Blog Archives
Timeless Pages
Timeless Pages, by Eddie Sullivan and co-authored by Nancy Sullivan, is a well-crafted narrative that intricately explores themes of love, loss, and the journey of self-discovery. The narrative centers around Diana, a character who delves into her history, navigating through a sea of memories and emotionally charged experiences. Central to her story is her relationship with Michael, a soldier, and the challenges his absence poses. Set against the backdrop of the Holiday House and infused with the theme of photography, a passion shared by Diana and her mother, Madalena, the book vividly captures various stages of Diana’s life.
Sullivan’s writing style is distinguished by its rich descriptive language, which skillfully crafts a visual experience for the reader. The adept use of similes and metaphors enhances the vivid portrayal of settings and characters, adding a profound depth to the narrative. The development of characters in Timeless Pages is notably thorough and layered. Each character is presented as a fully realized individual with distinct emotional landscapes and histories. The portrayal of Diana, for example, is particularly striking. Her emotional struggles, including loneliness and discontent, are effectively communicated through her interactions with music, offering a window into her inner world. Furthermore, Sullivan’s use of dialogue is critical in revealing the characters’ personalities and dynamics, advancing the plot, and elucidating their motivations.
Timeless Pages is a poignant and deeply human story that delves into the complexities of emotions and relationships. Through Sullivan’s lyrical prose and rich character development, the book emerges as an engaging read that resonates deeply with readers who appreciate stories of love, loss, and the intricacies of the human condition. This novel stands as a tribute to the enduring impact of storytelling in capturing and conveying the multifaceted nature of human experiences.
Pages: 345 | ASIN : B0CNYHHYHT
Love, Loyalty and Support
Unforgettable follows three young women who were adopted by a doctor and his wife as children as they celebrate his life and accomplishments on the anniversary of his death. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Having some regrets about not having children later in my life, this story came from different fantasies I have had of having children.
This novella pays tribute to the women and girls whose lives were ended by gun violence and other tragedies. What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
While channel surfing, I came across last year the Parkland School Shooter sentencing trial. The grief of the parents whose children were murdered openly expressed in the court affected me. One had to be made of solid stone not to be deeply touched by the parents talking about the wonderful children they lost. I found writing this story helped me deal with those very sad feelings. In my story the children survive. They lose their birth parents but find themselves in a new family with a childless couple eager to be their parents who give them a firehose of love and support to grow into thriving adults.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was drawn to the bittersweet conflicting feelings of the adopted children of their feelings of grief, painfully missing their deceased mothers versus their love, loyalty, and appreciation of each other and their adoptive parents in their new family.
The story also allowed me to express my strong opinions on many of the political and social issues of these times. These include teaching our children tolerance of others different from ourselves, the tragic consequences of DWI and reckless driving, child abuse and gun safety. Dr. Ross struggled to save his daughter from a long-term debilitating terminal illness. I wanted to bring attention to the fact that there are real genetic illnesses like Sanfilippo Syndrome that don’t get the attention they need to find cures because they are rare where a child literally wastes away over ten to fifteen years leading ultimately to death.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Charles Dickens, starting in the 1840, popularized issuing his classic books chapter by chapter in installments in the many weekly and monthly magazines of the day. Not being grandiose, I wanted to do the same, having this story continue in installments. In the coming ones, more detail about all the characters will be filled in. I would also like to use these stories to have the adoptive parents teach these children the values I would want to teach my children. The three ten-year-olds will be followed into adulthood as they struggle with choosing careers, finding their lifetime loves, and having their own children. All of this will be against the backdrop of dealing with the trauma they all experienced in losing their birth mothers. Their fierce love, loyalty and support of each other remain a central theme of their relationship.
Unforgettable
In Unforgettable by David J. Cook, readers are introduced to the poignant journey of the Ross family, notably the Ross sisters, affectionately dubbed the ‘three Musketeers.’ The narrative unfolds on the somber anniversary of their father’s passing, weaving a tale that celebrates his legacy in medicine and his profound influence on his family.
Cook masterfully depicts the reserved yet altruistic nature of Daniel Ross, who, in a heroic act, saves twin girls from a tragic car accident, an event that leads to their adoption by Daniel and his wife, Jade. The addition of Stephanie, a classmate of the twins who has endured abuse, completes the Ross family, setting them on a path of mutual healing and compassion. What sets Unforgettable apart is its deft handling of complex themes like gender identity, therapeutic healing, and coping with loss, all within a concise span of fewer than 50 pages. Cook introduces characters like Robin, a transgender child, using their experiences to weave lessons of acceptance and respect seamlessly into the narrative. This book not only provides a heartwarming exploration of family dynamics and personal growth but also actively contributes to current societal conversations. Cook’s clear, straightforward writing style enhances the depth and relatability of the characters and their interrelationships, keeping readers engaged and invested in their stories.
Unforgettable emerges as a compelling tale of familial bonds, resilience, and empathy. It’s a recommended read for those seeking a narrative rich in emotional depth and social relevance. As the inaugural book in a series, it sets a promising stage for the continued adventures of the ‘Three Musketeers.’
Pages: 66 | ASIN : B0CKHQFHFK
The Road Renounced
Packing up her father’s effects ahead of his funeral, Sam Ryan’s daughter discovers her grandmother’s diary. Her reading takes us on a twisting journey through history – WWI, the Spanish flu, prohibition, and the depression. Moving back and forth between the present and the past, from the USA to Belgium, Kaye Schmitz’s The Road Renounced straddles time and space. Finally, the worlds converge when her grandfather, an aspiring baseball player, goes to war and, once more, briefly, at her father’s funeral. By then, we know a whole lot about her grandparents’ life that the narrator wisely chooses not to tell the rest of the family.
One would expect a book that presents graphic scenes of war, alcoholism, spousal abuse, and suicide to be depressing. Not this one. The Road Renounced is a pleasure to read from start to finish. The opening “Letter to My Readers” pulls readers in immediately because Kaye Schmitz talks to them like an old friend, just like Maude writes in her diary. “Who would have thought a diary from a hundred years ago would have kept you glued like this?” (305) The narrator’s curiosity and compassion compel readers to read on. They might even do just as she did, for example, searching on Google for a song her father sang.
Weaving family history, homage, and meticulous research, Schmitz creates engaging scenes with a Forrest Gump effect – recognizable historical moments revisited with a fictional character present. Need to know where historical fact ends and fiction begins? Check out the detailed “Author’s note” at the novel’s end. The structure is masterful. Logical devices bridge the spatial gap till our Americans arrive in Europe. And then there is the trunk to link the past and present. There are concerns about women’s rights, war and patriotism, parental responsibilities, self-esteem, and mental health. Readers will be left with much to consider as they follow along on this journey with the protagonist.
The Road Renounced is a gripping drama and family saga that takes historical events and gives them a personal touch. Readers will find themselves drawn into the lives of this family as they learn about their past, good and bad, and are compelled to see the story through and learn who these people really are.
Pages: 440 | ASIN : B0BLVVVJYJ
LITERARY TITAN 