What Amazon says
“Brother Love – a Crossroad” is a mysterious “Twilight Zone-ish” short novella. It was inspired by the combination of Neil Diamond’s song and the blues legends of Robert Johnson and the Devil at the Crossroads. As in the real world, things in this tale are not what they seem. The setting is rural Mississippi in the 1950s. A group of outcasts are in a small southern town. They don’t realize they are looking for something. Will they find it?
My review
I am a big fan of Teagan Geneviene’s books as I find her stories to be highly entertaining and imaginative and, despite containing elements of the mystical and supernatural, to be believable and seem quite possible. I also find the author’s characters to be interesting and colourful and I enjoy the way she uses their actions, emotions and dialogues to weave her stories in a natural and heartfelt way.
Brother Love is no exception to this rule and I enjoyed this novella with its setting in a town in Mississippi and its main character a young woman, named Birdie Devovo who, due to her mother’s controversial behaviour, is a social outcast in the town. Despite the circumstances in which she lives alone, having no where else to go, Birdie is a kindly and caring person who would never stand by and watch someone else being hurt or abused.
The story opens with Birdie finding a flyer advertising Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show. Subsequent to finding his flyer, Birdie starts interacting with some intriguing people, all of whom have an interest in the show, which is the central theme of the story. There is Brother Armstrong, an ex-convict who went to prison for killing a man and who is now a preacher, there is an elderly black guitarist who is referred to as Sinnerman, a beautiful woman who looks like Ava Gardner and her daughter, Tammy, a free bleeder in need of healing to live a full life. Jinx, a talking magpie with some supernatural abilities also has a prominent role in this mystical story.
I would recommend this novella to people who are looking for an entertaining and imaginative read with lots of character.
Robbie, thank you for your valuable feedback. And triple thanks for this review. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed this little novella. Hugs on magpie wings!
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My pleasure, Teagan. A lovely novella and I am enjoying your next writing escapade too.
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It’s my pleasure to have you aboard The Delta Pearl. I hope you had a wonderful holiday too.
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We certainly did, Teagan. A wonderful holiday.
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Wonderful review, Robbie! I’m a big fan of Teagan’s work, as well, and enjoy her imagination 🙂
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Thanks so much for your encouragement, Jacquie! Hugs.
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Thank you, Jacquie. Teagan is one of a kind with her imaginative writing style.
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Thanks, Robbie. Sounds like an interesting read (and I love shorter works, like novellas) so this is on my TBR list now. 🙂
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Thank you kindly, Sarah. I hope you will enjoy your visit to my strange little Mississippi town. Hugs.
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You will enjoy this, Sarah.
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Great review, Robbie:) I have this on my TBR list and look forward to reading in a sitting or two!
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Thanks Denise. Publishing Brother Love was also a wan for me to thank people like you who followed the serial. Now it can all be in one convenient place — as a quick read, rather than spread across many weeks. Hugs on the wing!
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I did enjoy re-reading it all in one go, Teagan.
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I re-read it at the airport, Denise. It is a quick read but very rich.
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Good to see you back in the Reader Feed, Robbie!
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Thank you, Barbara. It is nice to be back.
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Terrific review Robbie… and congratulations Teagan.
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Thanks Sally. I’m delighted. I appreciate all your support. Hugs!
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Delighted to share Teagan..hugsxx
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Thanks, Sally. I find Teagan’s writing so rich and colourful, like a tapestry.
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Great analogy Robbie…hugs
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Great review, Robbie! 🙂 Teagan has a captivating way with words.
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Thank you so much, Bette. That means a lot to me. Hugs!
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Absolutely, Bette, a very natural talent.
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Great review Robbie 📚
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Thank you, Tandy
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I agree with you Robbie, Teagan’s excellent talent for tale telling and keeping us enthralled with the mystical holds us spell bound in her characters,
She has the uncanny knack for vivid description within her stories that it makes all things possible as you are there with her characters experiencing their adventures.
