Hi guys!
Welcome back to the
final edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…
…for 2012 that
is. ^_^
What…you didn’t think I’d be checking out on you now did you? Pfft!
As if! I love this place TOO much
from the books to the friendships to the sharing, learning, and exploration of
new worlds together. I couldn’t quit now
if I tried…or at least without some seriously shark infested waters lurking
below. *looks for sharks* Nope, don’t see any so you’re stuck with me
for another year.
Before we get a bit
nostalgic, I would like to remind you of THREE contests still going right now
on the site. ONE ENDS TONIGHT…and the
other two will remain to help usher in the new year…but the only way to have a
chance at winning is to enter SOOOooo, you know what to do, right? Get your entries in post haste…and spreading
the word would be OH-so-appreciated as well.
^_^ Moving forward...
So, I don’t know
about your TBR pile…mountain…country…universe…but mine is rather large complete
with those books I’ve agreed to review, those random arrivals that look too
good to pass up and my own additions.
It’s a busy reading world after all don’t you know! Problem is, sometimes schedules can get a bit
tight and things get pushed or nudged here or there. If your book was part of a nudge at any
point, my sincere apologies; I try to schedule things out enough but what can I
say…I’m not prefect. For those that are
still on the 2012 roster, no worries…your “day in the sun” (on SFIR at least)
is still coming; for those signed up for 2013, looking forward to featuring
your and/or your work. It’s gonna be a
great year reading/sharing wise…ooh buddy!
But before we jump too far into the future (anyway else have stores in
their area already “pimping” not only their Valentine’s Day wares but St.
Patrick’s Day and dare I say it…Easter?
Yeah…mine too… *-*), let’s reflect on our past with a book that has its
characters in much the same situation.
Today’s spotlight
shines on the second work from an author I featured back in…whoa, 2010 (seems
like only yesterday) that was actually his first work completed. Confused?
Allow me to explain. You see, he
penned THIS book first but it was actually his SECOND novel (From the Dead) that hit bookstore
shelves as an introduction to his writing…which in my opinion, having read both
works, actually worked out pretty well. But
I digress, his latest release (in short format) boils down to this…a work of
Fiction that definitely comes from the heart that will have readers examining
their own pasts for connections dropped along the way, and give them yet
another reason to appreciate the power of both the written word and music
itself. The long format, well, let’s
introduce it first shall we? Today’s
book of choice and 2012 close out review is awarded to…
By
About the book…
When songwriter Danny escaped to the Atlantic coast seven years ago, he laid to rest his unrequited affection for childhood friend Meghan Harting. Their communication faded with yesterday and their lives have become deadlocked. Now Danny, haunted by an inner stronghold and determined to win Meghan back, must create a masterpiece and battle for the heart of the only woman who understands his music. As memories resurface, Danny and Meghan embark on parallel journeys of self-discovery-and a collision course to seal their mutual fate.
Truth be told…I had a HARD time getting into this book; in
fact, it took me a good 50 pages to really get into the story. Why?
That’s a question I pondered myself.
Part of me says it was because I had just gotten a cold (which I’m just
now hitting the tail end on…thank you very much!) and so my concentration was a
little less than usual; part of me quipped that I was stretched a bit too thin
between work 1, work 2, the holidays, and life in general (whew!) so tiredness
may have been played a key…but, and it is a rather small “but” at that, a tiny
voice in my mind also said that I felt a bit of disconnect from the characters
in the very beginning and that traipsing back and forth between the past and
present was a good part of that.
You see the chapters alternate between our lead characters; their
lives, their interactions in their younger days and where they stand in current
times…and if you can belief it, it’s not next to each other as one might have
presumed. Nope, as with many
friends…even those with GREAT potential to be more than friends…they grew apart
and life swept them in different directions.
Be it by choice or by fate, the distance grew in miles…but never really
settled in at heart…and THAT my friends is what brought me back to the
story. After the first 50 pages or so, I
found the rhythm within the pages, felt the notes in higher keys reverberate
off my heart and was glad I committed to the story with both feet.
Danny is a soul that I would love to know; kind, generous,
content to be in the presence of those he cares for without even speaking a
word and yet able and willing to express his feelings openly (and eloquently as
his songs are rather moving). He loves
many with the purest of intentions but holds a few closer to his heart and once
there, you’ll more than likely remain for the rest of your days. He didn’t choose the easiest path in life and
I’m not going to say that he’d be first in line to slay a dragon for any random
person (himself included), but if you need him and he calls you friend, he’ll
be there in a hurry. All the emotions he
carries with him, all the beautiful sunsets and new beginnings he sees in the
world come through poetically in both his lyric and song….something his
childhood friend and love interest Megan discovers, eventually.
Meghan. She is a hard
heart to get to know. How so? She’s not cold or callous, goodness no, but
she’s been dealt a hand in life that isn’t lined with golden bricks and her
self-esteem, her self-worth has taken a blow.
Is it going to hold her back from the life, the love she truly deserves? That remains to be seen….or rather read by
you (I’m not spoiling it for you!)…but it has been said (and sung) that “to every
thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” and that
is DEFINITELY the case here though their window of opportunity is closing
fast! (Trust me, you’ll have your heart
in your hand as you wait to see if things pan out for this seemingly fated pair…)
In the end, I’d sum things up by saying it’s a novel that
starts off slow but has an irrepressible beat that can’t be ignored. It tugs at the heart strings while wrapping
its melody around you until the book you thought you stepped into is something
much more than you anticipated. The
beauty of the times, the majesty of the moments, even the stillness of their
hearts is all communicated wonderfully from page to mental picture. I’d still suggest readers embark on his prior
release first (my review of which can be seen right here as well as an interview with the author) to get your feet wet in the world of this author, but much like
the “B-Side” of a cassette or the second disc in a greatest hits collection,
the want of a second journey is inevitable.
 |
| Author John Herrick |
Review copy received courtesy of author John Herrick. (THANKS!)
For more information about this title as well as his past (and future!)
works, be sure to visit his official website, friend him on GoodReads, like him
on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.
This book was released earlier this year and should be available now on
a bookstore shelf near you. Need help
locating it? No worries! Just click HERE.
Until next year (hehe)…wishing you the happiest of new
year’s…and happy reading!
