Red Mountain: A Novel

I just finishing the Audible format of Red Mountain. I was expecting the "left-hanging" ending, as I'd read many reviews before I ordered the book. What I was not expecting was the disappointing quality of writing. It read like a string of cliches; as if the book was an audition for a contract with the Lifetime or Hallmark movie channel. Talk about an 'eye roll.' More than once I found myself exclaiming 'oh, come on!' So many reviewers remarked on the well developed characters. I also thought the characters were good but was stunned by how the author manipulated them; like they were marionettes and he was jerking their strings making unrealistic twists and turns of behavior. The story is good and it is the story that makes these characters. But, the author fleshed them out as either saints or sinners. Some of them are saints on Monday and sinners on Tuesday with no logical reason for transition. Now for what I liked: I loved learning about the making of wine and the description of the vineyards. The outline of the book is interesting; it is a good story. I read there will be a sequel. I don't know if I will read (listen to it) but I want to know how the story ends.

This book and author was a "discovery" for me...I am so glad I did. Couldn't put the book down and can't wait for the sequel. I loved all four of the major characters and their growth through the novel. I enjoyed learning about wine-making - Mr. Walker did a great job seamlessly letting the information come as part of the natural story and character action, rather than doing info-dumps. I particularly liked the twist at the end, which I sort of saw coming, but not exactly like it happened. This book is one I would teach to my Multicultural Lit class, which is HIGH PRAISE! I would also recommend it to my book club, which may be even higher praise! If you want a good read with compelling characters and a well-paced, surprising story, this is it. Thank you, Boo Walker.

Welcome to Red Mountain, Washington, the next great wine region. Populated by an eclectic group of winemakers, artists, reborn losers and broken people, Red Mountain becomes a place of refuge or of rebirth for those able to appreciate its gifts.

Otis Till is the first winemaker to discover Red Mountain. He understands that making great wine is about more than the grapes and the process. Great vintages are influenced by the mountain, the people and the animals that inhabit the mountain and breathe life into it.

Brooks Baker is a homeless loser who credits Otis with saving his life. Otis rescued him from the streets and infused him with the love and lore of winemaking.

Margot Pierce has been broken by a cheating husband and an ugly divorce. The only things keeping her going are her son Jasper, a musical prodigy, and her fantasies of murdering her ex-husband.

Aging rock star Jake Lassiter enlists Brooks to help him start his own vineyard. Jake's daughter, Emilia, struggles with living in the fish bowl that is the life of a celebrity's child.

Enter Joan, a new age mystic who helps bring healing and spiritual growth to the residents of Red Mountain, until tragedy threatens to destroy the peace and community they have been building.

I really enjoyed this book, but I wish the ending had been more satisfying.

After my book club chose this as next month's read, I was surprised the local library didn't stock it at all, no ebook, print book or audio. Especially surprising since we're in WA and the book and author are in WA and the library usually goes out of its way to stock books by local authors. The other bad sign was that the only reviews were on sites like goodreads and here, and a few people's personal sites who'd received the book for free. No newspaper or magazine reviews.
By the 5th chapter, it was painfully clear to me why the lack of professional reviews and why my library doesn't stock it. It's not terrible writing, more like early-college-writing-class writing. With the heavy use of unoriginal cliches for descriptions, the way each main character seems to think and talk the same way as the others with nothing unique about them, no wonder professional librarians and editors passed on this book.
I was expecting to be disappointed by the ending of the book, based on reviews here. Instead I'm disappointed by the whole thing. Don't waste your time.

One of my favorite ways to vacation is visiting wineries in the Pacific North West. So, when I saw that Red Mountain was about a vineyard in a small town in Washington it sounded like something I would enjoy. And I did enjoy it.

Red Mountain is a small town that is starting to have a few growing pains as more and more people are taking a chance with the wine profession. But for now, it is still a small town, with all the quirky characters and small town drama that you would come to expect.

The four main characters are Otis Till, Margot Pierce, Emilia Forester and Brooks Baker. There are several secondary characters too. At first, I would have to rethink each character, but I eventually was able to keep them straight.

I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the setting of the vineyards and learning more about the wine making process. I see that this is book 1 of 2, so that explains the abrupt ending that leaves you hanging.

