Sunnyside Up was challenging for me at first. It took me time and thought provoking dialog with myself before it became more that a mere story. The often quirky and sometimes shocking Adelaide and Felicity tugged at me, taking me by the hand into another verse.
On the surface, Rea Nolan Martin is a wonderful storyteller. She weaves unique characters into the story as well as unexpected flashes of humor through very serious subjects. Under the surface, Ms. Martin brilliantly brings the reader into another realm of understanding.
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Sunnyside Up Reviews
OnLineBookClub.Org - 4 out 4 Stars
Rea Nolan Martin
Both sisters have trouble remembering incidents from the past. They frequently refer to a past accident; however, neither sister seems to remember exactly what happened. Felicity believes her confusion and eccentricities stem from “accident brain.” Neither of the sisters married, so they rely on each other for companionship. Through frequent flashbacks, readers get glimpses of their relationship as children and young adults. Adelaide was in love with Julian and thought they would be married, but he died. Neither sister remembers exactly what happened to him.
Rea Nolan Martin is a gifted storyteller. She weaves the lives of these two women through different times and experiences. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a character. This was a fascinating way for readers to understand what each character was feeling as incidents occurred. Gradually, the story unravels through flashbacks, and we learn more about the family and the accident. There is a mystical aspect to the book that is captivating. For example, I enjoyed the interactions with relatives who have died, like Uncle Pothead and Granny. They are colorful characters who add humor and dimension to the story.
There are so many dimensions to these characters. Adelaide and Felicity have a very complex relationship. Adelaide loves to argue and complain about Felicity, but they have a deep connection and love for each other. The interactions and dialogue between the characters are exceptionally well-written and are what I enjoyed most about the book. Another aspect of the book that was entertaining was the inclusion of obituaries. Obituaries fall in line with the family business and are included for some of the characters. They are written with humor and give additional background about the specific character’s death and family. They added context to the flashbacks and jumps in time. They also helped to describe relationships between the characters. This was a unique and entertaining way for the author to provide additional information to the reader. There was nothing I disliked about this book.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy novels about complex family relationships. It is humorous at times and has mystical aspects that explore the afterlife. So, it would appeal to readers who have an interest in those topics. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I saw two minor errors in the book that did not distract from my enjoyment. For the reasons given, I would not give this book a rating of anything less than a perfect score.
Book Viral -- 5 out of 5 Stars
Rea Nolan Martin
With far too many metaphysical fiction novels seeming to come from the recycling bin these days, Sunnyside Up is cut from new cloth and wholly original. With a Juicily mordant narrative that coils back upon itself and rightly deserving of your full attention as Martin achieves a pitch-perfect balance between narrative and style.
With a propensity in popular fiction for stereotypical protagonists, it’s a real pleasure to read a story centered on and held down by two leads like Adelaide and Felicity Somers. Their wacky eccentricities underpinning the grim relentlessness of Martin’s narrative and foreshadowing neatly pitched swerve balls that will keep her readers guessing throughout.
As with Martin’s Vera Wright, Mystic Tea and The Anesthesia Games there’s something about Sunnyside Up that connects on a profound level. On the surface, it appears to be the inextricable link between death and life which Martin explores through the metaphysical hoops of her plot but the powerful emotional centre this creates speaks more to the human need for love and companionship, a sense of belonging and the inherent need to be understood. Despite the outwardly insurmountable obstacles we face throughout our lives.
As with her previous releases, Martins canny ability for creating intricate shifts in reality and perspective are sure to engender much reflection. With deft timing, this is particularly evident in the draft obituaries that connect chapters. Reminding us it’s the essence rather than the presence of characters that make them most memorable with Martin once again pushing it to the upper echelons of great writing.
A superbly entertaining read for fans of Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction, Sunnyside Up is an unreservedly recommended five star read.
Forward -- Clarion Reviews -- 4 out or 5 Stars
Rea Nolan Martin
The spiritual novel Sunnyside Up follows two sisters who confront eternal truths with a helping of heavenly wisdom and earthly charm.
In Rea Nolan Martin’s otherworldly novel Sunnyside Up, two sisters who live and work among the dead contemplate their paths to the hereafter.
Raised in a Kentucky funeral parlor, Adelaide and Felicity are putting off a particular burial. Stubborn Adelaide, who runs the family business on her own, claims that she can’t find the energy to bury Julian, the son of a miner—but she still finds time to sneak smokes, alcohol, and sugary treats.
Felicity, meanwhile, cavorts with spirits and encourages Adelaide to communicate with them, too. The repeated appearance of a stranger on the property complicates matters—as does the fact that the rest of the town seems to have disappeared. It is revealed that Felicity, Adelaide, and Julian were all involved in an accident, though the sisters cannot recall the details of the incident.
Avoidance directs the novel, from that of the accident to Julian’s postponed funeral. Even the sisters’ memories are murky. The chapters toggle between the sister’s perspectives to convey their relative receptiveness to learning what happened, as figures from their pasts try to show them the truth. Drafts of townspeople’s obituaries are present, too; they read like gossip columns, and are used to fill in missing pieces.
Despite its supernatural focus, this is a mirthful story. As the details of the accident are fleshed out, its full impact on Adelaide and Felicity is revealed. They grapple with the possibility of forgiveness and pursue a measure of psychological healing.
The prose complements this blend of reality with the supernatural. It is marked by shifts, too: hill dialect combines with astrological insights, and humor and satire erupt as colloquial culture and high wisdom conflict. For example, the sisters’ mother, who grew up in “the holler,” holds her bettered status over the town and her daughters, but faces comeuppance as characters like Julian prove her views of them wrong.
Most about putting one’s best foot forward, this character-driven story finds its cast facing their worst selves, including their regrets and the hurts they’ve done to others. Those who are difficult to convince are both endearing and frustrating. Their need to be forgiven butts against their need forgive, and though they cannot force others to face their wrongs, transformations still prove possible—when those who need to be transformed are ready. At the same time, forces beyond human control influence the story’s momentum, resulting in whimsical, tender turns.
With heavenly wisdom and earthly charm, the spiritual novel Sunnyside Up follows two sisters who live in a town where the truth is hard to pin down.
