The Guardian

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Seem to Put This One Down.....
Review: This book cuts a wide swath - there is romance, intrigue, mystery, an animal in a starring role, humor - and does it all with panache.

I hesitated to invest much time in this title because I had been a bit disappointed in Spark's other book, "A Bend in the Road."

What I did appreciate about "A Bend in the Road" was Spark's artistry as a writer - the first sentence in that title was amazing....

I started reading (my mother recommended it, as did another friend so I decided to give it 50 pages to hook me) and thought, "Ok, familiar territory - a youngish, attractive widow, a buddy-best-friend, a handsome mysterious stranger... ok, ok, ok..."

Enter Singer - a posthumous gift from Julie's deceased husband -and I was curious.

Mike, the buddy-best-friend-who-was-naturally-in-love-with-Julie, was likeable... funny, and I couldn't help rooting for him and then the mysterious handsome (and you knew he had to be bad news)character, Richard, was intriguingly three dimensional as well.

I even grew to care about Andrea, the stereotypical lower class co-worker of Julie.

I did something with this book I haven't done in eons - I cared enough about the characters to cry - which to me, says quite a bit about the quality of writing and character development.

I never once said, "Yeah, right" or "I wish this character wasn't ever created" or "I saw that coming from a bajillion miles."

Sparks did a fine job with this one - and now I know I will pick up other books of his... and perhaps give it more than 50 pages to hook me.



Rating:
Summary: Another Great One
Review: Sparks has a way of writing that gets the reader to imagine themselves there with the characters of the book. This was a book filled with love, tragedy and unconditional companionship. Not knowing which man to begin a romance with Julie begins to fall for two men. Soon it becomes all to clear who she should choose. That is when all the action begins. She starts a wirlwind romance with one and the other becomes jealous. She knows she must decide between them. Should she go with the interesting stranger or maybe she should choose her dependable friend who is always there for her? Speaking of always there for her, I have to mention the lovable dog Singer that is always by her side, what a sweetie. Sparks had me hanging on every word and I didn't want to put the book down. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Poor work
Review: This book is very predictable and boring. I've never read a book that is so wordy. Instead of igniting imigination and provoking thought, the author drudges through mundane, descript dialogue.

Waste of reading time.

Rating:
Summary: A WINNER!
Review: I really really enjoyed this book. It was so good. You really got to know the characters and felt like you were right there with them. I thought it was a different style from the last two of his books that I read. (The Notebook & The Wedding) I would really recommend those two too! I liked his style in this one, just a gave a different feel to it. It was a little longer than the other two I have read but worth it!

Rating:
Summary: Sparks Again!
Review: This book, although quite different than most of his others, is another great accomplishment by Nicholas Sparks. Any of his fans should pick up this book--but don't expect his "typical" romantic story. While the romance aspect is central, there is a darker theme and story line. In general, not mind-blowing like Message in a Bottle, or The Notebook (both books much better than their movies) but still a good read. For a first-time Sparks reader, I'd reccommend some of his older books first (such as those I already mentioned) to truly realize the change in this novel.