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Category:
Mainstream
Publisher: Wendiann
Type: Fiction
Pages: 307
Copyright: January 3, 2011
ISBN-13: 9781490387956
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
When illness becomes a personal battle and grief rips her soul, Jade Prency reaches online to find understanding. What could possibly go wrong?
Stubborn independence is what her Canadian upbringing had taught her. To hide insecurity behind laughter and a smart-mouth...that, she'd inherited. Since the divorce in her twenties, Jade Prency lived life on her terms, never worrying about tomorrow. At aged forty-one, the purchase of a home will mark the start of an unexpected twisted journey.
When doctors discover a tumor she stumbles, but her hardships are nothing compared to the devastating news of her father's diagnosis. As she watches her hero wither, everything she ever believed changes. Lost in emotional turmoil, Jade withdraws from the world.
Feeling separate and alone, she reaches to an online community. Here she can hide her worn appearance safely behind a keyboard. Building friendships, careful to avoid the men's flirtations, she allows one man to become her strength across the miles. Her online family watch fascinated, as Brady Gibbs, the handsome American who held her hand through it all captures her heart.
Ready for the future with the one man she believed would keep her safe, life throws one more unexpected twist.
Online, Where real becomes make-believe and make-believe becomes all too real.
Excerpt
Prologue
Wrapped in a cocoon of blankets unable to breath, Jade battled to unwind her body then bolted upright in bed. “Holy crap,” she said as she wiped her sweat-matted hair. “Are you here?” She held her breath as if she’d hear the voice confirm its presence. “If you’re here, show me a sign that it’s you.” Again she waited for a signal, the dream too vivid this time, not like the others. Hearing nothing, she glanced at the clock which glared two-thirteen. Moving to her living room, she curled on the loveseat to still her rattled nerves.
“Why tonight?” The question whispered in the dark echoed as a lecture for her brain. “Not now, I’ve got a plane to catch.”
She’d stayed up until midnight writing after she excitedly placed her suitcases at the door for her six a.m. departure to New York. It had taken a year of toil to get to this moment. Once she signed the publisher’s contract for her series last year, their endless demands started. She fulfilled their daily requests and to end her nights, she had started the novel that plagued her. As words danced to the page, tears flowed as she exorcised the pain.
“Focus on the series,” she lectured herself. “The time is finally here, your time.” Exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes to clear her mind and relaxed against the cushions.
Footfalls echoed against the pavement as she walked across the parking lot. At the stairway to the upper balcony of rooms, her heartbeat sounded in her ears, and time slowed to a snail’s pace when she gripped the railing to climb. From the top landing, one door stood open a hundred feet away, the light from within filled the darkness of the corridor. Knots formed in her stomach as she walked towards it. She could hear each breath as her pulse drummed louder. Steeling her nerves at the threshold, a rumble started within like the very earth shook underneath her.
Centered on the wall, the lights above the bed were an eerie fluorescent glow, a signal that it was time and a familiar coldness greeted her. Please no, her mind pleaded as she inched towards the bed to stand next to the mass covered with the linen. Reaching for the top hem, she pulled back the cream-colored sheet and the drumming in her ears stopped.
With hair disheveled like straw, his expression told the story of pain. Dragging the sheet down she saw the evidence of his decision, the empty pill bottle lay by his fingertips. Memories flooded, moments shared, the tears began.
“I don’t understand.” Her words barely a whisper, “You didn’t say goodbye.” Through her watery gaze, he appeared at the far side of the room.
“I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.” She heard his voice, but his lips never moved. Looking down at the still body then back up at the figure before her, a shimmering light surrounded him, his smile so warm and peaceful.
“I didn’t want to…I had no choices left,” he explained.
Thoughts tumbled as she struggled with the pain. He wasn’t taken, he left. Gasping, the pounding began in her chest and the room spun.
Opening her eyes in her darkened room, tears trailed down her face and that familiar ache returned. “Stop it, it was just a nightmare!” She rubbed angrily at her cheeks. Her cell phone on the coffee table taunted her and her finger moved over it to wake the message screen. Gently touching his name, his last words appeared. ‘I’ll call ya later.’ Scrolling through the history left as her memory of him, a rogue tear escaped.