Readers' Favorite Review by Vincent Dublado
Rea Nolan Martin
Sunnyside Up by Rea Nolan Martin is highly original storytelling that you don’t read every day. It centers on the lives of two sisters, Adelaide and Felicity Somers, as they try to make sense of their lives after a terrible accident. The book’s title is the name of their funeral home business and chicken farm in Kentucky that Adelaide manages. Neither of them is married. Adelaide was once in a relationship with Julian Buck, but he passed away. Half the time Adelaide can’t even remember that Julian is dead. Felicity is similarly struggling to remember certain events from the past. There are those who blame Julian for his role in a tragic accident at the Red River Gorge, in which Adelaide sustained brain damage that she never overcame. Will the sisters ever remember?
It’s a highly unusual story that explores the mystery of existence and the chemistry between two sisters in which their personality quirks add to the story’s fascinating anomaly. Rea Nolan Martin makes a witty study of character. In this novel, Martin presents a blend of the fundamental nature of reality and the phenomena of life after death. This creates a larger-than-life story in which Sunnyside Up strikes a high note and has a major emotional and even spiritual impact. Reading the obituaries offers a sense of release from fear as if reminding you that we will all get there at some point. Whatever spiritual insights it dramatizes, the novel manages to present itself via earnestness in its character-driven plot. Hats off to Martin for writing Sunnyside Up with brilliant characters and exposition. It can lag at certain moments, but on the whole, remains engaging. Highly recommended.
The Book Commentary by David Reyes -- 5 out of 5 stars
Rea Nolan Martin
A spellbinding tale that follows the lives of two sisters bound together by complex family dynamics, Sunnyside Up by Rea Nolan Martin is a spellbinding tale for fans of literary fiction with fully drawn, sophisticated characters. Set in a rural village in Kentucky, Adelaide Somers lives with her younger sister, Felicity. They are two unique characters whose current circumstances are forged by events that happened in their childhood, events that they don’t remember so well. Addie sees herself as the only responsible person in the family who takes care of the dying family funeral home business and chicken farm. She is driven nuts by Felicity's constant communication with the dearly departed members of the family. Felicity brings Addie along to her lectures, hoping they can help her ease out of her misery. In the heart of the mystery of their past is a miner's son called Julian, the one that some blame for the accident that changed their lives forever. Can these two sisters unravel the mystery of their past and find hope in forging ahead?
Sunnyside Up is a deeply moving tale that offers an unusual exploration of family dynamics; it is character-driven and littered with quirky moments that will bring smiles to the lips of readers. The author’s gift for humor is brilliantly accomplished in this tale and the characters are nuanced and memorable. Felicity doesn’t seem to have much care in the world; she is bubbly and upbeat while Addie suffers from bouts of depression. When readers meet Addie in the opening scenes, she is waking up from sleep, disoriented, and not filled with energy. This image of her remained with me as I followed her throughout the story. The contrast between the two sisters is cleverly written and the author offers wonderful twists throughout, keeping readers guessing about what happened to the family in the past and wanting to know more about Julian. The story is evenly paced, crafted in gorgeous prose, and brimming with internal dialogues that open hidden worlds in the characters. Sunnyside Up is a delightful tale of grit and survival with strong psychological and emotional currents. You’ll be stunned by Martin's deft handling of characterization.
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Walking on Water Reviews
Book Viral
John Reese
A personal and intimate exploration that encourages us to question the way we live, Walking On Water is the timely and prophetic release from Rea Nolan Martin. With thirty two powerfully poignant reflections, she touches our hearts and minds with prose full of grace and simple truths. It’s one of those rare books with the power to create an epiphany in readers and one that can bring about profound change. There are many people claiming to be teachers, coaches, guides and gurus. Nolan doesn’t claim to be any of these, but as an award winning author she writes with an earthy rhythm which brings a special quality to her words. It’s clearly evident in her fiction releases Mystic Tea and Anesthesia Games, but here she shares a far more intimate perspective that considers the influence of culture and tradition on the way we think. Challenging, open and above all honest, her aim is not simply to provide answers, but to encourage us to question how these influences condition our minds and distort perception, so that we might walk the path to true empowerment.
Perceptive and deeply motivating, Walking On Water reminds us of the immense potential for freedom, love, and joy that can be ours if we are open to the cleansing power of change. A wonderful introduction to the words of Rea Nolan Martin, it is recommended without reservation.
http://bookviral.com/walking-on-water/4592324864
Blue Ink Review
Rea Nolan Martin, known for her Visionary Fiction, wrote this engaging collection of nonfiction essays “to illuminate the path from personal victimhood to self-awareness and enablement…” The pieces address such topics as faith, suffering, and awareness.
In Essay 2, for example, the author discusses the differences between faith and belief, concluding that “belief is a product of the mind” whereas “faith is a product of the spirit.” Yet the book is not overly abstract. In Essay 18, Martin suggests actions to overcome obstacles where past trauma may have paralyzed present growth (“Seize Authority Over Your Thoughts”; “Lose the Victimhood”), providing a nice counter-balance to other thought-provoking essays.
Throughout, the author offers ideas worth pondering. Martin, whose teenage son was critically ill, reflects on that season: “Suffering grabs time by the ankles and slows it down, forcing us to stop, stand our ground, look around and take stock.” Her noteworthy take on Internet pornography: “What shows up on the Internet is merely a reflection of what’s already present in our individual and collective consciousness.”
Although the book’s title refers to the biblical story of Jesus and Peter walking on water, Martin doesn’t write from a traditional Christian standpoint. The title serves only as metaphor. “We, too, are called to do great things. Things which may even appear to be impossible,” she writes. She also notes that “Miracles spring from higher consciousness” and defines prayer as “intention,” which is “focused thought.”
The author employs a conversational style and effective paragraph “punch”—using a sentence as a paragraph in itself (for example, following a paragraph about recognizing inner turmoil with a two-word line: Get help.”) Language is clear, descriptive, current, and messages are sometimes highlighted with a white-on-black page stating things such as: “Love stands outside of us and within us at the same time.”
Superbly written and thought-provoking, Martin’s book provides a solid springboard for discussion of those everyday circumstances of life that provoke inner contemplation.
5.0 out of 5 stars -- Navigating Life's Slippery Surfaces
James Evers
In Walking on Water: A Path to Empowerment, by Rea Nolan Martin, you will be moved. I was. This profound little book of inspiration is a gem and a treasure trove of wisdom. And you'll discover that not only does Rea Nolan Martin walk the talk across the slippery water surfaces of life, but she also shows us how to do that. And add to that, she's a superb writer. (See any of her novels.)
