Reviews
Praise for Becoming Clementine : "A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide." -Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomat's Wife "Richly textured, historically evocative, emotionally mesmerizing, Becoming Clementine takes you on a journey through World War II France so gripping you can smell the gun smoke. Niven's deft prose transports readers on a finely blended internal and external voyage, where Velva Jean's physical adventures are as engrossing as her emotional exploration." -Kerry Reichs, author of What You Wish For and Leaving Unknown "Niven has done something I didn't think was possible. She has topped Velva Jean Hart's first two stirring adventures with a third that is an epic-powerful, gripping, tragic, romantic, and inspiring. Becoming Clementine is a page-turner of a story, with its riveting, insightful, on-the-ground perspectives of World War II. The time, the place, and the events are as authentic as Velva Jean herself. Spellbinding." -James Earl Jones, Tony Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning actor Praise for Velva Jean Learns to Fly : Featured on Los Angeles Magazine''s "To Read" list for August 2011 Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review "An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart- Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go." -Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt "Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven''s writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013." - Booklist, starred review "Readers who enjoy Fannie Flagg and other down-home Southern writers will be entertained by this saucy adventure sprinkled with a gamut of human emotions." - Library Journal "A tasteful blend of comedy, inspiration, and endurance…. filled with love, despair, and life-threatening adventures. Niven delivers another tale full of hope, heartbreak, and nostalgia in this sequel to Velva Jean Learns to Drive ." - Publishers Weekly "A very special World War II novel…. Jennifer Niven's ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail." - Southern Literary Review Praise for Velva Jean Learns to Drive "A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "In this story Jennifer Niven creates a world long gone, a mountain past where people suffer failure, loss, and betrayal, as well as the strength and joy of connection and deep love. Velva Jean Learns to Drive takes us far into this soaring, emotional country, the place where our best music comes from." -Robert Morgan, author of Gap Creek "A fluid storyteller." - Wall Street Journal "Spirited." - Parade, PRAISE FOR AMERICAN BLONDE : "Jennifer Niven is a stunning talent. Like Elmore Leonard, she''s such a sneaky good writer that you might not notice what she''s up to. On one level, American Blonde is a crackling thriller that will keep you up all night until the pieces of the plot come together. At the same time, it''s an elegantly written, impressively researched novel that makes idealism, heroism, and a romantic era come to life. Either way, it''s a total knockout." -Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Get Capone, Luckiest Man , and Opening Day "Fans will relish this latest installment in the adventures of Velva Jean." - Booklist "American Blonde is utterly enthralling from the first page to the last, thanks to the magic of Jennifer Niven''s lovely writing, and the riveting drama of her character''s quest for her dreams and for herself." - Rosemary Harris, Tony Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning actress "Niven captures perfectly the artificiality of Hollywood and the iron grip of the studio system in the 1940s." -Historical Novel Society "Every moment of American Blonde sparkles with wit, excitement, and historical accuracy." -North Valley Magazine " American Blonde: A Novel is wonderfully constructed, with an amazingly shocking end showing the story to be a great thriller as well as a work of romance and historical fiction. Highly recommended." -Crystal Book Review "Velva Jean is a spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice." -Reading Lark " American Blonde mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery." -ARe Café "It's an exciting book that paints a vivid picture of the movie industry of the time . . . Velva Jean is a brave, smart and loyal woman."-Bookworm is my Totem"If you're a fan of Hollywood's Golden Age there's plenty for you here [with a] murder mystery . . . good enough to hold your interest even if you're not fascinated by the machinations of the studio system." -Verity Reads Books PRAISE FOR BECOMING CLEMENTINE : "A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide." -Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomat's Wife PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY : Featured on Los Angeles Magazine''s "To Read" list for August 2011 Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review "An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart- Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go." -Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt "Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven''s writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013." - Booklist, starred review "A very special World War II novel…. Jennifer Niven's ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail." - Southern Literary Review PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE : An August 2009 Indie Next Pick A Summer 2010 Indie Next Reader''s Group "Top Ten" Pick A Costco Pick (Pennie''s Book Pick of the Month for August 2009) "A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "A fluid storyteller." - Wall Street Journal "Spirited." - Parade, Praise for Jennifer Niven and Her Novels "A stunning talent. Like Elmore Leonard, [Niven]'s such a sneaky good writer that you might not notice what she's up to. On one level, American Blonde is a crackling thriller that will keep you up all night until the pieces of the plot come together. At the same time, it's an elegantly written, impressively researched novel that makes idealism, heroism, and a romantic era come to life. Either way, it's a total knockout."--Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Get Capone, Luckiest Man , and Opening Day "Fans will relish this latest installment in the adventures of Velva Jean." -- Booklist "Utterly enthralling from the first page to the last, thanks to the magic of Jennifer Niven's lovely writing, and the riveting drama of her character's quest for her dreams and for herself."