Guest Review by David – The Boy Who Said No by @PattiSheehy

Guest Review by David

The Boy Who Said No by Patti Sheehy

 

 

 

As a boy Frank Mederos’s grandfather teaches him to fish, to navigate the seas, and to think for himself, much needed skills under the new Castro regime. When Frank is drafted into the army, he is soon promoted to the Special Forces, where he is privy to top military secrets. But young Frank has no sympathy for Fidel. He thirsts for freedom and longs to join his girlfriend who has left Cuba for America. 
Frank yearns to defect, but his timing couldn’t be worse. After two unsuccessful escape attempts, Frank learns that the departure of the next available boat conflicts with upcoming military exercises. If he stays, he will miss the boat. If he doesn’t, he will be the object of a massive manhunt. 
Problems abound: How will Frank escape the army base without being seen? Where will he hide until the boat comes? How can he outwit his commanding officer? And how can he elude hundreds of soldiers ordered to bring him back “dead or alive”? 
Frank’s true story, a tale of love, loss and courage that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page is turned.

 

David’s Review

 

This was a great story!  The author, Patti Sheehy depicts the Cuban culture perfectly.  She describes the cultural details ranging from nonverbal communication to a traditional Cuban meal with accuracy. The book has love, politics, and the search for freedom. Her descriptive story allows the reader to go back in time to when Fidel Castro’s “revolution” over powered Fulgencio Batista’s regime. Additionally, she explains the various struggles Cubans went through when Castro took power, including radical changes, such as, obligating young-adolescents to teach literacy in areas far from their homes and families.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about history especially if of Cuban-American descent.

 

I gave this book 4 stars!

An ARC copy was provided via NetGalley in exchange for a review.  

 

Thank you David for your review.  As a Cuban American, born in Miami, I look forward to reading this book myself.

~Susi

 

Connect with the Author, Patti Sheehy

Web:  http://pattisheehy.com/

Twitter:  @PattiSheehy

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal – Touchstone for ever by @SydneyJamesson

 

 

Sydney Jamesson presents…TouchStone for ever, the final installment of The Story of Us trilogy!

 

What would YOU give to save the one you love?  EVERYTHING!

On May 23rd, experience the epic conclusion of The Story of Us trilogy, TouchStone for ever, by Sydney Jamesson!  This beautiful cover provides clues to key turning points in the story, as Ayden and Beth move heaven and earth to find their happy-ever-after.

Will they have their happy-ever-after? At what cost?

Title:                  TouchStone for ever

Series:                The Story of Us Trilogy (Book 3)

Author:              Sydney Jamesson

Release Date:   May 23, 2014

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Buying Links for Books 1 & 2, TouchStone for play and TouchStone for giving:

 

AMAZON   (Kindle & Paperback)  

Smashwords (iBooks & other formats)

Barnes & Noble (Nook) 

 

 

About the Author

 

There are those moments in life when a person you respect says something to you that strikes a chord, we’ve all had them … that moment came one Parents’ Evening when I was 16. An inspirational teacher said; “Your daughter should consider a career in Journalism or as a writer, she has a vivid imagination and a flair for creative writing …” As a wide-eyed teenager, those words were music to my ears. How prophetic was it that I went on to do just that …

I have worked in Insurance, Fashion and in advertising as a Copywriter and Commercial Journalist and loved every minute of it; creative people are a lot of fun to be around. I swapped the day job for a more meaningful enterprise: having our daughter Jenna. Now 29, she’s a fiercely independent woman living the dream in Australia. She was a heavenly surprise that had me working freelance for four years, doing what I could between feeds, playgroups and afternoon lessons in preparation for starting school. It’s a ‘story’ we can all identify with, I’m sure.

I made a sideways move into teaching in 1997 and, six years later, became Head of English in a High School, making it my mission in life to introduce young people to a range of quality reading material. I try to foster a love of all things creative in my students and encourage them to find that creativity within themselves.

For as long as I can remember, I have lived with The Story of Us in my head. The fact that Elizabeth Parker is an English teacher should come as no surprise; as novelists we write, initially, about what we know … Yet, I should confess, she isn’t me but rather that young, sensitive and naïve woman we all were or still are. The difference being, she has been victimized and, because of it, remained hidden. But, unlike some characters who may have suffered at the hands of others, she is not damaged: wary yes, but not damaged. She still believes people are innately good and that is one of her many qualities. It is her propensity for compassion that allows her to invite Ayden Stone into her world when, on the face of it, he’s exactly what she doesn’t need.

So that’s me, furiously typing away until the early hours, unveiling the intricacies of a 21^st century fairy-tale; creating an epic story that melds a heady mixture of romance suspense and a touch of the miraculous.

Connect with Sydney:

On the Web
Facebook
Twitter