CONFESSION:
While I would love to present you with supporting book responses from Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, or other great public figures(!)—truth of the matter is, I’m a rookie no-name in the literary world, who hasn’t earned the luxury of such endorsements. But, I do have something just as valuable; arguably more valuable. I have a lot of heart and motivation. And while I have not yet had the opportunity to share my book with many people (this book/website was recently released, on 3/31/12), what I can tell you is that the few people that have read it have had very complimentary things to say. I also need to tell you that the few who have read it have been family members and friends—which means all I have as of yet is a bunch of biased feedback. Nonetheless, the comments I’ve received are incredibly meaningful to me, and as far as book reviews go, it’s what I currently have available to offer you. I hope it’s enough to peek your interest…
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“I think this book is inspiring for anyone who is grieving. What I think is most perfect about it, is you don’t have to be at any one particular stage of grieving to take something from it. A few of the books I read early on were books I could only read then and a few I couldn’t read until much later after some healing. This, however, I can see benefit to from all angles. I don’t think it’s ever too soon, or too late, to read of hope, love, healing growth, and perspective.”
“I devoured the pages of you memoir, because they are a declaration of love (and I’m incurably romantic!). Every single line, rather, every single word spells out your deep, unshakeable love for Julie.”
“Indeed, you have bared your soul . . .and more.”
“The heartfelt sincerity with which you write strikes a tone that is hard to achieve: honest without being maudlin. When you write about Julie’s death and your eternal question of “Why?”–which is, of course, unanswerable–you do so in a way that blends your most rational thoughts with your most emotional reactions. In replaying the moments right after her death, and in your “unrehearsed” e-mails and letters to her months later, the purest of true emotions is evident. You are able to express in simple words and loving thoughts what many others in your situation find difficult to do.“
“It makes my heart hurt for my own loss because I see so much of my husband and I in your words about you and Julie…but at the same time makes me feel electric just thinking about the possibilities of the hope and love that are in my life, and out there for the taking.”
“I felt… reminiscent. Loved. Blessed. Peaceful. Inspired. Comforted, knowing that others out there have the exact same thoughts/feelings/experiences that i do.”
“As I once wrote you in one of my first mails, I really don’t know if I could have ever coped with such a situation, had it happened to me. It takes courage and a good amount of positive thinking to overcome such a tragedy and not to be overwhelmed by it. To put it in a nutshell: I don’t know whether I had remained sane. You seem to have made it, though, not only through the support of your dear ones, but also thanks to the awareness of Julie’s constant presence.”
“I like a lot of your chapters, because I like your simplistic and real writing style.”
“I think what you have written is comforting, and also guiding. I think any widow/er that reads it will get a measure of peace from knowing they aren’t alone in this difficult part of the journey, and also that they certainly aren’t the only ones that have had these thoughts or experiences!! For me, knowing there was someone else out there (you!) thinking/doing the same things, was tremendously helpful.”
“Oh my heavens your book chapters make me cry…..lol. I suppose that’s a good reaction to have, huh? I love it. I really do. This chapter was such a fun one to read….and it’s such a personal glimpse into life for you, so many facets of which I relate to.”
“You know I’m not even sure what it is that I want to say. I’m a bit dumbfounded after reading that. There’s something circulating through me that I feel. It’s just so….profound? Simple? Eloquent? Perfect? Whatever it is, it’s resonating in my soul right now. So, obviously, I am giving this chapter in your book huge praises. I don’t think it could be written any better.”
“Dang Eric. I know I’ve told you this before, but you have an absolutely amazing gift in writing. Every emotion you feel just seems to pour straight through your soul and into the pages. Soulful, beautiful…incredible.”.