Thought provoking words from a top notch writer
Avid Reader
Having now read everything that Rea Nolan Martin has written I was intrigued at the thought of getting to know a little more about the mind behind the stories. If you have read Mystic Tea or Anesthesia Games you will know her books encourage a lot of reflection a well as being highly enjoyable to read. Walking on Water: A Path to Empowerment is a very apt title because she reminds us that we wall have a part to play in shaping the future. The essays and reflections are both deep and thought provoking, besides being a glimpse into the mind of a top notch writer.
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The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright Reviews
A Surrender to the Will of God
By Bani Sodermark VINE VOICE
Over the centuries, the prescription to a happy, problem free existence for the common wo/man has been "Let go, let God." This prescription has been mercilessly exploited by power mongers, both at the political and the religious levels, by leaders, who by virtue of their position claim to have their own hotline to God. As a result, they have steered many hapless men and women to their doom.
The aftermath of religious persecution (often for personal and political gain) has led to widespread atheism and the erection of other pedestals, prominent among them being science and rationality. The very idea of a close, intimate, one-to-one relationship with a Divine Being has been often relegated to be the product of a fertile and overactive (feminine) imagination.
Yet, the times, they are a-changing. The altars of rationalized, testosterone dominated power structures are losing their sheen, as more and more people, especially women, are awakening to their own, innate divinity, and learning to act on the promptings of their own, inbuilt GPS system. This book tells the (fictionalized) story of a woman who does just that.
Vera Wright, a beautician was sitting at Mass, when the officiating priest laid out a challenge to his parishioners, daring them to invite God into their lives. Vera took up the challenge but she wasn't prepared for the consequences, that that action would initiate. Not only does her own life gets entirely transformed, there was a domino effect over the lives of her friends and associates, and their lives are also changed drastically as a result of Vera's transformation. Miracles take place, and wishes come true for those who believe, however, tragedy strikes as well. With hindsight, all turns out well, but throughout the manuscript, it is evident that something akin to a Higher Consciousness chose Vera's persona to anchor itself on Earth, to the extent that Vera allowed it.
Vera Wright's trump card in this story, over her detractors (one of them is a priest who doubts her suitability for being an instrument of God, on the grounds of her being a woman) is a total belief in her own truth and the conviction that God was working through her. So, the minister's exhortation to her to repent, for her sins in order to deserve, falls on deaf ears. Vera never wavers in her truth that as God's child, she deserves everything automatically, being who she is.
This is a refreshingly original and unusual story. It has been well written, and is very readable, a real page turner, in fact. Vera's relation to God is that of a friend, very forthright and modern, anchored in the Now. At the end of the book, is a channeled message on the need of the times, purportedly by Vera, but which could, for all intents and purposes, be from the author herself, or a source she trusts.
I recommend this book warmly to all, especially to those, who, as I have, questioned their faith. It can provide balm to your wounds that you have kept locked out of sight, in a corner of your heart as you realize that there is more to Life than meets the eye.
BookViral Review
The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright is one of those rare books that you read, and later when you think about it, it makes you smile. Rea Nolan Martin always seems to find the right notes to negotiate the themes of her books and as always, she challenges the way we see the world. From a critical perspective she certainly brings all the elements of successful fiction together, but perhaps more importantly, from a reader’s perspective, she always delivers an uplifting and insightful narrative. The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright isn’t an “inspirational read” in the usual syrupy sense, with Nolan paying particular attention to the underlying truths of her characters. They’re not simply pawns for plot gimmicks and with Vera Wright her true personal transformation is not announced with fanfare, but happens internally. On this level Nolan’s tale is rich in humour, invention and beautifully written prose which will touch the most jaded of hearts.
Spiritually uplifting, and memorably entertaining, The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright is an ode to life, faith, love and redemption. A powerful introduction to the words of Rea Nolan Martin,
it is recommended without reservation.
A Recipe for Miracles
Vera is Laugh Out Loud funny...Soul searchingly poignant...Beautifully written...every page a treasure and a joy! Vera's Transformation mirrors many of our own adventures, after asking the question..."Why am I here?" Inspired guidance and direction for those of us, on Planet Earth, at this time.
Thought-provoking, compelling and funny, all at the same time!
Life-changing alert! Rea Nolan Martin walks a fine line between laugh-out-loud humor and the deepest of profound philosophical ruminations in this book. And it's a line that she treads with skill and grace, especially in her characterization of the novel's hero, Vera Wright, a down-to-earth, middle class woman "of a certain age." While the subject matter may appear weighty, Rea's nimble writing keeps the story moving and the twists and turns in her characters' lives compelling. Deeply spiritual without being preachy, Vera Wright has its own transformational ability to open our eyes to new ways of thinking about connections to our friends and loved ones, the often misguided power of priesthood and church hierarchy, and our own power to effect spiritual transformation in our own lives. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to explore a fresh take on spirituality and be highly amused at the same time.
Page Turner
I absolutely loved this book! After reading the back cover I wasn't sure it would be a good fit for me based on my age and spiritual beliefs. I worried for no reason!
Ms. Martin explored the traditions of Catholicism and faith in general, offering an alternate perspective on long established interpretations. The possibilities presented lit me up, granting a freedom and camaraderie to my already present thoughts about religion. Her story telling technique made the inquiry into such tradition unfettered, heart-warming, contemplative, eye-opening and comforting.
I recommend this read to women and men of any faith. Enjoy the ride it's a great one!
A Thought Provoking - WOW Experience!
I rarely come across a book that I literally can't put down and this was one of them.
The unfolding of Vera's journey and spiritual awakening is awesome, profound and powerful. I found myself completely engaged with Vera, her character and the entire story. She became a dear friend; one that I shared happiness, absolute laughter, tragedy, introspection and mystical moments. This is a book that will definitely cause you to open you eyes and ponder your soul, while feeling a lightheartness at the same time. The prophetic translations at the conclusion of the story are inspired, thought provoking and utterly amazing. I can't stop re-reading them!
Moving Heaven and Earth
The only reason this reviewer tags Vera Wright with a four-star rating is because she hopes it will act as a carrot to the author, encouraging her to bring us a sequel to this page-turning novel.
