Carousel Grift

A Novel

By: David Lane Williams

Narrated by: Jules Taylor

Callie Wind, single mom and owner of a quirky Texas amusement park, dreams of a carousel life, but her dead patriarch is determined to keep her on a chaotic thrill ride. He delights in their spectral arguments from beyond the grave.

Her estranged daughter Sophie—now a televangelist with a knack for pyramid schemes—wriggles her way back into Callie's life with plans to turn the park into a shrine to her own ego. Caught between the old man's ghostly antics and Sophie's snake oil scams, Callie's life is like snow cone syrup on pony droppings.

Meanwhile, Toribio, a sweet immigrant who once delivered Sophie in a pickup truck, has harbored a secret decades-long love for Callie. But letting go of the past isn't easy for Callie, especially when love means risking her heart all over again. Enter Luz, an angelic gardener of happily-ever-after's only Callie can see, sprinkling bubbly wisdom like powdered sugar on a funnel cake while lighting a path to forgiveness.

Get ready for a laugh-out-loud journey through family feuds and magical second chances—where Callie might just discover that happiness is only a paint-chipped carousel ride away.

©2025 Black Rose Writing (P)2025 Black Rose Writing

Critic reviews

“H--y hell!!!! I LOVED THIS!! Seriously, so, so glad I sat down to read this afternoon. Pure gold!” –Laura Kaste Broullire, The Women's Fiction Writers Association

Enjoyed

I really enjoyed this book. It was quite different than other authors i listen to

What a fun story!

This was a fun read loaded with quirky yet down-home characters. Interesting details, metaphors and twists. Writer captures small town Texas with all its charm and warts and expertly weaves them into a compelling narrative.

Occasional Hints of McMurtry

The narrator overdid the "hick" accents, not doing the story any favors. The story itself had hints of McMurtry in the characters, but periodically got lost. Whoever edited the story needs to up their game, as well.

Overall, I wish I hadn't used a credit on it, but if it shows up free on the Audible Plus catalog, the story isn't a complete waste of time.