I will definitely read book 2, since I feel invested in these characters and in Red Mountain.

My fave of the year so far!! I'm gonna switch this up from what others are saying: it doesn't need a sequel (though I'm very glad one's in the works!). The story is contained well within these pages and it works as a realistic portrayal of life. Please don't get hung up on other's comments on it being too much of a cliffhanger! Not everything needs to end neatly with no questions unanswered.

I'm somewhat new to the literary fiction genre but this is definitely where to turn if you want a great group of complex and developed characters. The unique part about this book was that the setting becomes as much a character in the story as any of the people are! I can definitely feel the author’s passion for Red Mountain as it comes through strongly in his writing. I’m sure you’ll all feel drawn to this magical place just as I feel now! It really does sound like a wonderful place to live!

The characters themselves, though, are given equal opportunity to grow and develop in this space. The story is told from four different perspectives so we can really come to understand and empathize them as they’re faced with difficult decisions in their lives. I’m still just struck at how good the writing is in this, that I don’t think there was one character that I didn’t like because of how well they were developed. This was maybe the most enjoyment I’ve ever gotten out of reading a book. It hit deep, guys.

That’s not to say this is a feel-good book. Yes, there are a lot of warm moments, of family and friends and just a general love of life, but it is a story of life so of course that comes with hardships. And it’s going to hurt. But I loved it!

The one thing that I’d normally find annoying in books or movies was the use of cliches, like falling in love immediately and friends turned lovers, but I think because of how complex the characters were, and how these cliches were tweaked, that it actually worked well into this story. The more iffy aspects were in regards to the portrayal of some of the female characters. One character in particular was referred to as sexual but in some contexts I felt like this was confused with sexuality. There were also some instances that felt like women were being compared to each other, where the one who used less make-up and was more modest about her appearance was ranked higher than the other. In good news, the stories of two other women focused on their attempts to improve their self-confidence and I felt much better about how this was handled.

Though the story felt contained in this book, I'm very excited for the sequel, if only to get to meet this cast of characters again! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a really enjoyable read!

Rumors abound that there is to be a second book, a sequel, which is a good thing. I read fiction to escape, and I want all the loose ends tied in neat bows by the time I get to the end. Many were tied, many were not, and the ending left me wanting more. Much more. The problem is, I want the more RIGHT NOW and he’s still writing it!

While I love series books, I do so enjoy it when each book in the series comes to a satisfactory ending. Perhaps it’s my old age—I may not be here when the sequel comes out ;-) I vacillated between 4 & 5 stars because of the ending, but so enjoyed the rest of the book, I gave it 5.

Among the characters we meet are an old codger who howls with the coyotes, a prodigy pianist, a teen with angst (don’t they all have angst?), a rock star, and an (ex) street person. None of them take over the book and they all balance each other. All are believable, and actually, all the main characters are rather likable. They each had a story, and their stories intermingled as they would in real life. We see in this book how our lives are truly not insular no matter how reclusive we might think we are, but each thing we do, each thing we say, affects other people.

I found the book worth my investment both in dollars and in time (except for the first 3 chapters, I read it in one day!) and if you like a good story, I think you’ll enjoy it too.

Didn't like the sexual scenes. Made a good read less than enjoyable
Didn't need at all the story between the teacher and the student. Liked the fact that I lived inn Yakima,Wa. For 25 years. So I related to the location and the wine industry

Agree with other reviewers.... The story is enticing, drawing you into the lives of the characters. Interesting how their lives weave together, characters were well developed. The ending was truly disappointing - the author lets you know there will be a sequel, but to end the book abruptly so that you MUST read the sequel to find out how the first story ends seems simply a marketing ploy.

Note: I did not buy or read this book BECAUSE at the end of the blurb on the push for the book, it stated that it was the first in that hated-style-of-mine "series". I am done with series. I want a complete read, beginning to end, in one book. Develop it, write it, and finish it. I can't be the only one who can't stand this current trend. BTW, I like the cover a lot!! :-)

This book includes many stories within one common theme. Each story is exciting in itself. Yet the author has woven the individual stories together into a common theme. I will add it to my collection of very good books.

