Thursday, February 14, 2013

THE PROMISE OF STARDUST: A PERFECT VALENTINE'S DAY REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE PROMISE OF STARDUST
BY PRISCILLE SIBLEY

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with shooting stars, and thirty-three when they wed. Now in their late thirties, the deeply devoted couple has everything—except the baby they've always wanted.
When a tragic accident leaves Elle brain-dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear losing her, he knows his wife, a thoughtful and adventurous scientist, feared only one thing—a slow death. Just before Matt agrees to remove Elle from life support, the doctors discover that she is pregnant. Now what was once a clear-cut decision becomes an impossible choice. Matt knows how much this child would have meant to Elle. While there is no certainty her body can sustain the pregnancy, he is sure Elle would want the baby to have a chance. Linney, Matt's mother, believes her son is blind with denial. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive by artificial means, no matter what the situation.
Divided by the love they share, driven by principle, Matt and Linney fight for what each believes is right, and the result is a disagreement that escalates into a controversial legal battle, ultimately going beyond one family and one single life.
Told with sensitivity and compassion, The Promise of Stardust is an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking tale that raises profound questions about life and death, faith and medicine—and illuminates, with beauty and grace, the power of love to wound . . . and to heal.

PRAISE FOR THE PROMISE OF STARDUST:
“I read this first novel two times. The first time, I was intrigued. The second time, I felt privileged to share in such an amazing story.” ~Jacquelyn Mitchard, author, The Deep End of the Ocean
“Brave…. Priscille Sibley explores with compassion and insight how political and personal needs align and shift as a husband, a mother, and a father navigate the needs of a family member in crisis.” ~Randy Susan Meyers, author, The Murderer’s Daughters
“There’s nothing like devastating moral quandary to spark reading, and this trade paperback original would be a great book club choice…” ~Library Journal
“In The Promise of Stardust Sibley explores an ethical dilemma in a way that might lead you to question your own beliefs. Woven with elegance through a twenty-year love story, the novel takes numerous twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.” ~Catherine McKenzie, Internationally bestselling author of Spin, Arranged and Forgotten
“Sibley does a wonderful job of exploring a complex and controversial moral issue, skillfully giving both sides of the story…. This is a gripping, thoughtful, heart-wrenching, and well-written debut that would be a great discussion vehicle for certain book groups.” ~Booklist
“Sibley wrestles with the most complex medical ethics in our time and gives us characters who will stay with us long after the last page. She is a skilled story teller.” ~Jacqueline Sheehan, New York Times bestselling author of Lost & Found
“I loved this book. Priscille Sibley manages a delicate and brave balance with this gripping novel.” ~Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of Strangers and The Blessings of the Animals
The Promise of Stardust is a story about love and sacrifice, conflict and hope. I couldn’t put it down and when I open it next time, I’ll read it more slowly. Highly recommended. A winner!” ~Patricia Harman CNM, author of The Midwife of Hope River
“A literate and incandescent Nicholas Sparks-like love story complicated by intense moral and ethical questions.” ~Kirkus Reviews
The Promise of Stardust is a riveting story of a family ripped apart by an impossible choice. You will live these characters’ lives like they are your own, and race through the pages of this engrossing, deeply moving novel.” ~Kristina Riggle, author of Keepsake

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Priscille Sibley is a neonatal intensive care nurse who lives in New Jersey with her husband and three teenage sons. Her short fiction has appeared in MiPoesias and her poetry in The Shine Journal. She is a member of Backspace Writers Forum and Liberty State Fiction Writers. The Promise of Stardust is her first novel.

To read more about this very talented author, see her "Bio" on her website HERE. 

MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
THE PROMISE OF STARDUST is Priscille Sibley’s first novel and I loved it so much that I truly could not put it down. When I finished it at 3 AM, I was sad that it ended and realize it will stay with me for a very long time. Sibley tells a memorable, poignant love story that will keep you turning pages as the twists and turns in the novel move it quickly along. The love between Matt Beaulieu, a neurosurgeon, and Elle McClure, a gifted astronaut, began as children. As next door neighbors, their families’ lives seemed connected. Elle was a young teenager when she went through the prolonged, painful death of her mother, while doing much of the care giving on her own. She cared also for her younger brother as her father drank his way out of the situation he couldn‘t handle. This effected Elle in so many ways and all those around her. It was also at this time that she and Matt realized that they weren’t just childhood pals but that their friendship had grown into something much more.

After Elle’s mother’s death, their lives went on to include the years of their education, and being together as well as apart. Finally, Matt and Elle realize there is nobody else in their world but each other. They are married and they begin what they perceive to be a long and happy lifetime. However, when Elle has an accident and winds up on life support, Matt is devastated especially since as a neurosurgeon, he realizes how helpless he is to bring her back and that she is virtually already gone. But when Matt finds out Elle is pregnant, everything changes once more.

Knowing how Elle would feel about a lingering death like her mother faced, Matt has an agonizing decision to make. Having lost 4 children already with miscarriages and a stillbirth, Matt knows how much this baby would mean to Elle, and to him. His decision to keep her alive to hopefully deliver the baby they always wanted battles against his conscience in knowing she wouldn’t want to be living this way. As he weighs this heartbreaking decision, he finds he must also deal with all the others who feel they have a say in the situation because they also love Elle. As news of Matt’s fight for Elle and their baby reaches the public and the courts, Matt must battle even against family members in order to save his unborn child.