Vera Wright is a bundle of contradictions so human that it is impossible not to recognize ourselves in her. She is at once irreverent and pious, funny and deadly serious, confused about many things but clear in one - her love for her family. But, she is also daydreaming through much of life, going through the routines and rituals that make up her days. Four pages into this story, the daydreams come to a screeching halt and Vera begins a journey from which she - and the reader - will not be able to turn back. The journey challenges ordinary beliefs, and Vera is anything but a perfect student in learning that the answers to her problems may also be clues to moving heaven and earth in a new direction. Be aware, reader: This book may be as life-changing as Vera's own journey. I couldn't put it down.
Absolutely loved it!
After just a few pages, I felt that I'd known Vera Wright forever, and her journey became my journey. She is a fully dimensioned character that is an ideal "everywoman". Vera is the unwitting star of a drama/comedy/mystery that plays out in most unusual and entertaining ways. I loved the mystical component of this story, and its compelling description of the hereafter. This story covers some pretty controversial ground as it relates to the Catholic Church, but does it in an inclusionary and sensitive way. And just when the story line becomes very intense, sad, or disturbing, a laugh-out-loud humorous episode will surprise and delight you.
I fully expected to read this over the course of a week, but couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. If you enjoyed "The Shack" or "Lovely Bones" you will enjoy this story, and like me, you will be counting on a sequel.
I couldn't get enough!
I rarely read anything more than once but this one I will, for fear that I may have missed some little tidbit. This book was a feast! Every word, every phrase, every situation is supremely and intentionally orchestrated by the author. If you read it too quickly, you'll miss something for sure. I found myself caught up in the story and having to go back a page or two while asking myself, "did that really just happen?" or "did she really just say that?" and then laughing out-loud at the hilarity of what on the surface had originally seemed serious. There is a lot that is serious and thought-provoking that is brilliantly interwoven with a delicious degree of absurdity. And it all works! I can't wait for the sequel and the movie!
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Mystic Tea Reviews
KIRKUS REVIEW
In Nolan Martin's (The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright, 2012) latest novel, a group of eccentric nuns struggle to find themselves and each other in a convent.
Gemma stands on a hill, talking to the Hudson River. Arielle, fresh from rehab, wakes up in a jail cell to a vision of an angel. Prioress Michael Agnes reads through correspondence from the Vatican. Although each character is very different, they all soon find themselves at the same convent on a farm near Albany, N.Y. Gemma so wants to be saintly that she conducts secret acts of penance, putting rock salt in her too-small shoes and wearing full winter habits in the heat of summer. She tends the fields of the farm and protects her secret: She hears the voice of her "twin," Maya, who begs to be "let out," only to be pushed down by Gemma's saintly aspirations. Sister Mike works to keep the ragtag group of nuns together, as the convent is hemorrhaging money, and caring for the group (and the "grand ancient mystic" Mother Augusta) is taking its toll. When former criminal Arielle is sent to the convent, she's not Catholic, nor anything close to a saint, but something immediately changes. Arielle touches the life of each nun in a different way-attending to Mother Augusta, becoming Gemma's confidante, and even getting Mike an iPhone for the office. However, Gemma's inner voices become too much for her, and when it appears that "Maya" is here to stay, each woman springs into action. In a novel that's similar in structure and tone to Toni Morrison's Paradise (1997), Nolan Martin tells the story from the viewpoints of each main character and truly gives each her own distinct voice-not an easy feat. Readers get a beautifully fleshed-out and complete look at their likes, dislikes, fears and pasts, all of which add to the intensity of the novel's main plotline. The story crosses all barriers of religion, and readers needn't be Catholic or even Christian to appreciate its universal tropes. The author brings her obvious spirituality and humanity to this wonderful, relatable tale of failure, love and triumph.
A gorgeous novel about finding redemption.
Rave Reviews by Nonnie Jules 5***** Star Rated!
Rea Nolan Martin crafted the most ingenious characters ever and threw them all together in one book. I don't typically get into stories or even movies, for that matter, where there are so many different characters, each with a different tale that has to be told...because it makes me feel as if there is just too much going on in one place. Martin gave life to Gemma, Arielle, Mike, Maya, Grace and Augusta to name a few, and she did it with such ingenuity, I was blown away! As soon as I started reading page 8, which begins Gemma's story, I knew that this was going to be an impeccable read… AND, it was, all the way through. I love "clean reads" and this one quickly shot to the top of my chart because of this. This writer is talented beyond measure and she has what a lot of us are in dire need of…a damned good EDITOR!!! (And if I find out that she is her own editor, I will bow down at her feet because even I am not worthy). I didn't find one printed hiccup throughout this entire 357 page read (I could have missed something but I truly doubt it). The stories within made me laugh, some made me cry, others made me feel very odd emotions as I tried to, at times, wrap my mind around the journey she was taking me on {as a reader} thru them, and although I took it upon myself to sip green tea while reading the book, I wished I was being served up some of Martin's Mystic Tea, as I know it has magical powers. How do I know this, you ask...because the book, with it's many characters and story-lines, kept ME willfully engaged all the way through! I hope to see this book as a BOOK OF THE MONTH selection for RRBC in the very near future! Seeing an almost perfect written piece of work such as this one, might be just the thing needed to send some back to the drawing board until ours falls in line with Mystic Tea. You dont have a copy yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Get one today!
Sunflower and Moth
Mystic Tea (2013), by Rea Nolan Martin, is the tale of a community of mismatched young women who struggle to keep themselves and their convent going on a farm near Albany in upstate New York. Abandoned by a changing world and in search of God in ways as unique as each of the nuns, their way of life has already changed, and they are clinging to the shreds of meaning and purpose. From Gemma. who self-inflicts bodily harm in the name of penance and hears the voice of her non-existent twin, to Sister Mike, the caretaker of the group, and Arielle, a recently released criminal fresh out of rehab who is not even a Catholic, each of the main characters tells her own story. Through conflict and connection, they help and hinder each other as they all seek their own kind of redemption. The themes are universal and not exclusively Catholic or even Christian. This tale is layered and inspiring.
BOOK VIRAL
A community of quirky, mismatched, and endearing women struggle to find meaning and purpose on a ramshackle monastery in upstate New York. Having spent their lives in service to a church that seems to no longer serve them, they are confused about their own futures and the future of the entire monastery. Led by Mike, the practical no-nonsense prioress, and Augusta, the grand ancient mystic hermit, they are joined by Gemma, a self-punishing novice, and Arielle, a firebrand jailhouse conversion who was sent there out of rehab by a “sort of angel.” The personalities, commitments, philosophies and beliefs of these and all the characters conflict and converge in ways at once perilous and enlightening. Throughout the tempestuous journey, Augusta's magical sacred teas draw the inevitable closer and closer.
