Vacation time is my favorite time for reading – no distractions, no housework, no responsibilities that count. I had a glorious week on a Hawaiian beach, pretending it was summer. If not for the sun’s glare on my iPad, my adventure in reading would have been perfect.
Note to summer readers: stock up on paperbacks!
One of the books that flew west with me was Sally Cronin’s Just an Odd Job Girl. In more ways than one, it’s a great summer story.
A quick read at 156 pages, the book begins with an older Imogen. At 50, she’s on her own, traded-in by her husband for a younger “fast-tracker.” After 25 years of raising children and keeping house, she feels frumpy and bored, and decides to find a job.
The temp agency asks for a resume of her work experience, and all she has is a long list of pre-marriage odd jobs, starting with a summer stint as a teenager at a seaside gift kiosk and rambling through temporary positions with a dental office, department store, bar, funeral parlor, boys school, and country inn.
As the reader joins Imogene on a reflective journey through her odd jobs, it’s impossible not to laugh at her antics, the colorful characters she meets along the way, and the predicaments she gets herself into and out of. What I enjoyed most, was young Imogene’s humanity. She’s a wonderful combination of funny, compassionate, resourceful, and fearless. I couldn’t wait to see the fix she got into next.
In addition to laughs, Just an Odd Job Girl has a lovely message for young adults as well as those of us getting on in age: that life is full of opportunities, that wonderful people are everywhere, and that you are never to old to grow. Get your copy for the beach or backyard hammock. You won’t be disappointed.
Buy Just an Odd Job Girl book HERE
About the Author
By her own admission, Sally Cronin has led an eclectic life, and I suspect there’s a bit of Imogene in her history. She’s written short stories and poetry since a young age and started publishing her work in 1996 when she combined her experience as a Nutritional Therapist with her love of writing. Over the last ten years, Sally’s talent has delivered nine titles and a wonderfully active blog.
Follow Sally:
Blog: Smorgasbord Invitation
Twitter
Facebook: Sally Cronin
Facebook: Sally Georgina Cronin
Linkedin
Myths of the Mirror 
Thank you so much for sharing, D! 🙂
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I have another one tomorrow, it I can get it written today 🙂 Thanks for the comment. Have a great week.
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Hooray! Delighted to read this excellent review of Sally’s book here, Diana. Sally spends so much time supporting the rest of us Indies and our books, it’s nice to see her on the receiving end for a change. Sounds like a fabulous fun read! 😁
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Thank you Ali.. and I am on the receiving end every day with you guys.. hugs XX
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Sally is a hero in my book…and a talented wordsmith as well. Thanks so much for the comment 🙂 Your book is up next!
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Yikes! Wish I didn’t know that! 😨
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Ha ha ha 🙂 It’ll be fine.
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Lol to the paperback thing – I have a kindle and an iPad for that reason – iPad for reading at night in bed so I can dim the screen and the kindle so I can read on the beach and not carry 14 books with me.
Lovely review I must read some of Sally’s stuff. 😍
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Thanks Sacha.. I like to read in the bath… with a glass of wine… and it took me a while to get used to reading my Kobo rather than a paperback as I was terrified I would drop it.. I do have a very fancy ereader waterproof cover but could never swipe through the plastic.
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Thanks for the comment, Sacha. Are kindles that good outside? I never really believed it. If so, I know what I’m asking for come Christmas 🙂
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I think authors we meet make us feel better connected to the books we read by them. Thank you, Diana for featuring Sally’s book. “The Odd Job Girl” sounds like my kind of girl! I like down to earth stories which bring humorous and interesting plot lines to change the characters lives. 🙂
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This book does exactly that, Robin. And I agree about how fun it is to read books from authors we “know.” My goal is that every other book I read will be from an indie author 🙂
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Thank you Robin..I have to say that I drew on a fair amount of personal experience so enjoyed the process. It was my first novel and it delights me that people find entertaining.
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I am so happy you utilized pleasant parts of your past to create this interesting and humorous book. I tend to take a list of authors and books to the library to have them consider ordering them. They have Requisition Forms for books or videos. I will add this to my list!
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Thank you that is very kind. Appreciate the support.
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Sounds like a good one 🙂 Glad you got some good chill time on vacation!
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I needed it. Still managed to write 4 hours a day 🙂
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Amazing!!
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It really sounds like a fun, different read. I’ll look it up for sure 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing.
