Title: Because of Sam
Author Name & Publisher: J.D. Walker (MLR Press)
Publication Date & Length: October 6, 2015 – 46 pgs
Martin has to decide between dying slowly in a stressful job, or taking care of his niece and reaching out for a life and love he never thought possible.
Martin Wesley’s job as a CFO is very stressful. All he seems to do lately is work, with no end in sight. But all that’s about to change.
One morning, Martin answers a knock on his door, and he comes face to face with a social worker and a sad little girl named Samantha Wesley-his niece. Martin is her only next of kin and he has no idea what to do.
In steps daycare worker, Ryan Gentles, who is very understanding and helpful and Martin is beyond grateful. It doesn’t hurt that the man is as cute as a button, too.
With his heart being pulled in two directions, Martin has to make a choice: continue to be a pawn in his company’s games, or find a new purpose by taking care of his niece, quitting his job, and reaching out for a love that he never thought possible.
This was a good, quick read. I do wish there had been a little more detail. This is a story about prioritizing your life and Martin had to do this when he is suddenly the sole provider of his niece. I loved how the author brought Martin and Ryan together and loved how Martin reacted to his niece Sam. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lynn
This was a very quick read—I finished it in about half an hour. It’s very cute and sweet, not a whole lot of tension or drama.
I’m a sucker for a good story with kids and parents, so I was happy to read this one. I liked the characters, even if it did feel a bit “instalove” between Martin and Ryan. I was honestly proud of how far Martin was willing to go to make a safe, loving family even after his own difficult childhood and lack of experience.
I think what was lacking for me was that this could easily have been longer, even if it was still a short story. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters well. I liked them, but I want to really connect with characters, and this was too short with too much time spent on explaining the back story for me to fall in love with Martin, Ryan, and Sam. I think if the author wanted to, this could be expanded even into a novella. To be honest, I can see the author has good skill, and something so short just seems like a waste of that talent.
That said, the story still left me with a warm, happy feeling, and I’m not sorry I read it. It’s a good one for a quick, sweet read.
~AmyM
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J.D. Walker likes to keep her stories short and sweet, with the occasional novel or novella. A multi-published author, she is also a musician, artist, language enthusiast (German and Spanish), and lover of all things knit and crochet.
For more information, please visit her website at http://www.expressionsbyjo.com/jdwalker.