I liked the book at first, but there was too much touchy-feely New Age lingo. Adultery is treated like "Oh well, let's all just go on and live together and work together for the sake of the wine." Bad things happened to most of the main characters without resolution. Rich people taking over an area and ousting folks who had been there forever, and OMG, the poor people lived in DOUBLE WIDES!!! I found myself irritated at most of the chat by the ending (or nonending).

The first half of the book was consistent with each character being developed in a believable manner then the stuff hits the fan and it is not distributed evenly. I love the first half but could not follow the last half. Decide what you want to do and keep your focus.

There are way too many characters to follow a plot line. Some are not needed at all to make a good novel. The potential is there but the author needs a much tighter plot line.

The more I think about it, the potential for 4 or 5 stars is there...but maybe 2 stars in the current version is one too many.

I learned a lot reading this book. I've never understood the thing about wine. I believed that other people loved it but didn't understand. This book helped alot. This book is a page turner..more than just wine to think about and enjoy. I hope the next book is out!

I had to stop on page 19 because I wanted to vomit.

High school teacher abusing his student who only wears sundresses and doesn’t know how pretty she is (wasn’t one cliche bad enough?).

Then another female character who’s an innocent bad girl (what IS that?) who wears glasses to hide how beautiful she is (because women in glasses can’t be pretty?).

I couldn’t continue. This was truly awful character building that no story could make up for.

Thanks go to Mr. Walker for this outstanding book. By the time I finished, I felt deeply involved in the lives of the people who live on Red Mountain. Watching each person develop and grow in their lives was a pleasure. Seeing how they loved, grew as people, and reached out to help each other was inspiring. This book was a treasure to read. Happily there is a second book about Red Mountain, I am anxious to enter their world again.

The story line of this book sounded interesting. The first few chapters introduced so many characters, hard to figure out how they would intertwine. When the high school aged girl had an experience with a teacher, then a joke in very poor taste about a religious Groupons then too many unsavory experiences, I stopped reading..
Not my type of book. Not what I consider a good story if I have to wade through unsavory scenes.

I would like to recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a very interesting and exciting book where the action never stops. I am finding these books to be very difficult to put down. I will be looking forward to reading the next book from this author.

Made me yearn to find a place like Red Mountain to call home. With a cast of characters with real life struggles and faults who all seem to lack the ability to trust the power of love which gets tested over and over. I can't wait for the next book in the series !

The book was really very good. I feel it would have been as good or better if everyone wasn't sleeping with someone else. Some sex is good and yes, we all do make mistakes in life. To me, a bit less sex would have been more.

Not my usual genre....but did enjoy this engaging cast of characters. As the author developed this unusual group of folks,I learned to enjoy each one.
This quirky,but fun group gathered together to grow grapes and make wine.
The authors philosophy on life and love became apparent and good vs evil. Good doesn’t always win,but does help in life’s struggles.

We all need a Red Mountain in our lives. Thank you Boo for this wonderful story. I am looking forward to the next one. You are great please keep
It up. I love the Charleston area also. There is such a touch of specializeness in each character in your stories. It feels like you are living and loving there lives. Thank you and God bless u.

I loved this book. The characters are are introduced in a way that helped me to feel like I knew them. They were real, warts and all. The story line never lags and there is enough drama and suspense to make it hard to stop reading. I hope the sequel will tell us more about all these characters and their lives on Red Mountain.

I did not expect to like this book. Set in a world that I knew little of. It dealt with themes that tend to make me uncomfortable. Yet it was an intriguing story, populated by a group of well developed characters. I suddenly found myself racing to the end, I had to find out what happens to these people. Just read it as a good story, and you will have fun.

I give this 5 stars because I have not enjoyed a book so much as this for a long time. Each character was rich and unique and full of life in their own way. It made you wish you live there and knew them all! I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to curl up and start reading and not quit till they were done. Well done boo.

He'd be singing your praises, Boo! It's like some of the characters from Beach Music or South of Broad had some friends that picked up and moved west to the wine country of Red Mountain! One finds oneself laughing and crying with these characters while at the same time wanting to smack or hug them!! It's absolutely one of the best books I've ever read and can't wait to read Part II!!! WELL DONE, BOO!