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Thank you for visiting and commenting. If you get around to it, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 🙂
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I’m an “Odd Jobs Girl” too only, I describe myself as a woman of many hats. I used to view my jack-of-all-trades status as a negative but I now, view it as a positive. I’m thankful to have had to opportunity to try so many things and in all of them, I found a place to express my art. In fact, the more drudgery I was forced to endure, the greater creativity in me rose to take me beyond the mere accomplishment of a repetitive task. Thank you for sharing this summary and it is something, I want to read when and if I go on vacation.:0)
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How great the “drudgery” inspired your creativity. It just goes to show that we can make lemonade out of lemons if we have the right attitude. Thanks for the visit, Pam 🙂
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Adversity reveals who we are.:0) I love visiting your blog.
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Thank you, Pam ❤
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Thank you Joy.. I did not go to university and worked my way up through a number of jobs and industries. It was tough at times but I developed so many different skills and was blessed with supportive and very capable managers as role models. I look back with fondness.
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A lack of opportunity for formal education doesn’t mean one is uneducated. I look back with many different feelings but I know that I have learned a lot.:0)
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Great post! I loved the posts you did showing us your trip! Sounds like a lovely time!
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Thank you, Lynz. Good to be home too. Plus I was going broke! I loved my reading time though. Have a great week and thanks for the visit 🙂
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This sounds like a great read. Thank you, Diana, for sharing. Off to add it to my TBR list!
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You’re welcome. I read so much fantasy that it’s fun to dive into something different 🙂 I know, those TBR piles grow faster than we can read them!
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Glad you like the sound of it Julie.. thanks.
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This sounds like a perfect read for my Easter holidays – I never want anything too scary for the weeks in the forest! I look forward to catching up with Imogene then. Lovely book review, Diana and isn’t the book cover beautiful and eye-catching?!
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Perfect for the holiday, Annika. I think you’ll enjoy it. Yes, a light-hearted cover to go with a light-hearted story. 🙂
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Thanks for the comments on the cover Annika.. Luckily I sleep with my book designer! After 36 years he is pretty good at turning my vision into a reality. Enjoy your Easter holidays.
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I never thought of that as a way to get a great cover! Ha ha ha 😀
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks for spreading the word, Kate! A great read.
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If more importance were given to home life and responsibilities of the family (one or two parents) then I think more respect would follow. Most old folks don’t want to be in a nursing home, therefore, why do we think kids would prefer morning and after school care, instead of playing or relaxing at home. Would we adults want to go somewhere before work and then after work and finally get home exhausted? No. We should give more attention and time to what is important instead of our need to have it all. We can have it all just not at the same time. I do understand about two folks working to provide when necessary. Most likely many people stay together for monetary reasons.Somehow this was about managing. Lol. Sorry to ramble on. I hope to read one of your books this year! Writing has been fun, my hobby that costs only time and little money.
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Thanks for the comment, Kim. Writing is certainly a wonderful vocation, and you’re right, it doesn’t cost much! Happy writing an reading 🙂
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Sorry. Soooo many books. I want to read them all (forever catch up?) 😀
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Me too, Tess. It’s a good problem 🙂
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It’s funny you mentioned the glare–when I went to the beach a couple of years ago, the plan was to sit out there and read on my Kindle and, yes, the glare did make it difficult. We ended up renting one of those loungers with an umbrella and voila–reading time perfected!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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I just covered my head with a towel, Stephanie. I didn’t get a speck of sun and I probably looked like a nut, but I got to read! (It was too windy to open the umbrellas or I might have gone that route). 🙂 Thanks for the visit!
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Sounds like a wonderful, fun book…I will try to add it to my summer list. Thanks!
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I didn’t know what to expect and it ended up being total fun. Moves quickly and suddenly it’s over. A definite for a lazy summer day 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
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Sure thing. ..you have a great week also 🙂
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The review is wonderful. Hope to get to this book before I’m completely gray. ❤ ❤ ❤
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It made me very happy Tess.. good to see the book in the spotlight.. hugs
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Indeed! ❤ ❤
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You’ll enjoy it, Tess. Sally is a champ for the indie community. It was a pleasure to read one of her books and share the joy 🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Delighted to have started the month with a wonderful review for Just an Odd Job Girl from Diana.. D. Wallace Peach author of Myths of the Mirror and other fantasy fiction.
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A great read, Sally. Happy March!
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[…] Source: Review: Just an Odd Job Girl […]
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It sounds like a good read, thank you for sharing it. I am always on the look out for good books.
