The Promised Land (Our Souls to Keep # 0.5) By Gary A. Caruso
on The Promised Land (Our Souls to Keep # 0.5)
Promised Land (Our Souls to Keep # 0.5)A great, very short introduction to the novel, Our Souls to Keep. Overall it was well written and despite me reading it after the first book it really helped me understand the relationships between the main character Wake and his family. I received this book from the author in response for a honest review..
The Promised Land.....
To all that wishes to read this book there is no need to freak and worry about wether this book is good enough or not because it is.
When it comes to reading books am very picky and tend to lose my focus quite quickly if I find the book to be quite boring.
Well this book since it was only 16 pages give or take three I found myself finishing within Thirty mins (not gonna lie I did find myself stoping at times) ..
To start off the rating:
Characters:1
Plot:1
Humor:2
Keeping me intrigued:1
Therefore giving it a perfect 5 stars...
The Promised Land is about a young Boy Wake Reynolds who lives with his mom and dad along with is young brother Jacob
This book centers around Wake whose family is going to hard times. It's not easy having a drunkard of a father that abuses his mom and then eventually leaves, leaving them with no money to make it through life..
Abused and beyond her limit Wakes mom does something that makes Wake life hang at a balance....Believing it is the right thing to do after not being able to protect his mom from his dad he puts the needs of his mother first...
The book had a lot of humor that I found really crazy(in a good way) making statement about games with cockroaches to fighting with rats I found it rather hilarious....
However this book also teaches us a life lesson that everyone needs to know...
Satan is out there seeking to destroy and devour those who find themselves distancing themselves from God...so God should always be number one...
Hope you enjoyed.
Heading to read Book #2
Disclaimer: I just want to put right out there, that I was given a copy of this ebook from the author with the promise of reading it and giving an honest review.
When the author first emailed me with the offer of copies of this and the first book in this series, I was sceptical, do I really want to do this? But when I read the descriptions of this prequel and the first book, I was hooked. I'm glad that I said yes....at least so far.
This story introduces us to Wake Reynolds, a troubled teenager with a big heart. He comes from a very dysfunctional family, and his life is as horrible as they come. His father is a violent drunk, while his mother is also an alchoholic...things just keep getting worse and worse. Throughout all this, he tries his best to look after his five year old little brother, who hasn't hardened yet to this life the way he has.
Wake is faced with the ultimate question of love and loyalty. What would he give to save his mother's soul? Wake is a hero on so many levels, it's really heartbreaking.
This little story really piqued my curiousity and I am very excited to move on to the first book! :) It is always hard to rate a short story, because there's usually not enough pages to delve into the world and get to know characters better. But this one is kinda different.
The Promised land is a prequel to Our Souls to keep. It's about a dysfunctional family of four (mother, father and two sons), where father and mother both drink, and father abuses his wife, who at some point decides that it's enough and commits a suicide. Which is very surprising, one of their sons goes to church and helps local priest. He believes in God and wholeheartedly prays for his mom to get better and his brother to have a better future. Considering all these, his decision when his mother dies is just unthinkable! And makes me wonder WHY?! Hopefully the answer is in the next book.
PS. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review simply beautiful
the author definitely knows how to attract its author and this book is a perfect example as to how a book has its own character and yet is in reality a preview to the main event.
the book has given me a lot of hope as to what "our souls to take" would be. i am loving the author's narration style which is really gripping and have a nice flow to it.
i love how the story started with an impact and even though ended in couple of pages was not at all abrupt and in fact has left with a good little idea for the follow up..
beautiful and impressive I received this courtesy of Gary A. Caruso (the author) - thank you!
Talk about a great introduction! The way this ended, I can't wait to read the rest of the series! This is a twist on a real-world situation that intrigued me from the start! Definitely worth reading! What a powerful story! It's so rare, at least for me, to come across a piece of writing - regardless of genre or length - that conjures images in my head that really get to me and stay with me for years if not the rest of my life. The Promised Land kept me under its spell for days after I finished reading it. (And unable to articulate a good review.) I was moved by the raw emotions, the gritty setting, and the flawed humanity of the characters. Excellent story, I can only recommend it! Review: THE PROMISED LAND by Gary A. Caruso
A short story prequel to the OUR SOULS TO KEEP trilogy, THE PROMISED LAND demonstrates once again that, like all human con artists, Satan tells a potential victim what they want to.hear, either carrot or stick or both. Seventeen-year-old Wake, altar boy, student, brother of five-year-old Jacob, us offered both, when his mother dies: save her soul by collecting others, or let her be doomed to a torturous eternity. {Shiver!} Scary choice, indeed. The story is well-written and believable, leading smartly into the series. Raised in an abusive home with absent and violent parents, Wake tries to keep his life and that of his little brother together. Volunteering at church one day, he comes home to see his mother literally knocking on death’s door and in for an eternity of pain. He has two choices: sacrifice his own life or let his mother follow her poor choices in life into eternity. Wake find himself suddenly following a new path in life to save his pitiful mother.
