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So, have you read any good books lately?

A friend of mine has just published what is being called a romantic novel so I had to read it, not because of the genre but because of the author.

I don’t read nearly as much as I used to. I took up reading for entertainment when, as a child, I was hit with a series of childhood illnesses including whooping cough. Since there were five of us the one sick was sequestered to their room, to not spread to the others. No TV, smart phones or video games back then so other than sleeping, reading was all there was.

As I have said before I am not big on sappy movies and I am not big on romantic novels either. It’s just a personal preference.

So, have you read any good books lately? Back to video

A friend of mine has just published what is being called a romantic novel so I had to read it, not because of the genre but because of the author. After all I love to name drop and when you know someone famous we love to tell people we went to school or worked with them or were on the same bowling team.

It is a love story for sure full of annoyance, resistance, angst and eventual recognition, acceptance and passion. As I read I soon realized it was so much more. Now I might just be a bit biased but…

Of course, there is a strong, handsome eldest son, Matt, of the current generation who is managing the operation and is expecting the older, dry business accountant who is coming to the farm to look over the business’ financial plan. The usual company accountant is away so intelligent, savvy, auburn beauty, Sherry, arrives who is expecting to deal, quickly, with the patriarch of the family. As she sits in the local restaurant, pondering unhappily this assignment, a very good looking man approaches her. She snaps at him angrily for disturbing her; he apologizes and leaves indignantly. Of course, both are shocked to meet in the morning at the office and the love story begins, slowly, guardedly. I was grateful this part of the story is not overdone or enhanced with a lot of fluff as so many romantic novels are. It is based in reality and what is most likely to happen in these circumstances and very relatable.

To me it was as much a story of family, community, the land and legacy. It deals with commitment, appreciation, preservation, sustainability, conservation and history of the land and how a family and the small Alberta community all work together to keep it flourishing and protected. With all this many jobs and programs are created, which provide a decent lifestyle for all who live in the area.

It’s a generational story. A young couple started with a small plot of farmland, where they raise as family. Over the generations, they work hard to build their parcel of land into a large, profitable and diverse operation which benefits them, provides for their community, nourishes and supports the land itself.

It was a good read. If you would like to read it go to your library or local book store and ask for it. If it’s not available yet, ask them to get it. Or you can go to Amazon and Barnes &Noble.

Accountant With Benefits, published by BWL Publishing of Sylvan Lake, Albert, is written by our very own Jeff Tribe, independent reporter, journalist, sports writer and now, published novelist from Beaconsfield, Norwich Township, Ontario.

A book launch will be held at The 100th Mile, 23 Main Street, West, Norwich on Saturday, March 7,  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

twocentsworth40@gmail.com

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