Room for Two by Abel Keogh

Room for Two
by Abel Keogh

General/Romance
224 pages, softcover
Target Reader: Adult LDS

Cedar Fort
978-1599550626
Release Date: August 1, 2007



From the publisher:

"Sweetie, I'm home." I tried to put as much kindness into my voice as possible. I didn't want to have another argument - at least not right away.

Silence.

"Sweetheart?"

A gunshot echoed from our bedroom, followed by the sound of a bullet casing skipping along a wall.

Everything slowed down.

***

When a life is destroyed, when guilt says you played a role in its destruction, how do you face the days ahead?

Twenty-six-year-old Abel Keogh chooses to ignore the promptings he receives concerning his wife's mental illness, and now he feels he is to blame for her choices. If only he had listened . . .

At some point in our lives, each of us face devastating afflictions and must eventually cope with loss. Regardless of how it happens, the outcome is still the same—we are left isolated, alone, wondering what we could have done differently, and where we can turn for peace.

This is Abel's story in his own words. His search for peace and the miracle that follows is proof that love and hope can endure, despite the struggles and tragedies that shape each of our lives.

Read Chapter 1.

When I was asked to review Room for Two by Abel Keogh, I had no idea what it was about. I just knew it had a pretty cover. When it arrived and I read the back liner, I was a little sorry I'd agreed to do the review so quickly. I have to be in a certain mood to read this type of book—and I wasn't in the mood. I didn't want to read something sad. I didn't want serious. I wanted to read the stack of fun fantasy sitting on my dresser. But I'd agreed to do it, so. . .

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. The first chapter is the hardest because it deals with the actual suicide of Abel's wife. There's also a very sad part about his daughter, Hope. But the rest of the book, although it deals with the difficulty of going on after you've lost a spouse, was very positive and uplifting.

Abel Keogh is a captivating writer. I felt like I was right there with him as he struggled to come to terms with his wife's suicide and learned to deal with the grief and guilt. I ran beside him as he learned to heal and to love again. When I finished the book, I felt really good about it. I felt uplifted.

We all have difficult times in our lives, and I think we help each other by sharing our stories and our struggles, our strength and hope and recovery. I'm glad I read this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves someone who is in the middle of a struggle with depression or loss.

I think the message of the book can be summed up with this statement: "Personal and spiritual development doesn't come when life is good and unchallenging. It's the hard times—the ones when we are forced to wake up every day and put one foot in front of the other—where the real growth occurs." (p 208)


Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

Cover:



Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: Abel's wife commits suicide and there is some description of the scene.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Immorality: Some readers might be a little uncomfortable with the level of physical contact and description, but there is no immoral behavior.

Values/Themes: Learning to deal with grief and guilt.

Age Appropriate: Definitely for adults.

Writing Mechanics:

*Received a review copy.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Interview with J. Scott Savage

I was one of the lucky ones to get an ARC of Farworld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage. I looked forward to reading it because I've really enjoyed his Shandra Covington series (House of Secrets and Dead On Arrival). I love fantasy so when the package came, I ripped it open and started reading right away. I've had to wait to post my review—and that's been hard because I've wanted to share the love for the two main characters in this book.

Water Keep is the first in a series of fantasy novels written for middle grade readers, although older teens and adults may also enjoy it. Savage has created two unique main characters—Marcus, a disabled boy who uses a wheelchair and lives on Earth, and Kyja, a magically disabled girl who lives on Far World. Together, Marcus and Kyja begin an adventure to save both worlds from the Dark Circle, an evil brewing in Farworld that will also impact Earth. In this book, they begin that adventure by journeying to Water Keep, in an attempt to convince the water elementals to help them save the world.

Along the way, they must face attacks from "...Summoners, who can command the living and the undead; Unmakers, invisible creatures that can destory both body and soul; and dark mages knows as the Thrathkin S'Bae." Pretty creepy. Not only that, they must deal with bullies, feelings of inadequacy, and learn to jump between their two worlds.

The theme for the Scott's blog tour is "Find Your Magic" and I think that's the main message of this book. We each have our own kind of magic and it's important for us to discover what it is and learn to bless the world with it. That's a message everyone needs to hear.

Scott Savage agreed to take time out of his very busy schedule to meet me for a short interview. We chose to meet at the meadow with the dawn chimes at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Since sunrise occurred at 6:12 a.m., I was able to see and hear those absolutely beautiful dawn chimes greet the morning. I brought a basket of fruit for breakfast—some bananas, grapes, plums and assorted berries. We spread out a blanket on a small hill that overlooked the meadow and talked as we waited for dawn.

