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
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
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
Twenty-Fifth Chapter: Testing The Waters
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on July 9, 2012
“I wouldn’t listen to your parents if I were you. If your heart’s set on buying the lighthouse, then just do it,” Robin advised, stretched out in Noah’s arms on the teak deck of Noah’s boat, anchored out in front of the old lighthouse on a lazy summer day. “I can definitely picture us getting married there,” she continued. “It’s such a pretty spot. You know, it’s too bad they don’t make you wait a year to get divorced. Otherwise, we’d still be married right now, and we wouldn’t have to go through all that paperwork again just to get remarried. Speaking of paperwork, when are you planning on having me sign another one of your stupid prenups?”
“There’s not going to be a prenup this time. I guess I’ll just have to take my chances, that’s all.”
“But what about your parents?”
“What about them? You’re marrying me, not my parents.”
She smiled and continued with her list. “I want to have another child,” she announced.
“Of course, I’d love to have a child with you… but what kind of child exactly are we talking about?” he joked.
Robin laughed. “I’ve always loved the name Olivia — if it’s a girl, that is.”
“I think Olivia’s a beautiful name for a girl,” he said, eliciting a smile.
“Oh, and one more thing…” Noah looked at her closely. “I don’t want to be a social worker anymore. I’ve always wanted to be an X-Ray tech.”
“I think you should do whatever makes you happy, Robin.”
“Well, it would mean quitting my job and going back to school full time for a year until I get my certificate.”
“So when can you start?”
A big smile stretched across her face. “You’re the greatest. I love you, Noah Hartman,” she said, leaning in for a kiss, standing up and dipping her foot into the water, testing it.
Twenty-Fourth Chapter: The Three Reasons
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on July 2, 2012
Wearing a navy robe with matching slippers, Noah headed out the front door to fetch the Providence Journal, which was on the front lawn resting up against the For Sale sign. Shuffling back inside, he sat down at the patio table with the newspaper folded under his arm and a cup of coffee in his hand. It was a dreamy summer morning. The air was dry, and there was a light breeze shooting off the bay. Seagulls squawked as they fought over a scrap of food on the beach below. Noah’s coffee was getting cold as he sat there, staring off in the direction of the old lighthouse in the middle of the bay.
Unfolding the Providence Journal and glancing at the date — June 10th, 1997, he tore off the corner with the date printed on it, crumpled it up, and tossed it on the ground before getting up and going inside. Upstairs in his closet, he climbed a wooden stepladder and reached for a box on the top shelf. As he grabbed it, a large manila envelope resting on top of the box fell on his head. Sitting on the bed with the box and the manila envelope, he removed the lid from the box and looked inside. Resting on top was his wedding invitation, the date reading June 10th, 1996.
“It would have been our first wedding anniversary. We never even made it a year. God, I missed her.”
Twenty-Third Chapter: The Educated Decision
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on June 25, 2012
A line of Mercedes, Lexus, Range Rovers, BMWs, and Porsches waited in front of Capriccio restaurant, followed by a black Ford F150 pickup truck. Wearing a sport jacket and tie, Noah got out of his new pickup truck and tossed the keys to the valet. He walked into the dimly lit interior and passed a baby grand, where a man in a tuxedo was playing That’s Life by Frank Sinatra. He joined Scott, Sharon, Jerry, and Miriam at a candle-lit table.
“What on earth were you thinking?” Miriam exclaimed, angry. “How could you just quit like that? There isn’t another company around that will pay you half as much money as your dad’s been so generously paying you. And this is how you thank him?”
“I don’t care about the money,” Noah responded. “I care about being happy.”
“Don’t be a fool,” Jerry added. “You could be happy anywhere. It’s your responsibility in life to take whatever job pays you the most amount of money. Everyone else seems to enjoy making money. Besides, how do you plan on paying your bills without it?”
“I guess I’ll just have to downsize, that’s all… sell the house… whatever it takes. At this point in my life, it’s more important to me to have a career that I love.”
