Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Download from Smashwords (eBook) Retrospection Category:  Fantasy Type: Fiction Pages: 98 Copyright: Aug 4, 2013 Price: $2.99 (eBook) A paranormal historical fiction adventure. After a terrible accident, Claire wakes up in the hospital. Not being able to remember the recent events that led to her accident is disturbing enough but to discover a stranger in her room who only she can see and hear is even worse. Jhidhai can relate. Typically, humans cannot see or hear him, but Claire can do even more. Unraveling Jhidhai's secrets will take Claire on a journey through both time and space. And Claire's secrets from herself will lead her toward a destination she could never have imagined. Excerpt “How was school?” Pa asked. Lyddia looked down at her plate, and Johnny was silent, so I took the initiative. “School was all right. We learned more about the sawmill.” That got Pa started. Lyddia looked up and met my eyes gratefully. I smiled back. We learned more about the sawmill at dinner that night than we’d ever learned about it in school. Even little Calvin asked some questions. “So the sawdust you’ve been bringing home isn’t just for play?” he asked. “Nope,” Pa said. “It will act as insulation around the foundations come winter.” “Winter won’t be coming this year.” Uncle Charlie muttered. He’d been silent up to this point. We all turned to stare at him. “There was another of them travelin’ preachers come to town.” “We saw him too. He said we should be afraid. What did he mean, Pa?” My father glared at my uncle who simply said, “It means we won’t be makin’ it to wintertime.” Calvin began to cry. “But it’s always so hot. I want winter to come. I miss the snow.” A whooshing sound flitted through the open window. Everyone froze and listened, except for Calvin who was too busy crying. The curtains lifted and fell, rippling with a breeze. Calvin stopped and looked around wide-eyed when the warning bell at the sawmill began to clang. “Fire,” Pa whispered. He looked at Uncle Charlie. “Another one. They’ll be needing our help.” Pa and Uncle Charlie pushed back their chairs and ran out the door. Aunt Rachael looked around the table and simply said, “Finish your supper.”

Can't Find the Words!
If you are looking for a book that will make you THINK; one that is part history, part paranormal, and sits in a genre class all its own, then this is the book for you.

I honestly didn't know what to make of this novel when I started it. I had no inkling as to who Jhidhai was or WHAT he was. It was a bit confusing but so interesting that I HAD to press on. Had to. I'm so glad I did. The more of this book I read, the more it stayed with me after I (reluctantly) put it down. Hey, we all have to sleep sometime, right? I felt compassion for the characters, not just Jhidhai and Claire, but the lives they shared with us through history.

After I finished the book, I sat quietly and relived it in my head and heart. THAT was when I realized that Wallace, through the telling of this story, turned the readers into Kiinari. We became the record keepers – the preservers of memories. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to step away from the 'normal' genres and delve into a story that will touch your heart and fill you with wonder.

Intriguing
"Retrospection" by S.L. Wallace is a very accomplished and well written novel that I find hard to classify as it combines elements of a historical novel with mild paranormal fantasy features but remains refreshingly ambiguous on both accounts.

At the beginning and at the heart of it is Claire, a woman lying in hospital and possibly hallucinating or simply imagining her visitor whom only she can see.

Subsequent chapters take us and her to a range of episodes in history, moments that connect and explain about her visitor, but we yet have to find out why Claire is in hospital in the first place.

Magical in its premise and well balanced as far as the secrets and the mystery aspects are concerned the book is intriguing, unpredictable and engaging. The story stayed with me long after I had finished.

Would you like to look back at your life?
The more I read the more awake I became. This is an interesting premise and as I read I was absorbed into the unknown. I was touched by the sentiment and moved during the emotional moments. This story was well written and easy to follow. Retrospection kept me thinking, wondering and guessing all the way through.

"Claire and Jhidhai still sat upon the wooden park bench facing the lake. Claire turned and studied Jhidhai but said nothing. He shifted uncomfortably and waited.

Finally, she spoke. "If you had to do it all again, would you do anything differently?

"No, I can't honestly say that I would. What happened, happened. Anyway, we can't change the past."