My review
Today I find myself both honoured and nervous to post a review of a book written by my dear friend and fellow blogger, James J. Cudney a.k.a Jay as I like to call him.
Do I plan to go easy on him in this review? No.. never… and he wouldn’t want that also.
But luckily Jay made it very difficult for me to write a review to justify his work and very easy for me to give his book 5 stars.
The story goes like this, Olivia Glass not only had to deal with her husband, Ben Glass dying in an accident but also had to deal with a hidden fact, a secret which only Ben knew. One of her child is not hers, and Ben’s will does not reveal which one of her sons is not truly hers. Olivia then goes to visit her sons and get to know them before shattering their lives with the truth. But it’s Olivia who learns that each of her son has a horrible secret and she has to find a way to bring her family together
This is James J. Cudney debut novel.. And what a fabulous job he has done in this book. There is maturity in his writing, there is pathos, there is angst, all written with an underlying emotion of love. The pain and shock that Olivia goes through jumps right out from the page. I couldn’t connect with Olivia at the beginning, she did come across as a rigid mother and a haughty mother-in-law.
But as the story progresses, I got to know Olivia and empathise with her and then I found myself totally immersed in her life, in fact rooting for her. And I give total credit to the author James for that. His writing from the point of view of Olivia is simply superb. Her love for her children and her absolute need to understand them and help them made me love her more.
The title and the book cover is so apt for this story as I watched Olivia Glass shatter when each of the secrets are revealed to her.
There are a few niggles….
I have to wait for some time for James’ next work and I have to re-read this book to find them
I do like my family sagas but I love those sagas which have suspense in them, which makes me turn pages. This is what James does in his book. He made me read well through the night, he made my heart beat faster he made me curiouser and curiouser as I turned the pages.
Family comes with its own drama and complications especially when there are spouses, children and secrets involved. But James has managed to weave his words in such a way that it is absolutely breathtaking. All the characters play their parts very well.
The author, James has brought home the fact that sometimes it may be difficult to connect with all family members all the time but when there is genuine love, then it becomes easy. Family is everything, they are the ones who always stand by us, with us. This is the core of James’ debut novel.
James words have woven a string of love around my heart and I am still in the early beginnings of a book hangover
There is a line in this book
From your lips to God’s ears
I add further to this for James
From his words to literary success
From our reviews to book sales
From a blogger to established author
From our lips to God’s ears…
Kudos James J. Cudney for writing this book and I am eagerly waiting for your next
My rating : 5 stars
About the Author
James J. Cudney lives in New York City, grew up on Long Island and graduated from Moravian College with a degree in English Literature. He spent 15 years after college focused on various streams of career but he soon came back to books. Reading is his passion, he is a voracious reader. He is an avid genealogist too. He writes a daily blog ‘ThisIsMyTruthNow’ via WordPress. This is his first book and there are many more in the pipeline.
Book blurb
After 40 years of marriage, Olivia Glass thought she could handle the unexpected death of her husband, but when Ben’s will reveals a long-held, life-altering secret, she suffers a blow no widow should ever experience.
While an attorney searches for the answers, Olivia visits each of her sons to share a final connection before facing the truth that will change the dynamics of an already grief-stricken family. During the visits, Olivia learns that each of her sons has been harboring a painful secret, just like his father.
Olivia challenges herself to re-assemble and save their relationships. But will the secrets destroy their family beyond repair?
Product Details
Publication date : 8th October 2017
Publisher : Creativia
Language : English
Available on Amazon, free with Kindle Unlimited
https://thisismytruthnow.com/2017/10/10/my-novel-watching-glass-shatter-on-sale/
Family secrets and suspense
64 Responses
Great review, Shalini!😁📚✨
Thank you and why are you awake?? Hehehe I have not yet gone to sleep hahaha
Oh, it’s 5 am in Japan and I’m gonna read a bit from now😁
My o my, that is great dedication… I just finished reading and reviewing Jay’s book and now I am ready to hit the sack
Will definitely check out his book, congratulations to him, … Your review was really good too…
Thank you so much for your kind words
My pleasure. ☺️
https://thisismytruthnow.com/2017/10/10/my-novel-watching-glass-shatter-on-sale/
Hey Shalini. I follow James’s blog and yes, he’s got a way with words that makes people want to keep reading more. Good review. i could tell how much you enjoyed it.
Thank you so much Jina. Yes this was a great book I enjoyed it thoroughly
Oh, Shalini… I have no words to thank you for this wonderful and heartfelt review. It’s like you understood what was in my mind and my emotions while I was writing it. I was nervous when I opened the review, as I know how passionate you are about your literature. When I saw your opening words, I realized why I like you so much. There’s just a purity and honesty with a sense of commitment and care. You are indeed a treasure. Thank you. Huge Virtual Hugs being sent to you right now.