Thank you for sharing Robbie. ❤
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Dear Sue, you’ve made my day. Heartfelt thanks. Hugs on magpie wings!
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I meant every word and your most welcome ❤
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Sue. I agree with you completely. I hope you are getting a lot done on your allotment and enjoying the results of your hard work.
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Yes we have been in there every day this past week, we froze 40 sweetcorn cobs mid week.. And will be on the plot bright and early tomorrow.. 🙂
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Lovely
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Great review, Robbie I am a fan of Teagans writing… Love where her imagination takes her 🙂 x
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Great to know, Carol. Teagan is a super writer.
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Thanks so much, Carol. I love inventing new worlds. Hugs!
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Teagan does have a way of spinning her words. Nice creativity. Thanks for the review.
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Thank you, Jacqui, you are right about that.
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Thank you kindly Jacqui. I value that feedback — and word spinning is such fun. 🙂 Hugs!
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Sounds like an interesting read, one to add to my reading list.
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It is a great read. Thanks for popping in.
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You are welcome!
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I think you’d find my little fictional town interesting Marian. You’re welcome in Parliament, Mississippi (or Atonement, Tennessee either) any time. Hugs!
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Ha ha, Thankyou for the welcome, Teagan!
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Excellent review, Robbie. Teagan is an imaginative and skilled writer. She always manages to astonish.
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I agree, Rob, I am a huge Teagan fan.
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Me too. 🙂
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Thank you kindly Rob. I live to astonish. 😉 Hugs on the wing!
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Good review! I’m intrigued by the idea of a story inspired by Neil Diamond’s song, which was always on the radio during my growing-up years.
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I find Teagan’s writing to be very entertaining, Liz.
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That’s how it was for me, Liz. That song never left my memory. I had the idea for the story for over a year before I had time to write it. Although it’s filled with all sorts of other music. Hugs!
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Don’t you think the stories that percolate the longest are some of our best?
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They absolutely can be, Liz. Although this one flew off in a completely different direction than I expected. 🙂 Happy weekend.
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This was an excellent story. Teagan is a fabulous writer and storyteller.
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Thank you, Jennie, I also think so. I have another book of hers on my TBR.
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You are so kind, Robbie. I hope you will enjoy it. I’m also getting ready to release the third of the novels about Pip the flapper. My cover reveal will be Wednesday. Hugs.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. Good to know.
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Thanks so much, Jennie. Coming from a wonderful storyteller like you, that is high praise. Hugs.
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Awww… hugs to you! ❤️
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I have never read a Teagan story that I haven’t enjoyed thoroughly. I like Rob’s word for Teagan’s writing: ASTONISH. What is fantasy seems real, and beyond that – desirable. Thanks for the excellent review, Robbie.
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Heartfelt thanks, Pam. Coming from a wonderful storyteller like you, that is high praise. Hugs.
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Hugs and hugs in return. xo
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My pleasure, Pam. Teagan’s writing certainly makes an impression on her readership.
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Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
Robbie Cheadle reviews Brother Love by Teagan Geneviene
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Heartfelt thanks for this reblog and for all your support, Rob. Great big hug.
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Thank you for sharing, Rob. It is appreciated.
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Reblogged this on Teagan's Books and commented:
Woot! A review for “Brother Love — a Crossroad.” Thanks to Robbie Cheadle for taking time to review.
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My pleasure, Teagan.
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Terrific review, Robbie. Teagan’s a terrific writer.
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Thank you kindly, John. You’re one of my indie heroes, so that means a lot to me.
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Hugs
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Yes, I agree, John. I love her serials but do enjoy re-reading them as one afterwards.
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A very good idea, Robbie.
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Great review, Robbie. I’ve loved Teagan’s stories since I came across her blog and I’m always amazed at her imagination and at how she gets her inspiration from so varied sources. A very atmospheric story with a wonderful touch of the supernatural. Thanks for sharing!
