Shade of the Maple

by Kirk Martin

Anna Matthews left home at eighteen, a young woman rooted in small-town virtues, seeking adventure in the Green Mountains of Vermont. She found a free-spirited young man whose boundless imagination captivated her heart. Forced apart, Anna tries to build a new life. A decade later, a series of gripping
novels awaken Anna's veiled dreams, illuminating a striking disparity within her marriage. She seeks the author, but the truth she discovers will change her life.

Anna is confronted with a clear choice: continue living the comfortable, but hollow American Dream or pursue her dream.

In his auspicious debut, Kirk Martin paints a love
story that is at once soaring and bittersweet. Shade of the Maple captures the subtle, yet powerful nuances that distinguish mere romance from intimacy. An intimacy that is powerful, moving and unforgettable.
Kirk Martin is donating $1.00 from every purchase of
Shade of the Maple to Friends You Can Count On to develop an earlier
detection blood test for breast cancer. Please visit www.shadeofthemaple.com for
more information and for signed copies.

Genres: Fiction

213 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was TERRIBLE! I felt that this author stole the concept from Bridges of Madison County. I would much rather had read Bridges than suffered through this book. The characters were very predictable, very unrealistic and I felt that comfortable love was ridiculed. Passionate love was glorified in an unrealistic way that could get a lot of women in trouble! Just read Bridges, you'll enjoy it a lot better!

[Mary Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, but a little confusing in the beginning. The ending was sad and brought tears to my eyes.

[Gina Shupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of Maple was excellent book. When I first started reading, did not think it would end like that.

[Ximena Littrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was the first book i read in english and maybe was because of that but i didn't connect with the characters i felt it a little bit boring... but it wasn't that bad

[Debra OConnell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would never have gotten through this if not for book group (the author came to talk with us). Very schmaltzy, Bridges of Madison County wannabe. Good beach read, but not much more.

[Marlene Kossila · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a romantic book, this one is for you.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book, but wasn't quite what I had expected. Some years back I had read some really great reviews on this book and I added it to my "wish list". Recently was able to get a used copy since it had been out of print for awhile. All the wait wasn't worth it. I was expecting a story about a woman with breast cancer, but it didn't turn out to be much of a story on that. I agree with some other reviews that "Bridges of Madison County" was a better book. The love story in this was alright, but I didn't feel much for the two main characters. I did feel sorry for David though. A kind of sad ending, but nothing that brought tears to my eyes. I've read better love stories than this.

[Amy Piper · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give zero stars I would. Complete and total rubbish. So badly written it's sad. Crap crap crap. Can't remember, but I believe it is self published and suffers from L.O.E. (lack of editor) ... DON'T BOTHER!!! The only book I ever returned to Amazon. Totally non believable, very horrid dialogue. Very rushed in order to get to a contrived "tear jerker" (you can't cry for characters you don't believe and whose story has been rushed so that you don't have anything invested in them) ending. YUCK!!!

[Beth Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book forever ago and don't remember the details. I remember it stuck with me for a long time though. I hated to finish it but I had to keep reading to find out what happned.

It is a story of first loves, choices, and maybe changing tracks halfway through the race.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed from Danielle. The author is a friend of hers. I liked the story, but I didn't like the ending!

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a good cry? This book starts off slow, but stick with it. The author pulls it together so well in the end.

[Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best low-key romantic stories I have ever read. Truly a story of unrequited love.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book! Read it twice already and will probably read it again.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Mr. Martin creates characters I can easily relate to and the story, once it really got started, moved quickly. I was very touched by this tale of enduring love.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story! I really enjoyed this book!