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My Brother’s Keeper
My Brother’s Keeper, by M.D. Nuth, thrusts readers into a vividly portrayed plane crash, experienced through the eyes of the protagonist, Anders, known as Andy. This intense opening to the novel sets the stage for a tale that is both a survival story and a deep dive into complex familial relationships against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion during World War II.
The narrative introduces us to a cast of characters whose personalities and backstories are intricately woven into the fabric of the story. Andy’s strained relationship with his analytical and seemingly cold-hearted brother, Simon, forms a central thread. The tension between the brothers is further complicated by the presence of Shelly, or Ess, who is unaware of Andy’s romantic feelings toward her. These personal dynamics unfold alongside the larger survival drama as the characters must navigate not only their interpersonal issues but also the immediate threats to their safety.
The author skillfully uses detailed descriptions and dialogue-driven storytelling to enhance the emotional depth of the novel. Readers are given a front-row seat to the survivors’ challenges in finding water and dealing with the harsh realities of their environment. The character of Toothless Joe, with his practical survival skills and emerging leadership, brings a crucial element of hope and direction to the group’s dire situation. Nuth’s writing excels in its exploration of human psychology under duress. It delves into the theme of brotherhood not just as a familial bond but as a complex, sometimes contentious dynamic that impacts each character’s decisions and survival strategies. The historical context of the story not only adds depth but also raises the stakes, making the narrative even more compelling.
My Brother’s Keeper is the perfect read for fans of historical dramas and survival narratives. M.D. Nuth offers a dramatic and engaging experience and promises an intense exploration of its characters’ psyches, driven by a plot that expertly balances personal conflict with historical events. The novel is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and adaptability, even in the most extreme conditions.
Pages: 293 | ASIN : B0CXJF1V35
Hope and Inspiration
Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor shares your story of battling cancer, your daughter’s diagnosis and treatment, and your decision to become a cancer nurse helping others. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Scarily, one in two of the population will be given a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives and it remains the greatest fear in society. So, at the risk of sounding contrite (that is definitely not my intention) I wanted to give something back to society – to deliver a meaningful book that would help cancer patients and their loved ones.
I decided that if this piece of work was to achieve its objectives, then it had to be written from three perspectives in order that it would be different from any other survivorship chronicle. Firstly, my experience as an immature adolescent facing the turmoil of both the physical and psychological battle with cancer. This was then followed by the unimaginable trauma of having to confront and accept a cancer diagnosis of my four-year-old daughter and watch helplessly as she underwent chemotherapy, followed by the emotional journey of her terminal diagnosis. Third, I wanted this to provide an educational angle for healthcare professionals working in the challenging field of cancer services. Sadly, at the risk of sounding critical, there are nurses (and some in senior positions) who do not understand the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis – I have witnessed this with my own eyes during my working career in cancer nursing.
I never intended to ‘just write my story;’ it had to have meaning and provide inspiration to not just the cancer patients themselves, but also their loved ones who are often left out of the cancer equation. Like me, they will need inspiration.
Moreover, I felt this would be a cathartic experience and would eliminate once and for all the demons that lurked in the canyons of my mind. Sadly, it failed to do that.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Everything, it had to be warts and all if it was going to have an impact. It was, however, important to include some humour along the way. Sadly, you cannot sugar-coat a cancer diagnosis, and although the treatments we deliver today are very different from the treatments I received in the seventies – today, we use less traditional chemotherapy and use more immunotherapies, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and a few vaccines, making them less aggressive by way of side effects. Nonetheless, cancer instills fear and like I did, everyone needs inspiration.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you
to write about?
As you would expect, recalling and writing about my daughter’s diagnosis, treatment, and then being told that she would not survive, brought about some chilling memories. I requested access to my medical records, and I was fortunate enough to be given that access. I needed that information to ensure I got the correct chronological order of the treatments, but paradoxically I wanted to confirm the actual terminal nature of my disease. So reading that, did hit me very hard, even though I clearly knew my own story – seeing it written in a legally binding document confirmed to me how fortunate I am. But, to be totally honest, even today, my cup is often half empty. I am burdened with a number of health-related issues (all as a consequence of the salubrious chemotherapy and radiotherapy I received almost fifty years ago), including another cancer battle, and I cannot help but wonder where my health will take me, luckily, my wife is constantly topping up my cup to make me realise how fortunate I am. ‘If you are fortunate enough to survive a cancer diagnosis, that legacy lives with you forever.’