“Why?” She whispered. His wonderful laughter and voice reverberated through her head. “This is crazy! He’s been gone for over a year, damn near fourteen months!” Jade pressed the button and the screen blackened. “I’ve spent the last year working my ass off and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let you make me feel sad. If only you could see me now, all those years telling me to fight for happiness have paid off, I’ve done it.”
AMAZON REVIEWS:
4.0 out of 5 stars Real and online worlds collide in this excellent story-By John Phiser
This a well-written first novel from Wendiann who has done an excellent job of presenting a thoughtful and realistic main character in the form of Jade. You follow her life through many difficult and trying times both in the real and virtual world. The book skillfully charts relationship developments online with interesting and realistically detailed interaction between the characters, which eventually transitions into the real world. The book’s subtitle is ‘Online Anyone’ and you can be sure they are – and some of them become a significant part of her life. The online world is not without ‘danger’ as people hide behind different personae in order to lead a double-life – deception follows, but the final outcome is positive and satisfying. I would definitely read more by this author.
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5.0 out of 5 stars ‘if you’re gonna do something best, be number one at it’!-By Jan Heart
With 'And When', Wendy Proteau has written a gem. Rich in detail and characterization this book will give you a good emotional ride for your money.
The main character Jade is a 40- something, beautiful, full-figured woman with long hair and gorgeous eyes (though she doesn’t really see it that way) with a pretty dry sense of humour , a ready wit and a smart-ass mouth.
She finds herself in a tough spot – despite good and supportive friends and family, she seems to struggle through life – her job just earns her enough to buy a house, but it needs a lot of work; her health declines with the discovery of thyroid tumours, but the health services takes forever to help her and her spirits sags; her recently retired, much loved Dad is diagnosed with lung cancer and given only a short time to live. Nonetheless the way she does get through this, albeit it slowly and sometimes painfully, draws you to her and you will her on side, thanks to Wendy Proteau’s excellent writing. Jade meets new people online through a chat room and this helps build her confidence in herself and in her future and eventually she meet these friends in person, including the handsome Brady with whom she’s been chatting, mailing and phoning for over a year. Their meeting is a turning point in the novel as from then on the focus is largely on their on-off relationship and their friends from the online chat group. I did miss the rest of Jade’s family and friends from the beginning in the second half and it almost made it seem like a separate book, but as I only realized this at the end I guess it didn’t detract from the enjoyment I had from reading the novel. There is a lot of detail in this ‘second’ half in the conversations between Brady and Jade – they are what it’s about and it’s how you as the reader make up your mind about Brady’s character. It is extremely believable and well written and this for me made me want to keep going and of course find out where this is all leading. The path of true love never runs smooth they say, and this is certainly the case for Jade and Brady, but as a reader I believed in them, right until the last page!. Fantastic.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt, Jaw dropping, Awe Inspiring-By Rose Lynn
What happens when life goes all ways but right? When everything you loved so much in life is lost? When you have no one to turn to and are all alone in the world? "And When" happens. This is an amazing novel. Author Proteau grabs your heart strings right at the opening and refusing to let go as you discover a life of love, loss and overcome illness. It makes you really feel for Jade and her lifestory. At times the tears ran down my cheeks as I connected so well with her and her plight through life. Her struggles are many and ones that anyone can relate to and surely will through the excellent writing styles of Proteau. If you are fighting to overcome your own struggles or are simply looking for an excellent read, this is a book you need to pick up. Love, loss and everything in between
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4.0 out of 5 stars Very Moving..By Jay Mittener TOP 1000 REVIEWER
I love a book that opens with something that will pull my heart immediately into the book and not let go of it until the end. It's not all that often a book can keep a heart satisfied through her pages, but this one does!
I loved Jade, she is a red-haired fighter who has some very poignant and dead on revelations. She is trying to rebuild her life (and her house!) and along the way I rooted for her and cried for her.
There are few stories that really can hit home when dealing with recovering yourself from hard times. Anyone who has been through a difficult period or season in their life can relate to this book. I really did, it actually helped me put a few things in perspective and I will certainly be looking for more from Ms. Proteau. Well done!
