Review: Rise & Shine by Sandra D. Bricker

August 27, 2014

Title: Rise & Shine: A Contemporary Fairy Tale
Author: Sandra D. Bricker
Publisher: River North
Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-0-8024-0630-9
Publication Date: May 1st, 2014

Synopsis:
Shannon Malone thought she'd found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she's thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon's tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone's life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones!

As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart's dog, not hers.

Shannon's three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority. And Edmund's sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel's kiss awaken her once and for all?
Review:
I'm a lover of fairy tales...a known Disney princess fanatic...I have a Pinterest board to prove it. So, when a new twist on an old favorite comes along, I have to check it out.

I was not disappointed in Rise & Shine. I wondered how Sleeping Beauty could be told with a modern twist. Sandra figured out the perfect way to do it. It was a mix of Sleeping Beauty and Rip Van Winkle. It also showed the most realistic version of time travel. Being in a coma and waking up ten years later. It really brings attention to how much things can change, especially with the advances in technology.

When introduced to Shannon, she is a bubbly newlywed. Happy about life...except for the ending of her favorite TV show Friends. She is ready to concur the world, and her newlywed class at church with her husband. We don't get to really dive into the the old Shannon's life. We just get a brief glimpse. The Shannon we get to know is the girl who wakes up ten years later to a whole new world that has kept on moving without her.

Shannon deals with so many changes and has several blows dealt to her. And after having been out of it for ten years, she really doesn't remember who she was. Her memories are faded, so when she is able to start life again, after rehabbing, she is determined to find out what she wants to do, because who people keep telling her she was, just doesn't fit to who she thinks she is anymore.

It was an interesting story to think about while reading. What would some be like after waking up. How would they see everything with these new eyes. It was interesting to see it through Shannon's perspective.

There was a lot of humor through out the story, which was great, because this story could have easily have been a very serious and heart wrenching story. It has many sweet moments as well. Shannon's aunt Mary is a very chipper character that kept lightness to the book as it moved forward during what could have been heavier moments.

Daniel was very much the prince charming in the story. He cared for everyone and he made good on the promise he made to Shannon's late husband. He was a wonderful support for Shannon during her transitioning time. And in modern day style, he does goof up, but he is willing to learn from his mistakes.

This was a fun story to read. It was the perfect companion for me during my sick day. The only small thing about the story I noticed I wish was a little different was the ending. It wasn't bad, I enjoyed it, but it just seemed to end a little too quickly, but that could have just been me wanting know more about the afterwards of the characters.

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:
For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

"I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to focus completely on my dream of a writing career."

 Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research.


Thank you to MP Newsroom, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

2 comments

  1. Sweet. But you were sick??? Aw. So sorry - are you feeling better?

    I wanted to also let you know that I've tagged you in a blog-tag. I would love to read your answers!

    http://revesbleus.blogspot.ca/2014/08/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-me.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Ganise! Yes, I was waylaid by a cold, but thankfully all better now. :-) Thank you.

    Thank you for letting me know. I will check it out soon! :-) Hope you are doing well!

    ReplyDelete

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