Eternal Mercury - Elaine Pinter

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -
Can true love survive the boundaries of death?

Chelsee Taylor has been in love with her boyfriend, Max, since they started kindergarten together. She has no idea that high school graduation will be the last perfect day of her life. After a tragic car accident, she refuses to accept Max's death because she can still feel his presence. No one believes her and she is completely alone. But all of that changes the moment she meets Blake Andersen. It's not just that he believes her . . . or even just that he's so understanding . . . but why is Max's presence so strong when she's with Blake?

Eternal Mercury is two intertwined books in one. Book one follows Chelsee’s bittersweet journey and book two uncovers Blake’s story of redemption. In the end, it is Max who will inspire them both to trust fate, live life, and finish well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Elaine Pinter lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and son. When she’s not hanging out with them, she’s jotting down ideas for her next novel in the tattered notebook she carries everywhere.

Her writing journey began in June of 2012 when a reading spree set off an unexpected chain of events. After poring over the pages, her own ideas began to appear and she found herself glued to her laptop after her family went to bed every evening. In January of 2013, her first young adult romance, Eternal Mercury, was published. The late nights continued and Between the Starlight was published almost three years after that very first keystroke.

She’s one of those hopeless romantics who believes love always wins and that the best stories are the ones that drag you through the tears and reward you with a smile when all the pieces fit together perfectly in the end.

Visit this author's beautiful webpage - HERE

MY THOUGHTS -
This was a very heartfelt story about loss and organ donation and healing and finding love again! I always read the blurbs for books before I choose which ones I'm going to read and review but then usually so much time passes before I actually do my review that I forget what the book was supposed to be about. That happened with this book! I started reading it and thought that it felt more like a paranormal type book which was fine with me because I like that kind of book. But then it changed, and I realized what was really happening. Then I really started loving the book.

 It was a little repetitive in the beginning, it's not that it was slow, because it wasn't - but then about a third of the way through it got really good and kept up until the very end.

I like Chelsea a lot. And I like to Blake too, I really did… Except he didn't feel real to me. I know that supposedly he had changed after surgery but going from total bad boy to Mr. perfect seemed a bit much. He was super sweet to Chelsea and I was glad for that. I just kept wondering if it was all real or if he was hiding something.
But... then, once again, I didn't remember that the book had two parts. Half way through when I was thinking that it seemed like it was over and what more could the author say. The book changed into Blake's side of the story. And I have to admit - the author pulled a fast one on me! I loved his side of the story even better! That made him real! I got it then. I am so glad the author chose to do that. It was perfect!

Very good story that's, hmmm whats the word I want to use... heart awakening really (you will realize the pun when you read the story!). A feel good kind of book that has an original twist to it showing both sides of the same story.

I voluntarily posted this review after receiving this book from  the author, Elaine Pinter. Thank you!

Order your copy from Amazon - HERE 
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Here is a guest post by the author -

Eternal Mercury, Organ Donation, and Cellular Memory 

When I first realized that I wanted to write a book, I knew that I wanted it to be different. Shortly after I began brainstorming for that unique idea, a car-crash scene on a mountain highway started playing in my head. Not only was I looking for a unique story idea, but I was also looking for a positive message. I began to wonder if, instead of something scary like a ghost, could something good be left after someone died? The answer became clear to me: organ donation. What could be more beautiful than that? And what could be more romantic than true love that could survive the boundaries of death? To my surprise, the idea turned out to be more realistic than I expected. Through research I discovered the phenomenon of cellular memory. Cellular memory is when people who receive transplants take on traits of people whose organs they receive. It’s rare, but when it does happen, it can come in the form of food cravings, changes in musical taste or hobbies, and sometimes even glimpses at other things about the donor. 

Although the level of cellular memory I portrayed in Eternal Mercury is fictional, the need for organs definitely isn’t. It’s hard to think about death, and the common misconceptions about organ donation don’t help. But by understanding the facts and then making your decision known, you just might be able to bring something good out of the bad. That part of Eternal Mercury isn’t based on fiction. 

Here are the facts:
*Over 100,000 people, including kids, are in need of transplants. Over 20 of them die waiting each day.
*One person can save up to eight lives by donating their heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine. That same person can improve the lives of many others through the donation of tissues such corneas, skin, veins, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
*You won’t receive less medical care if you decide to become a donor. Doctors and nurses make every possible effort to save their patients’ lives and will not even consider organ donation unless a person dies.
*Income, social status, and race are not factors in deciding who receives organ transplants. You’ll be helping people who need it the most and your family will not be charged for the procedure.
*Most major religions support organ donation. I’m not sure that there could be a more loving or selfless gift, but don’t be afraid to check with your spiritual advisor.
*Almost anyone can be an organ donor. Age and/or medical history don’t necessarily disqualify you. 

The most important thing you can do is let your family know whether or not you want to be an organ donor. No matter what you decide, telling your family will save them from the pain of trying to guess your wishes at a time when that’s the last thing they need. And if the choice is right for you, to let someone else continue on when you’ve reached the end down here, don’t think about what it means for you; instead think of the incredible gratitude you’d feel if someone did it for you or someone you love.   

Thank you Elaine!