Jason Wyatt vowed that he would fulfill his deceased brother's collegiate-football dreams.
Jason Wyatt vowed that he
would fulfill his deceased brother's collegiate-football dreams. Despite
a growing number of injuries, he is willing to risk anything, even his
health, to uphold that promise. With recruiting underway and a football
future imminent, he meets Riley, a green-eyed beauty, with a haunting
and unforgettable past and an overprotective father. Jason tries to
balance young love with football, and as he nears high school
graduation, he is confronted with a new set of life-altering obstacles
to both.
Content note: There is some language use that readers should be aware of, but it's not out of context and in fact alternative word usage would have seemed out of place.
From the author . . .
A Reader's Opinion
Let me preface this review by saying I have never read a football book in my life. I know nothing about football except that I left halfway through the last game I watched . . . ten years ago. That means I didn't understand any of the football speak (except huddles), so this review is on the book as a whole, not that bit of it. Having said that, the author writes a compelling real-life story about young adults. The prologue ended in a way that I thought perhaps this book was going to be something a bit more than I originally thought--and it was. The characters are real and the author doesn't hold back in showing what many young adults likely go through in their environments--real enough for me to remember why I didn't get along with most teenagers when I was a teenager. The characters brought that time and world back to life. Jason has a lot to prove, but mostly to himself. He goes through his dark times when more than one something he loves is no longer there, but still a part of who he is--cryptic? I know, but you'll have to read the book to know what I mean. The book is filled with sadness, joy, anger, struggles, and triumphs. What I liked best about this book was that it meant something--there's a message to be found. Content note: There is some language use that readers should be aware of, but it's not out of context and in fact alternative word usage would have seemed out of place.
From the author . . .
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a very blessed
person with a great family and a life that I should never complain about. I’m
twenty years old and am a student at Clemson University; I’m originally from
Charlotte, North Carolina, and still live there when I’m not at school.
Did you plan to be a writer or did it just happen?
Five years ago, I
would never have guessed that I’d publish a book in the future. I never
particularly enjoyed English classes (please don’t shun me from this industry),
but I did like to write papers. As a high school senior, with some newfound
free time, I began writing paragraphs that described the trials, joys, and
heartaches of growing up. Eventually I started putting them together into a
fictitious plot, and two years later I am publishing a book.
What is your favorite non-writing pastime?
I like to fish for
largemouth bass. To me, it is the most rewarding way to relax.
Is writing a full-time career for you? If not, how else
do you spend your work day?
I am studying civil
engineering at Clemson University and am the president of my fraternity. I
spend most of my time studying or running the fraternity, and try to finagle
some time into my schedule to write at the end of the day.
If you had to sum
up Forever in Carolina in 30 or less
words, what would you say?
Jason Wyatt is a good football player and promised his deceased brother
that he would play collegiate football, but his health and first love may get
in the way.
Do you have a favorite character in Forever in Carolina? Who and why?
Jason’s best
friend, Dallas Rogers, is a feisty, passionate, and often comical character,
but his loyalty and dedication to those that he loves shines when it matters.
He reminds me of a few of my friends that I grew up with.
What three words
would best describe Jason?
Athletic, young, and determined.
Do you have to be alone or have quiet to write?
My thoughts are
more defined and flow easier when I am alone with a pen and notebook.
Who or what has most influenced your writing?
Without my mother, Forever in Carolina wouldn’t exist. She
is the largest admirer of books in our family, and her experience and passion
for literature inspires me.
Do you have a favorite author? Who and why?
During my junior
year in high school, we had to read The
Great Gatsby, and I have been praising F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary
control and clean, descriptive writing for the past four years.
What are you reading now? Why did you choose that book?
I’m currently
reading two books: On Writing by
Stephen King and The Demon in the Freezer
by Richard Preston. I chose both of them in preparation for a potential
second book.
Favorite quote?
"Sometimes,
the truth isn't good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people
deserve to have their faith rewarded."
- The Dark Knight
An Excerpt
“I didn’t say that.” Mr. Wyatt possessed a rare and
undervalued ability to maintain his composure even in the most
stressful situations; a patience, whether or not the reasoning held
validity, that he attributed to years of fishing. “All I’m saying,” he
continued, “is that he will be miserable if he doesn’t play this year.
It’s not just a sport for him. It’s how he connects with Allen, and you
know that. Look at him out there,” he motioned to the back window. “It’s
who he is.”
Mrs. Wyatt sat in silence on their bed. A photograph of an eleven-year-old Allen rested on the dresser by the bathroom. She had taken it before his first football practice in sixth grade—his helmet draped over his eyebrows, the shoulder pads extended too far past his shoulders, and his little body hid beneath the enormity of the leg pads. The first two years after Allen had passed, Mrs. Wyatt cried every time she saw the picture, but she refused to hide it. She calmed much quicker than her husband had anticipated. “I just don’t want him to get hurt. Permanently hurt,” she said.
Mrs. Wyatt sat in silence on their bed. A photograph of an eleven-year-old Allen rested on the dresser by the bathroom. She had taken it before his first football practice in sixth grade—his helmet draped over his eyebrows, the shoulder pads extended too far past his shoulders, and his little body hid beneath the enormity of the leg pads. The first two years after Allen had passed, Mrs. Wyatt cried every time she saw the picture, but she refused to hide it. She calmed much quicker than her husband had anticipated. “I just don’t want him to get hurt. Permanently hurt,” she said.
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The author will give away 4 eBooks to 4 randomly drawn commenters from the tour.