This short story of 15 pages dragged me right in. Poor Wake. The prequel sucks in, wondering what the fate of sacrifical Wake will be.
Note: I was given a copy of the ebook from the author in return for an honest review. Can't wait to read Our Souls to Keep! I Received this book from the author for an exchange of an honest review
This is a short story a prequel to "Our Souls to Keep"
What I liked most of this story was the environment in which the story was built. The rich and descriptive images draw me into the story I could feel myself in the story like I was physically there! This short story is a very good introduction or background for the understanding of the book. As soon as I finished this story I jumped to read the full story.
The promised land starts with a day in Wake's normal weekend, he goes to church helps the father of the church, he has a brother and a mother that he loves, then this is where the story gets better, something happens in wake's life that he is "forced" to choose between taking a decision that will change his life and the life from hi loved ones. I would recommend this book for somebody who is looking for something different to read.You will be drawn into wake's story as soon as you start reading Great intro to the series, recommend reading it before Our Souls to Keep. Wow! Talk about intriguing... If you read this short intro/prequel to 'Our Souls to Keep', and don't have an urgent need to begin reading the first book, you've got way more control than I do. This got my attention immediately and, as I read the last line, was so grateful that I already had 'Our Souls to Keep'. I was like, "What? What happens now?" I quickly located the first book on my Kindle and started it right away. So far, I'm obsessed and have only not finished it yet because I had to go to a family get-together and had no excuse to stay home and read. I am half way through it already, though and only started it yesterday. Yes, it's that kind of series. Don't miss it!! * I received a copy by author for my honest opinion.*
I was contacted by author to read this book, as well as, the first book in series: "Our Souls To Keep". After researching, I was delighted to have this opportunity to read a story from a male's POV. In my opinion, these are hard to come by. I will have to admit that I don't like to read a book without some background. It tends to mess up the story for me.
I found myself drawn into the life of Wake
Reynolds. The author's ability to entice your attention and emotions is pure genius. He has an "easy to read" talent that glides you into the story. I was amazed how fast I read this story.
I love this author's ability to take components, and adds extra twists and turns to keep your interest and plays with your emotions. Can you say "Vivid Imagery"? I felt as if I was there along side the characters.
Though this story starts and ends with tragedy, there is some humor that occurs. I feel this story gave you just enough information regarding the cause of Wake's (main character) decision of sacrifice.
The characters were realistic in their roles and emotions. The pace flowed steady. I would highly recommend readers to read this book first to gain some knowledge of Wake and why he chose sacrifice. It will help you to understand his motives, in the following book, "Our Souls To Keep".
Happy Reading!!!! I received a copy of this short prequel in exchange for a honest review. The author does a great job of giving readers a quick glimpse of what is to be expected in the following full length novel. I read this after reading Our Souls To Keep which should be on the best sellers list! This short story is so sad but makes you love Wake Reynolds more than ever :-) I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This short story was AMAZING!! When I started it, I had no idea where it was going to take me. Boy, did I get a pleasant surprise!! I think I have just found a new favorite author. Highly recommended to everyone!
Wake is a very interesting character....I can't wait to read more about him. I can't help but feel sorry for him.
I received the e-file from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Wake Reynolds. At 17, he's endured more than anyone should have to, certainly more than most kids his age. More than most adults with a long, fulfilling lives under their belt, in fact. Purely out of necessity, he's living a life of diligence, for his 5-year-old brother, Jacob, and their alcohol mother, greatly rely on him. In a way, he sees himself as their protector against the nefariousness of the world, but primarily against their chemically dependent father/husband.
And the only thing that's keeping him sane, his sole comfort, is his unyielding faith in God. But when the lines of fantasy and reality begin to blur, will he follow his heart? Or perhaps an entirely different path emerges, forcing him into a life of self-preservation..?
Nearing the end of this excellent prequel to the Our Souls to Keep trilogy, Caruso truly had me second-guessing myself as I desperately tried to fathom just where, exactly, he was taking it. The dialogue and visuals really popped, and the story itself is well-written and unpredictable, but if anyone had told me in advance that it would evolve the way it does, I would have been skeptical. I might have even called you a liar, given the right mood. I would have been in the wrong, however, because the ending is so shocking and disturbing and simply raw (for lack of a better word,) that my jaw literally dropped. Days later, part of me still can't believe it.
Very nicely done, Gary! You've written an incredibly impressive start, and I compulsively jumped into the the first book immediately!