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Undoubtedly inspiration – Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor is not a prescriptive guide in respect of how to deal with a cancer diagnosis – no such prescription exists. However, I would say to readers, take from my book whatever you can, hopefully, hope and inspiration, but feel free to criticise where you feel is appropriate because the cancer experience is an individual one and we all cope in different ways.
Finally, I would like to share a few words from the final chapter of my book. ‘Life is not a rehearsal – it is for living, a once-only opportunity to enjoy. Our future is uncertain; no one knows what lies ahead, what fate has planned. Never look back on your life unless you are prepared to smile and be reflective, never look forward unless you can dream–we all need dreams and we all need hope.’
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Award-winning author, John Walker Pattison has created an inspirational chronicle. A book that anyone touched by a cancer diagnosis should read. It has fifteen independent reviews (all five stars), plus more than thirty reviews on Amazon (all five stars) and over a dozen reviews on Goodreads (all five stars).
This is a true chronicle from three perspectives – he was diagnosed with cancer at eighteen years of age. After years of failed treatments, his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet eight years after his unexpected recovery, his four-year-old daughter is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia – he went on to become a cancer nurse specialist at the hospital that made his diagnosis decades earlier.
Today, he is one of the longest cancer survivors in the UK and recently has once again embarked upon another cancer battle of his own. A remarkable memoir that is poignant, funny and most of all, inspirational.
Today, he is once again, facing a cancer battle – but he remains philosophical and determined.
Sophia Freeman and The Mysterious Fountain
![Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain (Book 1) by [T.X. Troan]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Y-UUTiICL.jpg)
Sophia and her father aren’t exactly what you would call close. Between the drivers, the maids, and the high profile job, her father doesn’t have time to devote to the daughter who aches to once again have his attention. After losing her mother, Sophia wishes for nothing more than a normal father-daughter relationship–one where she can talk about her day and ask him about his. When her father makes plans to explore his new island together, Sophia decides this is the perfect opportunity to connect with him. But is her father’s newest business venture going to stand in the way once more? And will the rumors surrounding the haunted island prove to be more than just talk?
Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, by T.X. Troan, is the story of one young girl’s adventure on an island her grandfather claims is haunted. When Sophia’s inattentive father takes her to visit, she quickly loses her way when she ventures off on her own to explore. She soon finds herself in quite the predicament, facing a variety of forest creatures unlike anything in her wildest imagination.
I was immediately struck by the relatable storyline in the opening chapters of Troan’s book. Young readers who find themselves with preoccupied parents will sympathize with Sophia. Her desire to bond with her widowed father is strong, and readers will root for a happy ending to Sophia’s story.
Admittedly, I didn’t immediately see the book taking a turn toward fantasy. I assumed from Sophia’s grandfather’s comments about a haunted island that readers would be treated to a mystery. The quick move toward fantasy was surprising yet refreshing. The illustrations depicting the creatures throughout Troan’s work are nothing less than phenomenal. I found myself lingering over them and can see younger readers losing themselves in the imagery.
The only human on the strange island, Sophia faces interactions with one unique being after another. The plot moves quickly, and there are plenty of mini action sequences to keep younger readers engaged and invested in Sophia’s storyline. Her relationship and the way she is forced to question her father’s true intentions is an underlying factor throughout the story. Even on the island surrounded by magical creatures, Sophia must face the truth about her life.
Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain is a quick read, appropriate for tween readers, and contains a highly engaging fantasy plot. Between the stunning illustrations and the battle between good and evil that permeates the plot, Troan is handing young readers a story to remember.
Pages: 144 | ASIN: B07Q1F1SGL
LITERARY TITAN 