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Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award reviews for my novel, Before I Die:
ABNA Expert Reviewer:
Before I Die is the delightfully written story of Linda Sue, a fifty-four year old wife, mother and grandmother who yearns to fall in love once again before she dies. Married to Brian, she finds herself "pushed over the edge" by his indifferent treatment of her as they attend his company's Christmas party. "Brian was parked in his recliner in the game room watching a football game," the author writes, "when I descended the open stairway, feeling like Scarlett O'Hara. Wordlessly he aimed the remote at the television, got up, and walked to the door." Later, Linda Sue confronts Brian with an anger born of three decades of neglect, but "the anger drained and in its place a well of sadness, of regret, opened up." Linda Sue moves out into a motel room, and tries to pursue a new life. Additional characters are introduced, including Professor Wilson Benedict of the college where Linda Sue teaches music, her grown daughter Jasmine who tries to intervene in her parents' rift, and Humvee Man, a man with "the grayest eyes I'd ever seen" who shows up unexpectedly in Linda Sue's life.
This book is first rate, bringing to mind parallels with Jane Austen for its penetrating insight into character, and Ann Tyler for its delicious humor. One of the things I liked the best about this book was the portrayal of intra-family dynamics--each character was painted with insightful, loving, tolerant detail. This reviewer was also impressed by the craftsmanship displayed in the plotting, with powerful dramatic crescendos coinciding brilliantly with each chapter ending. The reader's engagement and interest is powerfully drawn forward. The writing is luminous, but not pretentious. And the sense of humor is absolutely marvelous. This is a work which deserves the highest possible praise!
ABNA Expert Reviewer:
It's a nice change to see a realistic story about a woman's life, where she has strength and intelligence and isn't just two dimensional. All too often woman are written up as sad little cliches. But this character is great, real and believable. I hope this strong voice continues throughout the book! I also appreciate that the husband character is, sadly, JUST like so many men I know. I know so many women can sympathize with this woman's character and so the book would appeal to many, young and old. I am reminded a bit of Nicholas Sparks, though not as sappy as his writing can be.
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