Review of Yesterday
-
Elaine LaBonte
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 102
- Joined: 13 Mar 2021, 20:49
- Currently Reading: Life Lessons of Wayne
- Bookshelf Size: 94
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-elaine-labonte.html
- Latest Review: Disturbed Tombs by Kay A. Oliver
Review of Yesterday
[Following is a volunteer review of "Yesterday" by Samyann.]
Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation is the debut book written by Chicago native, Samyann. The author lives in Chicago, Illinois, a major U. S. city that provides background for the tender love story of Amanda Parker and Mark Callahan.
This novel tells two stories. Each one is part of a much larger story. The first is the American Civil War during the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. The second is Chicago in the 21st century, both past and present. The author skillfully guides the reader back and forth between the two time frames, the two locations, and the characters involved. She shifts between the present and the past with a natural creative flow.
The background includes historically accurate and well-documented details. Although the recorded information is correct, it has been tweaked in places to match the story. The author makes sure to state that some details are adjusted to meet the needs of the book and are not to be considered reference material.
The action starts with Amanda standing on the ground below an elevated train in present-day Chicago. The lead car flies off the rails. Amanda sees a mounted police officer thrown from his horse and landing among the still falling rubble. She instantly rushes to his side and pulls him to safety, risking her own life. They meet in the hospital later as they each receive treatment for the injuries from the accident.
Both have a nebulous feeling that they knew each other before, but they can’t remember where or when. Mark encourages Amanda to seek help from Mary, Amanda's godmother, who is an accomplished psychologist who practices the art of past life therapy. Mary agrees to guide them in their quest. Amanda has become isolated from others in the world and believes that everyone she loves will die. Part of their love story is Amanda’s refusal to allow herself to open her heart to anyone, including Mark, following the deaths of several of her loved ones in tragic accidents. Mark is not swayed by her dismissal and continues to pursue her. He thinks her present problem might be the result of past live issues. As these feelings of having already experienced a situation grow stronger, Mark feels that perhaps a past emotional cycle was impressed on her leaving her with this fear of loving.
I have several favorite scenes from the romance. This is one of them. I’ve lived most of my life in Chicago, so when the author describes Chicago as a…” tinderbox complete with seventy-five miles of tarred wood streets,” I can see it, feel the scorching heat, and hear the screams of thousands of people struggling to escape the inferno. Her description is so vivid that I feel like I can remember being there. The only thing that’s negative for me is the way Mark is presented as a perfect man. Sometimes he was so considerate and handsome, etc., that it just didn’t seem realistic to me.
This book earns a 4 out of 4 stars rating from me based on the above information and that the characters were fleshed out as unique individuals. Samyann’s story-telling gift creates a high-powered and easy-to-read narrative using the way we actually talk. The editing is professional, as seen by the limited number of spelling and grammar errors I noticed.
Some of the categories this novel could be shelved on are Reincarnation, Historical Romance Novels. and Time Travel Romance. Basically, Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation discusses past lives and love beyond death. I recommend it for mature readers of these categories. Whether the reader does or doesn’t believe in past lives, the novel is sure to be fascinating.
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation is the debut book written by Chicago native, Samyann. The author lives in Chicago, Illinois, a major U. S. city that provides background for the tender love story of Amanda Parker and Mark Callahan.
This novel tells two stories. Each one is part of a much larger story. The first is the American Civil War during the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. The second is Chicago in the 21st century, both past and present. The author skillfully guides the reader back and forth between the two time frames, the two locations, and the characters involved. She shifts between the present and the past with a natural creative flow.
The background includes historically accurate and well-documented details. Although the recorded information is correct, it has been tweaked in places to match the story. The author makes sure to state that some details are adjusted to meet the needs of the book and are not to be considered reference material.
The action starts with Amanda standing on the ground below an elevated train in present-day Chicago. The lead car flies off the rails. Amanda sees a mounted police officer thrown from his horse and landing among the still falling rubble. She instantly rushes to his side and pulls him to safety, risking her own life. They meet in the hospital later as they each receive treatment for the injuries from the accident.
Both have a nebulous feeling that they knew each other before, but they can’t remember where or when. Mark encourages Amanda to seek help from Mary, Amanda's godmother, who is an accomplished psychologist who practices the art of past life therapy. Mary agrees to guide them in their quest. Amanda has become isolated from others in the world and believes that everyone she loves will die. Part of their love story is Amanda’s refusal to allow herself to open her heart to anyone, including Mark, following the deaths of several of her loved ones in tragic accidents. Mark is not swayed by her dismissal and continues to pursue her. He thinks her present problem might be the result of past live issues. As these feelings of having already experienced a situation grow stronger, Mark feels that perhaps a past emotional cycle was impressed on her leaving her with this fear of loving.
I have several favorite scenes from the romance. This is one of them. I’ve lived most of my life in Chicago, so when the author describes Chicago as a…” tinderbox complete with seventy-five miles of tarred wood streets,” I can see it, feel the scorching heat, and hear the screams of thousands of people struggling to escape the inferno. Her description is so vivid that I feel like I can remember being there. The only thing that’s negative for me is the way Mark is presented as a perfect man. Sometimes he was so considerate and handsome, etc., that it just didn’t seem realistic to me.
This book earns a 4 out of 4 stars rating from me based on the above information and that the characters were fleshed out as unique individuals. Samyann’s story-telling gift creates a high-powered and easy-to-read narrative using the way we actually talk. The editing is professional, as seen by the limited number of spelling and grammar errors I noticed.
Some of the categories this novel could be shelved on are Reincarnation, Historical Romance Novels. and Time Travel Romance. Basically, Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation discusses past lives and love beyond death. I recommend it for mature readers of these categories. Whether the reader does or doesn’t believe in past lives, the novel is sure to be fascinating.
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Soon I'll find the right words, they'll be very simple ..."
Some of the Dharma, by Jack Kerouac
Some of the Dharma, by Jack Kerouac
Latest Review: Disturbed Tombs by Kay A. Oliver
