Review by CarlyK -- Yesterday by Samyann
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CarlyK
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Review by CarlyK -- Yesterday by Samyann
[Following is a volunteer review of "Yesterday" by Samyann.]
Amanda's life has been a series of catastrophic events - her parents tragically killed in a car crash when she was a young child; her older brother died in a boating accident when she was 12; her fiancé died in a plane crash just seven months ago. Then, she meets Mark, or rather rescues Mark – while injured herself, she pulls him out of danger during the aftermath of a train crash in Chicago. Mark owes Amanda his life, which he, from that moment on, wants to spend with her. They instantly take to each other, as though they have known each other for years, yet they have never met before. As she awaits the ambulance, a grandfather clock in the window of the antique store across the street catches her eye, it seems so familiar.
Mark believes that he and Amanda are destined for each other, but Amanda is cautious, not wanting to tempt another catastrophe – she is terrified that falling in love with Mark would be as good as signing his death warrant. But Mark is persistent, he’s not going to give up that easily, or at all. Though Amanda remains hesitant, their friendship begins to blossom, and the sense of familiarity grows. This sense extends to the grandfather clock, which Amanda cannot get off her mind and eventually buys and brings home. She has a strange feeling that she has seen it before, just like Mark, but there's no way she could've. The sense of familiarity intensifies. Wanting an explanation as to the root of their connection, she and Mark turn to Amanda’s godmother, Mary, who just happens to be a psychiatrist. Mary guides them through multiple regressions using a therapeutic technique called Past Life Therapy. Through their sessions, they experience life in the 19th century, witnessing events around Charleston, during the American Civil War, and in Chicago, during the Great Fire. Could they be connected to the people they “become” while going through these regressions? Were the two of them connected to each other back then? Have their fates been entwined for so long? Will Amanda’s fear lead her to reject her destiny? Will they learn that they have always belonged together?
Samyann Romance’s book, Yesterday, asks so many enticing questions, whether she answers them or not, you will have to see by reading this wonderful tale! Samyann takes us on an exciting, heart-wrenching and heart-warming journey from the bustling streets of present-day Chicago back to the wooden block streets of 19th century Chicago, with a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, in the midst of the Civil War, in between. Through her fascinating and intriguing story of life and love that spans the centuries, she invites you to share in the adventure of the ultimate self-discovery and to become deeply involved with the origins and the fates of her heroines (Amanda and Bonnie) and heroes (Mark and… who knows?), and with all the people around them.
Samyann paints a wonderfully detailed picture of the locations in which this book is based and the times in which the characters find themselves, both in the present and the past. Her obvious interest and passion for history shine brightly throughout; she does a remarkable job at making the reader fully invested in the people she describes, whether they are main characters or sitting on the side-lines, and the events that she depicts, whether they are the simple goings-on of every-day life or dramatic events that affect a whole nation. Samyann’s description of the details around life during the time of the Civil War really brought the book to life. For instance, like how slaves were common-place in a lot of families and how they were treated, sometimes harshly, sometimes like family members, as in the case of Bonnie’s family; or like when Bonnie’s father saved the church bells from being melted down and reforged into cannons and muskets; even like when she described the making and using of Confederate Candles for hunting trips. The supporting characters are extremely well portrayed, making it is easy to feel their love, fear, and protective instincts towards the main characters, regardless of which century they're in. Although they are, as I said, only supporting characters in the book, their stories are well developed, particularly those from the past, and I found myself invested in their lives and personal situations too and wanted to know more about their fates. This latter desire, however, is left up to the reader’s imagination.
Due to the fabulous character development, the captivating plot of the interconnectedness of people through the years, the fascinating idea of past life investigations, and the factually accurate descriptions of the times and events mentioned in the story, I would give Samyann Romance’s book, Yesterday, a rating of 4 out of 4 stars and would highly recommend this book for teen readers and up. It is a superb modern-day/historical mystery/romance!
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Amanda's life has been a series of catastrophic events - her parents tragically killed in a car crash when she was a young child; her older brother died in a boating accident when she was 12; her fiancé died in a plane crash just seven months ago. Then, she meets Mark, or rather rescues Mark – while injured herself, she pulls him out of danger during the aftermath of a train crash in Chicago. Mark owes Amanda his life, which he, from that moment on, wants to spend with her. They instantly take to each other, as though they have known each other for years, yet they have never met before. As she awaits the ambulance, a grandfather clock in the window of the antique store across the street catches her eye, it seems so familiar.
Mark believes that he and Amanda are destined for each other, but Amanda is cautious, not wanting to tempt another catastrophe – she is terrified that falling in love with Mark would be as good as signing his death warrant. But Mark is persistent, he’s not going to give up that easily, or at all. Though Amanda remains hesitant, their friendship begins to blossom, and the sense of familiarity grows. This sense extends to the grandfather clock, which Amanda cannot get off her mind and eventually buys and brings home. She has a strange feeling that she has seen it before, just like Mark, but there's no way she could've. The sense of familiarity intensifies. Wanting an explanation as to the root of their connection, she and Mark turn to Amanda’s godmother, Mary, who just happens to be a psychiatrist. Mary guides them through multiple regressions using a therapeutic technique called Past Life Therapy. Through their sessions, they experience life in the 19th century, witnessing events around Charleston, during the American Civil War, and in Chicago, during the Great Fire. Could they be connected to the people they “become” while going through these regressions? Were the two of them connected to each other back then? Have their fates been entwined for so long? Will Amanda’s fear lead her to reject her destiny? Will they learn that they have always belonged together?
Samyann Romance’s book, Yesterday, asks so many enticing questions, whether she answers them or not, you will have to see by reading this wonderful tale! Samyann takes us on an exciting, heart-wrenching and heart-warming journey from the bustling streets of present-day Chicago back to the wooden block streets of 19th century Chicago, with a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, in the midst of the Civil War, in between. Through her fascinating and intriguing story of life and love that spans the centuries, she invites you to share in the adventure of the ultimate self-discovery and to become deeply involved with the origins and the fates of her heroines (Amanda and Bonnie) and heroes (Mark and… who knows?), and with all the people around them.
Samyann paints a wonderfully detailed picture of the locations in which this book is based and the times in which the characters find themselves, both in the present and the past. Her obvious interest and passion for history shine brightly throughout; she does a remarkable job at making the reader fully invested in the people she describes, whether they are main characters or sitting on the side-lines, and the events that she depicts, whether they are the simple goings-on of every-day life or dramatic events that affect a whole nation. Samyann’s description of the details around life during the time of the Civil War really brought the book to life. For instance, like how slaves were common-place in a lot of families and how they were treated, sometimes harshly, sometimes like family members, as in the case of Bonnie’s family; or like when Bonnie’s father saved the church bells from being melted down and reforged into cannons and muskets; even like when she described the making and using of Confederate Candles for hunting trips. The supporting characters are extremely well portrayed, making it is easy to feel their love, fear, and protective instincts towards the main characters, regardless of which century they're in. Although they are, as I said, only supporting characters in the book, their stories are well developed, particularly those from the past, and I found myself invested in their lives and personal situations too and wanted to know more about their fates. This latter desire, however, is left up to the reader’s imagination.
Due to the fabulous character development, the captivating plot of the interconnectedness of people through the years, the fascinating idea of past life investigations, and the factually accurate descriptions of the times and events mentioned in the story, I would give Samyann Romance’s book, Yesterday, a rating of 4 out of 4 stars and would highly recommend this book for teen readers and up. It is a superb modern-day/historical mystery/romance!
******
Yesterday
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Yesterday by Samyann
