PAPER DREAMS (Book) - 11/22/2015 8:20:52 AM
Book Review (1st October 2015)
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
We are in the 1950s when Paper Dreams begins, learning of a very special love that cannot be. The plot quickly then turns to 2009 where we join Katie as her fiance has just broken up with her, and we immediately share in her heartache. Katie works in a bookstore and is assigned the arduous task of cataloging books for a reclusive woman who has just died. Katie goes to the very large and ominous mansion and, while searching through the books, finds some interesting letters describing the 1950s romance between the married master of the mansion, Gerald Hapsworth-Cole, and a young pregnant girl, Amy Butler, who had no choice but to return to her home in Vancouver and leave England and her lover behind. They vow to keep in touch but that does not happen due to unforeseen circumstances. Gerald never gets to meet his son, James, and Amy spends the rest of her life pining for her lost love. The search is now on for a living relative to inherit Epton Hall and when James, and a cousin (Harold) are found, the fireworks begin. Both Katie and Stuart find themselves in danger several times. To tell you more would ruin the mystery and excitement of the story.
Paper Dreams certainly lives up to its description as a romantic thriller. Phyllis J. Burton has created a story that was impossible to stop reading. It is indeed, as the description states, “an emotional roller coaster.” I thoroughly enjoyed Paper Dreams and each of the characters. Paper Dreams has it all; romance, mystery, excitement, danger and tragedy. I cannot say enough about the writing of Phyllis J. Burton; she has quickly become my new favorite author. This is a must-read book that will not disappoint.
Evidence for Burning (Short Story) - 11/23/2015 3:11:28 PM
Superbly written story laced with humor, details, and interesting plot. Ah, yes, what "moral support" could Rev. Cornforth lend? Something about those pagan bonfires!
Evidence for Burning (Short Story) - 11/23/2015 7:46:53 AM
A good story with all the right ingredients. Enjoyed.
Your story brought up memories of football homecoming bonfires that I have attended and the tragedies associated with two of them. The year before my freshman year in college, a rival college, 30 miles away, sent young men with barrels of gasoline and torches on a pickup truck to set our bonfire ablaze. Gasoline spilled and the truck caught fire, burning several of the young men badly. I was part of guard duty that freshman year, somehow supposedly stopping our bonfire being lit--thankfully nothing happened.
A few years ago, students at Texas A&M were building their bonfire for homecoming from very large logs when it collapsed and killed eight students, I believe. Very tragic. Many bonfires have been banned because of incidents and, sometimes because of drought conditions making any burning very dangerous.
Still, bonfires are very primal and bring out that in all of us.
Ron
The Village Fete (Short Story) - 2/4/2012 7:34:30 AM
love everlasting. dreams or thoughts of dreams hold "us" in this world until we are together in the next...lovely story...i love a love story!
The Village Fete (Short Story) - 2/1/2012 11:47:44 AM
Excellent descriptions. Almost felt like I was there...
Moving On (Poetry) - 11/2/2011 3:24:48 PM
moving and elemental
Moving On (Poetry) - 11/2/2011 1:57:53 PM
Hard hitting!
When dad died a couple of months back they wanted my mother in a care home due to her health issues. Yet as a family we've made a rota and take it in turns to care for her in her own home.
