The One Who Got Away
Posted on August 19, 2012
“Perhaps you know someone whose heart clutches onto the bittersweet memory of the one who got away. Someone who secretly bears the weight of this imperceptible burden wherever he or she goes, every day of his or her life. Someone who’d gladly travel back in a time machine to a day when paths diverged, to mend together that which has been torn apart, setting destiny back on its rightful track — if only he or she could. Perhaps you know this someone better than you think. And should this someone happen to be you, may you find strength and support in the millions of others who shoulder this burden with you, and may you be reintroduced one day to true love… in this lifetime and whatever comes after.” — Sebastian Cole
“I Remember — I Love You”
Posted on August 19, 2012
‘You remember?’ he asked incredulously. ‘What could you possibly remember?’ he demanded, staring at her, waiting for the answer.
The beauty from within her soul shined brightly through her loving eyes as she looked deep into Noah’s now melting eyes.
‘I remember — I love you,’ she said in a soft voice, nervously biting her lip. — Sebastian Cole, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love
Sand Dollar Book Giveaway Winners at Goodreads
Posted on August 20, 2012
Congratulations to all the winners of the August 20th Sand Dollar book giveaway at GoodReads:
Nigora Tohirova
Dilys Myhill
Donna Underwood
Nerissa Luis
Angela Baxter
Ruth Brier
Tiffany watson
Chantel Dandeneau
Michelle Ebbecke
Alison Wizer
Janet Albanese
Michelle Gilbert
Kristyn Stimach
Alexa Menz
Paige O’Neal
Lauren Priegel
Amanda Bethel
April Vaughan
Nicole Langreck
Becky Atwood
Hillary Lundblad
Natasha Simmons
Nikkie Thomas
Melissa Dwinnell
Marcie Oropeza
Elena goodlad
Bill Kozemko
Lisa Henard
Angie Liggio
Liana Chau
Thanks to the 1125 people who entered the drawing. I’ll be sending the books out in the next day or two. If you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you!
Sebastian
🙂
The Journey
Posted on August 19, 2012
“Now that I’ve started this journey, I can’t see what lies ahead on this unfamiliar road, but I know one thing for sure: when I look behind, I see the things that I’ve accomplished… and I smile with pride.” — Sebastian Cole
Review of Sand Dollar by Long And Short Reviews
Posted on August 7, 2012
★★★★
“Sebastian Cole has written a thought provoking and intriguing story in Sand Dollar… once the story hooked me, I could not put it down…I will say one thing, I did not see the ending of this one coming, and it brought tears to my eyes.” — Long and Short Reviews
Kelani’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on August 5, 2012
One of my all time favorites!
★★★★★
“I won this book for free on the goodreads giveaways! Not only did Sebastian Cole autograph my book but he sent me 2 cards (with the cover of his book as the picture). One card was a personalized note to me which made me feel special. The other card was blank for me to do as I pleased. He also had a stamp with the same beautiful picture on an envelope for me. Also, in the package was a beautiful bookmark with the same beautiful stationary. I was pleasantly surprised!!
The book exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved every part of it. I could relate to Noah so well it was scary. The book was about a man named Noah who does all he can to find a partner in life when one day he finds Robin unexpectedly. They quickly fall in love and marry. Shortly after they marry things fall apart. Noah has trouble getting over Robin because he believes they are soul mates. Add Robin’s hidden secret to the mix and it makes for an interesting story! (I will not go on because I do not want to ruin this story for you.) IT IS A MUST READ!!
Sebastian Cole did an AMAZING job with this book. It is a great love story with real life characters and real life problems. He reminds me of Nicholas Sparks with his ability to play on your heart strings throughout the entire book. At the end of the book in the, “A note from Sebastian Cole,” there is a part that touches my heart intensely. Cole writes, “Perhaps you know someone whose heart clutches onto the bittersweet memory of the one who got away. Someone who secretly bears the weight of this imperceptible burden wherever he or she goes, everyday of his or her life. Someone who’d gladly travel back in a time machine to a day when paths diverged, to mend together that which has been torn apart, setting destiny back on its rightful track- if only he or she could.”
That, in turn says it all. Read this book!” — Kelani K
Sand Dollar Book Giveaway Winners At GoodReads
Posted on August 2, 2012
Congratulations to all the winners of the July 31st Sand Dollar book giveaway at GoodReads:
Kiersten Kellogg
Nancy Gallagher
Allison Bachelder
Terri Clark
Doris Williams
Judith Policicchio
Marie Casabona
Charlene O’Connor
Debbie Lee
Donna Taylor
Angela Perry
Lindsay Fisher
Jeny Robertson
Toby Carter
Danielle L.
Pat Murray
Trisha Mckee
Michael Bourgault
Becky Darnell
Sabrina Moore
Melanie Layton
Deborah Garcia
Thanks to the 1262 people who entered the drawing. If you’re not one of the winners, please check back again soon for another giveaway. If you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you!
