⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Congratulations on The Baloney Trail, a story filled with memorable characters, indelible scenes, authentic dialogue, and unforgettable details that pulls readers into the scenes and helps them empathize with the human condition in a manner reminiscent of Steinbeck.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Modern Steinbeck & Great Read! A wonderfully engaging, well written saga that will sweep you along into a world worthy of comparison to Steinbeck. I can't praise this writer enough for bringing such a great work to the public! I can't wait to see where this saga will lead next. I highly recommend it as more than just a good read!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A gem of a book that has all the hallmarks of a bestseller. John Steinbeck meets Raymond Carver! I simply loved this book. It's by far one of the best things I've read in a while. Although I'm British and far removed from the culture and political climate of the 30's in the US, I had no problem relating to the plight and world of the very well drawn and compelling characters - not to mention their snappy evocative dialogue. The fact that the story is also inspired by true events, gives those scenes and moments in the book that additional bedrock of authenticity. Really looking forward to the next instalments. I highly recommend this book."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Super Fantastic! Their story really grabs your attention right from the start. The accounts are vividly described transporting you from your world into theirs. I especially appreciated the historical notes and the attention to detail. The trials and tribulations of uprooting oneself from one area of the country to another and only being able to carry the necessities is something that I can relate to. This book transcends anything that I have recently read and did not want it to end. I eagerly await the next one. Make haste."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I usually read nonfiction. I prefer my entertainment to remain grounded in reality. The fact that this fiction is inspired by true events, gives the book that additional bedrock of authenticity. One of the most engaging works I've read in a while."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Compelling and True to Life! The story brings out the character of the times and locations and weaves an engaging story that draws you in to find out what happens next. The language and phrases used in the book bring to life the colorfulness of the period.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A vivid portrait of Depression-era history. Johnson excels at weaving together rich historical detail, along with immersive colloquial dialogue that never seems to slip, even as it shifts between different regions of America. The familial relationships feel vibrant and authentic, while the undertone of philosophical questions about the Great Depression drives the plot and characters forward. The visceral story and three-dimensional characters make this novel a thoroughly compelling and thought-provoking portrait of the past."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Weighty, insightful, and a literal encounter in authenticity, “Perpetual Gloom” is aptly titled, not only for the darkness the time period encapsulates, but the consistent undertones of despair and hopelessness shrouding the Hornbeck’s and others like them. The parallels between the treatment of oppressed, marginalized, and stigmatized groups in “Perpetual Gloom” and those in today’s society do not go unnoticed.