Title: Planning to Live
Author: Heather Wardell
Book Description:
Thirty-something Rhiannon is an obsessive planner and goal-setter, but somehow nothing she achieves ever seems good enough to her. Determined to lose forty pounds for her best friend’s August wedding, Rhiannon flees her parents’ house in a Christmas-day blizzard to avoid the temptation of all her favorite foods, but her car skids off the deserted road into a tree.
Unable to escape the car, with her leg trapped and bleeding and her cell phone out of reach, Rhiannon is at first certain she’ll be rescued and writes notes to her friends and family to pass the time. As the weather cools and her condition deteriorates, though, she recognizes the possibility that her life might be over. Interspersed with increasingly desperate escape attempts, her letters become deeper and more heart-felt as she comes to see what really matters in life.
About the author:
Heather grew up being an avid reader and that hasn’t changed. She is a natural speed reader who regularly clocks at 1200 wpm. She had never seen herself as a write but wanted to be a high school music teacher. That was until she fell in love with her psychology classes in college and ended up with a psychology degree with a concentration in computer science. After college, Heather ended up working at a major canadian bank for 4 years before going back to school again. This time she studied to become an elementary school teacher. She taught elementary level computer science for about 4 years before quitting to become a writer. Heather participated in the National Novel Writing Month Challenge to write a novel in just 1 month. She succeeded and ended up with the first draft of “Life, Love, and Polar Bear Tattoo.”
In her non-writing time, she loves to read, run, swim, crochet, take care of her 55 gallon aquarium and her cat Sapphire, and play clarinet.
Check out her website HERE
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My thoughts:
This novel was unique to anything I have read before. I enjoyed reading through it and seeing the struggle Rhiannon goes through to try to survive and also come to terms with her life how she lived it. The ending was not how I saw it happening but I have a word of warning. When you think you have finished the last page, you really haven’t. There is a page titled Meeting Minutes that is actually part of the story; I almost bypassed it thinking it is some sort of index or something. There isn’t much I can say without giving away important things because I don’t want to spoil it for you. I really enjoyed the characters and Rhiannon is a lovable character. She has her flaws but she seems truly good and loving. It’s no wonder despite her size she found two truly wonderful men in her life. She goes through all that she regrets not doing in her life while thinking about all those things big and small that made her life so special as she writes letters to all those she loves on her laptop. The story is full of emotion- some parts are sad, some are funny, and some are very happy. I especially love the romantic scenes. You will be happy for Rhiannon as some parts, pity her in others, and be mad at her in others because she makes some stupid decisions. There is a powerful message throughout this book. I would recommend this book to other women especially those who are living for tomorrow instead of today.
Buy It: Planning To Live will be available in October 2010 for $12.95. You can read an EXCERPT from the novel right now.
Disclaimer: This book was provided for review. I was in no way compensated for this post. Everything written is my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you!
Thanks, Heather, for such a well-written review! Just a quick note – I ended up releasing the book early and it’s actually available now via Amazon and my web site.