Wonderfully astute and spiritually uplifting, Mystic Tea is the fitting second novel from author Rea Nolan Martin. A commanding and endearing tale that stirs the shackles of constraint, echoing those questions we might all in time ask, as the most intimate thoughts of her characters are revealed. Each narrative insightfully observed, fuelling intrigue and the desire to discover how the shards of splintered lives bond together, playing to spiritual reverence but infused with warmth and an altogether sublime instillation of humour as Martin weaves her glorious tale. Her prose possessing a poetic lilt that so easily render the ambience of time and place, intentionally palpable but not so intrusive that her story is held hostage to her theme. These alone are reasons to read Mystic Tea, but what truly prevails is an innate sense of oneness, ably captured by Martin through judicious use of universal tropes which play to the vagrancies of our loves, flaws and abilities to overcome.
Memorably uplifting and spiritually enthralling, Mystic Tea, will both delight and enlighten, whilst being sure to win many more ardent followers for author Rea Nolan Martin. An exceptional telling by any standard, it is highly recommended.
-bookviral.com
Mystic Tea: Reflections on a Novel
Neanderthals: The Science and The Myths
How can God be fun? “Easy”, says Arielle, throwing her arms around the world, leaving a trace of her DNA on everyone she meets. “With difficulty”, says Gemma, choosing a negative way of diminished possibilities. “When I am ready”, says Mike, endlessly preparing the way of the Lord. And then, there is Augusta who sees a future in Mystic Tea, and who lets it happen anyway. Where is their God? Filling the spaces inside atoms and the galactic voids. Visible in fleeting shadows and in the goodness of the ladies. His future for them is bigger and more spell-binding than they could ever imagine. Where is the author? Crafting elegant words, believing and willing her ladies to succeed, despite all the obstacles that she can throw at them. Blending good and ill fortune into a candy bar of a novel, all wrapped up in bright shiny paper, glinting in the sun. Rea takes us on a ride into herself and beyond back into ourselves. She believes in a God of infinite possibilities and a story that she wills into existence. It takes care, time and love to make writing look this sassy and spontaneous. Bob Dylan once wrote about Dante: “And every one of them words rang true And glowed like burnin’ coal Pourin’ off of every page Like it was written in my soul from me to you Tangled up in blue” As above, so below. She writes because she lives; she lives because she writes. That is all.Fantastic!!!
I was captivated by this story, couldn't put it down! The author's writing connects you with each character in a way that you feel you know and understand them. It was hysterical, thought provoking, spiritual and absolutely wonderful to read. I loved it!!!
The characters come alive
The story was spiritual and yet at times just made you laugh out loud with some of the ridiculous antics. Clearly the author has a sense of humor. As each character developed you wanted to know more about them and truly cared about them. A page turner
Awesome read -- couldn't put it down.
This story brought back memories of the nuns I had in school, but they certainly did not have as much fun as the nuns in the story. Ms. Martin gave such vivid descriptions of the events in the story that you felt like you were there. The characters were hilarious even though they all had serious issues. I wanted to be a friend to all of them. Ms. Martin keeps you involved so you want to find out what happens to each character. Loved the ending. Write another book soon!
A "League of Extraordinary Women"
" As diverse a collection of women as I've ever encountered, and nuns, to boot! The richly drawn characters in this book range from an ex-junkie novitiate to an aged prioress who seems part religious and part wizard. Holding them together as the once tranquil world around them frays and crumbles is a nun/psychotherapist, who is facing her own questions about a much-tried faith. Martin delivers a wild ride--at times hilarious and often poignant--that keeps you riveted to your seat until the last page. A compelling read, and one that demands a sequel!"
Mystic Tea
When I first started reading Mystic Tea by Rea Nolan Martin I was not sure what to expect. I was not even really sure what the book was about. When I finished Mystic Tea I not only sure of where the name came from but had fallen in love a little with each and every one of the characters in the book. This is a book about Mystic tea as the title implies but it is also a story about love, faith and the human condition that requires not just God's love and forgiveness but also humananities love & forgiveness, and most importantly the love & forgiveness we need the most,to & for ourselves. Thank you Rea Nolan Martin for giving the world such a lovely reminder to have faith and love ourselves.
I loved this book! A Must Read!!!
This is a wonderful story that is filled with laughter, love and friendship. It makes you see life in the way it is intended, touching on human emotions, love, forgiveness, the spirit. It's hilarious at times but very thought provoking as well. The writing is so well done that you didn't want it to end. Thanks to the author for filling my heart with a beautiful story!
Mystic Tea was wonderful
I bought this book because. I wanted to read how nuns lived. This book was nothing like I expected. So much better than I expected. It is lively to read. Expect the unexpected. A real page turner.
Have some tea and indulge yourself with this title
I got this as a free title through Amazon. First thing off the bat, I clicked to "Look Inside." And then I downloaded it and kept reading, until I was done. Not what I'd call a standard novel about nuns and the religious orders. Instead it is an alternative story, quite expressive, well written, humorous, and provocative. The character development was a bit irregular in places, but they all worked out in the end. I was wondering how in the world Ms. Martin was going to splice the backgrounds of some characters into an order of nuns.....but the story was uplifting and charming. Read it to see where the title comes from.
For those with several varieties of teas to choose from, think of this book, and choose a tea to lift the spirits. Yes, it makes me think of soothing my soul, focusing my energy, and enhancing my creativity. And it is just a sweet little novel about an alternate reality.
A great read....
A wonderfully unique and entertaining story. For me being a person that is not religious, this book is all about religion, but done in a very unusual way which I loved.
The story main focus is a run down monastery in upstate New York, and its eclectic group of inhabitants, from Augusta, the mother superior who is an ancient mystic hermit, who can concoct magical teas. Mike the monasteries prioress and a handful of very free spirited nuns, Gemma who has come to the monastery to become a nun, but has a problem hearing voices and is a self punishing novice, and Arielle a young drug addict who after rehab comes to them after having seen and angel, and who strangely enough looks like the saint the place was named after. You will come to love all of these women, who are each trying to find themselves, and in doing so help each other. A very satisfying story.
This book should be read... seventy times seven times!
What an enjoyable read Rea Nolan Martin has cooked up this time. The distinct voices she uses to illuminate the internal & external fears, joys, traumas, and growths of these endearing and occasionally kooky women is done masterfully. Everything I read was so vividly depicted in my head, I occasionally felt like I was living on the farm right alongside these women!