Interesting story about a wine region I previously knew little about. Good character development, interesting discussion of the geographic area but as the story turns toward the love, interaction and forgiveness among all the characters it becomes rather soapy; love and forgiveness among the vines as under bellies are exposed but the power of love conquers all. A feel good book but hard to believe.

Boo Walker is an amazing storyteller! Interesting, yet believable characters which carry the over-all theme of the human "being" condition = the built-in guarantee to eventually disappoint one another, {and ourselves}! And most importantly the powerful lessons in forgiveness! However, this read will not disappoint, well done Boo! I cannot wait to read the sequel.

I loved this book with charmingly dysfunctional characters who made me cozy with the comfort of a family get-together. The dialog is natural making Boo Walker my new favorite author. I immediately downloaded and read everything I could get. Now happily awaiting the sequel to Red Mountain.

I almost put this one down after the first couple of chapters. It seemed just a bit too formulaic, mundane. But as I got further into it, it grew on me and now I find myself inclined to find the sequel. An easy read, but some interesting themes and characters. Here’s to Joan, ahhh-ooooowww....

Accurate background of a winterizing culture lends even more to this great story of people struggling with insecurities, personal demons and the ever present quest to find acceptance and love. Great story and I can't wait to read the sequel!

I had never read anything by this author but I liked the cover art which can sometimes be an indication of the content. Such was the case here. The story had such heart, and I enjoyed watching it slowly unfold. The characters were likeable and humanly flawed, and I basically got to write my own satisfactory ending. I'd love to see a sequel to this and find out if I got it right. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Walker's works.

Shallow characters and goofy spirituality akin to a bad network TV series, all topped off with an ambiguous unsatisfactory ending. I finished it against my better judgment. I should have bailed out at "almond milk pumpkin latte."

This was an incredible read , masterfully executed. So now I'm left wondering just where the ending of the book is! I looked and there's no sequel....so we're just left hanging? That's not quite fair Boo!!!

I enjoyed this book a lot. The area that Red Mountain is located is familiar to me, the transformation of the Walla Walla and Tri Cities has been amazing to watch in the last 20 years. The information on vineyards and wine making was interesting, but the characters were the most entertaining part of the book.

Boo Walker does not hesitate to delve into the depths. He carefully builds his characters' personae, then peels back the layers of each, revealing unexpected richnesses. Marilyn Smith Neilans, author, "Saying Goodbye to the Iris Lady."

These are down to earth characters with all their human flaws. Lots of twists and turns. The ending makes me all the more anxious for the next go around. Will be waiting for the next one. Hurry up and get it done.

You find yourself on the mountain a part of everyone. I was there and it ended way to soon. One of the best books I have read in awhile. Please, read it, enjoy Red Mountain and it's characters they will be alive in your head and heart. Boo Walker needs to write a follow up book... Need to know more of the story and it's people. Please.

His characters are real and not entirely likeable. The storylines are a bit dramatic yet still believable. As you wade deeper into the book, you want to meet the people, hang out in their community, and do some soul searching and growing too.
A highly enjoyable read.

Enjoyed the character development and the writing was pretty good. The ending was sort of lackluster, not that I need complete closure, but it was a bit hackneyed. Great escapism and am willing to try another book by Boo Walker.

This book was interesting and was written in a different style than I usually read. I enjoyed each character and their experiences. I especially the interaction of them sit each other. I think you will enjoy reading it too.

This was a page turner for me. I read it in a couple days. However I was incredibly disappointed with the way it ended. The ending leads me to believe there should be a book to follow but I don't see anything to thar effect. I'd sure like to discover what happens next. This did not leave me feeling good. Therefore I gave it 4 stars. I hope for a redeeming follow-up.

I selected this book on a whim not knowing the topic nor the author. I just literally finished the book and sitting here pondering the end. Great writing, fabulous characters. Sitting here wanting more. It left me hanging, so much was not answered. Yes I would recommend this book.

I loved every moment of this book. I'm recovering from surgery and was very broken and in a bad place.As I read about the lives and troubles of each character I went through an array of emotions. Then Joan came into the picture.The was her loving spirit touched all the people she knew touched me too. It actually was a part in my beginning to heal. I am grateful.

