When It Rains: The Umbrella Collection, by Prudence Hayes-Four Stars

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I can find only one singular flaw with ‘When It Rains’ and that is that there are quite a few typos. Seeing as it doesn’t interfere with the story itself, I simply overlooked it. People who are ‘grammar Nazis’ may find fault in this, but I for one couldn’t help but be completely involved in the story.

The story is a vivid one. It brings you inside the mind of a mentally ill girl who tries so hard to be complete and whole. Nora is a likeable character, and someone that is easy for me to relate to. Not that I have voices in my head, or suffer from such a serious case of what is obviously PTSD, but I lost my mother abruptly when I was eighteen and can fully understand what a horrible grieving process one is forced to endure. I love the ending of the book. Life has a way of dealing out karma that can sometimes amaze people, and this book shows just that. It is a believable ending with a hint of fairy-tale in it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, solid read with no fluff added. I don’t recommend this book for anyone under the age of eighteen, as there is some graphic material that young audiences may find disturbing.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

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The Journey, by John A. Heldt- Four Stars

♥♥♥♥

‘The Journey’ was, for the most part, a fantastic read. It was well thought out, engaging, and the characters were extremely realistic. I think the latter is the reason I have to admit I did not, at all, like the ending. Okay, that’s a little harsh. No, I did like part of the ending. I liked the happy part. I liked that Shelly, Brian, and April were able to live better, more fulfilling lives as a result of the whole situation. But I did not like the ending for Michelle. I felt as though it were heart breaking, and not in a good way. I like a good sob as well as anyone else, but truth be told, I disliked that my hopes and expectations got up that she had her second chance in her second life, just for something bad to happen to her in the end. I also felt it was just too abrupt an ending.

Besides my qualms with the ending, the story was fantastic. John A. Heldt is a marvelous writer with a ton of ingenuity, raw skill, and an almost shocking attention to detail (which is my all time favorite attribute in an author). I read ‘The Mine’ also and must admit I am in love with his writings. I love a good historical read, and a time travel novel is even better (when written properly). I just wish the ending for ‘The Journey’ had been a little more like the shock-and-awe-happiness I experienced with ‘The Mine.’ Life is not always that way, however, and despite all that I have said about the ending, I can appreciate the genius with which Mr. Heldt was able to give his readers a realistic ending mixed with a fairy tale happy one.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

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