Whistling Women

By: Kelly Romo

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella

Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she's been running from dark memories ever since. For 15 years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world's fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.

Addie isn't the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it's not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.

Set against the backdrop of the 1935 world's fair, Whistling Women explores the complex relationships between sisters, the sacrifices required to protect family, and the devastating consequences of a single impulsive act.

©2015 Kelly Romo (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Unique Historical Fiction

Would you consider the audio edition of Whistling Women to be better than the print version?

I love having audiobooks for my ride to work. I prefer the print version however so that i can create my own voice for the characters.

What does Nicol Zanzarella bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nicol brings a great sense of rhythm and personality.

If you could take any character from Whistling Women out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would love to go to dinner with Rumor. Her witty sense of humor and independence is infectious and relatable to me.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, It is a unique setting for a historical fiction novel. I felt completely immersed in the time and setting. I was pleasantly surprised to find out there really was a nudist colony at the San Diego worlds fair! I think Kelly Romo really brought together niche aspects of history that are normally untold. I really appreciate the writing and I loved the story. It had so many characters that were relatable and brought up topics that are sometimes hard to talk about even in todays society. Thank you Kelly Romo for an out of the norm reading experience. Loved it to the last page, I have even purchased the hard copy to keep on my shelf. This was a beautiful sisters story.

Wish I could give negative stars

What disappointed you about Whistling Women?

The characters were the most disappointing aspect of this book. I felt like I was reading a re-enactment of a bad junior high school play. All of the characters came across the stage without any grace and without the audience knowing anything about them, saying the lines you knew they were going to say. They were all so two dimensional, trite, and unoriginal.

What could Kelly Romo have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

An original story, characters, and ending would have been great for this book.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicol Zanzarella’s performances?

On top of an already cheesy story, characters, and plot, the narrator made this even more cheesy (didn't know it was possible) and was excruciating to listen to.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Whistling Women?

The whole angle of the nudist colony was ridiculous and ultimately unimportant to story, it was only there to try to make it original on the facade.