The Promised Land.....
To all that wishes to read this book there is no need to freak and worry about wether this book is good enough or not because it is.
When it comes to reading books am very picky and tend to lose my focus quite quickly if I find the book to be quite boring.
Well this book since it was only 16 pages give or take three I found myself finishing within Thirty mins (not gonna lie I did find myself stoping at times) ..
To start off the rating:
Characters:1
Plot:1
Humor:2
Keeping me intrigued:1
Therefore giving it a perfect 5 stars...
The Promised Land is about a young Boy Wake Reynolds who lives with his mom and dad along with is young brother Jacob
This book centers around Wake whose family is going to hard times. It's not easy having a drunkard of a father that abuses his mom and then eventually leaves, leaving them with no money to make it through life..
Abused and beyond her limit Wakes mom does something that makes Wake life hang at a balance....Believing it is the right thing to do after not being able to protect his mom from his dad he puts the needs of his mother first...
The book had a lot of humor that I found really crazy(in a good way) making statement about games with cockroaches to fighting with rats I found it rather hilarious....
However this book also teaches us a life lesson that everyone needs to know...
Satan is out there seeking to destroy and devour those who find themselves distancing themselves from God...so God should always be number one...
Hope you enjoyed.
Heading to read Book #2
Disclaimer: I just want to put right out there, that I was given a copy of this ebook from the author with the promise of reading it and giving an honest review.
When the author first emailed me with the offer of copies of this and the first book in this series, I was sceptical, do I really want to do this? But when I read the descriptions of this prequel and the first book, I was hooked. I'm glad that I said yes....at least so far.
This story introduces us to Wake Reynolds, a troubled teenager with a big heart. He comes from a very dysfunctional family, and his life is as horrible as they come. His father is a violent drunk, while his mother is also an alchoholic...things just keep getting worse and worse. Throughout all this, he tries his best to look after his five year old little brother, who hasn't hardened yet to this life the way he has.
Wake is faced with the ultimate question of love and loyalty. What would he give to save his mother's soul? Wake is a hero on so many levels, it's really heartbreaking.
This little story really piqued my curiousity and I am very excited to move on to the first book! :) It is always hard to rate a short story, because there's usually not enough pages to delve into the world and get to know characters better. But this one is kinda different.
The Promised land is a prequel to Our Souls to keep. It's about a dysfunctional family of four (mother, father and two sons), where father and mother both drink, and father abuses his wife, who at some point decides that it's enough and commits a suicide. Which is very surprising, one of their sons goes to church and helps local priest. He believes in God and wholeheartedly prays for his mom to get better and his brother to have a better future. Considering all these, his decision when his mother dies is just unthinkable! And makes me wonder WHY?! Hopefully the answer is in the next book.
PS. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review simply beautiful
the author definitely knows how to attract its author and this book is a perfect example as to how a book has its own character and yet is in reality a preview to the main event.
the book has given me a lot of hope as to what "our souls to take" would be. i am loving the author's narration style which is really gripping and have a nice flow to it.
i love how the story started with an impact and even though ended in couple of pages was not at all abrupt and in fact has left with a good little idea for the follow up..
beautiful and impressive I received this courtesy of Gary A. Caruso (the author) - thank you!
Talk about a great introduction! The way this ended, I can't wait to read the rest of the series! This is a twist on a real-world situation that intrigued me from the start! Definitely worth reading! What a powerful story! It's so rare, at least for me, to come across a piece of writing - regardless of genre or length - that conjures images in my head that really get to me and stay with me for years if not the rest of my life. The Promised Land kept me under its spell for days after I finished reading it. (And unable to articulate a good review.) I was moved by the raw emotions, the gritty setting, and the flawed humanity of the characters. Excellent story, I can only recommend it! Review: THE PROMISED LAND by Gary A. Caruso
A short story prequel to the OUR SOULS TO KEEP trilogy, THE PROMISED LAND demonstrates once again that, like all human con artists, Satan tells a potential victim what they want to.hear, either carrot or stick or both. Seventeen-year-old Wake, altar boy, student, brother of five-year-old Jacob, us offered both, when his mother dies: save her soul by collecting others, or let her be doomed to a torturous eternity. {Shiver!} Scary choice, indeed. The story is well-written and believable, leading smartly into the series. Raised in an abusive home with absent and violent parents, Wake tries to keep his life and that of his little brother together. Volunteering at church one day, he comes home to see his mother literally knocking on death’s door and in for an eternity of pain. He has two choices: sacrifice his own life or let his mother follow her poor choices in life into eternity. Wake find himself suddenly following a new path in life to save his pitiful mother.