I don't want to give too much away, so instead I'll just recommend that everyone reads this book! Great job, Rea--I hope you're already cooking up your next big adventure!
I loved it... and want more!
The characters Ms. Martin creates are so real, with all of humanities best and worst traits... I saw myself and my religious and spiritual journey in their story, and it was fantastical and believable at the same time. A tricky feat. It was a compelling page turner, and the end .. I wanted more, and I want some tea.....
Captivating and Magical!
Mystic Tea is a heady and addictive brew. A potion concocted brilliantly by writer Rea Nolan. The main ingredients are the amazing cast of characters, women of a varying ages, nuns living struggling in an Upstate New York monastery. Bereft of hope, health and happiness but still strongly immersed in Faith and Prayer! To that pot of brewing tea, the writer adds a jolt of Arielle, a spark of Gemma and the miracle of Augusta! Viola! Tea is served ! Sip and Savor! Thought provoking, spiritual, hilarious at times, it is also a story of hope, of faith, of redemption and forgiveness! I would hate to pigeon hole this book into any particular genre....so many reader would miss out .... Issues of freedom, pertaining to an individual, to define and practice their religion is not limited to the Catholic Church, all religions are struggling with the same! Never does the book feel heavy with these issues, there is an uplifting story to be told here. PROMISE is what this book is about, the promise of an amazing tale, brilliantly told!
A fun but thought provoking trip
The characters were faceted and well developed. A wonderful community that shows us that it is never too late to find a new path that has twists and turns that ultimately leads us home. Rea's stories always stretch the boundaries while still presenting an alternate world view that seems somehow attainable.
Humorous and poignant story ... a must read
The pages take you on a journey from the heart as you follow the lives and unconventional antics of these women all thrown together. You will be touched by so many emotions, most delightfully by Ms. Martin's humor. A great summer read ! Not to be missed!
Simply a wonderful and enjoyable read
This book is very compelling -- could hardley put it down. The character development and individual points-of-view are enticing. I especially enjoyed the journey that Arielle takes us on in her story. This author has a magnificent writing style which I also enjoyed in reading her first book. I am looking forward to more!
A Joy to read!
I finished it last night and loved it! right up through the end, I loved it! This book was a joy to read, the writing had me mesmerized. Divinely inspired!
A REALLY Wonderful Book!
What a far cry from the nuns of my schooldays. These exquisite women had me giggling until my stomach ached and with tears rolling down my face. I wanted to know them and hug them mightily, every one. What a story! I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out but I almost cried when I came to the end as I felt I was losing an entire gaggle of hilarious, loving, charismatic friends.
Funny and Inspiring!
We all could use some renewal. I could use a cup of little mama's tea right now. I enjoyed these characters and their stories to the very last page. I also appreciated Arielle's simple faith in the midst of all the troubles. This is the first book I've read by Rea Nolan. Liked it so much, I just ordered "Sublime Transfprmation...
A fun book that will make you think and hope for a sequel!
This book is a real page turner full of vivid imagery and compelling characters. It is uplifting as well because it allows the characters to develop their own solutions to the problems and choices they are faced with. I had to delete a bunch of lines just now because I realized I was giving too much away! This truly original book will not disappoint anyone - it really isn't a religious book, even though it takes place in a crazy convent. It isn't a romance either. It has plenty to satisfy thinking men and women, spiritual or not. I highly recommend this novel and can't wait for the next book from this talented writer.
Amazing mystical adventure
Loved, loved, loved this book, and was so sorry when it ended. I loved the mulitple perspectives, and in some cases mutilple personalities. I felt like I knew all of these ordinary women who did quite extraordinary things. The writing is absolutely beautiful, rich and colorful and appropriate to each character. Cannot wait until the next one!
Divinely Written. Divinely Read. Divinely Enjoyed.
Mystic Tea is a wonderful new book by author, Rea Nolan Martin. Hilarious yet serious. Spiritual yet Real. This book did not disappoint. The women portrayed in the book are wonderful and I had to keep reading to find out how it ended. A very enjoyable read. Highly Recommended!!
Wonderful Story
Mystic Tea is a story about so many things. It is funny, sad, joyful, and thought provoking - all the things that make a great story. It makes us think about ourselves and our place in the world. It asks the question: Is change good or should we go with the status quo? What do we do when our beliefs no longer ring true for us? Serious questions, yes, but the story is anything but. The main characters all have their own problems. It is the way they react to them and with each other that makes this story a wonderful read. It, quite honestly, is a fun read. Like any good book, I will be reading it again to discover things I missed the first time.
Be the Change you Wish to See in the World
Having retired from the Catholic Religion at the ripe old age of 5 (religious/political reasons), I never would have expected to be so moved by a book about Nuns, God, Religious Theory, etc. The women in this story spoke to all of the unknowns, questions, and discrepancies that went unanswered in my youth. Questions I presented to Priests that I believed held the answers as I matured and unfortunately was let down by non-answers.
Mystic Tea introduced people at their most trying, intense, cataclysmic experiences, with profound sensitivity and awareness. Followed with true forgiveness and acceptance. Yet, releasing the dogma of formal religion to create their miracles! Women held by a tradition and reached beyond it, even in their advanced years. We all can learn from them! Crossing the boundaries... hence the quote from Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in this World."
A very thought provoking, feel-good book! Written from first-person perspective, giving insight to thoughts, feelings, insecurities, fears, indecision, and "now what?"....
This is a Must Read, for everyone! Understanding others unique idiosyncrasies should be a required "life course"!
The reading level may be a bit daunting at first, due to varying perspectives (first-person changing from chapter to chapter), but once you "know" the people, you adjust to their uniqueness. Definitely worth the challenge! I unexpectedly loved this book!
a wonderful surprise!
I fell in love with every character. Very different! A joy to read. It made me smile, laugh, and brought tears to my eyes.
Magical
Middle-aged reclusive nuns under an ancient prioress with potent tea recipes, a fiery 19 year old red-head with a snake tatoo around her neck, a want to be nun with a split personality, plus 2 handsome male paramedics: seep together, sit back and brew yourself a cup of Mystic Tea to enjoy the journey through this magical book, then pray for a sequel soon!
Delightful experience!