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3.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Vulnerability By E A Fow
I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading And When, but was pleasantly surprised by Jade, the red haired, plus-sized heroine and the set up of dealing with real life issues such as health, aging parents, and home owning. The heroine is left vulnerable by a series of events and finds herself pulled into an emotional web of online dating. The set up is so strong and real, that what unfolds afterwards is disappointing in comparison. I’m sure a lot of readers will identify with Jade’s search for love and being drawn in by a seemingly dreamy but slightly mysterious guy, but it’s where the book started to confuse me. It had started so real and compelling but began to feel more like a standard romance novel. The author, Wendiann, seems well versed in the seedier, more deceptive practices of internet wooing, and she does twist what happens with it; the book ends up serving as a cautionary tale, but I wanted so much more for Jade. She’s a compelling heroine, and would be a terrific focus for all kinds of novels. This is Wendiann’s first novel, and I’m hoping she’s got future plans for Jade.
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4.0 out of 5 stars POIGNANT BUT COMPELLING STORY! By Avid Reviewer TOP 500 REVIEWER
Sometimes, life has its own way of sapping the little energy that you might have conserved. When grief and life's tragedies comes calling, they usually come aplenty. And that is the situation Jade Prency finds herself confronting when she is diagnosed with tumor of the thyroid, which in itself would have been devastating enough, yet it is just one of the myriad problems she is faced with.
And When by Wendiann Proteau is heartrending story of how Jade experiences a series of life-shattering circumstances and how she learns to cope with it. Before she gets over the shock of the demise of her beloved grandmother, her father whom she hero worships succumbs to lung cancer leaving her completely devastated. And to add to her woes, Jade is diagnosed with thyroid cancer, a disease which seems to be running in the family.
Author Wendiann Proteau paints a moving story as Jade struggles with her own life. Her online venture brings her close to one particular person in whom hinges her whole life. This is a sad story but compelling and enjoyable.
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4.0 out of 5 stars `When the going gets tough, the tough get going' By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
Canadian author Wendiann Proteau launches her first major novel with the publication of AND WHEN though she is far from a beginner author, Looking at her life, really examining it, gave her insights she proceeded to share with a series of seven volumes of self reflective workbooks whose aim was to provide aid to those who like her have reason to question purpose in life - and how to find it. From her notes associated with that series she writes, `Blessed with three siblings and parents who supported my hopes, I was raised in a small Canadian town, in an average middle-class family. I've married, divorced, dated, loved, lost, struggled, worked, succeeded and failed. I really am an everyday type of person. Single at age forty-something, I'm still figuring life out daily. I would define myself as being analytical, a realist and a dreamer, so you can only imagine the confusion that goes on sometimes. The dreamer starts to write fiction thinking of the happily ever after, but then while editing the realist comes out. My analytical side comes from being a go-to person over the years so I've learned to see things from many angles, knowing that circumstances affect us all individually. To be honest, I'd never written more than a grocery list until 2009. It came out of nowhere as I sat at my computer one night following an idea. The `Sit N Do Nothing Hamster Series' is my attempt to bring us all a little closer in this technological world. Using humor, comparison, and pull-quotes, the workbooks of self-discovery are a way to share tidbits of who we are, in the here and now. We are all an accumulation of every moment from birth until now and it's important to share that. The story continues to place difficult hurdles, forcing the characters to veer from their chosen paths. All in all, my life would be nothing without the people who have touched my soul. Friends, family, co-workers, relatives...have all been there through the good and bad. Everything takes hard work and nothing ever comes easy. Well at least not in my life. I firmly believe that karma plays an important role and that it brings us the people we are meant to meet, challenges we have to overcome, lessons we need to learn, and dreams we are meant to reach for.' That excerpt tells us more about the plot of AND WHEN than any summary.
