17 December, 2008

Bookk Review: Resurrecting Randi by David P. Shephard


Read & Reviewed for Front Street Reviews

On the first day of the new semester, Professor Travis Harrison’s life is starting to look up. His first book has been published, and is jumping up the best sellers list, and he is engaged to be married to a wonderful and supportive woman. Life is no longer constantly reminding him of the tragic death of his daughter Randi in a car accident ten years ago.

Then he met Layla Sommers. The troubled nineteen year old, latches onto Travis, and soon he is fending off her unwanted advances (including an inappropriate sexually explicit e-mail). She seems to see Travis as someone who can save her from her chaotic life. After Travis responds to her phone call pleading for help, he seems to be her savior. He did keep her from committing suicide. Travis on the other hand, finds himself a temporary father figure as he agrees to sponsor Layla, and let her live in his home during the month of recovery time the hospital wants a suicide watch kept on her.

Already battered by Layla’s previous advances, Travis struggles with his feelings of attraction to this confused girl child. When he realizes how much Layla physically resembles his lost daughter Randi (and what she might look like at this age) Travis is hit with the submerged grief he has for his lost daughter. During the month that Layla is a part of Travis’s everyday life he sees his life change. His girlfriend leaves him, he struggles with feelings of attraction towards Layla as a young woman, and guilt because she reminds him of what his daughter might have grown to become had she not died at age nine. Travis and Layla’s relationship quickly deteriorates, eventually leading to his arrest as the murderer of Layla’s abusive ex-boyfriend.

Despite all the drama that Layla brings into Travis’s life: The upheaval of his re-emerging grief, the pushing away of his fiancĂ© that happens with Layla living in his home, and the eventual destruction of his career as a writer and as a professor after his arrest. Travis finds positives to Layla’s presence in his life. She brings moments of tenderness, compassion, and love into his life. She lets him feel like a father again. Layla helps Travis face the grief he feels over the tragic loss of his daughter’s life.

Resurrecting Randi is author David P. Shepherd’s debut novel. It is an extremely well written story with highly developed characters. I enjoyed the twists and turns the plot took and was completely surprised with the ending. This book takes its readers deep into the psyche of Travis and Layla, and is an extremely well written psychological drama. I enjoyed Resurrecting Randi very much and look forward to seeing what this author writes in the future.

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I enjoyed this book so much that I have two hardcover copies to pass along to readers.

1 is autographed by the author
1 is not.
Both have been registered at Bookcrossing.

Leave a comment with a way to contact you, and why you would like to read the book.

I'm leaving this open until the 31st of December, and will announce the winner on January 1 or 2nd.

18 comments:

  1. I've posted this on Win A Book. No need to enter the contest.

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  2. I like the premise.

    Do enter me, please!

    Gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com

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  3. I must say the story is very difficult for a debut author. I would love to read about the relationship that Travis and Layla share.

    Please enter me. I would love to win this book.

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  4. I'm always interested in reading something new. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  5. Wow this sounds like a reall interesting book, and I love books with drama and twists and turns. I'd love a chance to win this book thank you.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com

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  6. I would enjoyreading a book that you thought so highly of. Sounds like my kind of read.
    traymona[at]aol.com

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  7. I was caught by the whole arrested for the murder of the boyfriend thing. I guess I have a thing for emotional turmoil in books. This one seems like a great novel full of a lot of twists. Those are the best kinds.

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

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  8. This reminds me of a movie Kristen Stewart would be doing. It's a similar plot. I feel like it's a twisted novel in some ways....

    ttt1612 AT yahoo DOT com

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  9. This would be amazing. I love novels like this, with a lot of emotion! I'd love to read it, so please enter me. :)

    -Lauren
    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

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  10. Happy Holidays! What an intriguing review of this book. Lots of interesting elements! I would appreciate being entered in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  11. Wow, what a great recommendation for a book! I'd love a copy for I yet to read this author and I so love discovering new authors especially when someone else has enjoyed their book as much as you!
    Thanks so much
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  12. wow sounds like a good book! would love to win! i love a good suspense novel!

    nicolemarielum(at)gmail.com

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  13. wow i love thrillers so this would be awesoem! thanks for the chance!!

    glittergurl04 @hotmail.com

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  14. I would like to read this book because it sounds amazing. I have a tendency to not understand myself until I'm hit with reality so I would be able to relate to the character.

    bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Ohhh... That sounds interesting. Please sign me up. BooksnBeer on Bookcrossing.

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  16. Enter me please! HerbertLooby on BC or RABCK.com

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  17. I'm definitely interested. It seems like such a heavy, meaningful book that asks a lot of good questions. The main character Travis sounds intriguing. I'm up for that kind of read right now. :)

    BC- rhiannon-circe

    Thank you!

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  18. Yer, please enter me! So happy I found you post ninrodiel. I love the review on this one, as well as the others ones you've posted.

    Happy New Year!

    -K.

    book-spy

    ReplyDelete