Lulu Marketplace

Ratings & Reviews

• 
  By karenwiesner

  Sep 7, 2011
  "Awards" 2005 EPPIE Award Finalist! Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award Nominee! Lories Best Published 2nd Place Winner! 4 1/2 Stars and 2004 Reviewer's Choice Nominee! "Set in Milwaukee, this poignant book reflects on the complex dynamics of drug addiction and the profound impact it has on the lives it touches. Wiesner's ability to delve into her characters' psychological makeup to depict the sensitive topic of drug addiction makes this an exceptionally powerful story. The second book in her Wounded Warriors series, this is a must-read." ~RT Book Reviews 5 Delightful Divas! “I really enjoyed Karen Wiesner’s RELUCTANT HEARTS, the first book in her Wounded Warriors Series, but, with WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE, I was totally captivated. I did not want to put the book down; consequently, the story moved at a very fast pace. In WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE, we get to know Steve Thomas much better. In RELUCTANT HEARTS we saw a bit of what he was going through with Jessie, but... More > that really didn’t prepare me for the horrid reality. My heart broke over and over for him and for his kids; for Jessie I really didn’t have any feelings other than disgust. All I can say is that Karen Wiesner brought these people to vivid life. As for the unrelenting hell that was Steve’s and the kids’ life all I could do was weep for them and rage against Jess—I really lost any thought of Christian charity when it came to her. As for Kristina, wow. She’s everything that Steve needs; her friendship has been his refuge and, between the kids and her support, he’s been able to give his children some measure of stability. Certainly they know that he’s there for them, regardless. But they’ve all suffered so much, and what they’ve gone through over the years has definitely had a terrible impact. I was so caught up in the drama that was taking place in front of me that, truly, the story not only flowed but took me right in. I’m still in awe of Ms. Wiesner’s ability to create characters that live and suffer so much that I often felt that these were my friends, people whom I could relate to and completely care for... even if I didn’t always want to. WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE and, indeed, the Wounded Warriors Series is all about people; people that we may know or people whose lives may be an echo of our own. Certainly there’s no one all good or all bad, even if we want to think there are. And yes, while much of the story is difficult, there’s always a thread of hope running through it, and love...definitely love! If you enjoy a story that drags you in, is sometimes relentless, contains people that could be your next door neighbor and yet is a testament to love and hope, then you will definitely want to read Karen Wiesner’s WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE. The story does stand alone, but, read in conjunction with the other books in the series, is, I think, a much richer experience.” ~Kathy for Dark Diva Reviews http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/05/waiting-for-eclipse-wounded-warriors.html 4 1/2 Delightful Divas! “WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE is book two in the Wounded Warriors Series. After reading the first book, I was astounded by the raw emotion and very real issues that the characters dealt with. I just had to pick the second book up immediately to find out if that would be a trend, and if I would get to revisit previous characters. I quickly found out that the answer to both of those questions was yes. In the second book, we get to know more about Steve. He was a secondary character in the first book, but this book was all about him. Of course, we also got to see some of the characters from the first book, which is always a delight for me. As with all of Karen Wiesner’s books, her characters are unbelievably real, and they deal with very real problems in their day to day lives. WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE may be a romance, full of passion and emotion, but it deals with so much more. This book shows the trauma of a family, including young children, who are affected by a serious, life-long addiction. Karen did not skimp on the emotions involved in such a situation, taking me to some of the darkest places a father can go. However, I always had hope that he would find his way back, especially with someone like Kristina there to support and love him as she did. If you are looking for a regular romance that deals simply with a couple falling in love and finding their HEA, then this is not the book for you. However, if you want a book with an excellent plot, very real characters, and enough emotion to stay with you long after you have finished reading it, then WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE by Karen Wiesner is just the story for which you are looking.” ~Melissa for Dark Diva Reviews http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/wounded-warriors-2-waiting-for-eclipse.html 4 1/2 Hearts! "Karen Wiesner pens a powerful story which grips the heart at the same time it elicits revulsion at the wasted lives, sorrow, and despair brought about by substance addiction and dedication to outmoded obligations. All the characters are amazingly well-delineated, including the young children, so that the reader will feel as if these are folks living next door, or one's own friends. The plot will tug at the reader's heartstrings and refuse to let go until the end; even then, these characters will live on in one's memory for quite some time. Waiting for An Eclipse is a memorable must-read from this vastly imaginative author. It is the second installment in Ms. Wiesner's Wounded Warriors series." ~Annie for The Romance Studio http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/waitingforaneclipseweisner.htm "This is not the first Wounded Warriors book, but it stands alone beautifully. I am not sure what I was expecting, but this novel far exceeded any expectations I had. Karen Wiesner has created a poignant book, and part of the magic is that her characters are not given easy "outs" from their situations. They face difficult struggles that do not have magical resolutions. Blood, sweat and tears go into each of their hurdles.... Every character was skillfully developed and that is what made this book so special. As far as I am concerned, WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE is a must read!" ~Tracy Fransworth of Roundtable Reviews www.roundtablereviews.com 5 Angels! "While I normally prefer escapist romance fiction to nitty-gritty reality, I found myself riveted by this very unusual romance story. It is neither insipid nor sweet nor aggressively erotic, and yet it is a compelling read. The bittersweet story is so well-written that, although the true sadness and horror of Steve's situation is clearly described, the reader feels sympathy and hope rather than despair, and comes away with the satisfaction that the characters have finally found their way. The characters of Steve and Kristina are shown as real people, with human failings, and yet both of them have moral strength and an ethos of honor and responsibility. I liked them and really wanted them to find happiness. The story is well plotted, and moves along at an inexorable pace, neither too fast nor too slow to communicate the story. The conflicts the characters face are serious and, unfortunately, all too real in this day and age. If you are tired of marshmallow fluff romances, you need to read this novel. It will grab you from the very start, and won't let you go until 'The End.'" ~Fallen Angel Reviews http://fallenangelreviews.com/July2004/Jean_WaitingForAnEclipse.htm 5 Roses! "If you have not started the Wounded Warriors Series by Karen Wiesner, you are missing one of the best series I have had the honor to read. Karen Wiesner has taken modern problems that many people are facing daily and is turning them into a fabulous series. Steve has all the wonderful traits women look for. He has a strong character. Karen Wiesner has completely captured the feelings of neglect and loneliness children and husbands feel in this type of situation. WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE is a very powerful novel about a man with character. This novel will touch your heart. A word of caution: Once you start this series, you will not want to miss one single novel." ~Dawn Myers for Escape to Romance http://www.escapetoromance.com/reviews/wiesner-waiting.html 4.5 Stars! “The second story in her Wounded Warriors Series, Karen Wiesner touches our hearts and our emotions. WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE should be required reading for anyone in a relationship with an addict. Karen Wiesner realistically portrays the heart-breaking effects on those around the addict. Love is never enough if the addict does not want to help themselves. Steve was a wonderful hero. He never gave up, but his feeling of guilt and helplessness needed to be changed into determination. But even with determination, will he ever be free? Read this excellent story and take a ride with Steve on the rollercoaster that has become his life. Your heart will never be the same. Emotional, realistic, and gritty, WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE will capture you and not let go. The story is perfectly titled as you will find out when you pick up this keeper. [This book] and Karen Wiesner do not disappoint.” ~Debby Guyette for Single Titles http://singletitles.com/?p=3286 4 Roses! "This is a story of deep emotions and confusion. It deals with hard questions. When a member of the family is dependent on drugs or alcohol, it can destroy the rest of the family. The characters take us to that dark place where the hard decisions about sanity and healing are made. Steve has to take care of his children. He has to free himself. Unfortunately, that means taking away Jessie's support system. We feel Steve's conflict. He knows that Jessie needs to get better. But, by divorcing her, he could drive her to destroy herself. Steve must force himself to make the horrifying decision: his wife or his children. Kristina shows us strength against what must seem like overwhelming odds. Her strength and willingness to wait until Steve makes a decision shows a depth of character not always found. The story is well paced with enough scenes to help slow the pacing, so the reader isn't always overwhelmed with emotions. Make sure to have some kleneex nearby when you pick up WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE. This is a story that will tug at your emotions as you root for Steve to make the right choice." ~reviewed by Jenni for A Romance Review http://www.aromancereview.com/reviews/index.php?app_state=show_event&bookid=2990 You Need to Read! "This is the third book I have read in the Wounded Warrior Series and it is my favorite so far! Although full of trauma it is also full of hope. The title is perfect as Steve and the children, and Kristina in her own way, are in a dark place waiting to come into the light and live fully again. This book presents the trauma of a family, including young children, when the mother is an irresponsible drug addict. It isn't a pretty picture but rather heartrendingly realistic and sad. I liked that Ms. Wiesner presented real emotions in the characters without creating a soap opera overload. I especially appreciated Steve's commitment to his children and to his marriage vows in spite of Jessie's behavior. He honored both the institution of marriage and Kristina by his actions. I also liked Kristina's attitude that sought the positive in the situations around her and allowed for hope to grow and flourish. Steve deserved a wonderful, caring woman like Kristina! Ms. Wiesner has woven another wonderfully emotional and beautiful romance." ~reviewed by MarthaE for You Gotta Read Reviews http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-waiting-for-eclipse-by-karen.html "This one is fiction for mainly women. It clearly shows the trauma families deal with when one of the parents are addicted to drugs. The characters are well developed... Great light reading for a rainy afternoon." ~Huntress Reviews www.huntressreviews.com "WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE is almost too realistic in its portrayal of a family's disintegration. It's gritty and heartbreaking, but it's saved by the integrity of its hero, who refuses to cheat on his wife as she has done so many times to him. This means, of course, that Kristine must remain on the sidelines to be there when--or if--the matter is resolved. Steve does have a support group in the other characters from the original book: his sister Wendy and Tommie's widow Gwen, to name an important two. Ms. Wiesner really gets down into the starkness of life as lived by so many in this world. In this case, the plight of the children would be too distressing if she didn't also shine rays of hope onto her characters. Because of that hope and her belief in the saving grace of love, I don't hesitate to recommend WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE as a highly engrossing and moving story. Speaking of love and hope, at the end of this novel, Ms. Wiesner names the four books to follow in her Wounded Warrior Series, and the projected sixth book will star Jessie and Flint." ~Jane Bowers for Romance Reviews Today www.romrevtoday.com "Karen Wiesner has done it again! She's captured the joy and despair of falling in love with heartrending tenderness and sizzling sexual tension. A compelling portrayal of love and redemption, WAITING FOR THE ECLIPSE kept me reading hours past bedtime and left me smiling through happy tears." ~award-winning author Carrie Masek www.masek.net "Leave it to Karen Wiesner to always tackle the tough subjects in her books... As always, the talented Karen Wiesner makes the reader think and feel. In this 2nd installment of the Wounded Warriors series, WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE, the reader will rethink the issues of marital fidelity and promises that do more harm than good; and the reader will do it by exploring the realistic conflicts of a family in crisis and of a wounded man and woman warring with the choices they have made and must make. A true-love-conquers-all story." ~award-winning author Barbara Raffin www.BarbaraRaffin.com< Less
  Report as inappropriate