Displaced form her living situation and taking on a home of her own, Jade Prency is a 40-something big woman, Amazonian and imperfect, and she relies on humor and her ability to help others to find her place in the world, believing tomorrow would always come. Two words invade to twist her world: illness becomes her personal battle and grief is a process her soul must endure. Feeling separate and alone, she searches for a new way to cope. Losing her beloved father to lung cancer, her grandmother dies, and Jade is discovered to have thyroid tumors in her neck that exasperate her because of delayed diagnoses. Her family is supportive and she is the bulwark of keeping her family going. Ultimately she turns to the Internet -the new best friend sources in websites and chatrooms - for a caring friend and in time she `meets' Brady, a charmer from Virginia with secrets of his own. The slow development of their relationship and the subsequent results provides the `journey' of the title. An example of her prose `on-line,' Brady responds to Jade - `You haven't told me too much, never will, Hon. I have seen that it's easier to talk to some complete stranger now-a-days than someone who you know. This world has changed so much that sometimes I don't know if I still exist in it. It seems that people are not much into communicating with each other one-on-one rather than text or email. Hope your day at work goes well, that you go to and from, safely. Thanks for emailing back, wish I could be there to meet you when you get home; would be so very nice to have someone warm, caring and captivating around. Imagine what you want, but I see it clearly in my eyes. *Long deep kiss* Brady Xoxoxo'
For a first novel Wendiann Proteau writes with confidence and a rich sense of realism couple with a style that completely matches her subject. After a chapter we know her character and grow along with her. As she states, I wrote And When to help people. I think we all struggle. Life is never fair or easy, but each journey we take, every path we choose can lead to something unexpected.' She has accomplished her mission. This book may fall into the category of `chick lit' for most, but there is sufficient compassion that pours out of her pages that should attract men also. `I think we all struggle' she says, and that `all' is the defining word. Grady Harp, March 14
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5.0 out of 5 stars A story about emotional recovery By Rollis
The opening of “And When” sets the scene for a story about personal loss, destruction, and recovery. The prologue represents such a powerful hook. I believe you hint to those events being a dream, but the whole description is so well disguised that something I wondered whether she actually saw a ghost. And of course the prologue left a lot of questions unanswered—who? why?
As the story advances, we become familiar with a woman who tried to put her life together, a life as derelict as her new house. Too bad the life doesn’t want to comply. As soon as Jade seems to get a break, something else bad happens, which sadly is how reality is. I believe this is the strongest point of your story—the feel of verisimilitude of both events and characters. The dialogue with her family members for instance was lovely, funny, and authentic. Most adult women will be able to identify with Jade—she is powerful in a subdued way, funny without going over the top, and a fighter.
I believe this story will please the lovers of chick-lit, as well as the fans of more serious novels.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Real World and Internet Worlds Collide By Veronica
And When, by Wendiann Proteau, really took me by surprise. As soon as I read the description I knew this would be a book that I was going to enjoy, but I didn't realize how invested in it I was going to get. Such a unique story line that feels almost too real, it drew me in and didn't let me go until the very last page. This is a story of how the real world and the online world collide and become one.
Main character Jade Prency has to overcome many obstacles, and deals with too many hardships. My heart broke for her throughout this novel, as the character herself felt very real. The doctor informs her that she has a tumor, which quickly turns her life upside down. However, devastation strikes her yet again when she finds out that her father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She can't cope with reality any longer, which is when she turns to the internet, in order to escape. The online world becomes an alternate reality for many people, and this is exactly what Jade engrossed herself into. She is able to hide her appearance, and quickly becomes friends with an online support community. She tries to stay away from the men, but one Brady Gibbs captures her attention. He quickly becomes her hero, helping her every step of the way with all that she's going through. However, not everything is quite as it seems, and yet again, Jade is faced with more challenges. Is Brady really too good to be true, or is he the real deal?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it evoked a lot of emotions in me. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of reading in general, as I feel that it caters to most. Proteau is an excellent author, and I am truly excited to read more of her work.
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4 out of 5 stars A Story That Plucks at the Reader's Heartstrings By Marta Cheng
And When by Wendiann Proteau is best described as a series of tumultuous and emotional ‘and when’s’ in the life of Jade Prency: …and when the living situation with her best friend and former roommate, Eric, became unbearable, Jade hastily bought a run-down fixer-upper without benefit of a much-needed home inspection; …and when Jade waited for the results of her biopsy, her father was rushed to the hospital and subsequently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer;…and when her beloved father died, Jade had to struggle with her grief while dealing with her own medical crisis; and when…the list of ‘and when’s’ simply continue.
