Two From The Heart

By James Patterson, Frank Constantini, Emily Raymond, Brian Sitts

ISBN13: 9780316468923

Author’s Website: http://www.jamespatterson.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra   

 

Summary:

From the #1 bestselling author of Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas and Sundays at Tiffany’s, two heartwarming tales about the power of a good story to open our eyes to life’s possibilities.

Anne McWilliams has lost everything. After her marriage falls apart and a hurricane destroys her home she realizes that her life has fallen out of focus. So she takes to the road to ask long lost friends and strangers a simple question: “What’s your best story?” Can the funny, tragic, inspirational tales she hears on her journey help Anne see what she’s been missing?

Tyler Bron seemingly has it all-a successful company and more money than he knows how to spend. But he has no life. So he hires a struggling novelist to write one for him. There are no limits to the fictional world that Bron’s money can transform into a reality, and he soon becomes the protagonist of a love story beyond his wildest imagination. But will Tyler Bron be able to write the happy ending himself?

Review:

Tell Me Your Best Story by James Patterson and Emily Raymond is a tale of a woman, Anne McWilliams, who has lost everything in a hurricane. By everything, I also mean her prized dark room, a necessity for creating her art (she has until this time refused to move into the world of digital camera’s).  After losing everything, she leaves on a road trip, visiting people from her past to capture their stories for a new project. Anne’s description of what she is doing to Pauline, her mother’s best friend:

“Well actually”, I said, “I’m sort of collecting stories. Pictures, too. For what I hope will be a book. I pointed to my camera, resting on an end table. It started when I realized I wasn’t really in touch with anyone from my life-not in any real or meaningful way. So I decided to visit people who mattered to me and see what they were up to.”

I loved how at each stop Anne learnt not only about the person she was visiting (whether it be her ex-husband or best friend from college or even a perfect stranger or two).  I especially liked the tale of Kit and Bob – how they met on a blind date….and as they say…. the rest is history.

The story as a whole was awe inspiring, well written and had me captured throughout.  I could not put the book down until I had read every last word.

The Lifesaver by James Patterson, Frank Constantini, and Brian Sitts is a tale of a Tyler Bron, successful business man with no personal life to speak of and Damian Crane, struggling novelist. Tyler literally lands his “ultra-cool” helicopter next door to Damian’s house for a midnight chat (like this happens in real life).

“It’s just past midnight, and I’m tapping away on my IBM Selectric.  I realize that makes me look like a caveman with a sharp rock. I’ve always been a little behind the times, technology-wise.”

Thoughts from Damian as Tyler enters his house:

“Tyler Bron is a certified Steve Jobs-level genius-not to mention a mega-billionaire. And for some reason, he’s standing in my living room.”

Really I felt really sad for Tyler when he tells Damian…and this is where the story begins:

“The truth is Damian, I’ve been starting to thing about everything I don’t have. No family, no friends, no personal relationships.” “I’m forty years old,” he says, “and I have zero human connections. None.”….”Damian, as I said… you’re the best writer I know.” I’m still trying to absorb that unlikely fact. And now he lands the kicker: “I want you to write me a life.”

What a journey Damian took Tyler on.  I must say though; I would like a kick-ass margarita machine!  This story is truly a bit odd, with someone actually writing what will happen to Tyler and Tyler’s employee, Daisy, making sure Damian’s writing comes to fruition. Once the tale is complete, I certainly had an appreciation for an author’s craft.  Very well told.

I really enjoyed both stories.  Tell Me Your Best Story seems like it could be a real life story to me whereas The Lifesaver is awesome and just takes me away to an imaginary life, though maybe stuff like this happens in the real world.  We all are all our own authors. All in all – a wonderful reading experience and I highly recommend this book!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*