Book Title: The Dan Diaries by D.D. Marx (The Beyond Series Book #4)
Category: Adult Fiction; 200 pages
Genre: Chick-Lit
I received a complimentary copy of the books of the this series for use in my review. All opinions are my own.
About the Book
Dan Sullivan was the best friend of Olivia Henry when his life was taken in a tragic car accident. Shocked to be on the other side, Dan navigates his way by learning his new role in eternal life. His first assignment is as Olivia’s guardian angel. He has the crucial role of guiding her to her pre-defined destiny. Dan’s death throws Olivia into a tail-spin which causes her to veer way off course. He understands the enormity of the challenge when he hears the mechanism by which he can communicate. He’s only allowed to use signs and symbols to get her attention and cannot interfere with her free-will.
Every time he thinks he’s close, something throws her off track. He’s forced to start over by convincing her to trust in their enduring, unbreakable bond. Olivia can feel Dan’s presence but is still reluctant to believe the messages he’s sending. She is fearful of falling in love again at the risk of losing another soulmate. Can Dan persuade her to trust in his love from afar so she can finally receive the happiness she truly deserves?
My Review
The Beyond Series should be read as a series. I initially planned to read this novel as a stand-alone story. I was then offered the opportunity to read the other books of the series to offer more depth and background to this fourth novel. When I first tried to read this book as a stand-alone novel--I couldn't seem to "hear" Dan's voice as a male voice in my reader's mind. Once I read the other books of the series, learned a lot about the relationships and the experiences of the various characters--I was much more able to settle into Dan's story and Dan's perspective. While you could certainly read the books outside of the series--I really would recommend beginning at the beginning and moving through the books and the experiences step by step--and then adding in Dan's story.
The Dan Diaries is both lighthearted and complex. Readers will get a sense of Dan's personality and sense of humor in this novel--and his personality lends perfectly to a character facing the challenges and rules of an unexpected "mission" of sorts. The author writes in a very light, conversational, easy to read style--but, readers will appreciate the effort she takes in connecting the physical and spiritual worlds as Dan tries to help his friend (and himself) cope with the aftermath of his untimely death.
Would I recommend The Dan Diaries? If you have an interest and belief in life after death and spiritual connections--and enjoy reading light, religious fiction--this series is very well written and well-developed. I do think it is best read as a series--I was better able to connect with Dan's story and appreciate the relationships and character interactions after have read the earlier novels of the series.
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Ends June 16, 2016
1st Prize: Win the complete Beyond series (4 ebooks total / open int'l / 2 winners)
2nd Prize: Win the complete Beyond series (4 paperback books total) and a Shine Bright Journal (open to USA only / 1 winner)
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