did you grow up?

Melbourne, Australia.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

As the purely materialistic person I am, it would be waking up to find a Barbie Caravan Santa dropped off for me for my 8^th birthday.

When did you begin writing?

When I was eight, but more seriously when I was 13. Thanks to my primary school teacher who made it a class project to write our own stories, it might not have ever happened.


Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

As a business woman whenever I can get a moment! My workflow ebbs and flows so sometimes I have a lot of time- so I’ll spend the whole day writing. And other times I can’t write for a good three or four weeks!


What is this book about?

1001 First Lines is exactly as it sounds. Fourteen genres of the best, words, and un-pigeon-holable first lines.


What inspired you to write it?

I wanted to write a really good first line. That’s it. One of the best things I learned was if you want to be the best, do the world’s best practice. Experience the average, the worst, and the ones that can’t be pigeon holed. That’s how 1001 First Lines came about.

I wanted to compare different genres, not just display the best. Everyone can Google the best, there are multiple sites that’ll give that up. But what if you want to see the norm of your own genre? If you write chic lit, horror, or science fiction- what’s the standard opening line that so many others use?

Who is your biggest supporter?

My boyfriend, of course! Wouldn’t have come all this way without him.

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?


I don’t have a critique group- per say- but as a designer for self-published authors I’m friends with a lot of editors, copywriters, etc who are in the self-publishing business. So we get a lot of really positive feedback from each other!

Who is your favorite author?

Philip K Dick.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?


I considered seeking an agent but I enjoy the process of self-publication! There may be a time when I will consider an agent, when I’m closer to my next work being completed. Depends on the feedback I get from my beta readers!

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

It was a bumpy ride- thanks to my impatience. Reference books are entirely different from fiction and non-fiction. There’s no opportunity to break out in narrative or enjoy the simple writing process. I got through it with small, tiny goals. But I just wanted to have it over with!


Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

On Amazon- both paperback and Kindle versions. The paperback version comes with a list at the back of all the books listed under genre categories, so you can tick off what you’ve read as you go!

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

I run a blog for authors who want to be interviewed about their experiences and opinions about first lines: http://www.1001firstlines.wordpress.com


What is up next for you?

The first is Oscar & Josephine, a love story about death. A quick fic novella about a brother and sister who, through desperation, end up cursed. They’re forced into immortality in their six-year-old and nineteen-year-old bodies. The story is how they cope through the decades, trying to adapt, doing what they can to kick start their aging once again. This will be published between July-September 2012.

The second is a dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz, in a modern environment, which involves organ transplants, dirty alleys and a Guy Richie/Quentin Tarantino-style narrative. I’m aiming for this to be ready for publication by 2014.