The Crossroads Cafe
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Lesley70
Format:Paperback
The Crossroads Cafe follows the lives of two strangers, Cathryn Deen and Thomas Mitternich as they first become friends and then something more. Both have been scarred by life - Cathryn is physcially scarred when she is horrifically burnt in a car accident, and Thomas is mentally scarred by guilt and depression following the death of his wife and son in the World Trade Center on September 11th.
The book alternates between Cathy and Thomas's point of view, a style which lends itself very well to the story and we get to experience the events that unfold through both of their eyes.
Following the car accident, Thomas is persuaded by Cathryn's cousin (Delta, owner of The Crossroads Cafe) to phone the hospital posing as Cathryn's husband so they can find out what's happening to her. Unbeknownst to them, Cathryn's husband has already distanced himself from her and isn't visiting her. It is the phone calls and packages from Delta that give Cathryn the strength to keep going, even when she's reached rock bottom.
Meanwhile, Thomas has problems of his own. An alcoholic, he hasn't come to terms with the death of his wife and child, holding himself responsible for their loss. When Cathryn returns to her grandmother's North Carolina home to make a new life for herself, she gradually begins a relationship with Thomas, that will eventually heal them both.
In a way the relationship between Cathy and Thomas starts before either of them have ever met. Thomas writes to her, filling her in on the things that are happening in the North Carolina community. It gives her something to hold onto, when she feels like she has nothing left.... Read more ›
The book alternates between Cathy and Thomas's point of view, a style which lends itself very well to the story and we get to experience the events that unfold through both of their eyes.
Following the car accident, Thomas is persuaded by Cathryn's cousin (Delta, owner of The Crossroads Cafe) to phone the hospital posing as Cathryn's husband so they can find out what's happening to her. Unbeknownst to them, Cathryn's husband has already distanced himself from her and isn't visiting her. It is the phone calls and packages from Delta that give Cathryn the strength to keep going, even when she's reached rock bottom.
Meanwhile, Thomas has problems of his own. An alcoholic, he hasn't come to terms with the death of his wife and child, holding himself responsible for their loss. When Cathryn returns to her grandmother's North Carolina home to make a new life for herself, she gradually begins a relationship with Thomas, that will eventually heal them both.
In a way the relationship between Cathy and Thomas starts before either of them have ever met. Thomas writes to her, filling her in on the things that are happening in the North Carolina community. It gives her something to hold onto, when she feels like she has nothing left.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By John
Format:Kindle Edition
The Crossroads Cafe stirs so many emotions in the bosom of the reader, but the story is so gripping that I finished it in no time. With The Doctors by Janvier Chando, it comes as one of the most insightful stories I have read in a long while. The plot is well developed and the writing style is rich and smooth.Cathryn and Thomas summarize the rich character development that comes with this story, which adds to make it the excellent read that it is.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
523 reviews
299 of 308 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hooked from the first line.
12 Jan 2007
By Carol Burnside
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Seriously. That first line:
Before the accident, I never had to seduce a man in the dark.
was intriguing enough to keep me reading for some time.
First of all, what accident?
Who is she?
Why is she seducing someone?
Who is he?
Why does she HAVE to seduce him in the dark?
Was the accident THAT bad?
The other reviews here tell you about the plot. I'm here to tell you that the writing is wonderful.
I came across Ms. Smith's first posted excerpt on the Belle Books website (bellebooks dot com)and could not stop reading. At that time she'd only posted one or two chapters. Each month I came back looking for a little more on Cathryn and Thomas. I wanted to know the why's and when's and how's of their story. The odds of their inevitable coming together (given the first line) were gi-normous. Yet, in weaving their stories together, Smith makes you believe that these two very damaged people can not only help each other, but are the ONLY ones who can help each other heal.
Perhaps I should confess that before reading an excerpt of The Crossroads Cafe, I'd never read anything by Deborah Smith (How did I NOT know about her???) By the time this book hit the store shelves, I'd purchased and read another of her books. I liked it well-enough, but wasn't bowled over. That made me apprehensive. Could she keep my interest in TCC?
She did. Not only was the plot intriguing, but the wildly eclectic cast of characters were richly drawn and multi-faceted. This rich characterization didn't stop at Thomas and Cathryn, but extended to Delta, who runs the cafe, and her husband Pike. It extended from the sideline characters of young Cora and Ivy, to the lesbian couple Macy and Alberta and their motley collection of abused women. Each character had purpose and helped move the story along. Even the Southern setting became an integral part of the story without long passages of description and brought a deeper understanding to the characters.
If you don't like emotional reads, fascinating characters, gripping prose and books with enough southern flavor you swear you can taste the grits and sweet tea, just ignore this post. But if you do, the Crossroads Cafe may very well become one of those books you keep, re-read, and hug to your memory with an affection usually reserved for long-time, cherished friends.
Before the accident, I never had to seduce a man in the dark.
was intriguing enough to keep me reading for some time.
First of all, what accident?
Who is she?
Why is she seducing someone?
Who is he?
Why does she HAVE to seduce him in the dark?
Was the accident THAT bad?
The other reviews here tell you about the plot. I'm here to tell you that the writing is wonderful.
I came across Ms. Smith's first posted excerpt on the Belle Books website (bellebooks dot com)and could not stop reading. At that time she'd only posted one or two chapters. Each month I came back looking for a little more on Cathryn and Thomas. I wanted to know the why's and when's and how's of their story. The odds of their inevitable coming together (given the first line) were gi-normous. Yet, in weaving their stories together, Smith makes you believe that these two very damaged people can not only help each other, but are the ONLY ones who can help each other heal.
Perhaps I should confess that before reading an excerpt of The Crossroads Cafe, I'd never read anything by Deborah Smith (How did I NOT know about her???) By the time this book hit the store shelves, I'd purchased and read another of her books. I liked it well-enough, but wasn't bowled over. That made me apprehensive. Could she keep my interest in TCC?
She did. Not only was the plot intriguing, but the wildly eclectic cast of characters were richly drawn and multi-faceted. This rich characterization didn't stop at Thomas and Cathryn, but extended to Delta, who runs the cafe, and her husband Pike. It extended from the sideline characters of young Cora and Ivy, to the lesbian couple Macy and Alberta and their motley collection of abused women. Each character had purpose and helped move the story along. Even the Southern setting became an integral part of the story without long passages of description and brought a deeper understanding to the characters.
If you don't like emotional reads, fascinating characters, gripping prose and books with enough southern flavor you swear you can taste the grits and sweet tea, just ignore this post. But if you do, the Crossroads Cafe may very well become one of those books you keep, re-read, and hug to your memory with an affection usually reserved for long-time, cherished friends.
84 of 91 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow!
28 Dec 2009
By M. Cotto
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Im not particularly good with writing reviews but I just had to write something. I read this book in 2 days and it has been one of he best books ive ever read. I went through many emotions reading this book, laughing on one page, crying on the next. I have recommended this book to everyone i know and i just know it will touch their heart as it did mine. If biscuits are food for the soul through your stomach...this is food for the soul through your eyes. Beautiful.
69 of 75 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Started slow but...
4 Jan 2010
By E. C.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed it. I do not like books written in the first person. But I enjoyed this one and it is written in 2 first persons. (It switches viewpoint with each chapter.) This story is about 2 people who have a hard time and how they overcome it. Crossroads characters are bunch of oddballs...reminds of the old show Northern Exposure. Yes that shows my age!! lol Get this book you will enjoy it.
›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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