The Rockin' Chair - Steven Manchester (Review and Giveaway!)

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -
Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone. 
Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestseller Twelve Months, Goodnight, Brian, and several other books. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Manchester’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
  
MY REVIEW -
As usual, Steven puts out another wonderful heartfelt story! This book got tons of 5 stars, I couldn't give it 5 stars because it was a little slow in spots for me. But was still a great story! 
My daughter works in an assisted living home for people with  Alzheimer's and Dementia. So I am very famiaiar with this disease, though not from personal experience, thank you God. I think it has got to be the worst thing for a family to suffer through.
The story starts right out with Alice, you know something is wrong and I did suspect Alz. right away. I loved the beginning it was very well done and really did give you a feel of what it is like to suffer from it.
It then switches back and forth from present time and memories. It tells the stories and history of all the family members, where they are today and how they got there.

The character development was great. My favorite was Tara, I loved her and felt a confection with her right away. She is Alice's granddaughter who fled to NYC once she was an adult, got hooked on drugs and alcohol, got pregnant and is now a single mother just barely holding on, trying to get her life in order. I could have read a whole book just about her.
I won't go into all the characters, but each has their own story to tell. It seems like Alice is the glue to holding this dysfunctional family together. 

It was a very nice story like I said, very heartfelt and even sad at times.
Here are a couple of quotes -
"Well, the way I see it," he said "Alice has been cheated life's greatest gift... her memories."A wave of determination suddenly replaced the fear and anger - if only for a moment. "Looks like I'll just have to remember for us both."

"While Ma's memories grew faint and foreign, her mind was slowly being removed from the world around her. It was terrible to watch. Hank couldn't imagine a worst crime than for some disease to steal away the memories that an entire life spent collecting."
Thank you "Partners in crime" for sending me this book to read and review!

Get your copy from Amazon - HERE 
Or from B&N - HERE 

The Giveaway -
I am giving away my copy of this book. 

To enter to win this book - fill out the form below.
* Please US & Canada only.
And please only enter once -  (I go through and delete double entries).
* Winner will be chosen on July 19th.
* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond.
* Please leave a comment for an extra entry (a REAL comment, not just "I would like to win").

Comments

  1. I am a huge fan of this author and absolutely loved this book. Definitely tugs at the heart strings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  2. Many thanks for sharing THE ROCKIN' CHAIR with your readers! I really appreciate it.

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  3. Thank you for the giveaway. I love to read!

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  4. I am reading Goodnight, Brian right now and loving it. I would love to read more by this author.

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  5. Great review! This is a book I would enjoy reading. I am glad it tells all the characters stories. It sounds like a very touching and somewhat sad book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  6. The character development and the heartfelt emotions sound great.

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  7. sounds like a great book.
    Great review!
    thanks for the great contest.

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  8. Memories truly are a gift! I look forward to reading this heartfelt story. Thank you for sharing your review.

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