As the narrative weaves an intricate tale, readers will feel they know these two characters so well thanks to the skillful writing of author Priscille Sibley. Flashbacks are woven into the current story to add to the depth and understanding of the characters and their situation. Elle’s journals give readers great insight as well. We  really know these people thanks to Sibley using these techniques. Just when you think you know how things will go, Sibley throws in a curve and takes you off on another path. The action and romance combine with the moral ethics involved to make for an amazing story begging to be shared and discussed with others. I highly recommend this poignantly moving book to everyone who loves a well written, riveting, and important story for our times.
 
 GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO TRACY AND THE GOOD FOLKS AT

WILLIAM MORROW/HARPER COLLINS BOOKS,

I HAVE ONE COPY OF THE PROMISE OF STARDUST

TO GIVE AWAY TO A VERY LUCKY READER
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT THE PROMISE OF STARDUST THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS


+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT PRISCILLE SIBLEY'S WEBSITE HERE 


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY AND EACH WILL COUNT AS AN ENTRY


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON A CURRENT GIVEAWAY THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED ON MY BLOG. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR EACH TO RECEIVE MORE ENTRIES
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT

6 PM, EST, FEBRUARY 28
   GOOD LUCK!

121 comments:

Katie said...

This story sounds fantastic! I'm so intrigued by this story. I can see it feeling real. I'm sure there have been people in similar situations in real life.

Katie said...

I follow through google reader.

Pamela Keener said...

I am also intrigued by the story.
Your review was very informative and made me want to dig in right now.
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

debbie said...

I would really like to see what happens, it would be a heartbreaking situation to deal with.It sounds like a really good book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the fifth assassin.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the good house.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Laura said...

I follow your blog through google reader. Thanks for the contest.

traveler said...

An emotional and memorable story. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Town in a pumpkin bash. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Veiled Revenge. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Fifth Assassin. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Good House. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Every Trick in the book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Safe Haven. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The author is a nurse. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

A compelling and wonderful story. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The author has great photos on her site. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Every Trick in the book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

entered Oodles of Poodles. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered town in a pumpkin bash. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Veiled Revenge. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Fifth Assassin. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered The Good House. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

This sounds like such a poignant story. It seems so real. Deciding on whether or not to resusitate is a difficult decision or not it difficult enough especially when the family disagrees but to have a little baby in the balance it even harder.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I think that the author being neonatal intensive care nurse had something to do with the idea of this book.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an e-mail subscription.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Facebook.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Networked Blogs.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with a RSS feed on my IGoogle page.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Twitter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with
Google Friends Connect.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for 'Town in a Pumpkin Bash'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'The Twelve Tribes of Hattie".

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for 'Veiled Revenge'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Oodles of Poodles'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'The Good House'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for "Every Trick in the Book".


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

+5 February Facebook Bonus Entry

# 1

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. That would be a hard decision to make. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

+5 February Facebook Bonus Entry

#2


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

+5 February Facebook Bonus Entry

#3


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

+5 February Facebook Bonus Entry

#4


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

+5 February Facebook Bonus Entry

#5


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Sue Farrell said...

This has to be one of the worst dilemmas that anyone would have to face---and family disagreements would only make it worse. I would like to see how he comes to his decision.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on twitter as @Suekey12.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I entered Town in a Pumpkin Bash.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I entered The Good House.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Tina said...

This one sounds like a definite must read. You've given us a thoughtful write-up to encourage anyone on the fence.
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

I found out the author was born and raised in Maine.
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

Entered the giveaway for
Fifth Assasin
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

Entered the giveaway for
Twelve Tribes
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

Entered the giveaway for
The good house
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

Entered the giveaway for
Every trick in the book
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

subscribe via email
tbranco24@gmail.com

Tina said...

google reader follower
tbranco24@gmail.com

Margie said...

This sounds like an amazing, emotional story. If it kept you up til 3am, it must be a good one. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB 1
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB 2
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB 3
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB 5
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I see on the website that this book has gotten some very positive reviews.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

email subscriber
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

GFC follower
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Networked Blogs follower
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

RSS feed in Google Reader
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Fifth Assasin
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Twelve Tribes of Hattie
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Oodles of Poodles
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Safe Haven
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Every Trick in the Book
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Rebeca said...

Happy St. Valentine day to all lovers!

Pat L. said...

I follow thur gfc.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

What a different story; definitely a puller at heartstrings and sometimes that is exactly what I need to read.

patoct@yahoo.com

Misusedinnocence said...

This sounds like a painful, but beautiful story. I have friends who are suffering with infertility. I can't imagine the choice the protaganist has to make

Misusedinnocence said...

I love that she works in the NICU. I had such great nurses there when my son was born.
misusedinnocence@aol.com

holdenj said...

Sounds very emotional. But good!
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Email subscriber.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Oodles of Poodles
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Every Trick in the Book.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I want to find out what happens to Elle and the baby

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you

Margie said...

Entered Out of Circulation
mtakala1@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

It feels so real, I need to find out what happens.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an RSS subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook
2
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook
2
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook
3
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook
4
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook
5
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

cyn209 said...

entered Oodles of Poodles giveaway

cyn209 at juno dot com

cyn209 said...

entered Veiled Revenge giveaway

cyn209 at juno dot com

holdenj said...

Entered Out of Circulation.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I want to find out how they come to a decision.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 2
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 3
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 5
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered The Good House
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Oodles of Poodles
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Every Trick in the Book
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Safe Haven
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Out of Circulation
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Margie said...

entered Nickeled and Dimed to Death
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Saturday Night Widows
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Christie Curse
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered for cookbook
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Peach Pies
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY