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SYNOPSIS:
Ethan Parker gets up every day, surviving the only way he knows how—alone.Orphaned as a child and forced into the child welfare system, he knows better than to depend on anyone but himself. He’s learned trust is a word used all too often, but rarely earned.
Ethan believes that his best chance for maintaining a simple and solitary existence is to live by a simple mantra: Don’t get involved. Keep things simple.
Take care of yourself!
When a young woman moves in next door, Ethan is forced to reevaluate his beliefs. He tries to keep his distance, but his new neighbor’s infectious smile and outlook on life leave him struggling with the decision of living the life he knows, or taking a chance on the unexpected.
As Ethan develops a relationship with his new neighbor, Emily, he realizes nothing is simple and learns that life is about more than just surviving… it’s about living.
REVIEW:
I can honestly say that I LOVED this book. Even though it was a novella, it was packed with emotion, romance, sadness, joy, and true love. Throughout the 100 + pages the reader is taken through a journey that lasts 15 years. Even though this seems like a large timeline to fit into such a short story, Evelyn Baldwin does an excellent job with the flow of the book.
From the first few pages, I was gripped with sadness for this wonderful character named Ethan Parker. As I learned his hardships and his drive & determination to make a life for himself, I felt a sense of longing for him to find his HEA. Ethan doesn't have much, but he has worked hard for everything he has and he lives his life as a loner because he doesn't want any complications.
When his new neighbor, Emily, knocks on his door. I felt the immediate connection. Even though this was not a "fly by night" romance, Ethan and Emily have created a beautiful love story that jumps off the pages. They both grow into such wonderful characters that you can't help but cheer them on as they navigate into a future together with no foundation at all.
This is a novella like no other out there right now. There are no best friends to rely on, no parents for guidance or advice, no novelties of todays' acceptance (cell phones, Flat Screens, DVDs, Laptops, etc). Instead this is just a story about two young adults that overcome terrible tragedies and find each other. I followed their voyage with happy and sad tears in my eyes because I was so proud of these characters. To me this was really a feel good story that I highly recommend.
I read a lot of books and I have my share of emotions that I expect with a contemporary romance. Evelyn Baldwin hit them all with Vacant !
AUTHOR BIO:
Evelyn R. Baldwin was born in the Midwest and spent her childhood on a horse ranch. As an only child, Evelyn was often forced to entertain herself with the family's horses as companions, and her imagination the only limitation.
After moving to St. Louis to attend college, she earned a degree in Education. During her Master’s program, Evelyn discovered her fascination with behavior and psychology.
Her first professional job experience was as a juvenile counselor, which led her to venture into other human sciences, eventually making a career with Behavior Analysis. While writing is a hobby for Evelyn, she often uses her experiences with human behavior to guide her characters.
She’s written short stories since childhood but only recently began exercising her real writing muscles. While she does not consider herself a professional writer in any sense of the word, she continues to polish her craft and hopes for success in her writing ventures, even if they are just as a hobby.
After moving to St. Louis to attend college, she earned a degree in Education. During her Master’s program, Evelyn discovered her fascination with behavior and psychology.
Her first professional job experience was as a juvenile counselor, which led her to venture into other human sciences, eventually making a career with Behavior Analysis. While writing is a hobby for Evelyn, she often uses her experiences with human behavior to guide her characters.
She’s written short stories since childhood but only recently began exercising her real writing muscles. While she does not consider herself a professional writer in any sense of the word, she continues to polish her craft and hopes for success in her writing ventures, even if they are just as a hobby.
CONTACT LINKS
Website: evelynrbaldwin.com
Twitter: EvelynRBaldwin
Buy Links:
Thanks so much! It's truly an honor every time I hear the praise for this story.
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