PeggySue Wells

This enchanting book has diverse characters and interests. Taken in by the storyline surrounding Michael, a military trained rescue personnel as he discovers betrayal from those he had trusted, kept me reading on. Now he finds a new life to restore and recoup landing on an island and renting a cottage from a mysterious young woman, Elise. She is ensconced in the world of art and music passionately trying to save her parents' legacy. Michael's faith sees him through several harrowing escapades. Their lives eventually intertwine as Michael gets pulled into rescuing a senator's daughter. Romance, suspense, and a hurricane hit the beautiful, tropical island and each person has decisions to make and dreams to fill.

I highly recommend Fur Elise.

I received a copy of this book from The Bookclub Network and have given my honest review.… (mer)

Travel the world with Parajumper Captain Michael Northington, a member of an elite team of rescuers on special ops missions with the US Air Force. Get a taste of the intense, grueling training that made him the the hero you've always wanted to read about. In contrast, experience the idyllic life of leisure with Elise Eisler on the tropical island of St. Croix. Elise is the daughter of prominent artistic and musical parents of the island where culture and the rhythm of life blend seamlessly in an atmosphere that attracts tourists, and the rich and famous. Elise's world cocooned her from the harsh realities of life. Michael's life is one that faces the ugliness of the world's underbelly almost daily. It would seem unlikely they would ever reconcile these two worlds with each other's.

Michael wasn't part of the Air Force as a parajumper merely for the adrenaline rush; he believed in saving people. The missions gave him purpose and a reason to live, especially after the death of his mother and two little sisters. But then, a mission went wrong and Michael lost his vision. He quit the team and went in search of a place to rest his mind and body. He found his solitude in a rented cottage on an island. Time slowed down for him and he regained his sense of balance.

Elise owned the cottage Michael rented. She respected the mystery man's privacy, so it was months before they crossed paths. In the meantime, Elise was growing up fast, trying to shoulder the responsibility of preserving an aging and decaying building--her parents' legacy--the town's theater/symphony hall. In her mind, she was equating the showcase theater's well-being with her own. She had rented the cottage, a place associated with her childhood memories of music, art and her parents, in an effort to raise money for the badly needed repairs. It wasn't enough. When an old family friend suggested she create a special painting to auction at a benefit for the renovations, she was thrilled. But when her work of art gained a great deal of attention, Elise was faced with a choice of futures. What did she really want?

This is the first book I've read from Ms. Wells. What impressed me most about the book is the detail that went into its creation, the research about parajumper training and operations as well as the details of the island's history. The author did a great job getting behind Michael's eyes, especially detailing the team efforts put out when they attempted a rescue. That part of the story was exciting to read.

The second aspect I liked about the book was how well Elise's slower-paced world contrasted with Michael's dangerous world. While each character faced dilemmas in their own world, the contrasted created a larger dilemma that took on greater importance as Michael and Elise grew to know each other. Could their relationship work?

This is indeed a love story that almost surprises the reader in its brevity. Saying that, I don't think you should mistake it for a romance. In my opinion, a romance is where a couple works through their developing relationship; they clash, falter, hesitate, recover, and even gain strength. Ultimately, they can face challenges within and without until they are knit together and ready to face life as a team. Michael and Elise didn't quite reach that level of intimacy by the book's end. There is, however, an additional book, part two, that I anticipate may resolve this issue. I'd be interested in reading it to find out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from bookfun.org on behalf of Elk Lake Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (mer)

Finding the new chapter in your life
This is a complex story paralleling two very different lives – one of a military man disillusioned with life after feeling betrayed; the other a young woman living a sheltered, artistic life who also feels disillusioned with her life when her parents die. Each of them has stories to tell and adventures to embrace and the reader will delight in the mysteries and drama as their two lives get intertwined. I loved the excitement of the political happenings in the story and the sweetness of the two main characters as they meet and get to know each other. They each gain much from the other person, even though they are so different. This story will appeal to a wide range of readers – there is drama as Michael gets drawn back into his military life and drama as Elise struggles to preserve her heritage. There is plenty of romance, too, as Michael and Elise are drawn together. I loved reading about Elise’s background and the artistic people that are in her life. It was hard reading about the exploiting of human bodies in other countries, but an eye-opener for sure. Overall, this was a great book that kept me reading from chapter to chapter to see how it all worked out in the end.
I received this book from BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review… (mer)