A cheesy and predictable story, the facts about winemaking were interesting and accurate, the setting was nice but a bunch of well to do people whining about how others were not perfect enough was a little hard to read.

This book was a delightful surprise. It gives a look into the broken, ugly, forgiving, sad, healing, and multi faceted relationships; we witness everyday. I loved the characters. Their flaws and their beauty.

Initially I didn’t think this book wa well written but as the characters were developed I got sucked in! I love Ref Mountain and I saw two of books at the winery. I will denotely be reading the sequel!

The cover is so misleading. I thought this would be a good book after reading the reviews. I didn't make it past page 47 after the second comment about masturbating . I'm so tired of writers ruining a story by having to put sex in. Just tell the story!

It took me awhile to get into this book. It is a little soap opera-ish but I did get invested in the characters. It ends very abruptly. I hope the next book comes out soon so we can find out what happened to everyone on Red Mountain.

I NEVER write a review and I've read many books that deserve a written review. But I loved this book so much that I just had to say, if you want a book that touches all the bases, love, loss, family, relationships, forgiveness, then this is the book for you. I can't wait for book 2, because this one leaves you hanging!

"Read Mountain" is such a busy little community that there's never a dull reading moment. The social and sexual behavior of this community covers some interesting diversity that will entertain and hold the interest of most readers.

I think it reflected that life isn't perfect, things happen. It's our response to those life fluctuations and our interactions with friends and family that determine the outcome. I didn't like the open ended ending.

I wondered as this book began if it would meet my needs in book. It grew and grew and grew on me until I felt a part of it. The characters were very real and recognizable to me. I was sad when it was over.

I loved this book! I enjoyed all the different personalities, their true to life struggles, their weaknesses and their strengths, their community of Red Mountain.
Also, as a wine lover, I really enjoyed the reference to many areas of wine making and enjoying food, wine and friends.

Not quite what I expected, being a Boo thriller fan, but Red Mountain has heart. It's a unfiltered slice of life in a small community that has a lot to offer, but doesn't let anyone hide, and not everyone gets a happy ending. Well written, great character development and Boo puts you right there with the beauty of Red Mountain.

Boo Walker has created a host of true to life characters. This story will keep you enthralled, and rooting for each one of them to make their connected dreams come true-- This is an mazing novel. Thank you Boo, for sharing them with us.

I really enjoyed this novel! What a wonderful tribute to the Red Mountain area. It's a wonderfully written story, with interesting characters and fabulous descriptions of the area, the food, and the wine. I love the way the characters' lives weave together, and the complexity of each character! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel! :)

I enjoyed the story especially since I lived on red mountain 25 years ago before anyone ever thought that vines would grow there. Also enjoy drinking and making wine. I thought the author brought to many story lines into the book and should have spent more time developing just a few into a better read.

Even though there are multiple cliff hangers in the end, I gave this book 5 stars. This was a good story and I liked all of the characters and the way their lives interconnected. I laughed and cried; the author wove a connection for me with the people of Red Mountain. the store lists this as Book 1 so I will keep hope that there will be a sequel.

I don't usually do reviews, however, this novel blew my socks off! I always have at least one book in progress, sometimes two. This novel kept me intrigued and now I can't wait to read another Boo Walker book!

I fell in love with the characters and did want the story to ever end. It's been a long time since a book has made me laugh out loud and cry. Boo Walker is an amazing story-teller. I can't wait to read more of his works.

I loved this story! So much different from a lot of others that I have read lately. It brings you into the Red Mountain region of Washington State and it's people. Awesome characters and storyline. I can't wait for the sequel, Red Mountain Rising.

I liked all of the characters in this book and the story (though the ending was very disappointing). However, while the dialogue was real, I could not SEE the characters, nor could I SEE Red Mountain. The Golden Rule in writing is SHOW and not tell, but unfortunately this author does not.

Really enjoyed the read, nice easy reading a great one for the holidays. I learnt more about wine and the process. Really enjoyed the modernity of the story and the inclusion of things like visualisation, yoga , healthy food and finding love at all ages.

