I don't usually read the love story type of novel but the after life exploration ...
586162
I don't usually read the love story type of novel but the after life exploration seemed an interesting concept and I am very happy I read "The Waiting Room".  I enjoyed it thoroughly.
2555361
Well this was a really different story for me. That in itself was really refreshing for someone who reads a lot of books. Most of the story is told in letter form, between the main characters and it does jump around a little bit but that only enhanced the reading experience for me.

Christian and Ava are grieving the death of their baby son. They have been together for a number of years and have one of those awesome marriages that people often admire with envy. However, nothing can prepare anyone for a life changing loss such as this. They know each other inside out but this depth of grief is something that has taken Ava away from Christian.

Ava is buried so deep in her own head and soul that Christian just cannot reach her. No matter what he does or says, he just cannot connect with his wife. This poor man, who too is grieving the loss of his son, finds himself also grieving the loss of his wife. My heart broke for him, he is desperate for any small sign of hope from her but there is just nothing.

After three months of this he makes provisions for Ava, buys a boat and sets sail to give her the space she so desperately wants from him. That at least finally gets a reaction from Ava. And thus begins their correspondence with each other. It seems that they needed the distance to be honest and finally talk.

I miss you, and I don't want to. I understand why you left,and I don't want to understand. I want to wallow in my rage, but I get it.

The conversations they had were not all serious and thank goodness because OMG at times there were intensely sexual discussions, like really hot ones that had me completely turned on one moment and feeling really sad for them the next. It obvious that they both really love each other but just cannot be together at this time in their life.

I don't think anyone really knows how they would deal with a traumatic event like this until you are actually going through it. There were moments when I got really pissed at Ava, I just couldn't understand why she wouldnt cling to the man who loves her and seek comfort in him.

We follow Christian around on his travel adventures, the people he meets on his journey and his own personal internal battles he has along the way. Then just as I thought that these two may be making some headway with each other, Jasinda decided to wave her meddling wand and flip what I had in mind on its head. And if that is not enough she slides in a cheeky cliff hanger! Well played Jasinda
3470449
I enjoyed it as a love story, not so much for the sex scenes but it was an interesting insight into a lifestyle I didn't know existed
3434560
I loved this love story. I'm not a typical "love story" book reader but really enjoyed the time travel aspect. I felt myself relating to the characters and wanted to jump in to that painting too!
1241285
I don't mind depressing books. But this wasn't a totally hopeless story and it wasn't a romance, though it was romantic in many instances, so it didn't require a happy ending.

Love's Pursuit is a unique story of love lost and love found; a truly heart-wrenching combination that plays out beautifully in this novel. It's also about the holiness of love and the beauty of forgiveness and of understanding God's grace. It's a tragic story in many ways as well. A minor character, small-Hope, had a horrific past that slowly came out in the course of this novel. There were many people afraid to deal with the issues in their Puritan community and so they did nothing, thus perpetuating the pain for the victims who were powerless. I'd love it if there was a sequel to Love's Pursuit that focuses on small-Hope.

And while this story is by no means a suspense, there are some suspenseful moments in it when you don't know what Susannah is going to do. She seems hopelessly trapped and with no way to escape the future she doesn't want, and in fact fears. I loved that about this story because as I got to know the characters I ended up feeling their pain.

What I found a bit confusing at first was the way the point of view scenes would change between Hope and Susannah, and because they were both in first person POV it took me awhile to be able to figure out who was who since they were not introduced by name prior to or at the opening of the scene. However, that was not a big deal and I quickly adjusted.

