Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks – a Review

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks – a Review

 

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Description:
Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents, following in his grandfather’s military footsteps to become an Army Ranger. His whole life has been spent abroad, and he is the proverbial rolling stone . . . happiest when off on his next adventure, zero desire to settle down. But when his grandmother passes away, her last words to him are: find where you belong. She also drops a bombshell, telling him the name of the father he never knew—and where he might be found.

Tanner is due at his next posting soon, but his curiosity is piqued, and he sets out for Asheboro, North Carolina, to ask around. He’s been in town less than twenty-four hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom. They both feel an immediate connection; Tanner knows Kaitlyn has a story to tell, and he wants to hear it. For Kaitlyn, Tanner is mysterious, exciting—and possibly leaving in just a few weeks.

Meanwhile, nearby, eighty-three-year-old Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog Arlo for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before. When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers.

As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting a miracle . . . but that may be exactly what is about to alter their futures forever.

 

 

Review:

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a heartwarming story line.  We meet Tanner Hughes, who has been raised by his grandparents, after his mother died at childbirth; and never knew who his biological father was. When he grew up, Tanner became an army ranger, and spent his whole life abroad; Army for fourteen years, then left the service and worked for the USAID for over six years, and ended up in Cameroon to work for the International Rescue Committee. He came home to help his grandmother, until she passed.  She left him a note giving him the name of his father; which Tanner decided to find him in Asheboro, North Carolina.

In Asheboro for less than 24 hours, Tanner’s car was accidently damaged when a young girl hit his car; where he meets the girl’s mother, Kaitlyn Cooper.  Kaitlyn is divorced and has two children, Casey (who backed into Tanner’s car) and Mitch (8 year old son); she is a doctor. In a short period of time, Tanner finds himself attracted to Kaitlyn, and he invites himself to go to the Zoo, with Kaitlyn and Mitch; leading into Tanner and Kaitlyn spending time together. As much as Kaitlyn becomes attracted to Tanner, but she has fears that he will soon leave Asheboro, once he finds his biological father. Even though they both became close, Kaitlyn knows Tanner will leave, and decides to break up with him.

The second POV revolves around Jasper Johnson, who is 83 years old, and lives in a cabin with his dog, Arlo. Jasper has many medical conditions, which has burn scars over more than half of his body.  We find out that he lost his entire family to a tragic fire, with only him surviving. Jasper, who has a number biblical references throughout the book, hears about a white deer, which his father and grandfather had noted back in the day, that the white deer is sacred.  He is determined to protect the deer; especially when some teenage boys are trying to find the dear, and kill it.  When Jasper follows them, he falls accidently in the forest, and is stranded with a broken ankle.

Tanner has not been successful in finding his biological father, and when Casey tells Tanner that Jasper has been missing for days, and she pleads with Tanner to try and find him.  Jasper’s dog, Arlo keeps coming to their house, and Tanner realizes the dog might be able to find Jasper.  When he comes close to finding Jasper, Tanner finds his car, and upon looking at the car paper work, he realizes that Jasper is part of the family he is looking for.

What follows is Jasper is found, and will have a slow recovery period, with Kaitlyn being his doctor, and Tanner, becoming family to Jasper.  He did learn the tragic event that the whole family died in the fire, which included his biological father all those years ago.  Tanner, Jasper and Kaitlyn were actually connected in different situations; being very emotional.  I did love both Casey and Mitch, who were so good, especially Casey pushing her mom to care about Tanner.

Counting Miracles was a beautiful heartbreaking, emotional and heartwarming story that kept me glued to my seat.  Counting Miracles was so very well written by Nicholas Sparks. This was a fabulous story about family, love, forgiveness, kindness and sadness.  I wholly suggest you read Counting Miracles, which was a fascinating read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks – a Review

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks – a Review

 

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Description:
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career, until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.

But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, making him wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. The daughter of affluent Chicago doctors, Morgan has graduated from a prestigious college music program with the ambition to move to Nashville and become a star. Romantically and musically, she and Colby complete each other in a way that neither has ever known.

While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a life for them in a small town far off the beaten track. With money running out and danger seemingly around every corner, she makes a desperate decision that will rewrite everything she knows to be true.

In the course of a single unforgettable week, two young people will navigate the exhilarating heights and heartbreak of first love. Hundreds of miles away, Beverly will put her love for her young son to the test. And fate will draw all three people together in a web of life-altering connections . . . forcing each to wonder whether the dream of a better life can ever survive the weight of the past.

 

 

Review:

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks is another one of his excellent standalone novels. Dreamland has two POV’s that focus on Colby, and a different one focusing on Beverly.   We meet Colby, our hero, who runs a farm in North Carolina, with his sister, Paige and Aunt; he loves writing songs, but gave it up to assume his responsibility to be the head of the family and restore the farm.  While things seem to be working good, Colby, accepts a three-week gig at bar in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida with his sister and aunt, encouraging him to take a break.