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Heartfelt thanks, Olga. With your many and diverse books, and your insights, that means the world to me. Hugs.
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Thank you, Olga. You have summed it up beautifully here.
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Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine.
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Thank you for sharing
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You are welcome
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Yay! Thanks for reblogging, Dyanna. Hugs on magpie wings!
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You are welcome
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Thanks for the review. I only have “Atonement, Tennessee” so far and thoroughly enjoying the on-going Steampunk, “Delta Pearl”. Teagan is a fun author to be around and she knows how to capture her audience and hold their interest!
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Thank you, GP. That means a lot to me. It’s good feedback to know the Delta Pearl rewrite is adapting well to a serial. That’s not an easy thing to do and still keep the interest/suspense constant. I hope you enjoy your visit to my quirky Tennessee town. You’re welcome in Parliament, Mississippi any time too. 😉 Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks, Teagan. I’ll get there!!
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I thoroughly enjoyed Atonement, Tennessee as well as this book, Brother Love. I agree that Teagan is a wonderfully entertaining writer.
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Reblogged this on D.B. Mauldin and commented:
Book Review
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Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks so much for reblogging, D.B. What a wonderful surprise. Great big hug!
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I followed this story on Teagan’s blog and really enjoyed it. You can always count on Teagan to create eccentric and charismatic characters and an intriguing plot.
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Teri, you’ve made my day. Thanks so very much! I’m looking forward to Bad Moon Rising at your place, throughout October. Hugs on magpie wings!
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Me too, Teagan.
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I completely agree, Teri. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’m recent to Teagan’s blog. I’ve been enjoying The Delta Pearl, a lot.
This is a wonderful review!
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Thank you, Resa. Teagan is a fabulous writer.
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Thanks for being on-board the Delta Pearl, Resa. I’m still glowing from Robbie’s review. Hugs!
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{{Hugs}}
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Great review, Robbie! Thank you keeping us informed. Michael
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I’m so happy to have Robbie’s review. Michael.
😀 Thanks for your support. Hugs on the wing!
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Great review, Teagan! My pleasure. Try to read asap, but in reviewing i am too bad. Sorry! Big hugs Michael
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My pleasure, Michael. Teagan writes lovely books.
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Oh yes, Robbie! They are funny too! I also adore your works, even if I a too bad reviewer. Have a beautiful weeken! Michael
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Thank you, Michael, that really does make me happy.
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Robbie, a fascinating review of ‘Brother Love’. I’m most intrigued and on the look out for books with a difference! On my list now!
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I am happy to hear than, Annika. I hope you are well.
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Hi Annika. I’m still glowing from Robbie’s review. Brother Love might be called speculative fiction, or magic realism… I just call it Twilight Zone-ish. It is not social commentary, nor is it religious. What I hope it is for everyone, is quirky fun. Hugs on the wing.
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This is an excellent review of Teagan’s book Brother Love, Robbie. I just downloaded it and look forward to reading it.
I’m glad you had a wonderful trip. I just came back from a short cruise.
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I am sure you enjoyed the cruise a great deal, Miriam. Lovely and relaxing. I am sure you will enjoy Teagan’s book.
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We did okay on the cruise until my husband got sick with unknown reason. He is still resting until the “bugs” in the system go away. 🙂
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Hi Miriam. I hope the storms did not interfere with your cruise.
I’m honored that you are going to read this novella. Keep your sense of whimsy handy. 😉 Hugs.
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Hi Teagan, thank you, I’m on the Pacific coast, going from California to Mexico, so the hurricane didn’t affect the cruise.
I’m sure I’ll enjoy your novella. I’m whimsical at times. 🙂
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Fab review, Robbie! Love Teagan’s work! 🙂
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Thank you, Kevin. Teagan is a very entertaining writer.
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Indeed she is. 🙂
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