-- Rosemary Harris, Tony-and-Emmy Award-winning actress "Captures perfectly the artificiality of Hollywood and the iron grip of the studio system in the 1940s." -- Historical Novel Society "Every moment sparkles with wit, excitement, and historical accuracy." --North Valley Magazine "Wonderfully constructed, with an amazingly shocking end showing the story to be a great thriller as well as a work of romance and historical fiction. Highly recommended."--Crystal Book Review "A spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice."--Reading Lark "Mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery."--ARe Café "It's an exciting book that paints a vivid picture of the movie industry of the time...Velva Jean is a brave, smart and loyal woman."--Bookworm is my Totem "If you're a fan of Hollywood's Golden Age there's plenty for you here [with a] murder mystery . . . good enough to hold your interest even if you're not fascinated by the machinations of the studio system."--Verity Reads Books, PRAISE FOR BECOMING CLEMENTINE : "A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide." -Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomat's Wife PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY : Featured on Los Angeles Magazine's "To Read" list for August 2011 Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review "An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart- Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go." -Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt "Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven's writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013." - Booklist, starred review "A very special World War II novel…. Jennifer Niven's ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail." - Southern Literary Review PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE : An August 2009 Indie Next Pick A Summer 2010 Indie Next Reader's Group "Top Ten" Pick A Costco Pick (Pennie's Book Pick of the Month for August 2009) "A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "A fluid storyteller." - Wall Street Journal "Spirited." - Parade, Author of the New York Times bestsellers All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe "A stunning talent. Like Elmore Leonard, [Niven]''s such a sneaky good writer that you might not notice what she''s up to. On one level, American Blonde is a crackling thriller that will keep you up all night until the pieces of the plot come together. At the same time, it''s an elegantly written, impressively researched novel that makes idealism, heroism, and a romantic era come to life. Either way, it''s a total knockout." --Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Get Capone, Luckiest Man , and Opening Day "Fans will relish this latest installment in the adventures of Velva Jean." -- Booklist "Utterly enthralling from the first page to the last, thanks to the magic of Jennifer Niven''s lovely writing, and the riveting drama of her character''s quest for her dreams and for herself." -- Rosemary Harris, Tony-and-Emmy Award-winning actress "Captures perfectly the artificiality of Hollywood and the iron grip of the studio system in the 1940s." --Historical Novel Society "Every moment sparkles with wit, excitement, and historical accuracy." --North Valley Magazine "Wonderfully constructed, with an amazingly shocking end showing the story to be a great thriller as well as a work of romance and historical fiction. Highly recommended." --Crystal Book Review "A spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice." --Reading Lark "Mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery." --ARe Café "It''s an exciting book that paints a vivid picture of the movie industry of the time . . . Velva Jean is a brave, smart and loyal woman."--Bookworm is my Totem "If you''re a fan of Hollywood''s Golden Age there''s plenty for you here [with a] murder mystery . . . good enough to hold your interest even if you''re not fascinated by the machinations of the studio system." --Verity Reads Books PRAISE FOR BECOMING CLEMENTINE : "A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide." --Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomat''s Wife PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY : Featured on Los Angeles Magazine''s "To Read" list for August 2011 Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review "An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart-- Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go." --Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt "Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven''s writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013." -- Booklist, starred review "A very special World War II novel.... Jennifer Niven''s ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail." -- Southern Literary Review PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE : An August 2009 Indie Next Pick A Summer 2010 Indie Next Reader''s Group "Top Ten" Pick A Costco Pick (Pennie''s Book Pick of the Month for August 2009) "A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O''Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "A fluid storyteller." -- Wall Street Journal "Spirited." -- Parade, EARLY PRAISE FOR AMERICAN BLONDE : "Jennifer Niven is a stunning talent. Like Elmore Leonard, she's such a sneaky good writer that you might not notice what she's up to. On one level, American Blonde is a crackling thriller that will keep you up all night until the pieces of the plot come together. At the same time, it's an elegantly written, impressively researched novel that makes idealism, heroism, and a romantic era come to life. Either way, it's a total knockout." -Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Get Capone, Luckiest Man , and Opening Day PRAISE FOR BECOMING CLEMENTINE : "A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide." -Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomat's Wife PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY : Featured on Los Angeles Magazine's "To Read" list for August 2011 Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review "An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart- Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go." -Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt "Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven's writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013." - Booklist, starred review "A very special World War II novel…. Jennifer Niven's ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail." - Southern Literary Review PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE : An August 2009 Indie Next Pick A Summer 2010 Indie Next Reader's Group "Top Ten" Pick A Costco Pick (Pennie's Book Pick of the Month for August 2009) "A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "A fluid storyteller." - Wall Street Journal "Spirited." - Parade
