Just so we are clear, I don’t usually do reviews. I leave it up to the experts like Ionia Martin and Rosie Amber since they know what they are doing. I finished Andra Watkins book and was so impressed with the content I just couldn’t stop myself. I gave the book five stars and would have added a sixth if I could and yes, I decided to let you all know what I think. (dangerous I know)
I stayed up late night before last to finish Andrea’s wonderful book To Live Forever: An afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. The reason I stayed up late is I could not put the book down for the last 20%. The book is so good the reader is compelled to continue as resolutely as possible to the end to see what happens. Of course, once finished then must deal with the remorse which comes with the realization the adventure is over.
The story is of Meriwether Lewis (yes, the explorer from the early eighteen hundreds) finding himself in the 1970’s with a job to do and if he does it well he may be released from his hellish position which is described in the book as Nowhere. Although to the casual observer who has not read this book this may seem a stretch. Let me assure you the author has done the ample research necessary to not only pull this juxtaposition of history off, but to make it perfectly logical and a story worth telling. The backstory is rich with the sense the author has experienced some out worldly inspiration to bring the kind of detail to the tale. After reading several chapters, the reader can discount any divine intervention and rely on the fact that the author does indeed know exactly what she is doing and has researched the facts thoroughly.
The narrative takes a unique two separate character first person point of view posture which lets the reader know exactly what the two main characters are feeling and thinking without getting into some kind of clumsy third-party voice that is unrealistic. The story is told in the present tense which is the best to involve the reader in the action and raise the tension level significantly. Not all authors can pull off this complex arrangement, Ms. Watkins does so flawlessly.
A final note. I would like to make about the story. The story itself is action packed and moves along at a pace that is very pleasing. Very little time is wasted on unnecessary prose so the reader is not held hostage to a writer’s own personal quirks on what is thought to be good writing. Trust that this is excellent writing and has all the elements of adventure, love, compassion, anger and compelling protagonists which can’t help, but become endearing to the reader. This book is for anyone who likes a good story well told.
You can find it here:
- Amazon US Kindle version or
- Amazon US Paperback
- Amazon UK/Europe Kindle version
- Amazon UK/Europe Paperback
- Barnes & Noble Paperback
- Also available in independent bookstores, including: Square Books in Oxford, MS; Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN; Landmark Booksellers in Franklin, TN, Reed’s Gum Tree Books in Tupelo, MS; and Turning Pages Books in Natchez, MS.
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on Poetry by Pamela and commented:
I could not agree more with John’s review – it was a great book.
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One of my favorite books of the year. I loved the story, the history and the way Andra writes.
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Thanks for sharing this with us! The intrigue is here now. I might pick that book up.
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Believe me it is worth it.
On Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Fiction Favorites wrote:
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Your passionate review has me hooked.
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Obviously I liked it.
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😀
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Wonderful review! This is on my TBR and I may bump it up a notch or two 🙂
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It was on mine for a while and I finally got to it. Good read. Good for writers to read as well.
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I have got to read this! Great review, John.
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You will enjoy it
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You should do more reviews John, this is great and has enticed others to pick up the book, which is what reviews are all about.
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Thank you Rosie. I manage the Goodreads and Amazon reviews, but haven’t done many on the blog. 🙂
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Thanks for this passionate review, John. You made me tear up.
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There have been only a few books which grabbed and held me this year. Obviously yours was one of them. 🙂
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She is a talent, as are you.
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You I love. (Yoda said that)
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A great read indeed!
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Sounds good. I like stories about the afterlife. Have you ever seen the movie “Resurrection” starring Ellen Burstyn? 1980. It’s phenomenal. Similar plot and paced well and very very special. One of my favorite movies. Thanks for the review.
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I like Ellen Burstyn so I need to check it out.
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Great review, John! Another book to add to my TBR pile.
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Thanks Teri. You wi enjoy it.
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