Thursday, April 21, 2016

A New Dawn in Deer Isle - The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings on Friday

    After George McLast's wife Lorna died, his life seemed to lose its purpose. He rarely left the trailer they'd bought in Florida, took afternoon naps to break the monotony, and worst of all, he'd started having a squeezing feeling in his chest. He'd  mourned for almost three years before deciding to take action in the form of a road trip in his van, something he and his wife had planned to do. A New Dawn in Deer Isle tells the story of George's adventure. With surprises along the way, he examines his life and his future.
     Readers who enjoy books with older characters (Baby Boomer age), road trips, and introspective narrative will definitely like this touching story. The author's voice is conversational, as if telling a story to a friend, and the book is an easy, engrossing, and true-to-life read. 
I'll look for more books by this author.

Genre: Fiction/Travel/OA (Older Adult)
Book Length: 181 Pages
Amazon Link: A New Dawn in Deer Isle
Author's Website: Tom Winton

Book Beginning:
     For thirty-five months my life had been a living hell. Every morning, noon, and night relentless flames ravaged my mind, my spirit, and my soul. You see, in 2011 my wife and I moved to that blazing-hot inferno they call Florida. And by the time we'd made it just halfway through the first nine-month summer in that overdeveloped, sub-tropical jungle, we absolutely hated the place. Then in September of the same year, with our hearts broken because we had made the move and couldn't afford to go back to Long Island, my Lorna began to weaken.

Friday 56 (from 56% on my Kindle):
Through the glass I saw Sarah Poulin's face again. She was placing short stout glasses of water  in front of five family members who'd entered the diner minutes earlier. And her lovely face was all lit up with that warm smile of hers. 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
     Every once in a while we read a book that profoundly affects the way we perceive our lives. A NEW DAWN IN DEER ISLE is one of those rare books. 
     A common man of modest means, world-weary George McLast decides to forget all his problems and take the trip him and his beloved wife had only dreamed about before she passed away three years earlier. Despite all the unnerving feelings he’s been getting in his chest, his son’s disapproval, and his precarious financial situation, he sets out across America following the same route John Steinbeck took in 1959 with his pet poodle, Charley. And as the legendary author wanted to do back then, George hopes to reacquaint himself with his country and its people. 
     But everything doesn’t work out as planned. Along the way George encounters far more than he had bargained for. And so will readers. During his many adventures and mishaps you’ll feel like you’re right alongside him, in the passenger seat of his old van. And you will not only read his words you’ll learn from them as well. 
                

Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56.
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Twitter: @SandyNachlinger
Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

22 comments:

  1. The synopsis sounds really interesting, thanks for sharing.

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  2. Sounds heartwarming. Thanks for sharing and for visiting me.

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  3. It's definitely a heartwarming story. I like the author's voice too.

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  4. Thank you very, very much for featuring A New Dawn in Deer isle, Sandy. I'm so glad you enjoyed my tale.

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  5. This sounds like it could be sad and uplifting at the same time. Enjoy!

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  6. I bet this is a lovely and fun read. I'd keep reading, for sure.

    My Friday 56 from West Of Dead

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  7. You always feature books I have never heard of and they sound so good. :)

    Stormi
    Friday Meme

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  8. Tom: One of the many reasons I enjoyed this book is that it felt so real. You brought your characters to life. More than once I thought, "That's just like a man."
    Stormi: I enjoy discovering indie authors (like me!) and I'm happy to promote them. A New Dawn in Deer Isle was a fun story.

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  9. I love travel books and books with older adults, especially introspective ones. Will add this to my list!

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  10. I've been especially drawn to Baby Boomer stories lately...I can't imagine why! LOL.

    Road trips are fun, too, so this one sounds like my kind of read. Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “THE OBSESSION”

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  11. Thanks so much, Sandy. I always try to put myself in the shoes and deep in the minds of my characters. I believe that's the only way to truly bring them to life on paper.

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  12. This sounds really good! I can see where Florida would be a tough transition if you're used to a colder climate and I love the idea of retracing Steinbeck's Travels With Charley's footsteps.

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  13. Definitely sounds interesting. I'm always looking for books about/for baby boomers (such as moi), so I might give this one a look. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Hi Sandra,

    I'm not so sure I like the sound of OA (older adult). I can see why YA fiction has a category all its own, however once you become an adult reader, surely you are considered wordly enough to be able to make the choices about what you read. When do you suddenly hit that marker which says that adult fiction is just that bit too risque and you need to have 'nice' books to read to see out your days!!

    Having said all that, for such a short book, this sounds like it packs plenty of descriptive writing and feeling, into its pages.

    You have illustrated that 'A new Dawn In Deer Isle', has two of the attributes I like to see in a short story; a strong beginning and an interesting midway story. I just hope that a conclusive ending is also on the cards - then this one will be perfect for my TBR list :)

    Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend :)

    Yvonne

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  15. This sounds interesting and I really liked the beginning...reminds me about how much I hate super hot weather and crowded areas. Thanks for visiting my Friday meme

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  16. How sad for him. He must have felt guilty about moving his wife to Florida. Too bad they didn't fall in love with the place.

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  17. Hmm, is he remembering his wife or is this a second chance at love? I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!

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  18. I read Travels with Charley a few years ago and it's still fresh enough in my mind that I would find this book very interesting to follow along. (In fact, I think Steinbeck ran into his own difficulties, although likely they were different than George's.)

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  19. Hi,
    Sounds like a great books. I'll have to check this one out. Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!

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  20. I like the beginning, and how you're brought into their story right away. Happy weekend!

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  21. Nice beginning but I CRINGE at that homemade amateur cover. Hope it gets picked up despite it!

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  22. That beginning really reminds me of talking to the neighbors when they used to live in Florida... :)

    Thanks for sharing!

    Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).

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