Cloud Nine

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet Love Story
Review: I just finished reading Cloud Nine and could not stop crying, nor could I put the book down until it was finished. Be sure to keep plenty of Kleenex handy, as you will need them for this book!

This was one of the most beautiful love stories I have read and Luann Rice is quickly becoming another favorite author of mine. I just finished reading Home Fires by her the night before and now Cloud Nine - what an emotional ride!!

Rice writes stories that grip your heart and soul and she does not let go until the story is over. Her character portrayal, especially of teen-agers, is so realistic, that you feel that they are your next-door neighbors and closest friends! Cloud Nine embraces all the nuances of family life, which has experienced death and familial loss, and the heartache that that causes. It embodies tragedy in multiple scenarios consisting of divorce, remarriage, cancer, and several deaths, yet, contained within all of these facts, there is a ray of faith and hope that life can and will get better. There is hope of reconciliation and the miracle of love working its magic. The character's live are not portrayed here as "perfect", but are wrought with dysfunction and pain, due to real-life experiences.

I found this story's ending to be bittersweet and wish that it did end differently, but once again, I am reminded that life is not perfect and life sometimes does not play out as we want it to - it is just fe being life. Rice expertly captures that feeling with Cloud Nine and conveys it so beautifully to her readers. You are swept up into the emotions of the drama and you cannot help it.

I absolutely loved this book and once again Rice demonstrates to us that love has a powerful and healing effect, on both the young and the old. Her message is of embracing life each and every day as a gift to yourself and to your loved ones, as one never knows what the next day will bring.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I loved the story of Sarah Talbot, who owns a bedding store called "Cloud Nine". When the story begins, Sarah is about to take a special flight to celebrate her cancer being in remission. She enjoys the flight so much that she decides to retain the services of the pilot, Will Burke, to take her to Elk Island. She left her hometown years before, but has decided to make the trip back to see her long lost father and the son she left behind.

Along the way, Sarah ends up bonding with Will and his daughter, Susan, and the trio help each other with all of the issues they are facing. I rated the book 4 stars because I'm not a big fan of romance, but in spite of my tastes, I really found myself enjoying the story and wondering what would happen next. If you are new to Luanne Rice, this is a great book to get your feet wet with. Rice is a wonderful source of comfort reads, and this book is no exception. If you are in the mood for a comforting and inspiring story, read "Cloud Nine."

Rating:
Summary: Cloud Nine
Review: Sarah Talbot is a cancer patient in remission... She still has lots of life in her even though she just finished her treatments. She meets Will Burke just after her hair begins to grow back and the two begin to fall in love. He is worried that he will loose her, but is willing to take a chance. Sarah is full of life and is an inspiration to all. She becomes a good friend and role model to Will's daughter Susan. Susan is young, confused and is trying to find herself. Sarah's carefree acceptance of life's tough circumstances serves as an inspiration to Susan. She teaches her the meaning of love.