“And what career would that be?” Miriam asked.
“Well, I’ve got this new idea I’m working on. You know that lighthouse on an island in the bay across from my house? Well, guess what? It’s for sale ! I could buy it, fix it up, and turn it into a charming bed-and-breakfast.”
Twenty-First Chapter: To Tell The Truth
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on June 18, 2012
“Why did I have to push her into making a decision? Because I couldn’t wait to feel loved again? I should have been more patient — you know, wait out the storm until it blows over. I should have given her all the time in the world, whatever she needed. If only I hadn’t given up so easily… If only I had held on, never letting go…”
Looking like a Catholic schoolgirl with her hair in braids, a red plaid skirt, stockings, and a white cardigan, Robin was standing in the witness stand at the Newport County courthouse, her right hand in the air and her left hand on a Bible. Noah looked dazed, wearing a suit and sitting next to his lawyer, Ben.
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
“I do,” she replied.
Isabella’s review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on June 12, 2012
The love we all dream of.
★★★★★
“I so enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I got completely caught up in the on-again off-again love between Noah and Robin. 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. I think most women will totally relate to the undying love Noah has for Robin, because most women want to be loved like that, especially by someone like Noah, who is such a gentle, caring soul. At times I felt badly for both of the main characters. The combination of Noah being broken and lost, having no idea what it’s like to actually live your life, and Robin’s own insecurities sabotages this beautiful love unintentionally. I highly recommend this as one of your summer-reads.” — Isabella
Twentieth Chapter: A Casualty Of Words
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Posted on June 11, 2012
Robin and Noah were dining alfresco at Trattoria Simpatico in Jamestown as a jazz trio played instrumental music under an old beech tree in the background. The waiter removed an empty bottle of Pinot Grigio from the table and walked away.
“What’s wrong?” Noah asked, watching Robin push the roasted potatoes around her plate. “You barely touched your food.”
“Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“It’s no big deal. I was just thinking about what my shrink said to me the other day, that’s all,” she said, looking away.
“And… what did he say?”
“Nothing really. Just talked about fairy tales.”
Noah took a sip of wine. “I just don’t understand you lately,” he said, setting the glass down. “Ever since we got back from our honeymoon, you seem distant for some reason. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, you didn’t do anything. I told you, I just have a lot on my mind.”
“You used to love going out on the boat, and you haven’t gone out on it with me once since we got back. For that matter, you won’t even hang out on it with me at the dock.”
“You spend too much time on that thing as it is.”
“The boat’s not a bad thing, you know. You treat it like it’s some kind of other woman.”
“Look, just because you named your expensive yacht after me doesn’t mean I have to like it, okay?”
Noah looked at her, puzzled. “And every time I walk up to you to show you the least bit of affectionate, you walk away. You’re never interested in making love anymore. It’s not so much about the sex as it is about expressing our love for each other in a way that only intimacy can achieve. So what’s bothering you? Is it me? Is there anything I can do to help?”
Robin hesitated, took a deep breath, and spoke. “Yeah, there is something you can do to help…”
Nineteenth Chapter: The Problem With Memories
Don’t forget to check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on June 4, 2012
Tony had a kind of arrogance about him, gawking at Robin as she reclined in the chair in his office and straightened her blouse.
“So how was your honeymoon?” he asked, laying a picture frame on his desk face down.
“Perfect… like a fairy tale,” she replied. “Which reminds me, did you ever see Pretty Woman, the movie?”
Before he could answer, she continued, “Julia Roberts wanted the fairy tale, remember?”
Tony nodded.
“Well, that’s what I got — the fairy tale. The only problem is… it’s a frickin’ fairy tale. I mean… that stuff only happens in the movies, right?”
Tony opened his mouth, but Robin spoke first. “I keep thinking any minute the clock’s gonna strike twelve, and I’m gonna get tossed aside, sent back to where I came from, while Prince Charming over here rides off into the sunset with someone else on the back of his fancy white horse. I hate feeling insecure like this. It’s a terrible feeling…” she said, shaking her head, “expecting that someday everything is going to be taken away from me, ya know what I mean? And where does that leave me, huh?” she said, looking at Tony, waiting for an answer.
