Product Description

A deeply moving story of the risky but rewarding search for self, a story of survival, and of the irrepressible ability of the human spirit to rebound from disaster and to create life anew.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #725070 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-22
• Released on: 2007-05-22
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .53 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 512 pages

From AudioFile
Julia, a 40-year-old wife and mother, survives a boating incident that claims nine other lives. As the police investigate the accident, she begins to question what really happened. Narrator Linda Emond depicts Julia's search for meaning with tones of angst and suppressed anger that change to notes of confidence as Julia comes into her own. Noah, another survivor, becomes a close ally and friend. With wonderful vocal range, Emond depicts Noah and Julia's attraction. Tension builds when the accident turns into a murder investigation. Tight pacing, realistic family portrayals, and deft narration make this compelling romantic suspense. G.D.W. 2005 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Ever prolific and popular Delinsky has often considered the phenomena of near-death experiences granting second chances in life, but rather than rely on hackneyed notions of heroes rising Phoenix-like from the ashes to triumph over adversity, Delinsky grounds her characters in the here-and-now and presents them with dilemmas more familiar than fanciful. Such is the case in her latest work, a tale of three people quite literally thrown together following a boating accident off the Maine coast that spares them while taking the lives of nine others. At 40 Julia is an obedient wife, dutiful daughter, and devoted mother, and has planned a visit to her aunt Zoe to reflect on her obligation to herself versus her ties to her family. Rescued by fellow passenger Noah Prine, Julia feels connected to him by virtue of their shared tragedy while also being drawn to Kim Colella, the other survivor, whose whereabouts at the time of the crash provide a shadowy subplot. As a gentle romance blossoms between Julia and Noah, each evaluates who they were before the accident and who they hope to become in its aftermath. Once again, Delinsky excels at combining a compelling mystery with an insightful portrayal of captivating people facing challenges both ordinary and dramatic. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Author
"Real life has always been the inspiration for my books. THE SUMMER I DARED took root soon after September 11, 2001. We were initially focused on those who died, but the term 'victim' quickly broadened to include those whose lives were directly touched by the tragedy of that day. Actually, life changed in elemental ways for most of us after that day.

"Other tragedies, including the killings by the D.C. snipers, egged me on. Yes, I know. We've already had movies where the hero survives the plane crash and starts acting immortal. I felt there had to be other reactions.

"Indeed there are, at least in Julia Bechtel and Noah Prine, the protagonists of THE SUMMER I DARED. These characters aren't super-human; they're simply people like you and I who experience something unique. Their search for self-understanding and their need for growth struck a deep chord in me. I trust it will in you, as well."