So, Scott, isn't this one of the most awesome places on Farworld? It's gorgeous here.

This is one of my favorite places to come, and with a breakfast of fresh fruit even. We better talk quick though so we don't miss the dawn chime's song. Marcus is much better at translating them than I am. But I'm working on it.

You call your elementals water, land, air and fire. Why didn't you use "earth" instead of land?

Well, you know, the whole earth thing has been so overused. I was even considering water, air, fire, and hand lotion. But it just didn't have the same zing.

Hand lotion? Really? Did you know that I make custom scented hand lotion? Maybe I'll create one for Farworld.

Whatever. Okay, seriously, it's because earth and Earth are the same word. I don't have a problem with calling a horse a horse on Farworld—even if it does tell jokes.

And pretty lame ones at that.

[Throws a grape at me.] Geez. You like to interrupt a lot, don't you?

Sorry.

Do you want the answer to your question, or not? Anyway, it seems to me that on a planet not named Earth, the land should not be called earth. It could get too confusing. I don't even have anyone from Farworld use that word in the book.

Did you have to do a lot of research to see what Marcus would and wouldn't be able to physically do? Did you try doing some of those things yourself with his limitations? (I'm picturing you scooting down a busy street in New York.)

Not down a New York street. But I actually did scoot across my floor and out in front of the house. The neighbors already know I am weird. I did get some great advice from people who do have disabilities though. For example, I originally had Marcus crawl. But everyone I talked to told me that it is too uncomfortable. They scoot instead.

Are we going to see more Ishkabiddles in future books? (I love that name.) Like I was thinking maybe in the final scene of the final book, Marcus is about to be destroyed by the evilest person of the Dark Circle and an ishkabiddle could pop up and bite the bad guy on the ankle, giving Marcus the chance to regain his bearings and finish off the bad guys... (you don't have to pay me a royalty for that idea, but an acknowledgment in the book would be nice.)

Oh, yeah, the killer Ishkabiddle scene—it's going to be huge. I didn't originally plan on more Iskabiddles. But demand has been surprisingly strong. So you probably haven't seen the last of them.

Has there ever been a water elemental that couldn't swim?

Only one. His name was Bob.

How long, start to finish, did it take you to write this book? What is your writing schedule like?

Three months of writing. Many more of editing. My schedule is typically delay, delay, delay, rush!!!!

Are there any questions you've been dying to answer, but no one has asked them yet?

I'm surprised no one has asked about why I went with two full blown protagonists and whether or not that was hard to write. The answer is that I didn't want this to be a boy book or a girl book. I wanted Kyja and Marcus to each rise and fall, so to be a sidekick to the other. I tried to write very carefully so that no one would feel Marcus or Kyja was the "main" character. You know, I was really planning to—

Oh, hush! Dawn is here. Look!


Scott continued to babble about his book, his writing career, and what's coming up next for him but I tuned him out. I was too busy watching the loveliest little purple flowers rise out of the meadow grass. The tiny blossoms that look like bells began to chime. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. And their fragrance! Aaahh.

I didn't want to leave, but Scott had an appointment at another blog. He said I could stay at the meadow as long as I wanted, but I was afraid a Summoner might appear at any moment, so after he left, I quickly packed up what was left of our breakfast (which wasn't much; Scott has a healthy appetite) and scurried out of there. Sigh. I really hope that Marcus and Kyja are successful in their fight against the Dark Circle because Farworld is such a lovely place to visit.

You can read sample chapters HERE.

But before I left, I swiped two things which I will give away to two lucky commenters on today's post:

1. A signed original manuscript page which I stole from Scott's brief case when he wasn't looking. It's suitable for framing and sure to be worth lots of money on ebay some day soon.


2. A single petal from a dawn chime. Unfortunately, it turned into a small vial of lilac scented perfume oil when I crossed back to Earth. (I've duplicated the fragrance and it's available here.)
   

To win one of these prizes,
Visit Scott's blog to discover who said, "Magic is not just spells. The magic you see on the outside—making pots and pans fly or brewing potions to make boys swoon before you—is but a tiny fraction of the power of true magic. The real power of magic lies within you. Who you are, what you do, and most importantly of all, what you may become."

Leave a comment before midnight, Sunday, July 20th, stating the name of the person quoted and tell me which of the two prizes (manuscript page or small vial of dawn chime fragrance) you'd like to win.

I will select two winners completely at random and post them on Monday, July 21st.

© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Interview with Julie Coulter Bellon

I love my friend, Julie Bellon. I really do. I met Julie when we lived in the same neighborhood, and really got to know her when she tended my youngest daughter, when I had to go back to work after my divorce. I absolutely trusted her with my child, and that’s saying a lot about what I think of Julie’s character.