While not my favorite book by Siri, it still slowly builds until the romance became stoking hot, which is so signature Siri. I love that about her stories because she knows how to show love developing over the most minor things, like picking nits and lice out of someone's hair (of the opposite sex.) Interesting how she did that so well that I looked forward to the event. The dialog was also very convincing and I could hear the characters speaking in my head as I read along. I would highly recommend this story to history buffs. It's certainly not the same-old, same-old formula for historical romance. But I like that.
1659841
The Last Train took me by surprise because I don't like books about possessed people, demons and zombies but I do like books about angels. Near the end, Alan ventures into possessed people at a mental facility, but by that time, he had me hooked. You have been all too human, my favorite line spoken by Soujouriah, who seemed to understand why Jake had to go after his wife when the train they were riding on for their 25th anniversary, ran off the track. To me, it seems The Last Train is a mans romance. Is that a genre?  The writer makes the point of view clear from the beginning, letting us listen to Jakes thoughts, while taking the reader on a fascinating journey. There are battles and road trips unlike any Ive ever read, while all throughout, theres also an underlying warmth, heart and true desire for the lovely Bernadette.
 Strangely, we just happened to cancel our own 25th Anniversary rail trip; in fact, we were supposed to leave yesterday, the day I finished reading this eBook and now Im wondering whether my beloved husband would have gone through all the trouble Jake went through. If you like books about Heaven, filled with various types of angels, embark on The Last Train, because youll like it.
2770450
I admit, this story was rather difficult to begin.  It seemed that the book was going to revolve around religion much more than I would have liked.  Thankfully, this was not the case.  Once the story of Ize got going, I began to enjoy reading about him.  One particular quote really moved me because of how much I can relate to it; "I wondered if I'd ever discover where I belonged in this world.  Wandering the hills to figure out a problem is one thing, but wandering the earth looking for a home is another."  Though my life is not nearly as trying as Isaac's was, I can relate to the feeling of not knowing where you fit in or belong.  I am also prone to taking long walks to contemplate the way that I am and why I feel so different from all of the people around me.  Wandering and wondering if there is a place somewhere where other people feel like I do is a favorite past time of mine.  Reading about how Isaac felt that he didn't have a certain place where he completely belonged both hit home for me and comforted me.  It made me remember that I am not the only one who feels that way.  The end of the story was immensely comforting and satisfying because Ize did find his place in the world with the people that he loved most and they were what kept him happy and satisfied and away from the bottle.  This book is a wonderfully written story about growing up, overcoming the painful past, and reinventing the future.  Full of wit, love, motivation, obstacles, and above all humanity, this book has earned its place amongst the shelves of my favorite reads.
3510786
It is definitely a different train of thought about life death and what happens after.  It is a love story across life and death that makes you think of a much bigger picture like multiverses in the afterlife each faded more than the previous, each with new perils.
638761
Not really my type of story. I am not really into the whole romance genre thing but in saying that it is a well-written whirlwind set off by all the choices and setting life into a spin. An exciting ride from lifes decisions.
4483977
I'm not going to regurgitate what this novel is all about. What I would like to say is that this isn't the usual type of book I would read however I found it really moving. The characters came to life for me and I really loved the interaction between them. It was a good read....apart from the few tears I shed at the end which wasn't a "happy ever after" which made it realistic.
969092
There's something particularly fascinating about books set in the afterlife.  It's a purely unknowable world, yet at the same time one that might actually exist.  In Kimberly Sabatini's afterlife - the Obmil - you get three chances to examine your past and complete your life's journey next time.  Elliot Turner is a Third Timer and knows this is her last chance to get it right.  It's time to go past the surface.

Elliot's journey to self-discovery is complicated by two things.  One, her best friend (who she's shared every life with) has suddenly decided to stay away from her.  Two, there are two guys with whom she feels an instant connection - one intense and broody, the other cheerful and loving.  As it turns out, both boys were pivotal to Elliot's most recent life.

I found the beginning of TOUCHING THE SURFACE somewhat confusing.  The characters Delve into their memories and the first several Delves were rather abrupt.  The content of the Delves was supposed to be somewhat mysterious, considering Elliot doesn't entirely remember what happened, but it took me awhile to get into the rhythm of when she'd switch between past and present.

But once I got into TOUCHING THE SURFACE, I loved it.  Sabatini sets up some predictable elements, but she managed to make them play out in an unpredictable way.  I particularly enjoyed TOUCHING THE SURFACE's treatment of love.  Sabatini doesn't give short shrift to any of its forms.  It can be romantic, platonic, familial, or friendly.  And love in all its forms is important to living.

TOUCHING THE SURFACE is a terrific debut.  Sabatini has shown that she can handle big ideas in an individual, human manner.  I also liked the little glimpses into the journeys other people are making at the Obmil.  This is Elliot's story, but she's in a world where everyone is struggling with their own story.  It's an intriguing take on life after death.  TOUCHING THE SURFACE might be a good novel to introduce contemporary fans to something more fantastical.  It's also a good choice for speculative fiction fans tired of monsters and dystopias and looking for something a little quieter, if no less dramatic.
1446335
Heart warming, a good change from typical love story
2661582
This book is not a common romance. It is not a lighthearted jaunt through the lives of pretty people as they navigate everyday problems with a few silly hijinks to make the book interesting. It is a book about finding love and some degree of peace after suffering unthinkable loss.

Kathy's loss is horrifying and not the kind of thing you can ever come back from completely. Kathy is not magically healed by the selfless love of Charles; he helps her move forward with her life, not move on from her loss.

I really liked Charles. He is a genuinely decent and caring person without being annoyingly good. He does not look at Kathy like a weekend fix it project, but as a person worth helping and loving.