Read from October 16 to 17, 2016

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 360 pages
Published October 13th 2016 by Sandy Run Press
ASIN B01MEEWFIC
Edition Language English
Other Editions (1)
[Digital copy from Author in exchange for honest review]

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Red Mountain in eastern Washington is home to a community of eccentrics. Otis Till, the area’s visionary winemaker, has been known to howl at the moon—fully nude. Single mother Margot Pierce moved across the country to build an inn, but so far all she does is binge on gelato, the Hallmark Channel, and fantasies of murdering her ex. High school senior Emilia Forester is the daughter of celebrity parents struggling to build her own life outside of their shadow. And Brooks Baker is a man haunted by his past spent living on the streets as an orphan. Somehow, everyone lives together harmoniously, their lives intertwined like the vines in Red Mountain’s beautiful and renowned vineyards.

But in a place where everyone knows each other, secrets are like poison…and right now Otis, Margot, Emilia, and Brooks all have something to hide. When their secrets come to light, will their small mountain be stronger for it—or will lives be torn apart?

Heartfelt and wonderfully descriptive, Red Mountain is the story of four complicated people living in a beautiful landscape unlike anywhere else. Told from multiple perspectives and rich with vivid descriptions of wine life, this novel will transport you from the first page to the last.

My Thoughts

Within these pages we meet winemaker Otis Till, single mother Margot Pierce, daughter of a famous rock musician and supermodel high school senior Emilia Forster and Brooks Baker whose past still haunts him which means he fits in perfectly within the community of other tormented souls who reside on Red Mountain.

What happens to connect this diverse group is a series of events that take place over the course of a wine harvesting season, a season which for Otis proves to be fraught with anticipation of a successful bottling and the anxiety over a personal health issue which may mean the end of his winemaking altogether.

Margot finds herself motivated to rediscover her health rather than destroying it and gets a surprising gift along the way which goes along way to boosting her self confidence as well.

Emilia makes an unexpected friend and also finds herself in the midst of a controversy, which at 17 burned the last of her childish innocence but also freed her of a lifetimes insecurities.

Brooks finds love for the first time and in doing so opens himself up to emotions that he had long suppressed because of the pain they brought when his reality did not live up to his expectations.

Red Mountain is a fictional Washington State community that lures those who live life to the beat of a different drum, it is also without a doubt home for those who embrace an unconventional lifestyle. For some that means a life of simplicity and for others it may mean a life of excess but always a life lived to it’s fullest in every way imaginable. People who are from all walks of life with the love for good wine and good food only two of the things that draw them together.

A place that at first glance is the very epitome of an idyllic mix of Bohemia and sophistication, but under that glossy surface lurks a darker side that when exposed has the unwelcome ability to tear apart everything and everyone who calls Red Mountain home.

A complicated, smooth flowing, easily followed story that incorporates multiple viewpoints of an ensemble of characters who very early on have quite a bit to say to the reader and are not shy about sharing it either.

[Digital copy from Author in exchange for honest review]

This book has it all - love stories, quirky characters, sadness, hope, and community. It took a few chapters before I was caught up in the character's lives, but I'm sure glad I didn't stop reading. The book flowed and I didn't want to put it down

I adore this book..the characters were so relatable and charmingly human.. In addition, I enjoyed the setting .. since I have traveled to this area... I felt I could close my eyes and see Red Mountain..
Wonderful story!

I loved the wonderfully interesting characters. Setting in Red Mountain wine country and background information about wine makers and wine making made this book even more special.
Can't wait to read the sequel.

Great story and well written. At least until the end. Why the unfortunate cheap ploy of ending on a cliffhanger? There are so few truly good books out there and I would have gladly read the next book. Will not bother to now.

What a great read! Beautiful earthy characters......thee humanity of this book was amazing! Can't wait for the sequel! Thank you Boo Walker for the reminder of our frailties, and how love is truly all that matters.

What a fantastic read. I am enjoying all of The books by Boo Walker. He brings not only the hills, baked, mountains and skies to life but also he characters reach out and touch your heart. Can't wait for the next read. Don't miss anything this bright young writer puts on paper.

This was my first time reading anything from Boo Walker. To be honest, I had never heard of him before. I read this entire book in just 2 sittings. I will now move on to every other book he's ever written and will eagerly await book 2.