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Elizabeth Horton-Newton
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Alternative history, suspense and a great love story too!

2/18/2016

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4.0 out of 5 stars 
By Xkoqueen on February 18, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
View from the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale by Elizabeth Horton-Newton is an alternate-history, romantic, thriller. I know that sounds like a lot to throw into one book, but Newton did it, and she did it well.
View from the Sixth Floor takes place in 2013, the fiftieth anniversary of Kennedy's death. The story is told in a first-person narrative by recent widow, Oliva Roberts. The tone has a chatty feel like that of a cozy mystery. She becomes obsessed with the idea of traveling to Dallas to learn more about President Kennedy’s assassination. She convinces Bill, her next door neighbor and late husband’s good friend, to accompany her on this road trip (Bill had promised Oliva’s husband he would take care of her after his death, and he is currently her best male friend and confidante.).
Once these two hit the road, the story really takes off! The other thing that takes off is Oliva and Bill’s relationship. They quickly grow from friends to lovers while on the road to Dallas. It was refreshing to read a story about a second- chance-at-love romance between two senior citizens. As their relationship heats up, so does the intrigue when Bill reveals a dark secret about himself. I won’t spoil the read by offering any more details!
I liked how Olivia blossomed from sad, tentative widow into a passionate, plucky, independent woman. What I didn’t like about Olivia was her attitude about spending time with other women. During her weekend away with two girlfriends, it becomes clear that she is one of those women who don’t enjoy the company of other women.
Secondary character, Judy, was a delightful and funny addition to the story. Her role is very small, but I enjoyed this character immensely.
Like a cozy mystery, the plot is slow at the start as the characters are introduced and the story premise is defined, but the pace does pick up. Olivia’s repeated proclamation that she loves Bill regardless of his past made me feel she was desperate for a man in her life.
View from the Sixth Floor is not your typical JKF conspiracy theory story. Newton has tastefully and compassionately written a story that focuses many of the people impacted by the events that took place in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. More romance than mystery or a thriller, View from the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale is creative and well-written. I would recommend it to those who enjoy conspiracy theories, alternative history, mature romance or suspense.
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Good plot, good character development and an over all ...

2/13/2016

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By Pygmy Amazon Reviews on February 12, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

This book grabbed me and didn't let go. I was completely immersed into an intriguing plot and interesting characters. The first person narrative was superbly executed. This a "what if" fiction surrounding the conspiracy theories about the assassination of JFK. Fifty years after the assassination someone knows what really happened that day and it isn't what anyone else thinks. Well done! Good plot, good character development and an over all good read. Appropriate for ages 16 plus.
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An unlikely romantic figure.

2/10/2016

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5.0 out of 5 stars
By The Minter on February 10, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Since the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, countless conspiracy theories have emerged. Many of them center around the fact that Lee Harvey Oswald was, at the very least, not the lone gunman. Looking into it myself, I have read that some even claim the fatal shot was fired accidentally by one of JFK’s own bodyguards. Regardless of what actually happened that fateful day, November 22, 1963, it doesn’t change the fact that America lost one of its most memorable presidents. It also doesn’t change the fact the fact that Lee Harvey Oswald remains one of American history’s most enigmatic figures. Elizabeth N. Newton, in her speculative historical fiction thriller View from the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale, presents an alternate theory to the JFK assassination while spinning an exciting story of romance, adventure, and intrigue.

Olivia Roberts turns to her neighbor and friend, Bill Horton, after the sudden death of her husband. Olivia (“Livvy”) seems to have mixed feelings about her husband’s death. While mostly she speaks highly of him, there are times she described her marriage as stifling and even hints that he was domineering and occasionally abusive. Nonetheless, her friendship with Bill quickly turns into a mutual attraction. When Livvy tells Bill that she wants to go to Dallas to learn more about the JKF assassination (a topic that has suddenly become of deep interest to her), Bill at first tries to talk her out of it and then reluctantly offers to go with her. In the weeks leading up to the trip, strange things start happening in her neighborhood: a van is parked at the end of her block, two men posing as home-security salesmen try to enter her home. Strangest of all, Bill has walked miles in the middle of the night to a drugstore and called her to pick him up from there. Livvy seems to be in denial about her friend’s odd behavior, refusing to believe that he is anyone other than her old friend and neighbor. She trusts him unconditionally even after finding out about his past. During the trip, she will find out that Bill is not only not who Livvy thought he was, he holds the power to tear apart everything America thought they knew about the government and the alter the course of American history.

The biggest plot twist is not very surprising, but the aftermath will keep you glued to your Kindle. With the exception of some strange events in the neighborhood, the first half of the novel is filled with fairly mundane descriptions of daily activities. It starts off slow but picks up about a third of the way through. The reader is simultaneously watching Bill and Livvy’s romance unfold and watching one of the most infamous events in American history scrutinized up-close. Sixth Floor is special because it tells the story of regular people against the backdrop of history and because it romanticizes and humanizes unlikely people.

There are a few loose ends Mrs. Newton forgot to address (such as the identity of the two women seen entering Bill’s home), but overall I think readers will be satisfied with this novel’s ending. She is not trying to rewrite history, but rather present a “what if” scenario. For that reason, I believe she chose to wrap up the more personal ending and leave the bigger historical ending open. Livvy comes across as a tad bit gullible and wishy-washy, but is still really likeable. Bill is marvelous as her star-struck, protective neighbor and friend.

Sixth Floor can benefit from a professional formatting and a punctuation check. They don’t distract from the read, but will make the book appear more polished.

Overall, a strongly recommended read. Check it out today!
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