I liked Kathy and found her character believably written as well. (I have read the Firefly Hollow series so I knew her already from those books.)

Strangely, this book is not a depressing tear jerker. (Not that I didn't cry my ass off.) It is a romance about finding hope and love when circumstances are so overwhelmingly soul crushing that you cannot imagine surviving them.
4422962
At its heart, A thousand Pieces of You is a love story, but its not just any love story. Its a story about a girl, who loves a boy, even when at times she doesnt know, and maybe isn't even sure which boy she loves. Its a love story about a girls love for her father, and the lengths she will go to solve the mystery of his death, and get vengeance for those responsible. Its also a love story to science, and string theory, and alternate universes. Its about a girls journey to figure out who she is, who the people around her really are, and where her heart truly lies.

I love this book. I honestly, couldn't put it down. The cover is phenomenal. I fell in love with the idea behind the story almost immediately. There is science, and love stories, not just your typical love stories either, but bro-maces, family love, sisterly love, a love a girl has for her parents, and loves that make you wonder what love is? Does love transcend universes, is it the physical manifestation of a person that we love, or the soul inside?  Theres just so many feels. I really felt like I empathized with so many of the emotions the main character was feeling. Ive had similar relationships, sans the whole traveling through multiple dimensions thing. The scenery of the places she travels to, is described so well. The places she goes are very vivid and I could visualize each place in my mind. There were things that I felt were hints to what is to come, and I really like wondering about them, and trying to decipher them. There was something brewing beneath the surface the whole time. I felt like there was a bigger sub-plot going on, that was right on the edge of my mind, tickling my subconscious. When got to the end, it was a light bulb sort of moment, OH! Thats what that was!! Theres a lot of science in this book, explanations of how the process of traveling through dimensions would actually work. The science of it was a welcome change from books that have a sciencey premise, but don't describe the process of things. You don't have to suspend as much disbelief, because it feels plausible.

There were a few, read two, places where I thought the continuity was off, and the description of some things, didn't jive with other statements made about the process of traveling, or a characters experiences. It wasn't enough to make me dislike the book. Just one or two lines would have fixed the confusion.
4003426
Liz is dead and in the beginning, it isn't very fun.

Elsewhere really surprised me.  This book was sitting on my bookshelf being unread until I was bored out of my skull and had nothing else to read but it.  I'm very happy to have had to chance to read this strangely amazing book.  Yes, it took a while to get used to the voice and at one point in time I wasn't quite sure where the plot was, but it was one of those books I just couldn't put down.

The book deals with acceptance, love, and the issue of moving on.  It's funny, sad, and a very different view point of Heaven than past books I've read.

Here's the deal:  Give Elsewhere I try.  It's one of those you'll either love or you'll hate.  But it's definitely worth a look.
3253015
I can read most genres of books but it's been a while since I read a book like this one. I haven't really given any thought to near death experiences or what happens when you die. Would you see the bright white light? The tunnel where all your family and friends are supposed to meet you and usher you across to the other side? In this book we get an in depth look at what one author thinks it might be like to have a near death experience and come back...back with with an unusual power. Some use their power for good and some use their new power for bad, very bad.

We meet a lot of different characters who all have had near death experiences and get together to help each other out like a support group would. I liked the inter-dimensional side of this story, learning about so many other people that have to face the same sort of challenges after having a near death experience. Lightpoints is an eye opening read, with accounts from several different people and their experiences with near death experiences. The author made me want to read what the next person had to share and read what their experience had been, as well as follow the main story of Amanda and Chris.

I'm not religious and was happy to see that this wasn't filled with religious quotes, bible thumping or trying to shove the belief that touching the light at the end of the tunnel is like touching god. There were a few religious characters that believed the new gift they brought back with them was a gift from god and they had to pray in order to use their new gifts for good, but what little religious reference there was made it easy to read it and move on ahead to the other story lines.

I really thought I knew how this book was going to end but I was totally surprised to read what the author came up with. I loved the ending of this book.

If you like near death experiences, bad guys, good guys, a slight paranormal feel and a little romance throw in for good measure, you're gonna love this book.

Now if I can just find a near death experience book that takes a look at people who have been to hell and come back. Maybe I've just given Mr. Peter Kassan an idea for his next book?
3024321
I have to agree with the author thar this is a strange and unusual book that fits no particular mold.  But I found it wonderful, eccentric and heart warming.  I also found it disturbing and thought provoking.  In the end it touched my heart and I fell in love with Auri and wanted to hug her.  Thank you for sharing this story.