Book Review: Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam

Title: Prime of Life Author:  P. D. Bekendam(Author Website) Publisher: Worthy Publishing (February 4, 2014) Pages: 272 pages Format: Advance Copy provided as part of First Look Program from Worthy Publishing

About the Book: (from publisher)

Ben used to be a cardiothoracic surgeon before he suddenly abandoned his career and became a janitor at a retirement facility. Now, other than dealing with minor problems such as an unhealthy obsession with prime numbers, an inept boss, and a feud between two cantankerous retirees, he lives a relatively stress-free life. There is even hope for romance when an attractive podiatrist shows an interest in him.

But it is not long before his past catches up with him and his carefully protected world begins to unravel. He is forced to face deep issues about life, love, and God head-on, rather than hide behind his cleaning cart.

About the Author:

Author and practicing eye surgeon, Dr. Bekendam is happily married and the proud father of two boys. Proceeds from his writing go to help fund his activities in developing countries as he works to bring cataract surgery to the needlessly blind. Prime of Life is his debut novel.

My Review:  I received Prime of Life to review as part of the First Look Program at Worthy Publishing.  Prime of Life is a enjoyable read with very memorable characters.   The setting of this story is in California at the Heritage Garden retirement home.   Being that my elderly father in law lives with us in our home, the characters and their quirks really hit home for me.    I could related to many of the characters and found them very endearing.   Knowing many people on the autism spectrum, I found the main character, Ben very interesting with his various quirks related to OCD type behaviors and thoughts. 

The story moves along at a nice pace and has a few turns through out the story.   Once you connect with the characters, it is hard to put the book down.  You want to know what they will do next and what their fate will be.  Prime of Life is a story of second chances.  It reminds the reader how sometimes even when we are trying to avoid our past, there is a power higher than us that has a plan for us.   It is up to us to embrace that the plan and follow the path to our future or life purpose.

My Rating: 4 – I would recommend Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam.  The characters are humorous, endearing and stay with you after reading the book.  Prime of Life is a humorous, enjoyable read.   A nice way to spend a Minnesota winter evening, a very heartwarming story.

My Rating Scale: 1 – didn’t like it; 2 – it was ok; 3 – liked it; 4 – really liked it; 5 – it was amazing

Happy Reading!

**Disclosure – Copy of PR1ME of Life by P. D. Bekendam was received from Worthy Publishing in exchange for a fair review as part of their First Look program.

Monday Mailbox - 7/20/09 Edition

Mailbox Monday is a weekly event hosted by Marcia over at The Printed Page. While on vacation I completed 2 review books. When I came home three more books were waiting for me!

This last week, I welcomed three new book into my home and onto my ever growing TBR pile.

I received an (Advance Reading Copy) of Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin from Bethany House Publications. A publications date of October 2009 is expected for this book.

Product Description for Though Waters Roar:
Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O'Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family--and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness--brings Harriet to discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

I am participating in my first Blog Tour sponsored by WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books Program and received The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall to read for the tour. The tour will be taking place August 3rd - 11th. The Hope of Refuge is due out in paperback on August 11, 2009.

Description of The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall:

Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.

Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?

Lastly, I welcomed The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny into my home. The Brutal Telling will be on-sale October 1, 2009 by Minotaur Books.

Product Description for The Brutal Telling:

With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. As families prepare to head back to the city and children say goodbye to summer, a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. Once again, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team are called in to strip back layers of lies, exposing both treasures and rancid secrets buried in the wilderness.

No one admits to knowing the murdered man, but as secrets are revealed, chaos begins to close in on the beloved bistro owner, Olivier. How did he make such a spectacular success of his business? What past did he leave behind and why has he buried himself in this tiny village? And why does every lead in the investigation find its way back to him?
As Olivier grows more frantic, a trail of clues and treasures— from first editions of Charlotte’s Web and Jane Eyre to a spider web with the word “WOE” woven in it—lead the Chief Inspector deep into the woods and across the continent in search of the truth, and finally back to Three Pines as the little village braces for the truth and the final, brutal telling.

What books came into your house last week? Don’t forget to stop by The Printed Page and leave a link to your Monday Mailbox post for others to view!


Happy Reading!