I am in the middle of this amazing and disturbing book. I would love to discuss it. In the meantime, I was listening to the radio and I heard this song that I thought described near perfectly both Rory and Flora.

The song is called Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri.

I know I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

And I've learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time
And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

Dear, it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

Ooh, yes, I see what you mean!

You can always email/msg me if you want to discuss the book when you've finished. There's a lot to discuss. It was the weirdest book to write. It didn't feel like I wrote it, it felt like it wrote itself with me as the channel.

Let me know what you think when you finish.

I'll discuss with you. I loved this book.

jamie, I have finished and would love to talk about it!

It was amazing and disturbing. I felt so bad for everyone involved. There was so much pain that I am amazed anyone could survive it but of course no one was unscathed. It is a great case study of nature vs nurture, isn't it. I don't think Rory or Flora would have chosen their life, do you? I would love to ask them if they would have preferred to not be born.

Hugh was actually my favorite character and even he had a rough go of it didn't he. He was loving, forgiving, kind hearted, didn't hold a grudge, was a lovely father, husband (even if he wasn't sexual), friend, companion. I really wanted him to have a happy ending. Actually, I wanted them all to but it seems that the fates had other ideas.

TINK, I know right! I am all about happy endings but as our illustrious author pointed out to me, that ain't happening in a tragedy. It's painful to watch the train wreck of Ror and Flors lives especially when they could have made other choices; sometimes the sins of the Fathers hold too much sway.

I was listening to Steive Nick's Landslide today and it reminded me of ALB.

I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm, mmm, mmm

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older and I'm getting older too
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/s/stevie-ni ... yrics.html -]

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older and I'm getting older too
Oh, I'm getting older too

Awh, take my love, take it down
Awh, climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide bring it down

And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide bring it down
Oh, the landslide bring it down

A Lifetime Burning is about to be available on Kindle so if you haven't had a chance to get it, download it! It is just a terrific book. Understand that it is very different than her other books but a very compelling read then let's talk about it.

A LIFETIME BURNING is now available on Kindle for .99! Yes, you read it, less than a dollar!
A Lifetime Burning is my favorite Linda Gillard book; it is an amazing story. I just downloaded my copy.

Good Luck Linda with the launch of A Lifetime Burning on Kindle ..

It was one of my favourite books of 2011 - dark and compelling - a MUST read

I read this book again over last weekend and ... it really leaves me a bit bereft of words. So few books are compelling on so many levels, but this one is a masterpiece. I identify in some way with all the characters, and feel their intense pain and can't take sides, as it's all a continuum. For those who've read the book, this may make sense. If you haven't read the book, hopefully you'll feel compelled to give it a read. Expect to be shaken to the core, though! In a very, very good way. It's that what good fiction is meant to do? Make us think and question?