How to Climb The Eiffel Tower
Elizabeth Hein
Print Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Light Messages Publishing (October 1, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00K5E0O6Q
The author hooked me with the opening sentence: “Ellery Cancer Center protruded from the hospital’s facade like a glass tumor.”
This is how Lara Blaine, the central character, begins her journey through cancer treatment. That is challenge enough for any woman, but added to that is the emotional trauma she still carries from an abusive past. She has tried to hide from that past by maintaining a rigid routine of work and exercise, but this cancer thing throws that routine out the window. As the treatments make her sicker and sicker, she discovers that she cannot fight everything alone. For the first time in her life, she needs people and reluctantly allows one or two to come into her private life.
One of those friends is Jane, another cancer patient, and a wonderful character. It is Jane who helps Lara step away from the past and embrace herself as a strong, capable woman. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and Vanessa and Sebastian and all the other characters who touched Lara’s life. They were all so well done, they came across as real people.
The book is listed as contemporary women’s fiction, and it is an easy read, despite the heavy subject matter. There is just enough humor to lighten some moments, and Vanessa is one of those bright, happy friends anyone would want around to come over and brighten a day. All in all this is a wonderful story, very well-written, and it would be good for a book club discussion.
How to Climb The Eiffel Tower is scheduled for release in October, but is available for pre-order. Elizabeth is also doing a give-away via Rafflecoptor. The contest will run all week, so enter often and tell your friends. She is going to give one lucky entrant a charm of the Eiffel Tower. Click on the link below to enter the contest.
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Elizabeth Hein is a mother, author, and cancer survivor. She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in North Carolina. She writes women’s fiction with a bit of a sharp edge. She is fascinated by how friendship and human connection can help a person through the most difficult moments in their lives. When not writing, she is trying to raise two young women and a husband. She will be this week’s Wednesday’s Guest, so do try to come back
Thank you for such a wonderful review, Maryann. I’m glad you connected with Lara and Jane and found Vanessa fun. She was a riot to write. I wish everyone had a friend like her in their corner.
Elizabeth Hein
Me, too, Elizabeth. Laughter is a great stress reliever and doesn’t mess up your face as much as crying does. LOL
The book sounds interesting and is different from reading mysteries. Your name caught my attention as I went to high school and college with a Mary Ann Miller.
So nice to meet you, Betty Louise. Obviously I am not the same Mary Ann Miller, but we can still be friends. Did you stay in touch with her?