Sebastian Cole Q & A at The Long Distance Book Club
Posted on November 28, 2012
I’ll be available to answer all of your questions about my debut novel, SAND DOLLAR: A Story of Undying Love at the Long Distance Book Club on Facebook on Tuesday, December 18th at 8:00 p.m. If you’d like to be a part of the discussion, please visit the group’s page on Facebook before the event and click on “Join Group” in the top right corner. It’s a wonderful group of people. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sebastian
🙂
Review of Sand Dollar at Mina’s Bookshelf
Posted on November 27, 2012
Paperback, 223 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by Sebastian Cole LLC
Genre: contemporary novel, romance, romantic fantasy
Rating : 5 stars
“What an exquisitely romantic story! Utterly heart-wrenching in its tragedy, absolutely gratifying in its resolution. Far from being a mellow romance novel, the author deepened and enriched the shadows of widely exploited tropes (lost love and second chances) with more introspective and dramatic tones, tragic elements and a mind-blowing ending. Although frequently referred to as a romantic fantasy, I wouldn’t say that Cole’s soulful debut novel falls in that clear-cut category, being the otherworldly element not a dominant feature throughout the narration, as much as an imaginative touch that the author used very lightly and that found its culmination only at the end of the book.
Lying in a hospital bed, eighty year old Noah Hartman offers to a compassionate medical orderly a bitter-sweet recount of his love life. As past events and present-time regretful considerations unfold in front of our eyes with the fluidity, accuracy and comfortable pace of a movie script, Noah takes us for an emotional trip down memory lane, leading the readers through his heartbreaking quest for love and the countless obstacles that external forces, prejudices, and twists of fate placed on his path to happiness. What makes this story of undying love so poignant and inspiring is the combination of two very fragile and vibrant characters and the incredible resiliency of their mutual feelings. I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of compassion for Noah and Robin. Their back-stories may be marked by environmental and genetic traits that will act as invisible and sometimes unexplained forces against the fulfillment of their love (Noah’s Jewish background and family’s hostility to Robin, Robin’s tragic past and lack of emotional stability), but true love has a way to reveal itself in “a moment of truth and clarity” and to lead two soul mates through the storms and the rough seas, like a compass to its true north.
Keep a tissue box close by while reading this evocative novel…Sand Dollar won’t leave your soul and your eyes dry.” — Mina’s Bookshelf
Lisa’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 16, 2012
★★★★★ Great read!
“Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love will make even the hardest hearts melt and believe in love once again. This is a fabulous read for men and women alike. One of the best books I have read in a long time!” — Lisa H.
A Very Touching Review of Sand Dollar, Remembering Her Father on Veterans Day
Posted on November 13, 2012
★★★★★ Amazing
“I think I have a new favorite book. I absolutely loved this book. I just finished it today and thought that it was amazing. I was at my Mom’s house reading the final chapters and crying, then I handed it to her and said, “You’ve got to read this!” She said she wasn’t sure as she had seen me crying. I told her that it is indeed a beautiful love story and it did have a fantastic ending. I don’t even usually like romance novels but I loved this one. My favorite part was when the protagonist, Noah, said to his brother, and I’m paraphrasing here, even though my life may be over, my love will never end. It is especially reassuring to read this today on Veteran’s Day as I’m missing my eternal hero, my dad. I believe that even though I didn’t get to see him and thank him for his service to our country this morning, that he still knows what is in my heart and mind and that he does indeed still continue to love me as much as I still love him. Thank you, Mr. Cole, for an incredible novel that moved me to tears in a very personal way. I will most definitely read this novel again, as I often do with my favorites, and recommend it to my friends. Congratulations on a superb book!” — Donna
“It was one of the greatest love stories ever told!”
Posted on November 13, 2012
★★★★★ A Must Read For Every Romantic!
“This is the story of Noah Hartman’s life and it begins with him narrating the story with him and how he found the love of his life Robin. He finally found Robin after searching and searching for Mrs. Right! They begin dating and of course his well to do parents do not agree as she is not what “they” want, she isnt well to do, she isnt jewish, she isnt right for their son etc. They are some of the worst parents esp. the mom they control every aspect of Noah’s life and u really want to just slap them. Even though they dont agree Noah dates Robin and is going to marry her. Without giving too much away the marriage doesnt happen and Noah is torn up more than u can ever imagine. Years and years go by and Noah finds another woman Sarah and knows she will never replace Robin but things happen and they decide to wed but guess who shows up on the wedding day? Oh well that is it you will have to read the book! It’s a great book and you wont be sorry you bought it. I won this book and Mr. Cole was so gracious he autographed it and wrote a note in it! I am going to give back by buying another copy for a Christmas gift! It was one of the greatest love stories ever told! I hope to see it in the movies bc i will definitely go see it! I give it 5 Sand dollars, i mean stars! Can’t wait for Mr. Cole’s 2nd novel! Way to go! I will recommend this to all my friends and family!” — Riau74
Terri’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on November 10, 2012
★★★★★
Great Read!!
“This book was a great book to read! I loved Noah and hearing his story tugged at my heart strings! This book will capture your attention and will not let go till the last page is turned. I will carry this one for a long time to come!!!” — Terri
Sand Dollar Fan on Facebook
Posted on November 8, 2012
Not only did Dawn post on her Facebook page that Sand Dollar was “the greatest love story I ever read”, but she also changed her background image to the cover of the book! Looking good, Dawn! Thanks for putting a smile on my face. 🙂
“The Greatest Love Story I Have Ever Read” – A Novel Review
Posted on November 7, 2012
“Noah Hartman meets his soul mate, Robin at a local club. When he loses her, he does not ever give up on their love, truly believing they belong together. Finally, Noah agrees to marry Sarah, a long time family friend. As Sarah is ready to walk down the aisle, Robin walks in and declares her love for Noah.
An old and sick Noah tells his love story to Josh, an orderly at Mount Sinai Hospital. As the story is told different family members arrive to tell him goodbye. The closer to the end of the story, the more the pieces of his life are put back together.
When I was told that this was the next great love story I was cynical, but it is totally true. Noah and Robin’s story is the greatest love story I have ever read.
Robin was a character I didn’t really like. The way she played with the good guy, Noah, broke my heart. The fact that she had a child from a previous relationship and kept uprooting her life made her the type of mother that I never understand or can relate to. I did like that she encouraged Noah to break free from the unreal hold his parents had on him letting him finally live his life his way. But this was really the only good thing I can say about Robin.
Noah was the prince of the story. Willing and wanting to worship Robin and put her on a pedestal giving her everything a woman could want. Every girls dream man. The fact that he allowed his parents to rule so many of his decisions and life was his biggest downfall. The control went beyond being a momma’s boy and was definitely the cause of most of his issues with Robin. Noah instantly won my heart when he included Robin’s daughter in many of their plans making her feel like part of the “family” he was trying to form.
I highly recommend Sand Dollar to everyone. This is a story that will touch you to the depth of your heart.” — A Novel Review
Sand Dollar Q & A
Posted on November 3, 2012
sebastiancoleauthor.com 