While performing his music, he meets Morgan Lee, who also loves music, and plans to move to Nashville.  Colby finds himself falling hard for Morgan, who knows what she wants, coming from a wealthy family, musical education and a wonderful voice. Morgan and Colby begin to spend more time together, romantically and musically.  It was nice to see them write songs, with each helping each other with the words.  Colby thinks Morgan can become a big star, with her voice, and as they fall in love, she tries to convince him to join her in Nashville.   But an unexpected crisis will change everything.  Will Colby and Morgan find a way to be together?

The other POV, deals with Beverly, who is on the run with her six-year-old son, fleeing her abusive husband.  She begins a new life in a small town; living in a house, and finances are low.  Beverly knows she needs to get a job, and while Tommy is in school, she looks around for a cash paying job, since she left without her id.  Beverly knows her husband has contacts, and works for Homeland; she continues to be alert. Then she discovers unusual things in the house, as well as a truck that keeps stopping by the house; she panics and makes plans to run again.

Reading through the first half of the book, I was sort of confused, as to how these POV’s fit in the story.  But when we get closer to the last quarter, there is a major twist that throws us for a loop. 

Dreamland is a wonderful story of responsibility, family, tragedy, music and love.  I loved Colby and Morgan together, as they made a wonderful couple, and their songwriting was terrific.  Beverly’s story was scary and tense, with a surprising twist. Dreamland was so very well written by Nicholas Sparks, which kept me unable to put the book down.  I suggest you read Dreamland.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks – Dual Review

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks – Dual Review

 

 

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Description:
Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she’s been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family’s cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future.

Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother’s early life and recapture memories lost with her death. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.

Illuminating life’s heartbreaking regrets and enduring hope, Every Breath explores the many facets of love that lay claim to our deepest loyalties — and asks the question, How long can a dream survive?

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks is a standalone novel, which was a wonderful heartwarming story of true love and heartbreak that will cover decades.

Tru Walls, our hero, is a safari guide in Zimbabwe, having lived all his life in Africa.  Tru is divorced and content with his life as a guide, but he wants to know more about his deceased mother’s past, and decides to fly to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, accepting an invitation to meet his biological father, whom he never knew.

Hope Anderson, our heroine, is staying at the beach house the family has owned for many years, preparing for it to be placed on the market.  Hope’s father is suffering from ALS, and Hope takes the time at the beach house to think about her difficult days ahead, as well as if she has a future with her boyfriend of six years

When Tru is staying at his father’s house prior to meeting him, he enjoys the beach surroundings, and sees a dog running amok.  Tru rescues the dog, and meets Hope, the dog’s owner.  A friendship develops where both Tru and Hope find themselves comfortable to talk about both of their lives, as we learn so much about each of them.  It was so nice to see them fall for each during their conversations of life. Hope will take Tru to the local places including a place nearby where people put in letters/notes in a mail box for anyone to view.  

What follows is a sweet heartwarming slow built romance between two people from different worlds, yet so perfect for each other.  This was also a heart wrenching story of two people; their back history, as well the future. It is a story of love, family, sacrifice, heart ache and destiny.

Nicholas Sparks wrote a wonderful story that he describes at the start as a true story, and he makes us love both Tru and Hope. We felt the sadness, as life had other plans for them; Hope with her boyfriend, and her desire to have children (Tru was no longer able to have children); Tru needing to live near his young son and his job.   What makes this great is that destiny will find a way to for them to  meet again.  I really loved this story, more than I ever expected.  I suggest you read Every Breath.

 

Sandy’s Review:

EVERY BREATH by Nicholas Sparks is a stand alone love story focusing on forty-two year divorced father and safari tour guide Tru Walls, and thirty-six year old, trauma nurse Hope Anderson.

Told from third person perspectives EVERY BREATH takes the reader back to the year 1990 focusing on one week in the life of forty-two year divorced father and African safari tour guide Tru Walls, and thirty-six year old, trauma nurse Hope Anderson. Tru Walls, a safari guide born and raised in Zimbabwe, has come to America in search of answers about his mother and her past. Meeting trauma nurse Hope Anderson stirred something deep within our story line hero, something he would always remember including the love for a woman who was torn between head and heart. Fast forward to 2014 wherein Tru will reconnect with the woman he has never stopped loving only to discover she has never stopped loving him in return.

Divided into two parts (1990 and 2014) EVERY BREATH is a story based in reality brought about by a journal and letters found in an isolated mailbox called Kindred Spirit near the dunes of Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The mailbox, belonging to everyone and no one, is a treasury of love letters from the lost; stories of then and now; a place for dreams and happily ever afters to live on when someone dies. Nicholas Sparks uses artistic license to spin a love story spanning decades focusing on two people whose lives went in opposite directions eventually meeting to form their own happily ever after. Reflective in nature EVERY BREATH reconnects with the past revealing twenty-plus years of pain, heartache, failures and success eventually meandering back to Sunset Beach where it all began.

An imaginative, heart breaking and emotional story line EVERY BREATH looks at love and loss; family and duty; reconnection, dreams, and hope. Uniquely Nicholas Sparks EVERY BREATH is a wonderful love story that will captivate and enchant as you reflect upon your own life of what ifs and whys. Every city and town should have their own ‘Kindred Spirit’ in the hopes of living on in the minds of others.

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