Awww… Jay you have written this so well, what a maturity to your writing. There is a surety in your words, beauty in your sentences. And it is vastly different from what I expected based on my previous beta reading. This book felt that you were convinced of your story. This is the way a book should be, things happening, pages turning, a reader feeling all emotions. Thank you so much for giving that
Thank You. And you are welcome. First drafts / beta reading for me is always difficult… sometimes it’s so early on, it’s hard to get where you want. I can’t wait to deliver the next version of Father Figure to you in the future.
As I said, always welcome… I stand by, stand with you. I suppose with technology one can have a virtual family of friends
And thank you so much for your beautiful words describing me. It’s like you have seen the inner me with honesty. I am going to save your words forever…
All true, and you are welcome. 🙂 It’s not really the ‘inner’ you as I see it every time we chat. It just came out in your words this time even more!
Well… Jay then you have great instincts and great capacity to see over and beyond…. Thank you for that. I have put my review on Amazon.com but I am sorry they have not approved it yet no idea why not.. Uk and India they approved. Let me know where else I can leave the review
I will re-blog yours on mine eventually, don’t want to overwhelm everyone. Amazon will fall in line soon! 🙂 Thank you!
As you wish… No idea about reblogging
Such a wonderful review! I can’t wait to read it and very happy for James. <3 Sounds like a great one. 🙂
Thank you so much… It is very good. Jay has written it well
5 star rating Shalini. I wish I have that ability to read fast to finish a book so that I could follow your guidance
Haha that’s fine Kurian, books make me forget real life and you have many things happening in your real life… So different strokes for different people
That’s too good Shalini ‘different strokes for different people’. Thank you
☺️
Fantastic Review and this definitely on my TBR!💖📚
Thank you and this book was really nice. I think Jay is coming up with an edited version next week on amazon
You’re welcome 🤗
OF COURSE JC4 WROTE AN INCREDIBLE BOOK!!!!! I adore that incredible you reviewed it, too!!! I can’t wait to read it. I skipped over all of the actual book deets because I want to take in every bit of it myself. I’m just so excited that the book is finally coming out! Beautiful awesome amazing fantastic! (Can you tell that I’m slightly excited about this??) 😘
Hahaha yes I am getting a slight hint that you might be excited… You will enjoy the book. He has written with depth and maturity
❤️
💗💗
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Thank you for this great review, and have a nice weekend ahead. 😉
Thank you so much for reblogging… I have a medical conference to attend so it would be an ok weekend. Enjoy your weekend
Hello, as i wrote: A great review. Oh, hope you have some time to relax. Thx 😉 Michael
Hahaha… I think I would be relaxing during boring lectures… a.k.a sleeping 😉 thanks – Shalini
This sleep is always the best, and as i read some times ago, the brain will also accept the lectures. LOL
Hahaha… Yes maybe.. Will try over the weekend and let you know
Thx. Have a good time! 😉 Michael
Wow! That’s an awesome review Shalini. Just ordered the book. Will let you know how I feel once I read it. Not too much of a suspense reader but am reading it because your review says the book also talks about family. That’s an interesting combination.
It’s totally family Smitha
Ordered👍
Great..
https://thisismytruthnow.com/2017/10/10/my-novel-watching-glass-shatter-on-sale/
His book… He is a great blogger and great human
Wow!
Thank you so much.. Your single word says a lot. Thanks again
The scenario is a great read grab, indeed!!
Yes.. So it is and the author is a great guy and a great blogger here
Thanks for sharing! A great network read contact.😅❤
Enjoy
https://thisismytruthnow.com/2017/10/10/my-novel-watching-glass-shatter-on-sale/
I appreciate YOU ever day. Thank you.
You deserve your success Jay..
Thanks Shalini for this wonderful review. This first book from James was already on my list (Try to always support my friend bloggers) but now that I know you like is novel so much it makes me want to read it right away. Very happy for James for getting a 5 stars. I can imagine how stress he must have been knowing you were planing a review of his book. Indeed you are very passionate about your literature! Thanks again my friend. Wish you a Merry Christmas and joyful new year! Hope you’ll be surrounded with love and friendship. -Dominique xoxo
Hey Dominique, very beautifully written words. Some days when life is difficult, somehow you write such words that the heart becomes a little lighter. You are a good soul and a great instinctive friend.
Thank you for your support. I have no idea how you come to know I needed your words.
Merry Christmas my darling girl and a happy new year.
I hope we are all surrounded by love and friendship forever. 😘😘💗💗
Hello Shalini. I’m glad my comment came in a good time for you. There are a few bloggers I particularly feel in sync somehow. You are definitely one of them. Yes, much love and friendship every day! 💞 💞 💞
I agree whole heartedly to your comment. Some connections are just made and I am so thankful that we are in each other’s world.
😍 😍 😍
If James writes as well in his book as he does in his blog, it’ll be good for sure!
After reading your review, I can’t wait to read the book! Thank you.
Aww…how sweet of you to say that. Yes he writes books better than his blog. I have a chat up session with him today in 2 hours. Do check it out, you will get to know him far better, and hopefully me too. I hope you like today’s post. It’s quite long