Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Last Hour: Charles Sheehan-Miles

by Reviews by Tammy and Kim - Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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Release date: April 19, 2013

Age/Genre: Adult Contemporary

Twenty-seven year old Carrie Thompson-Sherman has the life she always wanted: her PhD, a prestigious fellowship, and an amazing husband.

Her life begins to unravel as a jealous colleague puts her fellowship in jeopardy and a haunting secret Ray Sherman carried home from Afghanistan comes to light.

Hounded by a federal investigation and the ensuing media feeding frenzy, Carrie and Ray desperately lean on each other, until a disastrous accident puts both Ray and her sister's lives at risk.

In the last hour, Carrie and Ray will each find themselves faced with a choice.

A choice that will change everything.

Other Thompson sisters books in chronological order:

A Song for Julia: Goodreads/Amazon/B&N/Kim's 5 star Review

Just Remember to Breathe: Goodreads/Amazon/B&N/Kim's 4 star Review

"Grab what happiness you can, while you can."

This book grabbed my heart and put it in a vice from the first page and never let it go during the entire story. Charles Sheehan-Miles has always impressed me with his writing skills, but he has outdone himself with this exceptional book. He draws you into the world of these characters and you are totally immersed. This is the third Thompson sister book and is the story of Carrie(the 2nd oldest Thompson sister) and Ray(Dylan's best friend) that met in Just Remember to Breathe.

I knew we were moving too fast. You don't make lifetime commitments when you've know someone just a few days here, then a few days there, with lots of phone calls and emails in between. But the thing is, there's one thing I learned in Afghanistan. Life is fragile, Screw all that hesitant bullshit. We are going to go for it.

This story is told in multiple points of view during the present and flashbacks. You are struggling with them in the present during a terrifying situation and at the same time you are learning about events from the past that have caused both happiness and heartache. You are seeing the beginning and building and Carrie and Ray's relationship, Ray's time in Afghanistan, and traumatic events they have gone through recently in their lives and careers. During this present dramatic situation, you feel like you are right in the room with these characters and feeling their fear, anxiety, anguish, grief, and hope. The way he allowed us to get the full picture about what was happening was unique and unexpected. So you are literally on the edge of your seat waiting, hoping, and praying right along with the characters. At the same time during the flashbacks you are alternately enjoying the joy of new love or the horror of war. But it all flows seamlessly . The chapters and transitions are well defined and labeled by time and character.

I can't say I was happy with everything that happened. This story is real, raw, and heart breaking. Carrie and Ray went though so much stress, drama, heartache, and difficult times during their relationship that were mostly from outside influences. They literally went through Hell together but showed commitment and loyalty to each other. And despite being treated badly by others, they acted with dignity and grace.I loved them as a couple and saw them as true soul mates that belonged together. I just wanted them to find some peace and happiness for themselves. The flashbacks showed their relationship develop over time and both of their thoughts and feelings. They have an intense connection, attraction, devotion, and love for one another. They are funny, supportive, and band together against the factors causing them trouble. Ray is strong, brave, funny, protective, honest, loving, and all around good guy. Carrie is nurturing, caring, intelligent, determined, and beautiful inside and out.

"But the thing is...that feeling that I could touch the sky? That's exactly how you make me feel."

The best moments of peace were those moments when our world shrunk down to just the two of us.

We get to see more about the other sisters and their mates we met in Just Remember to Breathe and A Song for Julia. I loved spending more time with Alex and Dylan, Julia and Crank, Jessica, Sarah and Crank's brother Sean. We also see some of their sister Andrea who is somewhat of a mystery. The connections and relationships in this family are so well crafted that you can feel the love and loyalty they have for each other. When one is hurting or having trouble, they make time to be there. And even though some of the parental relationships had complications, they were still an important part of their lives. They all band together in times of need.

"Seems to me that to an extent all of you get strength from each other."

This book was not an easy read. You seriously need tissues and maybe a drink. It was brilliant, well executed, had multiple layers and an interwoven timeline. But it was gut wrenching, stressful, sad, sweet, and a total emotional experience. I honestly have not recovered from it and it will stick with me a long time. I am looking forward to the next book in the Thompson Sisters series and seeing their continued stories. I am really interested in the twins Sarah and Jessica's stories and more with Carrie.

Thanks to Charles Sheehan-Miles for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Charles Sheehan-Miles Website/Facebook/Twitter

Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive. He is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future.

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

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