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Yes, a fun one and quick for when you just want to relax and enjoy. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
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Thank you very much… it is always good to hear that. Diana’s review certainly helped build the book up delightfully. best wishes Sally
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This does sound like a fun one. Especially the funeral home part.
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You! The funeral home wasn’t as eerie as you might imagine, Mike. Just more interesting characters – live ones! Thanks for the visit 🙂
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I didn’t imagine it as eerie. I figured it would be filled with a bit of dark humor.
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Much more cheerful, Mike. The story is more on the heartwarming side. 😀
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Maybe your mom used it to fight off a bear.
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You are so funny. This comment confused me, Red Squirrel. I think you were replying to my comment on your blog! Right? Ha ha.
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Dang it! Yes.
And maybe she did.
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The Christmas party in the funeral party was going great in real life until there was a knock on the door……. best wishes Sally
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A great post and I’m heading over to Amazon right now to download a copy of Sally’s book to my kindle. Thanks, D. Looking forward to the read, Sally! 🙂
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It was a fun read, Bette. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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Thanks Bette that is really kind of you.. I hope you enjoy.. love and hugs Sally
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My Gosh..that’s me..the odd job girl! 😕 Funny how I spend my days “running around” doing a million (ok, maybe twelve or so) “odd jobs” and yet never feel like I have anything concrete to show for it.
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Well, pick up the book, Cindy, and you’ll see how fabulous your odd jobs truly are. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Yeah..I need some validation for sure..haha! One more reason I keep a to-do list these days so I can show my husband that I didn’t spend the day lost in a twitter vortex or watching The Price is Right! Even if the entire morning was chewed up returning stuff to Home Depot and Target..😐 – I mean somebody has to do it!
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I can relate. I was just at Home Depot this afternoon!! 🙂
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I think most of us are ‘odd job girls’ taxi drivers, shopping runs, laundry, the odd bit of writing! Still life would be much more boring without them. Thanks for the comment.. best wishes Sally
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This book sounds so colourful and insightful, also so enjoyable to read on a holiday. “Just an Odd Job Girl” is a quirky title. Might have to get my hands on this one. You generally want lighthearted stuff for holidays 🙂 Glad you had a great time in Hawaii, Diane, accompanied by sunshine and a good read.
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Thanks, Lenora. It would be a great read for the holidays. Nothing gloomy here and some good laughs. Imogene is a character you’ll root for 🙂
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Oh I do love a book with some good laughs tucked in for good measure 🙂
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Thanks very much.. glad you liked the title. It involved a dinner party and a bottle or two too many Rioja’s if I remember! best wishes Sally
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Sounds like quite the party which yielded something worthwhile too! 🙂
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This sounds wonderful, and so close to my own experience, though I was able to get some experience during my marriage that I am now building upon.
I love your review and would probably love the book, but I really can’t start a new book for another 3 months! Too much to do, barely enough time to read your beautiful posts!
Another time 🙂
(I’ll see if I can put it on a wish list somewhere to remember to buy it later 🙂 )
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Thanks for the visit, Dawn. I know how time to read can be a real challenge. I was never an odd job girl, but it made me want to be! Hmm… Yes, put it on the wish list for someday when you are looking for a quick read 🙂 Have a great week!
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Thank you Dawn and delighted you thought it looked interesting. I know the problem finding time to read.. my TBR is now out the door and round the block.. thanks very much Sally
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Well, I just started a course for professional development a month ago, trying to get some degree that shows that I’m not just an odd job girl, but do have qualifications. And work has started to take off as well, add to that kids and a divorce… I think reading will have to wait until after I’m done with the course at least 🙂
But I love Diana’s review, and I trust her choices, so I’m sure it’s going to be a delightful read. I wish I knew how to write humour! And I certainly can use some in my life. Your book is now on my wish list on Amazon 🙂
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Thank you Dawn. It is tough juggling life with life skills but it is amazing how much professional development is involved in being a wife and mother and surviving a divorce. I wrote a people management development programme for the first company that I worked for where I managed people and that was forty years ago.. I have updated for every company that I subsequently worked for and most of the updates came from personal experience of people and challenges that everyone faces. I am sure that you would be an asset to any work environment. best wishes Sally
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Thank you. If only I could find time to write these cover letters soon 😉
I’m hoping to get to it before the end of the week, but…
Ah, well, the good news is that I know I’m not bad at what I do, it’s just tough convincing an employer without a degree. So… I’m filling that gap 🙂
But I agree, managing a ‘small family business’ teaches a lot about life. Getting through a divorce and looking for love does too. I’m busy 😉
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