Julie and I have a lot in common. I’m from the U.S.; she’s Canadian. I have a respectable number of children (4); she has 6 and 7/9ths. My kids are all adults now; she’s having a baby any minute. Julie is kind and patient and a wonderful mother; I’m a little high strung and extremely excitable. In addition to raising her children, Julie teaches journalism for BYU (actually using her college degree), is active in her Church and community, and writes books; I sit around and eat nouggies all day, using my Mensa level IQ to think of ways to get out of work.

Julie and I have learned to respect our differences over the years—especially when we start talking about books. I will tell her about a new sci-fi novel that I loved and Julie rolls her eyes and thinks, “Freak.” She’ll tell me about the romance she just read (or wrote), and I mutter, “Pansy,” under my breath.


But despite all that, I really do love Julie. So I jumped at the chance to review her new book, All’s Fair, and to be part of her blog tour. I called Julie up after I finished her book.

Me: So, Julie. You wrote another one of those (cough! ack! ahem!) romances again. I thought you said you were done with that and this one was going to be action/adventure. But no. Not only have you written another romance, but there are actually TWO romances in this book—Kristen and Ryan, and Brandon and Rachel. What’s up with that?

Julie: It’s not a romance. It’s romantic suspense. Didn’t you notice all the suspense in there? There are kidnappings by terrorists, bombs and bullets everywhere. Then there’s Homeland Security getting involved, and betrayal, deception and intrigue on every page.

Me: Oh, yes. I liked those parts. I liked the sandstorm and the dead bodies. I liked Michael, the evil ex-fiancé and his ex-wife, Madj. I’m thinking maybe they still have a little sumthin’ sumthin’ going on. And I liked it when Kristen was kicking Ryan’s behind in the political PR. Hah! Showed him.

Julie: What parts didn’t you like, you freak?

Me: Well, you know. The kissing and the hand holding, pansy-face.

Julie: There are only a couple of kisses in the entire book and they’re at the very end. Geez, what is your problem?

Me: Well, yes. But there was all that smoldering eye-meeting stuff. And the heart-pounding. Plus, you know, they wanted to kiss. . . ick. (makes retching sounds)

Julie: Oh, grow up! So how badly did you want to poke your eyes out with a fork when you were reading my book?

Me: It really wasn’t that bad. I read it in an afternoon. I was going to call you right away, but I had to go to the doctor. Can you help me put these eye drops in?

Julie: Fine. Was there anything else you liked about the book?

Me: Well, if I were willing to admit to liking romantic suspense, I’d probably say I liked this one. I would say that I liked that it’s set in Iraq and has a strong supportive statement of our troops. I would say I liked that Kristen and Rachel, the two female characters, are strong, independent, professional women. I would say that I was really impressed that Rachel wasn’t a total wuss, even when she got shot. And I would say that I loved your opening scene when Kristen got caught in the rain in her wedding dress, then meets up with Ryan and she’s drenched and muddy and practically hypothermic and she has to go to his cabin and wear his ex-wife’s pajamas. Hah!

But since I will never admit to liking anything to do with romance, I can’t really say those things. Because I’m not a wimpy, cry-baby, pansy-face.

Julie: I don’t know why I even bothered giving you my book to review. I knew it was going to be like this. Do you have any serious questions you want to ask me?

Me: Yes. When are you ever going to name a character after me?

Julie: Actually, I’ve modeled a character after you in the book I’m working on right now. She’s an evil spy who pretends to be a double-agent for the U.S., while pretending to work for a group in Russia who are trying to reconsolidate the Soviet Union, all the while she’s actually part of a secret organization whose sole goal is to find an ancient artifact that will allow them to manipulate the magnetic forces of the earth to cause earthquakes of staggering magnitudes anywhere in the world, and they plan to thereby assume control of all the current political structures by threatening devastation by earthquake if they don’t cooperate. Her boyfriend betrays her in the end and she dies a very long and gruesome and agonizing death.

Me: Ooh, cool! Finally a plot I can really get into. When does that one come out?

Julie: Freak.


You can purchase a copy of Julie Coulter Bellon’s book, All’s Fair, here.

To read more about Julie and her other books, to read a sample chapter of All’s Fair, or to participate in Julie’s charity drive to send Care Packages to our troops in Iraq, visit her website here.

If you’re in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah, you can catch Julie on Good Things Utah on Monday morning, July 14th, at 10:00 a.m. on Channel 4 (ABC). I’ve got my TIVO set already!

© 2010 It's a Book Affair