Sebastian
Afullbookshelf’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on July 25, 2012
Heartbreakingly beautiful
★★★★
“Sand Dollar is the story of Noah and Robin. Not only does it span their lives individually throughout the years, but also their relationship as well. Mr. Cole did a fantastic job of bringing Noah, Robin and all other characters to life. I was hooked from the beginning. I found Noah to be extremely likeable and could understand where he was coming from with his family background. Never did I get the impression that Noah was selfish or greedy like you would expect with his upbringing. Robin is a different character altogether. She is kind of a mystery. We don’t really get answers to Robin until closer to the end of the book, but it’s easy to guess which direction the story is going.
The story is told back and forth between present day Noah and his past. Sometimes I found it hard to know if we were in the present or past, but once I got a hang of how the story was written, it wasn’t difficult to follow.
I had an incredibly hard time putting this book down, because I needed to know what happened. It’s a heartbreaking story, even up to the end, but it’s beautifully heartbreaking.” — Afullbookshelf
Kristina Circelli’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on July 25, 2012
A Story of Love Across Time
★★★★
** spoiler alert ** “First of all, Sebastian Cole has the coolest freakin author name ever. I am jealous, and seriously considering stealing his name for a book character. Sebastian Cole. How can a name like that not produce an awesome book?
But I digress. Sand Dollar is not my usual read, and being the cynic I am, there were parts I had trouble getting through. Noah’s language, for one. Do men really talk like that? Do they really show such public displays of emotion? I don’t know.
I also felt like his love for Robin, at times, felt forced because I don’t really understand why he loved her. She was a pretty awful person for most of the book, and he wasted a lot of his life essentially being her stalker. Again, I’m a cynic, so this kind of fairy-tale love is a hard concept for me to grasp. But hey, it’s a story, so I went with it.
BUT, things changed at the end. In a good way. I was really interested in the revelation about Robin’s condition, and while I still think she was pretty crappy most of the time, I started to sympathize a bit more. I was also happy to see their reunion mainly because it pissed off Noah’s family so much (seriously, Miriam is a terrible person. I have no love for her at all).
One of the reasons I gave Sand Dollar a 4-star rating is because of the end. When a book makes me feel a range of emotions – even if one of those emotions is completely hating a character and then deciding maybe she’s not so bad after all, or that another is creepy and desperate but in the end simply an embodiment of true love – then that’s a good thing. I’m still not sure if I fully came around to liking Robin, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because, like I said, I like the emotions that came from the book. I finished the book pleased with the way it ended and imagining Noah and Robin’s new life in heaven.
Speaking of heaven, I knew this book was about God going into it based on the reviews. I was a little hesitant because I’m not exactly a religious folk. I do love stories of epic battles between heaven and Hell, angels versus demons, but lighter love stories with God? Not really my thing. I am happy to say that the religious undertones are very slight, and that Cole tells the story with God in a way that isn’t preachy or corny. It’s simply a man’s first and last conversation with God, and it works well.” — Kristina Circelli
Sand Dollar Selected As Finalist In ForeWord Firsts Debut Fiction Competition
Posted on July 18, 2012
Great news! I just found out that Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love has been selected as a finalist in the ForeWord Firsts fiction competition for first-time authors, offered by ForeWord Reviews. Even if I don’t win, it’s a great feeling to be selected as a finalist. Wish me luck!
Sebastian Cole
🙂
Read the press release: ForeWord’s Best First-Fiction Shortlist
Karen Thaxton’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted July 18, 2012
Love we can’t forget
★★★★★
“Special thanks to Mr. Cole for offering this book as a Good Reads free book to me. I started reading this book and I could not put it down. I was so meserrized by Robin and Noah’s love for each other and all the hardships they had to endure during their relationship(s). Very, well written, love story that keeps you wanting more and more. We all need to find a love like this and cherish it. I can’t wait for Mr. Cole to write another novel! Loved this book!!!!!” — Karen Thaxton
Sand Dollar Chapter-a-Week
Posted on July 15, 2012
I’d like to thank everyone for following my Chapter-a-Week blog. However, I’m sorry to say that I will no longer be posting additional chapters of Sand Dollar to my website. So… if you have enjoyed what you’ve read so far, please buy the book. It’s only 99 cents as an eBook, $9.99 in paperback.
Click here to find out where to buy it.
