James Sheppard’s future appears brighter. Emerging from a troubled childhood, he is blessed with talent and a good work ethic, excelling in his classes and at the campus newspaper. For James, his goal of editor appears within his grasp. However, years of abuse and loneliness have dampened his spirit. By the time Maria enters his world, James is merely existing and has become desperate for hope. When a crisis abruptly forces him into adulthood, James becomes saddled with more responsibility than expected. Struggling to cope with the situation, the past returns to haunt him. Will James find peace before the mistakes of his father destroy him completely?
James's past was brutal. After his birth mother left him and his dad behind, James's father became abusive, especially while drinking. James wouldn't even know when he's going to strike. Apart from a rough life at home, James has a great work ethic, is a hard worker, and is a very motivated person. While in college, James was glad that he was finally away from his father, but he dearly missed his stepmother, Lynn, who Ben (his father) married after a couple of years in the dating life. James loves her so much; his father harasses them both but he tries to save his mother's life instead of his own. <BR/><BR/>Finally, in his third year of college, James has been keeping up his hard work and a GPA of 4.0. Though last year was a rough one for him, James has been happy so far. His spirits have dampened drastically, though. Sherry, his former girlfriend, has come back to James after making the biggest mistake in their relationship to say that she's sorry and to try to get back together. After forgiving her, James and Sherry are starting over. After taking her to the dance club one night, Sherry says she isn't feeling well, so he takes her back to the dorm. James, in high spirits, returns to his own home. <BR/><BR/>The very next day things change, though, when James sees Lori (who by the way was once James's crush) and she tells him that she and her friend Sarah had seen Sherry with another guy. Trying to take the anger out, James just wants to hit something, but he restrains himself. <BR/><BR/>But Lori has another idea for how James can get over Sherry. She wants him to meet Maria, one of her other best friends who was there at Lori's wedding last year. He would be able to meet her at Lori's next swim meet at Florida State. There he sees Maria, the quiet and very shy girl, staring at her camera. It takes him awhile to make Maria open up, but when she does James finds himself falling in love with her. <BR/><BR/>Will Maria be the right girl for James, or someone who turns out to be just like Sherry? <BR/><BR/>Months later, James will have to make the biggest decision of his life! Will this change the whole aspect of James's life? Will this be the worst possible thing that could happen to him and Maria? <BR/><BR/>This book is very motivating and inspiring! This just tells you how much someone is willing to go for the best in his or her life!! There are so many twists and turns and it can teach you how far you would be willing to go to have the perfect moment!
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Posted October 22, 2007
James¿s past was brutal. After his birth mother left him and his dad behind, James¿s father became abusive, especially while drinking. James wouldn't even know when he¿s going to strike. Apart from a rough life at home, James has a great work ethic, is a hard worker, and is a very motivated person. While in college, James was glad that he was finally away from his father, but he dearly missed his stepmother, Lynn, who Ben (his father) married after a couple of years in the dating life. James loves her so much his father harasses them both but he tries to save his mother's life instead of his own. Finally, in his third year of college, James has been keeping up his hard work and a GPA of 4.0. Though last year was a rough one for him, James has been happy so far. His spirits have dampened drastically, though. Sherry, his former girlfriend, has come back to James after making the biggest mistake in their relationship to say that she's sorry and to try to get back together. After forgiving her, James and Sherry are starting over. After taking her to the dance club one night, Sherry says she isn't feeling well, so he takes her back to the dorm. James, in high spirits, returns to his own home. The very next day things change, though, when James sees Lori (who by the way was once James¿s crush) and she tells him that she and her friend Sarah had seen Sherry with another guy. Trying to take the anger out, James just wants to hit something, but he restrains himself. But Lori has another idea for how James can get over Sherry. She wants him to meet Maria, one of her other best friends who was there at Lori¿s wedding last year. He would be able to meet her at Lori¿s next swim meet at Florida State. There he sees Maria, the quiet and very shy girl, staring at her camera. It takes him awhile to make Maria open up, but when she does James finds himself falling in love with her. Will Maria be the right girl for James, or someone who turns out to be just like Sherry? Months later, James will have to make the biggest decision of his life! Will this change the whole aspect of James¿s life? Will this be the worst possible thing that could happen to him and Maria? This book is very motivating and inspiring! This just tells you how much someone is willing to go for the best in his or her life!! There are so many twists and turns and it can teach you how far you would be willing to go to have the perfect moment! I give this book 5 stars and a Gold Award. A very good book! **Reviewed by: Spreeha
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Posted January 19, 2007
L. Diane Wolfe has reached the top of my list of well-loved authors out there. If anyone hasn't read The Circle of Friends series, they're missing out. These books give readers so much more than just a new inner strength as they read how friends climb the ladder and reach their goals in spite of the past. Once you read one you just can not wait to read the next one!!
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Posted April 16, 2006
L. Diane Wolfe¿s new novel ¿James¿ is a powerful step forward in this great series. She deals intelligently and realistically with a character that is scarred from an abusive past. The book deals openly and honestly with abuse and how it continues to haunt and isolate James into adulthood. Ms. Wolfe manages all this while giving the reader hope that a person can overcome an abusive past and find peace. A must read!
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Posted April 19, 2006
Wolfe does it again as she continues with the group of friends by introducing the readers to a more in depth look at James. James has a terrible past of abuse and must learn to get past what happened so he can focus on his life changing events. Wolfe does a wonderful job of taking a real life situation, writing it into a story line and breathing a life into that makes it seem so real that you the reader are actually involved in the story!!
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Posted April 19, 2006
Tackling the dark subject of abuse and neglect, James is a study in coming to terms with the past and finding inner peace. The author portrays the character¿s strengths, weaknesses and personal anguish realistically, focusing on character development rather than the setting and location. Lightly touched upon in the first two installments of the series, Wolfe reveals the complexity of James¿s internal struggles. Emotionally engaging, readers will be intrigued by the male perspective and find Book III an intense and worthy addition to The Circle of Friends!
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Overview
James Sheppard’s future appears brighter. Emerging from a troubled childhood, he is blessed with talent and a good work ethic, excelling in his classes and at the campus newspaper. For James, his goal of editor appears within his grasp. However, years of abuse and loneliness have dampened his spirit. By the time Maria enters his world, James is merely existing and has become desperate for hope. When a crisis abruptly forces ...