What a delightful experience reading Mystic Tea and hanging out with Rea Martin's ensemble of captivating characters: a group of eccentric and humorous nuns trying to keep a tired old monastery farm open. Into the mix comes two young women, diametrically opposite, who both impact the group and the monastery in very special but different ways. All challenges are aided by various tea formulas that the retired Mother Superior concocts, the best being her Mystic Tea. It's a fun and enlightening book that will make you laugh and worry, but you also feel so glad that you've met these juxtaposed characters and that you've hung out with them for a short while. You'll also want the story to go on, and on. Rea Martin knows how to create captivating characters in captivating stories.
A MUST READ
Doesn't get better than Mystic Tea. The perfect blend of humor, intrigue and good reading. The characters, who we can all relate to or or have met in our lives, together create a hearty full bodied blend, the perfect brew for a compelling story. Expertly written with hearty flavor and delightful aroma, highly recommended.
Interesting story
I liked the book. It was interesting and very different than anything I've read before. I enjoyed the unusual ending.
Wonderful
A well told story about unconventional nuns and the young woman who brings them back to life while healing herself. Fun,inspiring and original, I really enjoyed it.
Oh to have some of that Mystic Tea!
The book had a great beginning and the middle was good but the end became predictable so that took away from the story! The ending for me was just a tad sappy. Other than that I loved the idea of the story and the way it unfolded.
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The Anesthesia Game Reviews
Rave Reviews by Nonnie Jules
Nonnie Jules
I can’t say it loud enough, you should read this book! It tugs at your heart-strings heavily as you live through the possibility of this child’s demise; you watch a marriage fall apart; you flinch as a woman throws herself at a man who clearly isn’t interested in her any more, and you feel a mother’s pain at the loss of her child she couldn’t save. Well written? Captivating? Great Read? You bet it is…it’s a Rea Nolan Martin and I can guarantee absolute, pure satisfaction after reading this book and any others which bears her name on the cover.
Ms. Nolan, you have a fan for life! For those avid readers who constantly email me asking “Which book should I read next?…” PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE…I highly recommend you get a copy of this one today! It will leave you speechless!
thethreetomatoes.com review
Rea Nolan Martin
The Anesthesia Game is Rea Nolan Martin’s third novel, and she is indeed a gifted writer. While at its core it’s the story of family relationships, it’s enveloped in an intriguing mystery and mysticism. The central character is 15 year old Sydney who is dying from a disease her mother and aunt do not want to name. The sicker she gets, the more her mother, Mitsy falls deeper into depression and more dependent on her mystic advisor Pandora, who has problems of her own. Her aunt Hannah, who suffers from own addictions and denials, tries to come to Sydney’s rescue. Yet there is a strange and mysterious past that binds them all, and if the past can be unlocked, it can save them all. It’s a riveting, can’t put it down, novel.
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
Rea Nolan Martin
I so enjoyed this book. Author Rea Nolan Martin is a truly creative and visionary author, and I have to say, this storyline is unlike any other that I have found before. Coming from a person that does a lot of reading, this is truly a great find! Author Martin's character development, scene setting abilities and just plain excellent storytelling abilities make her work second to none! Any reader who enjoys creative fiction, stories with strong and interesting female characters, or just a great read would love The Anesthesia Game. I highly recommend this book, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what author Rea Nolan Martin has in store for her readers next. If it's anything like The Anesthesia Game, it will definitely be a book I won't want to miss!
Book Viral Review - In the Spotlight
Rea Nolan Martin
Moving, powerful and heart-warming, The Anesthesia Game is the latest release from Rea Nolan Martin and it proves an unforgettable celebration of friendship and fortitude. Blooming with authenticity, Martin’s keen emotional intelligence shines through from the start as she takes her readers on a captivating journey with multiple plot threads that are well-conceived and intriguing. With an emotive narrative, her prose is delivered with refreshing candour, creating wholly endearing characters that exude strength of personality and purpose. Each one memorable for the lives they have led, the unspoken truths they have harboured and the trials and tribulations they come to face. Yet any tendency towards the maudlin is tempered as Martin maintains a fine balance between empathy and levity and it's this that really brings Sydney’s character to life. Yes there are universal tropes at play, but she's highly endearing and with this comes the ever growing realisation that our relationships are ultimately defined by the choices we make.
A wholly original novel that will garner broad appeal, The Anesthesia Game is another superb novel from Rea Nolan Martin and recommended without reservation.
Reviewed by Mary DeKok Blowers for Readers' Favorite
Rea Nolan Martin
An engaging young girl had a disease, unnamed by mutual agreement of her family, but her condition was dire. Her mother had checked out some time before, unable to handle the stress and grief of her only child’s imminent death. Her father was mostly absent, unable to deal with either of them. Enter Aunt Hannah, who doesn’t exactly have her own life in order, but has a scheme to extricate herself from catastrophic debt through an arrangement to care for Mitsy and Sydney for an extended period. Leaving her own family farm in the hands of her ex-husband, she traipses off to Connecticut to care for her sister and niece. She and Sydney are extremely close and the girl actually says once, “I wish you were my mother.” Unfortunately her mother heard it, which fuels the fire between Hannah and Mitsy.
Reading The Anesthesia Game by Rea Nolan Martin was an exciting surprise. Its title refers to a game Sydney plays to help her cope with her numerous hospitalizations. The many things I loved about it included the characters, the descriptions, the story line, and the interweaving of reality with the spirit world. This book was incredible and will appeal to readers of the Carlos Castaneda series about his apprenticeship as a sorcerer, and also those who liked Eat Pray Love. The Anesthesia Game is reminiscent of both these books, and you will fall in love with the characters as they rally around Sydney in the hope of saving her life. Lives are transformed in the process. New relationships are started, and old ones are renewed. Two new lives enter the picture, signifying hope, and one exits, providing a different type of hope. I will be looking for more from Rea Nolan Martin.
Visionary Fiction Alliance
Rea Nolan Martin
2015 acknowledgement by Ellis Nelson of the Visionary Fiction Alliance
As 2015 draws to a close, I suspect most of us get reflective. What happened that surprised us, delighted us, disappointed us? Like most years, 2015 was a mixed batch of experiences. We decide which tag to give each one. I have a container filled with little slips of paper that mark what I label good experiences and soon it will be time to review those in the spirit of gratitude. Always there is the tug of those events that never materialized. But linear time demands we move on, but not before a shout out to some of the new friends I welcomed in 2015. Rea Nolan Martin is one of five people who have enriched my life and moved us closer to a paradigm shift.