The author, Proteau, writes with honesty, integrity and a self-depracating humor that resonates with the reader, especially during the most embarrassing or heart-trending moments of Jade’s life. Case in point: any woman who’s ever had to undergo a breast exam or a Pap test will be able to relate to – and chuckle at – Jade’s inner quandry with the paper gown that covers next-to-nothing and rides up the cracks of one’s nether-regions! Proteau’s main protagonist, Jade, is tough, self-sufficient when she has to be, and is tenacious almost to a fault. However, the message that the book really brings home the most is that no man or woman is an island. No matter how tough, or tenacious or self-sufficient we are, at the lowest or most difficult times in our lives, we all need someone. Jade’s family, although supportive and loving in their own way, couldn’t provide Jade with the support she needed so she sought support online. While lacking somewhat in polished prose, And When nevertheless reaches in and plucks at the reader’s heartstrings. It certainly did mine.
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4 out of 5 stars 4.0 out of 5 stars Struggling, but relatable By Renee Spicuzza
These real-life styled novels aren’t usually the genre I read, but I thoroughly enjoyed Wendiann Proteau’s, “And When” novel because Jade is so relatable and strong, even against all of the problems that have been thrown at her in such a short period of time. Her own diagnosis with the thyroid related tumors and then her father’s terminal diagnosis of lung cancer has Jade grasping at straws to try and pull her life together. I think because she has so many struggles, I can understand her and the actions she takes in a better way. Jade starts to realize that she cannot find the emotional support she needs via her family, so she finds a new internet family to talk to that can try to better understand her and the stress that she is under. With this new family comes a possible romantic interest who could either make or break Jade.
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5 out of 5 stars Emotional and Moving By Melissa Robinson
I borrowed this book from a friend per their recommendation. And I was not disappointed. And When by Wendiann Proteau drew me in especially with the well written and developed main character Jade Prency. Jade as many of us has been dealt a series of life smack down blows. So I could relate to her immediately. Jade uses the internet to find solace through online chat groups. I love the correspondence between her and the people she connected with online.
What I loved most about this story was how it pulled you in emotionally. You really felt for Jade and all she was going through. You connected. The author's writing really tapped into your emotions through this story. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the next.
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5 out of 5 stars inspriational! By missaliax
This is an amazing story of love and triumph. I can relate to Jade so much, she is rough around the edges and doesn't let her emotions show. She buys a home at forty one, but this is just the beginning of her journey.
Along this journey Jade gets terrible news, not only does she have cancer but her father is terminal. This pushes her away from the world and everyone in it.
She finds safety in an online chat room and meets Brady, who is her strength through her rough patch.
This is an amazing and inspirational read, I would recommend to anyone going through life. I can't wait to read the sequel!
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5 out of 5 stars This is a must read! Must read! By Michelle Williams
And When is a most remarkable and amazing realistic modern day romance novel. It is filled with such emotions and truths that are laid bare by Jade –the feisty and strong lead character.
This novel is way bigger than the lovey dovey romance that you would come to expect. It takes you through the life of the average woman who goes through such tremendous events in her life while making testing and unusual relationships.
Wendiann (Wendy Proteau) really built a great character in Jade that I found very satisfying and heartfelt. I love this book! Read And When – no disappointments.
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5 out of 5 stars Life Affirming And Uplifting By im1rarebird
This is a love story like none other. Jade Prency is as stubborn as she is tall and fiercely independent. As life would have it, she experienced a series of events that threw her entire world into a spin. Her beloved Grandmother dies, then her dad succumbs to lung cancer and finally she is diagnosed with thyroid tumors.
Devastated and feeling alone, she does like many people today, turn to the internet to find support, friendship and to relieve the loneliness. She finds that and so much more. Although she was certain that she would not love again, after her failed marriage when she was a young adult, she finds her heart blossoming from the attention of one of her online friends from America.
You will get emotionally invested in this story and in Jade's life. I laughed and cried with her and I cheered as she learned to live again and so will you.
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5 out of 5 stars When the pen hits the paper..By Edward C. Labossiere
This is a first work by a budding author, a real page turner. Knowing a bit about "the story behind the story" makes is all the more fascinating. What will she do for an encore? Also consider her "Sit 'N' Do Nothing" series of workbooks on self-discovery.
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5 out of 5 stars loved it! By Doug griffith
Keep it up Wendiann. Definitely captured my interest-Great book, flowed well and very thought provoking.
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