This short story of 15 pages dragged me right in. Poor Wake. The prequel sucks in, wondering what the fate of sacrifical Wake will be.
Note: I was given a copy of the ebook from the author in return for an honest review. Can't wait to read Our Souls to Keep! I Received this book from the author for an exchange of an honest review
This is a short story a prequel to "Our Souls to Keep"
What I liked most of this story was the environment in which the story was built. The rich and descriptive images draw me into the story I could feel myself in the story like I was physically there! This short story is a very good introduction or background for the understanding of the book. As soon as I finished this story I jumped to read the full story.
The promised land starts with a day in Wake's normal weekend, he goes to church helps the father of the church, he has a brother and a mother that he loves, then this is where the story gets better, something happens in wake's life that he is "forced" to choose between taking a decision that will change his life and the life from hi loved ones. I would recommend this book for somebody who is looking for something different to read.You will be drawn into wake's story as soon as you start reading Great intro to the series, recommend reading it before Our Souls to Keep. Wow! Talk about intriguing... If you read this short intro/prequel to 'Our Souls to Keep', and don't have an urgent need to begin reading the first book, you've got way more control than I do. This got my attention immediately and, as I read the last line, was so grateful that I already had 'Our Souls to Keep'. I was like, "What? What happens now?" I quickly located the first book on my Kindle and started it right away. So far, I'm obsessed and have only not finished it yet because I had to go to a family get-together and had no excuse to stay home and read. I am half way through it already, though and only started it yesterday. Yes, it's that kind of series. Don't miss it!! * I received a copy by author for my honest opinion.*
I was contacted by author to read this book, as well as, the first book in series: "Our Souls To Keep". After researching, I was delighted to have this opportunity to read a story from a male's POV. In my opinion, these are hard to come by. I will have to admit that I don't like to read a book without some background. It tends to mess up the story for me.
I found myself drawn into the life of Wake
Reynolds. The author's ability to entice your attention and emotions is pure genius. He has an "easy to read" talent that glides you into the story. I was amazed how fast I read this story.
I love this author's ability to take components, and adds extra twists and turns to keep your interest and plays with your emotions. Can you say "Vivid Imagery"? I felt as if I was there along side the characters.
Though this story starts and ends with tragedy, there is some humor that occurs. I feel this story gave you just enough information regarding the cause of Wake's (main character) decision of sacrifice.
The characters were realistic in their roles and emotions. The pace flowed steady. I would highly recommend readers to read this book first to gain some knowledge of Wake and why he chose sacrifice. It will help you to understand his motives, in the following book, "Our Souls To Keep".
Happy Reading!!!! I received a copy of this short prequel in exchange for a honest review. The author does a great job of giving readers a quick glimpse of what is to be expected in the following full length novel. I read this after reading Our Souls To Keep which should be on the best sellers list! This short story is so sad but makes you love Wake Reynolds more than ever :-) I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This short story was AMAZING!! When I started it, I had no idea where it was going to take me. Boy, did I get a pleasant surprise!! I think I have just found a new favorite author. Highly recommended to everyone!
Wake is a very interesting character....I can't wait to read more about him. I can't help but feel sorry for him.
I received the e-file from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Wake Reynolds. At 17, he's endured more than anyone should have to, certainly more than most kids his age. More than most adults with a long, fulfilling lives under their belt, in fact. Purely out of necessity, he's living a life of diligence, for his 5-year-old brother, Jacob, and their alcohol mother, greatly rely on him. In a way, he sees himself as their protector against the nefariousness of the world, but primarily against their chemically dependent father/husband.
And the only thing that's keeping him sane, his sole comfort, is his unyielding faith in God. But when the lines of fantasy and reality begin to blur, will he follow his heart? Or perhaps an entirely different path emerges, forcing him into a life of self-preservation..?
"The nature of faith is to accept that many of our questions will go unanswered. I don't know why your mother is sick. But I do know that Satan wants us the challenge God when we're angry, or when we have loss in our lives. The greater distance we are from God's embrace, the happier Satan is. You must always remember that God will protect those who accept Him, especially in times of desperation and despair."
-Father Noviello
Nearing the end of this excellent prequel to the Our Souls to Keep trilogy, Caruso truly had me second-guessing myself as I desperately tried to fathom just where, exactly, he was taking it. The dialogue and visuals really popped, and the story itself is well-written and unpredictable, but if anyone had told me in advance that it would evolve the way it does, I would have been skeptical. I might have even called you a liar, given the right mood. I would have been in the wrong, however, because the ending is so shocking and disturbing and simply raw (for lack of a better word,) that my jaw literally dropped. Days later, part of me still can't believe it.
Very nicely done, Gary! You've written an incredibly impressive start, and I compulsively jumped into the the first book immediately!