Notes of Life

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Publisher: Transworld Publishers
ISBN: 978-0552776622

Second Hand Heart is a love story, but it’s not your average love story. Then again, is it really a love story? This one is about a nineteen year old called Vida who has spent her short life preparing to die, then finally comes a new heart. But with somebody else’s death, along comes a new chance for Vida.

Then there’s Richard. He’s just lost his beloved wife in a car accident and hasn’t even begun to come to terms with his grief. Yet, he feels compelled to meet the girl who has been given his wife’s heart.

When Vida & Richard meet at the hospital, Vida immediately falls for Richard. However, he dismisses her feelings and thinks she’s a foolish child.

Can a second hand heart bring two people together?

The book is written in journal format and each journal entry is a chapter. The first few chapters of the book are Vida’s journal, then we get a few journal entries from Richard, before going back to Vida and it carries on like that. There’s also a few emails, mainly between Richard and his mother-in-law, thrown into the mix. It may sound like it could get confusing, but it isn’t and the story flows seamlessly between the two journals.

Second Hand Heart isn’t just a love story, it addresses the subject of organ donation and transplantation as well as the theory of cellular memory (where the donor recipient takes on memories, habits, interests and tastes of the donor, that may have somehow been stored in the cells of the transplanted organ). While I don’t usually go for a love story type of book, I’m all for organ donation (as I’ve let my family know) and I’ve heard of cellular memory, so I thought this might be interesting.

Much like Richard did, I found the character of Vida to come across as a bit childish for her age. However, after a while of thinking that, I came to remember that Vida had a different upbringing to most children. She was weak and spent most of her childhood at home with her mother, rather than out making friends etc. While I understood that, I did find her character to be a bit on the stalker-ish side too, in the way that she pursues Richard. Still, I found her to be a unique character (how many young girls have an elderly best friend?)

Despite having never lost a loved-one as close as Richard has, I can understand his need to hang on to the life-force of his wife. His mixed emotions and on-going grief are understandable for somebody in his situation.

I’ve never read any of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books before, though I recognised the name. Catherine is a best-selling author (and deservedly so) and I think most people will have heard of Pay It Forward. I’ve not read the book, but I have seen the movie (though apparently the two are very different). Having read Second Hand Heart, I’m certainly interested in reading more of her work.

I enjoyed Second Hand Heart and the journey taken through the Story. I found that you think it’s going to go one way and then it goes in another direction. This is definitely a worthwhile read and one I did in 3 sittings.

Second Hand Heart is released in the UK in paperback on 16th September.

Pre-order Second Hand Heart at The Book Depository now.

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Please note: I received this book free from Transworld Publishers as part of the Transworld Summer Reading Challenge. However, this in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

Author: Christopher Fowler
Publisher: Transworld Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-385-61465-8

The Peculiar Crimes Unit has been disbanded and octogenarian detectives Arthur Bryant and John May look set for retirement. That is until a headless body is found in a freezer. A mysterious figure with antlers made of knives also catches their interest, but are the two connected? Either way, Bryant & May and the rest of the PCU are back in business, only with very limited resources and so little time.

I’d never heard of the Bryant & May series of books by Christopher Fowler until Bryant & May On the Loose was listed as part of Transworld’s Summer Reading Challenge. I was a little hesitant at reading it as “On the Loose” is the 7th book in the Bryant & May series and I hadn’t read any of the others. I needn’t have worried though as “On the Loose” stands well as a book by itself. There’s no need to have read any of the other books in the series as the main characters of Arthur Bryant and John May shine through the book and by the end you feel as if you know them very well, like old friends. I love the fact that they’ve worked together for so long that they’re almost like an old married couple!

In a way, Bryant & May and their colleagues at the PCU remind me of the BBC TV series New Tricks, I found the book to very much have that kind of feel to it.

The story is set in the Kings Cross area of London and I have a feeling the author knows the area like the back of his hand. We’re treated to the myths & legends of the area, as well as historical and architectural information… When reading this book you feel like you could be walking the very same streets or occupying the same buildings.

No part of the story is wasted, there’s no fillers, every word in this book is there for a reason. All of which makes this book a good read. It goes at a steady pace, with splashes of humour here and there, as well as action (not that you’d expect it with a pair of old codgers as the lead characters!), tension and a little bit of romance thrown in. All in all, Bryant & May On the Loose is a good “whodunnit” story. Will they get their killer? Why not read the book and see!

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Please note: I received this book free from Transworld Publishers as part of the Transworld Summer Reading Challenge. However, this in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

I wrote this review back in November 2009 and with Patrick Swayze’s birthday just 10 days away and the first anniversary of his death just over a month away, I thought it was about time I shared it with you.

Authors: Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN: 978-1847376930

Patrick Swayze is… was… an excellent actor and dancer. His most popular films, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and ‘Ghost’, were THE films of the time when I was growing up and I believe they are still up there in the popularity stakes.

Having seem a number of Patrick Swayze’s films and seeing him in a number of interviews (most notably, the one with Barbara Walters where he talked about his cancer), I felt he was an interesting and deep man. So when I found out he was releasing an autobiography, I pre-ordered the book (hardback) – ‘The Time of My Life’ written by Patrick and his wife Lisa Niemi.

Sadly, just a week or so before the book arrived, it was announced that Patrick had lost his battle with cancer and died. So, I read the book in a different light to what I would have done had he still been alive.

This book not only tells us of Patrick Swayze’s career of more than 30 years, it also tells us about his personal life – growing up, getting married, and the ups & downs of it all.

