Like There's No Tomorrow, a Review from Reading Is My Super Power

Art Credit: Carrie Schmidt

This recent review of Like There's No Tomorrow by Carrie Schmidt at Reading Is My Super Power is not only gratifying to me as an author, it helps me nail down and name what kind of books I write. Leave it to a book lover to do that. ;) Carrie is so good at "mining the gold" in a story. I sure appreciate her thoughts and analysis.

Here are a few snippets of her review:

My Rating: 5 / Fantastic!

"In short, I fell in love. With the book. With the characters. With the settings.  And especially with the message of letting go – of fear, bitterness, and burdens we were never meant to carry."

On the precocious Maggie and Grace:

"These two elderly Scottish sisters were a handful! ... Between Grace’s precious confusion and Maggie’s rebellious determination to steal the keys and drive off into the sunset, there was never a dull moment on the page!"

On our hero:

"And now for Ian. Oh girls! You will LOVE Ian! That is, as long as you go for the brooding, tender, passionate guys with a sense of humor. Who also happen to be SCOTTISH. ...The thing I appreciated most about Ian is the change that goes on within his heart. Camille Eide does an exquisite job of capturing his completely-reasonable anger as well as the gradual healing that takes place over the course of the story. And watching that man fall in love was truly a pleasure."

So was writing it. :) I'm so pleased to hear that his anger and heart transformation comes across realistically, like it might feel for you or I. That's my aim in writing fiction.

"Like There’s No Tomorrow is so much more than a love story. I would almost say that the romance is only a small part in the overall story, but that’s not exactly true either.  The romance becomes the backdrop onto which Camille Eide paints a beautiful landscape of truth and hope and most especially courage."

That's it! I believe Carrie has answered the question I have long been trying to answer: exactly what genre is this stuff I write? On what shelf does it belong? Is it Romance? Not entirely. Is it inspirational, issue-driven Women's Fiction? Not solely. 

Is a blend of gripping romance and equally gripping spiritual themes acceptable?

I hope so. 

"Camille Eide has a way with characters. They get into your heart and set up camp, and you are all the better for having spent time with them. She also has a great talent for creating a scene that appears one way at face value but in fact can be immensely symbolic as well. Like There’s No Tomorrow will linger with me for many reasons – the characters, the setting, the romance.  But especially the message of courage – of living life in spite of your fears – and of cherishing each day as though it’s all we’re to be given."

Thank you, Carrie, for your time and thoughtful review. 

Friends, do yourself a favor and read Carrie's book reviews and have pencil and paper ready to add to your reading list. Happy Reading!

~Camille

Straight to The Heart of Like There's No Tomorrow with Carole Jarvis

I'm so thrilled to hear such an amazing review! I've always loved Ian & Emily's story. What wonderful insights from Carole Jarvis:

"Like There’s No Tomorrow is an incredibly moving story about relationships, love, and living every day to the fullest with Christ. Camille has a gift for telling stories with rich characterization, stories about real people dealing with real situations – and her stories never fail to touch my heart. You won’t find action and spellbinding suspense, only engaging characters and expressive storytelling. And you won’t have to wonder whether this is Christian fiction or not, for the spiritual element is strong and gives much to reflect upon. This is the second book that I’ve read by Camille and she is fast becoming one of my very favorite writers.

To put it in the simplest of terms, I did not want Like There’s No Tomorrow to end. I was totally wrapped up in the realistically-flawed characters of Ian and Emily, and the elderly sisters, Grace and Maggie, tugged at my heartstrings. Both settings – Oregon and Scotland – were so vividly described that I could see myself there.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever been given is to judge a man by how he treats his mother – or in this case, his grandmother. While Ian was often frustrated and a little self-centered at first, he only showed kindness and caring toward Maggie. I’m not sure what it is about the Scottish, but there’s something very appealing about Ian. As we get to know him, we discover that he is consumed with a long buried, blinding hatred – but oh, what a beautiful spiritual and emotional journey he makes! And Emily…I could feel her fear and heartbreak over the genetic disease she carried and just wanted to reach out and hug her! The romance between Ian and Emily is so tender, sweet and emotional. I loved this expressive quote from Emily: “All she knew was Ian loved her, and the thought of that felt like a drink of pure, cool water after a long, dusty drought.”

For me, the strength of Like There’s No Tomorrow is the way invaluable Christian gems are woven throughout this beautiful story, such as the true gift that family is, a belief in the goodness of God no matter what happens, and a surrender to God’s guidance instead of what seems best to us. But most touching is a child of God coming home . . . Ian “whispered an apology for his years of wayward indifference, and as he did, something snapped – something cold and heavy and binding – and a warm peace engulfed him.” 

Like There’s No Tomorrow is an exceptional story. Highly recommended."

Thank you again, Carole, for another insightful review. I loved writing Ian and Emily's story, and have to admit that Maggie and Grace are still my favorite characters (not counting Jasmine, who you will meet in my 2nd book, Like a Love Song). LTNT was my first full length novel, my first foray into novel writing, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I appreciate the way you've pinpointed the spiritual truths. They're truths I think we will all want reminded of from time to time, myself included.

Friends: be sure to enter the giveaway!

Just Commonly: Like There's No Tomorrow

Just Commonly: Like There's No Tomorrow:



Check out this brief, insightful review and enter for a chance to win Like There's No Tomorrow.

The Memoir of Johnny Devine Book Blog Tour & Giveaway

The Memoir of Johnny Devine Book Tour

Hosted by Singing Librarian Books

February 8 – 13

Each day, one of these book blogs will feature a different review of the book,

plus Singing Librarian Books is offering a chance to enter a giveaway for a free copy.

February 8 – By The Book

February 9 — Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance | Anna Weaver Hurtt, Inspirational Author
February 10 — The Power of Words | Mel’s Shelves
February 11 — Katie’s Clean Book Collection
February 12 — Singing Librarian Books | Wishful Endings
February 13 — The Artist Librarian | Red Headed Book Lad

 February 8 Review: By The Book

"5-stars is what I give The Memoir of Johnny Devine! I suppose this book could be termed an historical romance, but it is definitely so much more. With glimpses into the life of old Hollywood, a 1950s setting full of the unease of the McCarthy investigations, a woman living with disappointment and betrayal and an unlikely messenger of hope, Camille Eide has written a thought-provoking and touching novel I can Highly Recommend.

Retired film star Johnny Devine is writing his memoir. Instead of a tell-all from the notorious playboy of Hollywood, John wants to impart a message of hope to his readers. Eliza Saunderson, disillusioned and alone is hired to help whip the manuscript into a coherent whole. The two form an unlikely partnership and perhaps a second chance at a new life…" (to read the rest [CLICK HERE])

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of THIS PAGE and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a free copy of The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Be sure to check out these fine book blogs while you're visiting the tour. Then watch for book tours for Like There's No Tomorrow and Like a Love Song to follow.

Also.....
Stay tuned for big news about Johnny Devine coming soon... so if you have not signed up for Camille's book newsletter, now's the time to SUBSCRIBE.