Pinky (Book) - 9/28/2003 3:13:56 PM
Is there anything quite so magical as first love? That initial meeting of the eyes and the hands, the exhilaration felt every time you glimpse your beloved, agonizing over every word uttered by either of you, and the unforgettable thrill of that first kiss. When you read Pinky, you experience it all through the eyes of 16-year-old Vincent Bezdek, a hero as endearing as any to ever capture my heart.
A transplanted Nebraskan farm boy, Vince quickly becomes enamored with Ventura, California, and almost as quickly falls in love with the beautiful girl next door who appears to be too busy with painting and ballet to even notice him--or so he thinks. He focuses his attention on his other love: hot rods--specifically, the 1940 Ford coupe he plans to customize, but when the summer ends, Vince discovers he must never assume anything about this girl called Pinky. The morning of the first day of school, she gets into Vince's coupe as if he should have known all along she would do so, and so begins the natural progression of their relationship and the role the little '40 coupe plays in it all.
Vince and Pinky's love is sweet and innocent, but it's also deep and complex. Because he is so much in awe of Pinky's talent and unpredictable nature, Vince doesn't seem to realize how special he is himself and how much Pinky loves him in return. Pinky is not only talented and smart, she is also fearless and passionate and does her best to help Vince believe they are meant to be. They have their share of misunderstandings and hardships, but their mutual respect and depth of character carries them over the hurdles with only a few stumbles--until high school ends and the adult world rears its demanding head to make them both make the hardest decisions of their lives.
This coming-of-age story made me laugh out loud and shed tears of heartbreak and joy, and I came to think of the characters as members of my own family. The book is 536 pages and I was still sorry to reach the end, because the story is told in the author's engaging voice that reads like a conversation with a close friend. Although I didn't understand some of the technical details about building a hot rod, they were woven into the story so naturally they seemed only more proof of Vince's love for Pinky, because anyone who knew cars so intimately and would still have given them up in a heartbeat for a girl has most surely found true love.
Pinky is a book that will leave you feeling you've just taken a drive along the Ventura coastline, shared the beauty of an ocean sunset with someone special, and fallen in love for the first time. You'll finish it feeling wistful over the story's end, but you'll also feel as if you've gained some new friends you'll never forget.
Pinky (Book) - 8/21/2003 6:27:31 PM
You paint a real picture from the past. Been there! Looks like a fast, fun read.
Pinky (Book) - 8/18/2003 7:44:52 PM
I was in high school in the mid 50's. There was this girl...well you get the idea. Brings back bunches of memories. This book is going to bring back memories to lots of people. It reads quickly, and will bring lots of smiles. And who knows, maybe a tear or two? Good writing, Jay. Well done!
Pinky (Book) - 8/18/2003 5:02:30 PM
Loved the excerpt. Brought back those good old days when life was simpler and kids were innocent. I'm sure after reading this the book is will be a big success.
Pinky (Book) - 8/17/2003 5:45:16 PM
Sounds so familiar, I could have written it myself. Living in California in the late 50s, early 60s, was a sort of mystical place. And a mystical time, where everything was possible. I remember it well.
Sounds like that place and time transferred itself to your computer, via your mind and memory. Good read Jay.
Claudia VanLydegraf
http://notesfromnobody.homestead.com/book.html or look my page up on Authors Den.
Pinky (Book) - 8/17/2003 5:34:10 PM
Many can relate to this excerpt...readable and well written...Looks like a winning comb! Bood luck!
California Hot Rodder (Book) - 5/1/2003 2:53:48 PM
Exciting life...amazing...looks like a must read!
California Hot Rodder (Book) - 4/30/2003 7:26:57 PM
My son wants you to adopt him! I don't want to part with him so I'll just buy him your book and see if that will pacify him! And if I can pry the tome from his grease-stained hands, I'll read it myself because it sounds intriguing!
California Hot Rodder (Book) - 4/8/2003 10:48:13 PM
Jay, I had to come visit your site and now I find that you and my husband would probably get along famously! You have experienced an icon of Americana that most only dream about. Thankfully you have also shared of your experience with us. I will enjoy reading your book - however, I will probably have to fight my husband for it! Abundant blessings!
California Hot Rodder (Book) - 11/14/2002 4:48:02 PM
Sounded like fun living then. Book looks good. Need to put up a chapter for Pinky.
The Blue Butterfly (Short Story) - 5/31/2003 5:08:09 PM
Darn you, Jay! I was my husband's favorite writer until this came along, and it was too good not to share! We both loved it!
The Blue Butterfly (Short Story) - 5/1/2003 2:57:22 PM
Absolutely beautiful story that is well written and one I could read over and over again and will...very nice.
The Blue Butterfly (Short Story) - 4/27/2003 6:35:06 AM
A poignant reminder of our youth and the innocense of those bygone days. Loved it.
The Blue Butterfly (Short Story) - 4/8/2003 11:01:45 PM
Jay, You have an easy style that kept me glued to the end - there's always a teacher or someone like Miss Thompson I think in everyone's life (for me it was the handome Spanish teacher) - that makes it so easy to identify with your story of The Blue Butterfly. Very Enjoyable!
The Blue Butterfly (Short Story) - 10/19/2002 6:52:10 PM
I like your style. Story line is well done, and keeps you hanging, just like the 'blue butterfly'.
