Hopscotch

I am sure everyone has played the game Hopscotch, a childhood game using chalk and some rocks as markers. Mostly it was a game girls played but even boys got into the hang of it as well. In the book, Hopscotch by Steve Cushman, the premise revolves around a hopscotch that is drawn just at the entrance at a hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. The book revolves around several characters viewpoints in what they see and feel when they encounter it. The hospital board and CEO want it removed as they see it as graffiti. A child facing leukemia sees it as an invitation to spend just a bit of time outdoors instead of being stuck in her hospital room by well-meaning but over protective parents.

For a war veteran who has lost his legs during the war, the game reminds him that he can no longer enjoy what most people take for granted every single day. For a hospital janitor who receives several calls from the hospital administration to remove it, he sees it as a way to give hope to those who have lost their way. Every time he removes it, it comes back the next day. For an elderly couple, the game reminds them of a romance that created a marriage that spawned 60 decades but now has had Alzheimer's steal way the husband's precious memory. For another child Mike, who is nicknamed Metalhead Mike, for the steel plates used to repair his skull fracture, he is faced with coming to terms with his parents death in a car accident that left him with fragments of a memories he find pieces of beneath the covers of his bed.

I received Hopscotch by Steve Cushman compliments of Livingston Press. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. The game Hopscotch touches each person in the book differently yet is a common factor in bringing some of the patients and staff together. It is a reminder of a simple time when the worries of life haven't robbed them of their childlike hope for something better. It reminds us that life is but a vapor and can disappear at any moment. A reminder for us to cherish the time we have now, instead of waiting on tomorrow. It gives us hope that for the moment, life is on pause, while we can enjoy of few minutes to escape the real life and simply remember that childlike faith once more. For me, this book rated a 4 out of 5 stars and is a simple read with 146 pages. Great story and a reminder for us to not forget to live each day!

For more information about Hopscotch, Steve Cushman or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the link below:

Hopscotch by Steve Cushman

Heart with Joy - Giveaway and Review

In his latest novel Heart with Joy, Steve Cushman takes us into the life of fifteen year old Julian Hale's life in Greensboro North Carolina. We catch a brief glimpse into a troubled time for him when his mom announces she is moving to Florida to run her parent's motel and finish her novel. When Julian probes her for a reason, she simply says that there is no one else plus it will give her time to write.

Julian and his distant father are staying to finish his school year out in North Carolina. When he pushes his dad for the reason of his mom leaving all his dad can reply is, "What did your mom tell you?" This doesn't provide the answer that Julian is looking for. However never seeing his parents actually fight doesn't mean things have been going well for either of them. His father spends all of his time at the hospital where he is a nurse and his mom spends hers writing leaving Julian to wonder if this is truly what a happy family is all about.

When Julian is forced to take on some of the responsibilities of his mom from cleaning the home, to learning to cook something besides mac and cheese hotdogs, he turns to the Food Network, where he becomes a natural chef in the making, cooking for him and his dad.

On his weekly trips to the market, Julian meets Tia, the cashier and she invites him to join their cooking club. He is reluctant at first trying to figure out why a boy his age would want to show girls he can cook.

He ultimately finds comfort in the strained relationship with a ninety year old lady whose been his neighbor. When she asks for help retrieving something under her home, this begins the basis of a unique relationship with Julian that ultimately will help him sort through his feelings of resentment with both of his parents.

I received this book complements of Steve Cushman himself for my honest review and absolutely loved this book. It takes the reader into a short time in these peoples lives to see how broken relationships can be mended through finding out what really fills our hearts with joy! I would rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

I am going to offer a giveaway copy of this amazing book, to one lucky reader of my blog who leaves a comment telling me what fills your heart with joy, what is your one true passion in life?

1. You must be a follower of this blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. You must reside in the US and NO P.O. Boxes please.

3. I must have a way to contact you via email if you are the lucky winner, so please include your email address in the comment box. You may use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the actual symbols.

4. The giveaway will end on September 27th and I will notify the winner by email. Don't forget to include what fills your heart with joy in the comment.

For more information on this book, the author and where to purchase a copy of this book, simply click on the link below:

Heart With Joy