He paused to observe her body language, and figuring it was safe to speak, he started to talk.
“ABANDONED, that’s where !” she shouted. “I don’t know, what do you think? Is it really too good to be true?” she asked desperately.
Midwest Book Review Of Sand Dollar
Posted June 2, 2012
Sand Dollar
Sebastian Cole
Privately Published
9780985115609, $9.99, http://www.sebastiancoleauthor.com
“A love is not something people seek to release so easily. ‘Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love’ is a novel of love lost, following Noah Hartman as he tries to release the love of Robin, who cut him out of her life those years ago. When Noah finds another love once more, Robin reappears in his life, and shakes what Noah truly believes in his pursuits. ‘Sand Dollar’ is a strong pick for general fiction and romance collections, highly recommended.”
— Midwest Book Review
Let’s Talk Romance Reviews
Another great review at Let’s Talk Romance Reviews.
Sand Dollar Is Now Available on iTunes
Posted on May 30, 2012
Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is now available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
at iTunes for just 99 cents.
Click here to go to the iTunes Preview page.
Eighteenth Chapter: The Curse Of Jean Pierre
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on May 28, 2012
A small island-hopper plane took off from the Saint Maarten airport. It offered one seat on each side of the aisle, a cabin not tall enough to stand up in, and no flight attendant. A white Igloo cooler filled with soft drinks was secured in the cabin for those thirsty enough to dare unbuckle in flight.
As the plane approached the neighboring island, it began its descent. Without a cockpit door, Noah and Robin held onto each other tightly as they watched the pilots fly the small aircraft downward at a steep 45-degree angle just above the treetops of the mountainous terrain. Noah wondered where the horizon had gone as the runway — growing ever so large by the second — filled the entire forward view through the front windshield. At the last possible moment, the plane leveled off and touched down. As the plane raced down the short runway, the brakes were applied, and the plane started slowing down, coming to a stop at the very end, where two topless women walked in front of the plane on a white sand beach.
“Bienvenue à Saint-Barth,” the pilot announced proudly as the plane veered right, heading toward the small terminal. “Welcome to Saint Barts !”
Seventeenth Chapter: Smooth Sailing
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on May 28, 2012
June 10th, 1996 turned out to be a beautiful day for sailing, with hardly a cloud in the sky. A sleek, black helicopter was flying just above the Newport Bridge with its door wide open. Inside the helicopter, a videographer motioned for the pilot to fly lower so he could get a different angle on the sailboat he was filming, which was sailing briskly toward the expansive structure. The name on the transom read Rockin’ Robin.
Noah was at the helm with Robin tucked underneath his arm. She was wearing a white wedding gown and a big smile. Her long red hair was flowing freely in the breeze. Noah, Scott, Jerry, Zeke, Jake, and two other men were wearing black tuxedos. Julie, Sharon, and two other young women were wearing long lavender bridesmaids dresses. Miriam and Mary were also onboard, wearing elegant floral dresses. Brittany wore a pretty pink dress covered by a purple life preserver. Scott and Sharon’s two boys, David and Sam, were wearing orange life preservers as they sat on the port side hanging onto the railing, their feet dangling off the side. Unlike the others onboard who were smiling and enjoying the moment, Jerry and Miriam seemed to be just along for the ride.
Book Review For Sand Dollar by Kate Patrick
Posted on May 27, 2012
“Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is Sebastian Cole’s debut novel, but I think he will have a long list of best sellers if he keeps going at this rate. 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. It will renew your faith in finding and keeping that one true love.” – Kate Patrick
Another Great Review for Sand Dollar!
Posted on May 21, 2012
“So to the hopeless romantics out there I say,
Highly Recommended – have at it, this is a must-read.
