My Review:
The Middle Aisle is the continuing story of Zoe Grayson. Her story becomes even more alive in this follow-up to Lancaster House. It is a story woven with great detail and raw emotion. You feel Zoe’s pain and confusion. You feel Andre’s struggle. You experience Dr. Channing’s doubt. And in the end, you feel the shock of realization that the things which you knew were true, are not.
This book kept me so enthralled that I read it all in half a day. The story flows perfectly from one scene to the next. It sucks you in. You are part of the story. You are Zoe. You are Andre. You are Dr. Channing. There is such a deep love between Zoe and Andre. There is extreme devotion to Zoe from Dr. Channing.
In this story, as in Lancaster House, you are not sure what is real and what is fantasy. I kept doubting myself. I would think I knew what was happening only to find that I was completely in the dark. If you believe Zoe are you crazy? Or is her story more real than any other love story ever written?
Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle are two of my new favorites. They are quick reads because they keep you engaged throughout. There is no meaningless dialog. No unimportant scenes. I LOVE books like this. Sometimes I think authors just add dialog and unnecessary scenes because they think the longer the book the better the story.
I have found the opposite to be true. Not everyone can write a 700 page novel and keep you engaged the whole time. (Unless maybe you are Leo Tolstoy or JK Rowling writing the conclusion to a boy wizard’s story.) Not everyone can write a 200 page novel and keep you engaged the whole time for that matter. But Taylor Dean can. Her writing is so concise that every word is necessary. Every scene fits with the story. This is true talent. I have read way too many books where the author just doesn’t know where to stop. I am glad that I got to experience Taylor Dean’s writing and look forward to reading many more of her works.
From author Taylor Dean:
Not horribly bad, but certainly not good either. Kinda dreary. (Note: Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle were never published with these covers.)
(Pictures can be sourced through http://pinterest.com/burgandyice/secret-passageways/)
Tour-Wide Giveaway:
5 WINNERS in USA will receive…. Signed copies of Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle, two Lancaster House bookmarks, two pencils that say, “Believe it, Know it, Accept it,” and a cute little tote bag.
5 International Winners will receive… eCopy of Lancaster House & The Middle Aisle
Find & Follow:
Julie Jones says
I completely agree that I will skip over a book in an instant, never to give it a chance, if the cover isn’t intruguing. I love the cover at the top of this post. It was smart of Taylor and her daughter to redsign!
Julie @70WPM
Christy Maurer says
Totally! We do judge books by their covers, don’t we?
Taylor Dean says
Hi Christy! I’m going to read your review over and over whenever I’m feeling down! Seriously! You’ve made my day! What an AMAZING review! Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my books!
-Taylor
Christy Maurer says
Well, they are all true words 🙂 I am so glad I got to read your books! I’m looking forward to the rest!
KathleenKL says
great review–and we do judge books by the cover–I know I do–it’s got to be interesting to me or I wouldn’t stop to read the cover
Christy Maurer says
I guess we’ve learned our lesson! I need to quit doing this because I am sure I miss out on so many good books!
Coolmoms Cooltips says
Great review, you had me at seat edge, can’t wait to get my hands on book.
Got me thinking about how we do judge content by cover…
Christy Maurer says
Thanks! Hope you get to win a copy!
Joy says
I’m a librarian, and everyone judges a book by its cover. You can tell a child or adult that it is the best book in the world, but without an engaging and exciting cover, the title will be neglected.
Christy Maurer says
I wonder if the world of ebooks will change that. Hopefully!
juliensmommy03 says
I totally judge a book by it’s cover – either in the library, bookstore, or even online. If it doesn’t grab my attention, I usually pass right by it. The book you read sounds mysterious. Very captivating review of it!