Review - Goodnight Brian by Steven Manchester

Title and Author: Goodnight Brian by Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: January 8th, 2013

Paperback/Hardcover: 308

Genre:

Find it at: Goodreads /

Summary:

Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s grandmother, Angela DiMartino - who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.

  

Review:

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review and after having read Twelve Months I was curious.

Brian was a healthy baby boy but when his pediatrician decided to change him to a new formula, something went terribly wrong. According to the doctors the damage created was irreversible. Brian’s grandmother doesn’t believe that and she is determined not to lose hope.

Brian is not the main character in this book, in my opinion. Mama is and she’s a very interesting character. She’s Brian’s grandmother and she’s a very determined and strong woman. She never gives up, which I love.

All the other characters are interesting as well and are important to the story but Goodnight Brian really is Mama’s show.

I enjoyed the way the author described the settings and how he managed to create an emotional and compelling story.

All in all Goodnight, Brian is an interesting story about faith and not giving up. The characters are well written and the story is thought-provoking.

I don’t really enjoy books that are about religion but I actually didn’t mind this one so if you like this kind of books you should give it a try.

Rating: Somewhere Between Readable and Worth Your Time (3 ½ Stars)

Review - Twelve Months by Steven Manchester

Title and Author: Twelve Months by Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: August 14th, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 324

Genre: Contemporary 

Find it at: Goodredas

Summary:

Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.

  

Review:

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review and this turned out to be a great story about death and family.

When Don DiMarco discovers he had cancer and is given twelve months to live he embarks on a journey to live fully right until the end.

Don is a wonderful character and he obviously loves his family. He’s selfless and does the sweetest things, including wanting to spend as much time as possible with his grandchildren even if they completely wear him out.

I really enjoyed the book and thought it was very interesting. As Don goes through his “bucket list” the reader gets to know Don better and enjoy life with him.

This is the kind of book that makes the reader think about what he or she would like to do if they found out they only had a few months to live and isn’t that a great feat for a book?

All in all, Twelve Months is a wonder, heartwarming and sweet story. The book is easy to read, very well-written and well-paced.

I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary readers. I’m sure you’ll be able to enjoy it.

Rating: Worth Your Time