To the snarling cynics like me who mentally have their arms akimbo
and their eyebrow raised,
I say pick up Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love
and surprise yourself by discovering the romantic in you.”
— Bookideas.com
Click here for the whole review from Bookideas.com
Sixteenth Chapter: A Shack In The Woods
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Posted on May 21, 2012
Forty-nine-year-old Brittany walks into my hospital room and joins Scott, Sharon, and Josh around my bed.
“Thanks for coming, Britt,” I say appreciatively.
“This is little Brittany?” Josh exclaims, surprised. “Wow, she sure turned into a beautiful woman, didn’t she?”
Brittany places her hand gently on my face and looks deep into my eyes with her warm, loving eyes. I return the sentiment.
“How’s your mom doing?” Scott asks her.
“I just left her room,” she says, looking over at Scott. “Olivia’s still there with her now. When she and Noah arrived in the ambulance, she was hysterical. The doctor had to sedate her twice just to calm her down.”
“Is Robin okay? What happened?” I ask, concerned.
“She’s okay now,” Brittany says, moving my hair away from my eyes and mouthing the words I love you to me. “She’s resting comfortably. Besides, she’s much better off not knowing what’s about to happen to Noah,” she says, looking back at Scott.
“Britt, what are you talking about? What’s about to happen to me? Can’t I just go home?”
Fifteenth Chapter: A Kiss To Remember
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Posted on May 21, 2001
As Noah loaded a cardboard box into the back of a small U-haul truck, Robin, wearing her new diamond engagement ring, hugged Julie in front of her apartment.
“I’m going to miss you,” Julie said to Robin. “One piece of advice… keep him this time, okay?”
“Oh, believe me, I will. I love him, and nothing could ever change my mind about that.”
“Well, maybe you should write yourself a letter… just in case.”
Robin laughed as she kissed Julie good-bye and headed for the truck.
Forty-five minutes later, the U-haul truck pulled into Noah’s cobblestone driveway in Jamestown. While Noah grabbed a carton from the back of the truck, Robin stood on the threshold fumbling with an orange foam keychain with her daughter standing beside her, clutching onto Pinocchio and anxious to go in. As soon as the door opened, Brittany ran up the stairs to find her new room, her smile fading as she entered. The walls were brown, the curtains brown, the comforter brown, and the dresser was black.
“Mommy,” she called out. “MOMMY !” she screamed nervously, not getting an immediate response.
Sand Dollar’s First Book Review
Posted on May 16, 2012
“Sand Dollar, a fantasy romance by Sebastian Cole,
lives up to its subtitle, A Story of Undying Love.
… bookreview.com considers Sand Dollar an excellent romance novel
and looks forward to reading more from Sebastian Cole.”
— BookReview.com
Click here to read the whole review from BookReview.com
(Warning: contains spoiler)
Fourteenth Chapter: Destiny
Check back every week for a new chapter!
Posted on May 14, 2012
Light gusts of wind blew brown leaves in swirling patterns as Noah, rid of his beard, sat at his desk staring out the window, surprised to see a red robin sitting on the sill, waiting patiently for her mate to arrive with another twig. Like clockwork, the other red robin flew in, placed the twig in the nest, and flew away to go find another twig.
Diane sat at her desk watching him. “Noah, you okay? You gotta snap out of it and finish the profit projections that were due yesterday. Noah… Noah?”
“I can’t stop thinking about her. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
“Who? Cindy?”
“No… Robin. She was the one. I don’t understand what happened,” he said morosely. “Robin, I don’t understand,” he said softly to himself.
“Destiny’s funny that way. If it was meant to be, Robin will come back to you. If she doesn’t, then it was never meant to be. It’s like that saying, If you love something, set it free…”
Noah leaped up, grabbed his briefcase, and strode toward the door.
“Hey, where you going? What about the projections?”
Noah stopped and looked at her. “To pay a visit to destiny,” he said, dropping the completed budgets on her desk and disappearing down the hallway.
sebastiancoleauthor.com 