Mary’s Musings...about SAY YOU’LL BE MINE by Julia Amante

Mary’s Musings...about reading, reviewing, and random passing thoughts that come at me every day while I contemplate books and life.

When reading SAY YOU’LL BE MINE by Julia Amante I really had such strong emotions toward this it surprised even me.  I think part of it was my maternal instinct kicking in to just love these children that had lost so much, but I also found myself questions Isabel’s character. 

What I stopped to do was think about the fact that not everyone has to be a mother to have a fulfilled life, and doing the right thing is not always the easiest decision to make.  When you spend all your life chasing everyone elses dreams and decide to pursue your own do you have to be a little selfish. 

I had more questions to ask myself after reading this book and loved that about the book.  When you are done reading and still thinking about what you read that is great writing.

On Julia’s website I found a quick bio to share…

 

Julia Amante, women's fiction author, lives in California in a home filled with bits and pieces of her Argentine heritage. Paintings of Argentine towns.  A beautiful leather map with the outline of Argentina.  Pictures and trinkets.

However, the real details of her beautiful culture unfolded gradually as she grew up the daughter of Argentine immigrants.

Today, a product of the American Dream, Julia writes emotionally rich stories about family love, and the passion of chasing and achieving life's goals.

Julia is a proud mother and wife, a teacher, and a lover of life and it's many gifts.  Following her passion to detail life in writing as well as share the joys of writing with other aspiring writers, Julia is currently pursuing an MFA.  Julia has presented workshops at the Latino Book and Family Festival, the Mexican-American Organization Foundation, the Latina Business Women Organization, as well as in colleges such as the University of California, Riverside, Cal. State Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara City College.

I am proud to announce that Grand Central Publishing is giving away one copy of this book (review below).  To be eligible to win please leave a comment and what I am asking today is “could you take on someone else’s family?” Come back on Sunday – November 6^th to see if you have won.  Please remember if you do not come back, you won't know if you won because I am going to need your address. 

As always I wish you happy reading, encourage you to celebrate your Little Victories, and come back to see what book I am reviewing and offering up for a giveaway.  Don’t forget to cast your positive votes for me on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Your vote matters!

REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"

SAY YOU’LL BE MINE by Julia Amante

10/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Paperback, 384 pages

Do you have to let go of your past to build a future?

Driving down the same determined path her entire life has left Isabel Gallegos worn out and ready for something new.  She is the successful owner of a renowned California winery who has had enough of chasing every body’s dreams without fulfilling her own.  With life altering decisions about to be made Isabel receives the devastating call that her beloved cousin in Argentina has had a fatal accident.  When Isabel learns she is now the guardian for her cousin’s three young children she is stunned into silence and unable to comprehend what has happened.  Isabel cannot understand how her cousin made the decision to have Isabel be their guardian she barely knows these children.  Responsibility trumps all with Isabel so off to Argentina she goes.

Knowing she is the absolute wrong choice for this responsibility Isabel is determined to correct the situation and finds unexpected support from her ex-husband, Nick.  Nick was a complete train wreck during their marriage and Isabel never expected him to come through but now that she is at rock bottom, he is giving her a much-appreciated hand up.  After seeing the situation in Argentina has no quick fix, Isabel agrees to take the children home to California only for an extended period. 

Before she leaves Argentina Isobel find a banished family member lurking in the background wanting the children.  Is this the way out Isobel needed?  Maybe this person is the bad seed everyone claims him to be.

After they are settled in California Isabel attempts to be a mother despite her self-doubts and questioning of every decision.  Again, Nick is at her side and coming through in ways he never did before and Isabel never expected him to now.  When the trial period is over, Isabel has to decide if she wants to remain a parent or send them back to Argentina.  What will she do about her life, these children, and especially Nick?

What a rich, colorful, and completely heart-wrenching book written by a gifted mind.  The reader is taken on an emotional ride through the soul with Isabel as she tries to free herself of the baggage she is carrying around while she tries to build a new life.   The tapestry for this story is so engrossing you have to keep reading to find out how all this is going to work out for everyone you care that much about these characters.