Dance instructor Carolyn and her husband Ray would like to waltz their way gracefully into retirement. The only thing stopping them is their family...
Step-Ball-Change: A Novel
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From Publishers Weekly
Ray's snappy second novel takes place in a chaotic but comfortable Southern household led by an appealingly down-to-earth matriarch. Caroline McSwain, a dance instructor in her 60s, is sitting down to dinner with her devoted husband, Tom, a public defender, when two phones ring simultaneously to interrupt their rare moment of privacy. Ten minutes later, her estranged, flighty sister, Taffy, newly separated from her husband, has decided to come from Atlanta for an extended visit, with her nasty terrier in tow. And the McSwains' only daughter, Kay, has just gotten engaged to Trey Bennet, a member of Raleigh's bluest-blooded family, but she still hasn't gotten over Jack, a charming district attorney. Meanwhile, Caroline and Tom's home is undergoing what seems like a never-ending renovation, eating up their retirement fund. Kay's wedding plans get complicated (and expensive); Caroline and Taffy start finding common ground; even the terrier calms down, thanks to Woodrow, a contractor who has taken a shine to Taffy. Caroline is an endearing narrator, realistic and self-deprecating; when things start to get out of control, her love for her family helps her to keep things on track. Although Ray (Julie and Romeo) allows the sap level to rise a little too high as the inevitable picture-perfect ending rolls around, she has a gift for lively dialogue that makes the characters (Caroline and Tom especially) snap into place.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
A long-term, happy marriage. The perfect job. And four children who are all successful lawyers. Of course trouble is bound to come Carolyn's way. A follow-up to the surprise hit Julie and Romeo.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:MP3 CD
Listening to Jeanne Ray read her own work is really satisfying. She communicates directly with her listener(s) just as if she were talking to you and bringing you up to date with her life. The Library Journal said it was like spending time with a good friend. It's over far too soon.
This book spins a story of a family facing unforeseen changes. It is full of a philosophy of love and growth and hope and fulfillment.
This book spins a story of a family facing unforeseen changes. It is full of a philosophy of love and growth and hope and fulfillment.
By V. Coulter
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Every time I read a Jeanne Ray book, I'm convinced it's the best book I've read until I read another by her. I didn't want to read Step Ball Change because it was the last book of Ray's that I hadn't read. Unfortunately, I finished it and now have to wait for more by her. This book is such a wonderful book. It made me feel good about people and life. It made me smile. It made me wish for more. I love Jeanne Ray's writing and hope she has many more stories up her sleeve. It's not a sappy, unrealistic book but is more of a collection of stories about life that have a happy ending. Keep writing Ms. Ray!
By momazon
Format:Mass Market Paperback
After the glut of novels about 20-somethings in New York and London who just can't get it together, this novel about a 60-year-old woman hit with the double-whammy of her daughter getting engaged to the town's richest man (while apparently still in love with someone else) and her competitive younger sister wanting to come stay with her when her husband runs off with a younger woman is a welcome change.
Caroline is being hit with love and romance from every angle -- both the rise and decline. Through it all, her own husband is a rock. Her sister Taffy arrives with tons of suitcases and a badly-behaved dog named Stamp, and Caroline discovers that Taffy can dance too (Caroline runs a dance studio.) Taffy wants to work at the studio as a means of working through her pain and suddenly the sisters are actually bonding in their old age.
which is good as both their families go through emotional turmoil --- Caroline's son falls in love, Taffy can't locate her only daughter Holden who is a glamorous movie agent, the house needs constant repair and it looks like the daughter's wedding is going to have a guest list of 1000 -- how will they pay for it???
This is a great book and I look forward to reading the rest of the author's works.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warm & Witty
It was charming from beginning to end, never dull, never over-the-top and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. Read more
Published on April 1 2004 by BarkLessWagMore
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delight!
Jeanne Ray is another author I will be checking to see if she has written another book. This is the second one I've read and I really enjoyed it. Read more
Published on Feb 13 2004 by Busy Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars
She'd better not quit...
I read somewhere that Jeanne Ray only plans to write three books and then quit. I hope not! I don't know what it is about her writing, but I adore it. Read more
Published on Feb 4 2004 by Marilynn Griffith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly delightful!
This is my favorite of Jeanne Ray's books. I'm a writer, too, and when I finished STEP-BALL-CHANGE I thought how much I wished I'd written it, and that's the highest compliment I... Read more
Published on Nov 18 2003 by Patricia Kay
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful family to spend time with
I think everyone reading this book will wish they had a family like Carolina (Minnie) has -- even when her family is creating problems for her, the warmth and love in the household... Read more
Published on Nov 6 2003 by M. C. Crammer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended charming read
Lovely little book. The writing is witty, characters are charming, and I'm sure you'll recognize several of your family members here. Read more
Published on Sep 3 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reads like a chick flick!
This book reads like a chick flick, and that is not a bad thing. The characters were different enough to be exciting, and the story was dramatic only in that which happy ending... Read more
Published on July 21 2003
2.0 out of 5 stars
boring!
very trite book with predictable plotline, too much like Eat Cake in form. Author presents conflict, varying family members come and go, main character is overwhelmed, then learns... Read more
Published on July 9 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A throroughly enjoyable read
This novel was wonderful. I truly did not want it to end. Ray's characters are so vivid and three-dimensional they may as well be living next door. Read more
Published on Jun 11 2003 by Pheebie
5.0 out of 5 stars
step ball change
I was reading slow, I didn't want it to end. I am now looking for more books of Jeanne Ray's. I normaly only read book dating in the 1800's. I loved it
Published on Mar 30 2003 by kori diehl
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