Here’s what readers are saying about the SURPRISE ENDING:
“And despite the many twists of this heart-wrenching story for the reader to enjoy, the author gifted me with one more delectable twist that sent my heart-strings strumming!…And, when I finally surrendered and committed to these star-crossed lovers to watch the tale reach its fruition, Mr. Cole reveals one more gem of truth after all was said and done that warmed me to my toes.” — Bookideas.com
” Cole twists and turns this plot (which is why I couldn’t put it down) to where you can’t assume anything about the ending. You HAVE to read it.” — Kate Patrick
“Cole metes out important information at a good pace, keeping the reader as baffled as Noah by Robin’s strange changes of heart, and carefully manipulates details to lead to a real surprise ending.” — Feathered Quill
“You need to follow this and see how it turns out. This is a must read for anyone who loves pure romance.” — Let’s Talk Romance Reviews
“I was totally taken by surprise by the ending (sad in a way but ultimately it was a happy one), which I didn’t see coming at all, another plus!” — Johanna
“There were many times I wanted to reach into the book and honestly shake Robin, but luckily her character went on to be thoroughly explained, rectifying my need to smack her! The end was a slam dunk; totally unexpected.” — Pamela
“Sebastian Cole not only has one or two tricks waiting for you towards the end*** but many.” — Reesa
“It takes you on one hell of a rollercoaster ride, only to bring you to a very unexpected ending. That, to me, is what a well-written book is.” — Isabella
” It was a very emotional read for me, I spent time yelling at the characters, and then crying with them at the end.” — Bea
“The unexpected ending was perfect.” — Tina
“Wow I didn’t expect it to end the way it did. Very nice book with very vivid characters.” — Jalynn
Sand Dollar Book Giveaway Winners at Goodreads
Posted on July 14, 2012
Congratulations to all the winners of the July 14th Sand Dollar book giveaway at GoodReads:
Shannon Sharp Rutig
Rebecca Halford
Sarah Vestal
Graham Clarke
Brittany Hill
Kim Matlock
Sarah Bulman
Lauren A. Weaver
Lori Strait
Carolyn Cooper
Renée Thébeau
Maria Hatzitolios
Lucy Frohn
Jennifer Fraker
Kristina Circelli
Stephanie Sprinkle
Penny S.
Jan Beck
Haley Hill
Jennifer Metz
Thanks to the 1895 people who entered the drawing. If you’re not one of the winners, please check back again soon for another giveaway. If you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you!
Sebastian
🙂
Johanna’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on July 6, 2012
An excellent book…
★★★★★
“Sand Dollar is a love story reminiscent of “The Notebook”, as the author confesses, but still remains uniquely its own story. I won’t bother with a lengthy synopsis as other readers have done a fantastic job summarizing it.
There were several things I really enjoyed about this book, most important of which, I think, is that the story always felt “real”, and never forced. I also loved how the author chose to go back-and-forth between the past and the present, revealing layers of the story as they become relevent. I was totally taken by surprise by the ending (sad in a way but ultimately it was a happy one), which I didn’t see coming at all, another plus!
My one complaint? Not really with the story itself, but I couldn’t help but notice the absence of an author bio and picture, something which I compulsively seek out before I ever start a story. Its not really a big deal, but I like to be able to read about an author to sort of get to “know” them before I read their work so I have an idea of where they’re coming from. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see what such a hopeless romantic looks like?
Marvellous book, it brought a smile to my face, and I would certainly love to see Sand Dollar become a movie as the author wishes, I have a feeling it would do very well 🙂
I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads” — Johanna
PamelaLA’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on June 23, 2012
Fabulous!
★★★★★
“Upon finishing the book last night, my husband asked me what I thought of it. The best response I could come up with was, “It was like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs on a crisp fall day.” (And this is coming from an Italian girl!) I love it when you start a book, and within the first few pages you have an immediate sense of the characters, what they look like, their environment, etc. Noah and Robin burst out of the pages- it was great! The story of Sand Dollar went on to tell the lives of these two main characters, past and present. There were many times I wanted to reach into the book and honestly shake Robin, but luckily her character went on to be thoroughly explained, rectifying my need to smack her! The end was a slam dunk; totally unexpected.
There were only 2 slight criticisms that I encountered: One was occasional confusion bouncing back between past and present. The other was how many times Noah’s Ferrari was mentioned. The author is however, a man… So I guess it’s understandable 😉
Beautiful cover, superb writing, completely enjoyable. GREAT READ!” —pamelaLA
Sand Dollar Book Giveaway Winners At GoodReads
Posted on June 22, 2012
Congratulations to all the winners of the June 22nd Sand Dollar book giveaway at GoodReads:
Ann Thaxton
Helen Brewer
Shannon Johnson
Tina Newcomb
Marquise Amyotte
Kelani Karnes
Audrey Grant
Thanks to the 939 people who entered the drawing. If you’re not one of the winners, please check back again soon for another giveaway. If you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you!
Sebastian
🙂
Reesa’s review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on June 17, 2012
Awesome Read****
★★★★★
“I loved this book- This one pulls at your heart strings and if it does not pull at yours~ you should have been searching for a new heart instead of a new book to read. Sebastian Cole not only has one or two tricks waiting for you towards the end*** but many. The writing in this book is superb, and also makes you think. Sand Dollar is my second favorite read for 2012. I’m glad I was able to read & enjoy this story~ as I’m sure anyone would. I look forward to reading more from this author. The cover is beautiful~*~ I highly recommend adding Sand Dollar to your bookshelf.” — Reesa***
sebastiancoleauthor.com 