Clarion Forward Review
Rea Nolan Martin
CLARION REVIEW
Supernatural forces define this story of illness, addiction, and redemption.
LITERARY
Sydney, a teen dying of cancer, receives the support of three women across several lifetimes in The Anesthesia Game, Rea Nolan Martin’s inspirational Visionary story.
Mitsy won’t even say the name of her daughter Sydney’s illness. Holed up in her room, constantly calling the hotline psychic Pandora, she’s barely able to take care of herself, much less Sydney. Enter Mitsy’s wayward sister, Hannah, whose shopping and drinking habits have run her into a financial hole. Hannah has no time for psychics or Mitsy’s self-pity. But when Pandora takes it upon herself to heal Sydney using supernatural means, the four women will discover that they are all connected.
The book is well paced and energetic, with the perspective alternating between Sydney, Mitsy, Hannah, and Pandora. It is also generally well structured, driving toward an exciting climax and a satisfying conclusion. Certain plot elements come and go without explanation, though, including Hannah’s heavy alcohol use and Mitsy’s possibly imagined health problems.
The narrative maintains its focus on addiction as a theme. There is emphasis on the relation of the characters’ bad behaviors to a spiritual trauma that is the source of Sydney’s illness, itself rooted in a selfish and greedy act by another person. While this interpretation of the pathology of addiction is largely metaphysical, there are strong parallels to the nature of addiction as a hereditary and social illness.
Supernatural forces define most of the plot and tie in to the book’s physical world in ways that feel solid. Though it is definitely inspirational in nature, the story puts forth a spirituality that feels substantial and that is truly capable of affecting outcomes of Earth-based problems and concerns. Bucking the trend of idealizing the spiritual world, the book opts to imbue the arena of higher planes and vibrations with the same level of fallibility, including drama and complications, as the physical world.
Distinct voices and personalities do much to carry The Anesthesia Game, and the vivacious interactions between well-formed characters make the book entertaining. While the plot does involve a steady buildup and a fairly exciting climax, the book can be considered character-driven and will probably go over best with fans of literary drama.
The book’s style is delightfully energetic and polished, both easy to read and fun. A sprinkling of well-placed flashbacks to the characters’ previous lives are handled seamlessly, and despite the potential for confusion, there is never any question about either the story line or the characters’ whereabouts. Though the book was clearly written with tremendous affection for its characters and subject, it makes readers its first priority and delivers a complete, highly satisfying story.
Visionary spirituality is rarely as well represented in literature as it is in The Anesthesia Game. This feel-good book has great potential to succeed in its genre.
ANNA CALL (January 25, 2016)
Bookpleasures.com Review
Bani Sodermark Ph.d
This is a book that exemplifies a genre called “visionary fiction”, a genre that has been pioneered by the author in her earlier books. Such books explore a reality that is not just based on that which takes place on the material plane alone, it is also affected by that which happens on other planes simultaneously. Choices and decisions, even those made in earlier lives, inasmuch as they exist as patterns in our subconscious and unconscious minds, affect events or situations in our present lives. It is almost as if the beta waves that engage our conscious minds, “anesthetize” us to the above patterns, hence the title. The good news is that unblinking, unflinching focus on a desired goal, enables us to change the course of events on the physical plane as the subconscious and unconscious get reprogrammed. This, according to myself, is the central theme of this book.
Another important ingredient that is superposed on the above theme is the perennial message with which we are all familiar, viz., “Love triumphs in the end”. Truly, genuine love can counter unhealthy attitudes and behaviour and heal broken relationships, as is demonstrated in this story.
Hannah and Mitsy are sisters. Both are married to well-off men. Both are deeply unhappy and seemingly incapable of getting on with their lives. It is not surprising that both are facing problems with their respective husbands.
Hannah is a shopaholic and deeply in debt, of which she is in total denial. Mitsy has a daughter, Sydney, who suffers from a chronic, life-threatening disease, and being unable to handle it, confines herself to her bedroom, or to the telephone where she calls a mystic named Pandora, on whom she relies for advice on everything imaginable.
The action starts when Mitsy, on the prompting of her husband Aaron, calls Hannah to come over and take care of Sydney, adding that she would be paid for it. Hannah and Sydney get along famously, and so, combined with the financial incentive, she readily agrees to do so.
On another plane, there is a deep and recurring past life connection between the four women, Hannah, Mitsy, Sydney and Pandora, memories of which surface from time to time, especially for Pandora who is most aware of it. Sydney also accesses these memories to a lesser extent, they are a major reason behind her illness. The interplay of reality between the four women, Hannah, Mitsy, Sydney and Pandora and Jonah and Aaron who are married to Hannah and Mitsy respectively, is the story behind this book.
This book is especially interesting as a pointer to an alternate formation of reality. Especially interesting is the connection between Sydney and Pandora, who only get to meet physically during the later stages of the narrative, and yet affect each other profoundly. Another key feature worth mentioning in this review, is the very original way the author depicts Pandora as a quantum mechanical being with both particle and wave aspects. The particulate aspect is localized to a specific place and time while the wave aspect is spread out over space -time and defines her persona. Pandora is capable of choosing which identity she wishes to project at any instant of time.
This is a book that will gently and skillfully expand your frontiers, concerning what is possible. This is especially so when love enters the scene and silently works its changes, changes that are nothing short of tectonic. This genre is one that is very en passant for the times and one looks forward to reading more books that explore similar concepts and ideas.
Warmly recommended to one and all.
H's Review
Rea Nolan Martin
The Anesthesia Game is elusively spectacular.
Let me just say the title of the book is exclusively marvelous. Superb!
Everything about it entices you as an explorer.
The start of the novel is also superb. It was an excellent make for a tragic relationship with family members. It continued to strike me hard whenever the Doctors got involved. Emotional and fast pacing. The writing style pulls you in for the numerous things it excelled at; (i) it expresses so much yet so little and paces the plot effectively, (ii) brilliant character developments; Sydney did enough being there and revealing the horrors and wonders of being alone, young and in hospital – props to her character, (iii) by the same token, it takes the reader on a compelling journey, making them as vulnerable as possible, (iv) better vocabularies and slicker proses, by all technical accounts.
There is definitely and indulging relationship linked between the talented author and the rapacious reader.
Amazon Reader Reviews
Rea Nolan Martin
Reader Reviews on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/The-Anesthesia-Game-Nolan-Martin/dp/0991032225
