By Summer's End

Rating:
Summary: Beach Reading Plus
Review:
Pamela Morsi's _By Summer's End_ is a nice read. She includes likable characters, a challenging situation, and an ending suitable for beach reading.

There is a little split-perspective writing going on, so be forewarned that about 1/3 of the way through the book, chapters alternate with 'what might have been'. I thought it was neat, but I have friends who can't even bear it when the narrator of the book changes, so .... just something to bear in mind.

The writing was easy to read, and Morsi addressed some non-fluffy topics. Stereotypes vs. 3-D people, the nature of heroism, etc. Most of these were inserted fairly obviously in the dialouge, but her points were interesting none-the-less.

I deeply suspect that Morsi's description of chaos theory shouldn't be considered a definative explanation. Her take on 'some things are just bad luck, but there is still an overarching plan for our lives', was presented very well.

Overall, as I said. A nice read. A little food for thought. Beach reading with a little something extra.

Rating:
Summary: From Publisher's Weekly
Review: Here is another take, from Publisher's Weekly Magazine, on this fine story...

BY SUMMER'S END
Pamela Morsi, Mira, $6.99 (384p) ISBN
0-7783-2139-8

Morsi's smart, funny story of a widowed mother dealing with cancer is endearingly upbeat. After the accidental death of her husband, Sonny, 13 years earlier, Dawn Leland left Knoxville, Tenn., with her two young daughters, Sierra and Dakota, vowing never to return. She had no reason to stay since Sonny's parents considered her socially inferior and blamed her for their son's death. now, diagnosed with cancer, Dawn has no choice but to go back to Knoxville to live with the Lelands while she undergoes treatment. Sixteen-year-old Sierra views the move as a grand adventure and settles in to stay, but 13-year-old Dakota, a "physics geek" wants nothing to do with the grandparents who didn't want her and is unwavering in her desire to hit the road as soon as Dawn recovers. Drawing loosely from chaos theory, Morsi (Suburban Renewal) skillfully layers chapter upon chapter with scenes that illustrate the past, the present and what could have been if Sonny had lived. This fascinating and poignant read will leave readers pondering this, "In the long run, the universe and everything in it proceeds exactly as it was meant to all along." (Agent, Andrea Cirillo, Jane Rotrosen Agency)


Rating:
Summary: How do you say good bye to a favorite author?
Review: How does one say goodbye to a beloved author?

The wonderful writer of the sweet, historical romances Heaven Sent, Marrying Stone, No Ordinary Princess, Sealed with a Kiss, Simple Jess, Runabout, The Love Charm, Here Comes the Bride and Something Shady is no more.

Pamela Morsi has moved on to what she seems to consider a more rewarding endeavor - writing contemporary "novels:" Suburban Renewal, Letting Go, Doing Good, and her latest By Summer's End.

During Morsi's historical period, I would laugh, cry and adore her characters. When the book was over, I would anxiously await her next romance. It got the stage that I didn't even read the cover or the tease; I saw Pamela Morsi's name and I bought the book.

But then about 4 years ago, I was disappointed to discover that Morsi had decided to stretch her wings. What followed was less than expected contemporary "novels" as they are called. Not so sweet, more convoluted in the plot if one could call it that, and certainly not the loveable characters. Now there is confusion and a sense of "what in the world is going on and where did I miss something."

Yesterday, I naively made the mistake of purchasing By Summer's End in my favorite bookstore. Why? Because it had Pamela Morsi's name on it. At home I gathered my soda, fleece blanket, and dog to begin reading one of my favorite authors.

The story is about a widow who discovers that she has cancer and returns to her in-laws who she swore she would never see again so that if something happens to her, her two teenage daughters will be cared for and loved. The girls do not know these grandparents since after their father died, their mother fled the town vowing never to revisit her past. As mother fights her cancer, the girls learn more about the father they can't remember or never knew since their father was killed in a logging accident right before the second daughter's birth.

This could have been a tender, contemporary novel. But all of a sudden, Dad is at the birthing, Dad is agreeing to go back to college, and Dad is coaching the girls who are 15 and 13 on their sports team.

What? I looked at the back of the book. Did I miss something? I started leafing through the book to peruse the "Sonny" chapters vs. the "Real Life" chapters. Yes, Sonny (Dad) did die before the second daughter's birth. What is going on?

At four in the morning I'm trying to finish the book to see what is going to happen. At this point I am afraid that my "senior moments" have taken over and dementia is setting in. I question, "Has the editor messed this book up?"

Finally, I go onto Amazon and B&N to read a review. Publisher's Weekly Magazine from Feb.4, 2005, finally sets my mind at rest: Drawing loosely from chaos theory, Morsi (Suburban Renewal) skillfully layers chapter upon chapter with scenes that illustrate the past, the present and what could have been if Sonny had lived.

Oh, "what could have been if Sonny had lived." But I had been told that Sonny died early on, Mom has continued with her not-so perfect life, why do I the reader care what life would have been like if Dad hadn't been killed. This book is not labeled a fantasy or a romance novel; it is a novel. Well, this book certainly hasn't met my criteria: to entertain me and to relieve stress.

Thank you, Ms. Morsi. In the future, I will not pick up a book because it has your name on it. When you return to sweet, historical romances, I will be the first in line because that is where you shine.


Rating:
Summary: engaging character study
Review: When the job or the boyfriend dried up, Dawn accompanied by her two children hit the road and moved on to the next "Sonny". However, her thirteen years old daughter Dakota notices that this time it is different as Dawn for the first time back tracks and heads to her hometown of Knoxville; Dakota's older sister Sierra fails to see anything unique on this trek until they reach their destination.

Dawn pleads with her mother-in-law Sephrona to allow her two grandchildren to spend the summer with them because she is ill. Sephrona blames Dawn for the death of her son thirteen years ago; if he had not impregnated her and then married her, he would have been at university instead of logging when the tree fell on him. Still Sephrona forced by her spouse, who wants time with his grandchildren, reluctantly takes in the three women. Will love or hate rule this summer in which everyone struggles to adjust, but health becomes the key issue as grandpa and Dawn have threatening ailments.

This engaging character study focuses in on an ensemble cast though the youngest player serves as the prime narrator. The family drama works on several levels as each sees the relationships quite differently. Pamela Morsi displays her talent so by the novel's end fans will appreciate that the four women, grandpa and even the canine Rocky Dog have unique personalities that remain consistent. This is a fine tale that showcases the relative strengths of love vs. hate on individuals.

Harriet Klausner