We learn of Patrick’s upbringing and his love for his father and determination to be the best that he can at whatever he’s doing. Patrick tells us how Lisa became the love of his life, of his problems with alcohol and how it nearly destroyed their relationship. Not only do we get “behind the scenes” on Patrick’s personal life, but we also get behind the scenes of a number of films – what went on on the set and off it – as well as how hard Patrick worked to get jobs and how or why he chose to do something.

This book also tells us how Patrick’s determination to do his own stunts nearly ended not only his career but also his life, as well as one or two other near death experiences, including an incident while flying his plane.

Of course, we’re also told of the moment Patrick’s life changed forever when he received the devastating news that he’d got pancreatic cancer. But don’t be deceived… This is no sob story. Patrick was determined he was going to battle this cancer and he wasn’t going to let it beat him. He wanted to live until they found a cure. Unfortunately, one hasn’t been found yet and it did beat him, but Patrick fought until the very end.

Patrick and his wife Lisa wrote this autobiography together and as you read the book you’ll see just how much of a partnership they were. Despite the ups & downs, Patrick loved Lisa more than anything. She must be so devastated.

This is an honest biography from a Hollywood actor who was loved by many. It’s emotional, gritty and inspiring. Patrick wasn’t afraid to say anything and admitted his downfalls. Don’t get me wrong… This autobiography also contains fun & laughter too. I can only hope that I have half the fun, love and determination that Patrick Swayze had!

Patrick was one talented, loving, strong and determined man and he will be missed.

Buy The Time of My Life – Hardback / Paperback / Audio CD.

Author: Teresa Flavin
Publisher: Templar Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-84877-034-8

The Blackhope Enigma is an exciting adventure in which Sunni’s step-brother Dean finds himself accidentally transported into a curious Renaissance painting by Fausto Corvo which hangs in the Mariner’s Chamber in Blackhope Tower. Sunni and her friend Blaise set out to rescue him and they find themselves lost in a strange and dangerous world. They meet others along their journey, but just who should they trust? Can all three overcome the dangers and find their way out of the painting and home… alive?

I ordered The Blackhope Enigma having read a review by Bart’s Bookshelf and so I knew I was in for a treat!

The Blackhope Enigma is an adventure about friendship, family, art and magic. There’s twists and turns in the plot, bad guys and good guys, and mysteries. What more could you ask for?

This book is aimed at children aged 9 years plus and I passed that age group a long time ago… a long, long time ago! However, I believe these and young adult books to be some of the most brilliant stories. Books aimed at children, teenagers and young adults have to hold their attention span and to do that they have to be good! They have to be imaginative and carry the story well.

The author, Teresa Flavin, has a wonderful and creative mind. In The Blackhope Enigma she has created such a wonderful and imaginative world for her characters to live in and this is only her first novel!

I love the idea of being able to enter a painting and explore it’s world, to find yet more, a living world created behind that painting. Imagine being able to go inside a painting. Imagine there being more than just that top layer that you can see. Having read this book, I don’t think I’ll ever look at a painting the same way again!

Scattered among the pages are a number of illustrations (something the author does very well). They all add to the adventure.

All in all, this is definitely a good read. I enjoyed the mix of characters (Gutsy Sunni, annoying Dean, talented Blaise, among others) and the whole story just drew me in (sorry for the pun, I just couldn’t help it!). I found the story enchanting and captivating, and enjoyed it from start to finish and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it when I was at the age of its intended age group too.

I’d recommend reading The Blackhope Enigma no matter what your age is!

Download an excerpt of the book at The Blackhope Enigma official website, as well as other goodies.

Visit Teresa Flavin’s website and blog.

Buy The Blackhope Enigma at The Book Depository.

The Wings of Leo Spencer by Jerome Parisse
ISBN: 1-921642-14-9
Publisher: Sid Harta Publishers

The Wings of Leo Spencer is about a 14 year old boy who dies on his mother’s birthday. He leaves behind his parents, sister and baby brother, as well as his best friend Peter. Only he doesn’t want to leave them.

Leo has to make a choice and it’s one that will affect his life… or death…forever.

As a typical teen, Leo wants answers. His search for the truth gives him a huge challenge… Can he protect and save his family and Peter?

But as the back of the book says… How do you do that if you can make no impression on the material world?

I won my copy of The Wings of Leo Spencer through a GoodReads.com giveaway and was kindly sent it by the author Jerome Parisse (Thank you!). The mini-biography in the front of the book tells us that Jerome likes to write the kind of stories he enjoys reading – fast-paced adventures where the characters struggle with things such as feelings, identity and difficult choices. Well, I can happily stay that I enjoyed reading this, Jerome’s first published novel.

This is a fantasy adventure where we follow Leo, who I would say is a typical 14 year old boy (especially attitude-wise), only most 14 year old boys don’t have to deal with being targeted by something evil!

I love the world Jerome Parrisse has created for Leo. It’s so imaginative! While I’m not a religious person, if there’s such a place as Heaven, I’d want it to be how Jerome has imagined it in The Wings of Leo Spencer.

I read this book in a couple of sittings (at 266 pages, it’s an easy read). The story goes at a reasonable pace before you find the story racing on. The characters are easy to relate to, despite this being a fantasy story, and it just goes to show how strong family and friendship can be.

Despite this being a young adult book, it should appeal to everyone. It certainly appealed to me and I’m not exactly a spring chicken myself – I certainly don’t feel like one! I don’t even think you necessarily need to really be into fantasy either, to like this one. I recommend giving this book a go – I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

Read the 1st chapter of The Wings of Leo Spencer over at GoodReads.com.

With thanks to the author Jerome Parisse for sending me this book and to GoodReads.com for their Giveaways.

Visit Jerome Parisse’s blog or website.