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First Light
A moving story of love, family, and survival against all odds from beloved entrepreneur and reality TV star Bill Rancic.
A father from Chicago takes a road trip to the city of Whitehorse, in Yukon Territory, with his wife and son. During the car ride, they reveal to the boy their harrowing experience surviving a horrific plane crash in the wilderness ten years before, which is how the boy, in fact, came to be born.
Set amid the deep, wild woods of the Yukon, First Light tells the story of Daniel Miller and Kerry Egan, young lovers leaving a work trip in Alaska to plan their wedding back home in Chicago. Not long into their trip, both engines of their plane catch fire and send them careening into a mountainside in the middle of a terrible snowstorm. Kerry is seriously injured in the accident, and it soon becomes clear that search-and-rescue teams aren’t going to find the survivors in time to save her. Daniel—the one person with survival experience amid the passengers—makes the courageous decision to find help and bring it back to the rest of the passengers, hoping against hope he might save the woman he loves. He leaves Kerry in the care of their coworker, Jeff Spears, himself seriously injured in the crash, and takes off into the woods to find a town, a house with a telephone, a road. Something.
But Daniel’s choices are made all the more difficult by the presence of his boss, Harlan Cohen, a stubborn man more interested in results than taking care of people. Only one man will come out of their trek alive, but it still may not be in time to save Kerry and the others back at the crash site, slowly dying from their injuries.
As the parents’ story draws to a close, the truth about the boy’s life, and the identity of his father, will at last be revealed.
From the Hardcover edition.
A father from Chicago takes a road trip to the city of Whitehorse, in Yukon Territory, with his wife and son. During the car ride, they reveal to the boy their harrowing experience surviving a horrific plane crash in the wilderness ten years before, which is how the boy, in fact, came to be born.
Set amid the deep, wild woods of the Yukon, First Light tells the story of Daniel Miller and Kerry Egan, young lovers leaving a work trip in Alaska to plan their wedding back home in Chicago. Not long into their trip, both engines of their plane catch fire and send them careening into a mountainside in the middle of a terrible snowstorm. Kerry is seriously injured in the accident, and it soon becomes clear that search-and-rescue teams aren’t going to find the survivors in time to save her. Daniel—the one person with survival experience amid the passengers—makes the courageous decision to find help and bring it back to the rest of the passengers, hoping against hope he might save the woman he loves. He leaves Kerry in the care of their coworker, Jeff Spears, himself seriously injured in the crash, and takes off into the woods to find a town, a house with a telephone, a road. Something.
But Daniel’s choices are made all the more difficult by the presence of his boss, Harlan Cohen, a stubborn man more interested in results than taking care of people. Only one man will come out of their trek alive, but it still may not be in time to save Kerry and the others back at the crash site, slowly dying from their injuries.
As the parents’ story draws to a close, the truth about the boy’s life, and the identity of his father, will at last be revealed.
From the Hardcover edition.
Audiobook
First published November 1, 2016
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About the author
Bill Rancic
9 books81 followersBill Rancic is an entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and professional speaker. He was the first winner of Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice . He is married to television personality Giuliana Rancic. They have one son and live in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
October 25, 2016
2.5 stars Okay, let's get one thing out of the way: this isn't really a book about a plane crash and survival. I mean, it is, technically, but it's actually more of a romance, with the accident as a major precipitating factor. It's sort of in the vein of men-writing-hardback-books-about-feelings like Robert James Waller or Nicholas Sparks. Unfortunately, not only does the "plane crash survival" aspect not deliver, the romance doesn't really deliver either.
I was about this halfway through listening to the audiobook, when I realized
a. exactly where the story was going
b. there wasn't much time left, so this was...it. There wasn't anything more to what I was listening to.
What I mean by "this was it" is that the whole endeavor is extremely limited in scope. From the simplistic plot to the rather one-note characters (all secondary ones are there solely to prop up the main ones; problematic anywhere, but especially in a downed-airplane story) to the thing you discover at the end that's supposed to be a surprise, it all felt underdeveloped and underwhelming.
I do think the basic structure was a good choice, you could tell there was a reasonable amount of research put into it, and the authors have a certain gift for writing internal dialogue that keeps you interested. (Until you realize the character doesn't have that much to say, to be sure, but still.) This is the first novel written by The Apprentice guy with another person, btw. Which is sort of odd, especially since they named one of the minor characters "Bill."
Anyway, I'm mostly disappointed because stories of survival, people foraging for food and such are like catnip to me, and this had very little that was viscerally appealing. The mechanics of survival were there, but I didn't feel the deprivation and elements and fear and suffering that I should have. Two books featuring plane crashes that do this better: HATCHET, and a romance by Linda Howard called UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS. Neither of which get the fancy hardback treatment, it should be noted. I don't mind at all that the book turned out to be about a relationship and a single unanswered question, but it still wasn't nearly as emotionally resonant or as surprising as it was trying to be.
Audio notes: I liked the narration by Julia Whelan and the other actor, whose name escapes me at the moment but I'll add later. Their performances probably helped with my not noticing what was lacking for some time. The choice to have the unnamed male narrator mostly bookend the audiobook was also an effective one.
An audio copy was provided by the publisher for review.
I was about this halfway through listening to the audiobook, when I realized
a. exactly where the story was going
b. there wasn't much time left, so this was...it. There wasn't anything more to what I was listening to.
What I mean by "this was it" is that the whole endeavor is extremely limited in scope. From the simplistic plot to the rather one-note characters (all secondary ones are there solely to prop up the main ones; problematic anywhere, but especially in a downed-airplane story) to the thing you discover at the end that's supposed to be a surprise, it all felt underdeveloped and underwhelming.
I do think the basic structure was a good choice, you could tell there was a reasonable amount of research put into it, and the authors have a certain gift for writing internal dialogue that keeps you interested. (Until you realize the character doesn't have that much to say, to be sure, but still.) This is the first novel written by The Apprentice guy with another person, btw. Which is sort of odd, especially since they named one of the minor characters "Bill."
Anyway, I'm mostly disappointed because stories of survival, people foraging for food and such are like catnip to me, and this had very little that was viscerally appealing. The mechanics of survival were there, but I didn't feel the deprivation and elements and fear and suffering that I should have. Two books featuring plane crashes that do this better: HATCHET, and a romance by Linda Howard called UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS. Neither of which get the fancy hardback treatment, it should be noted. I don't mind at all that the book turned out to be about a relationship and a single unanswered question, but it still wasn't nearly as emotionally resonant or as surprising as it was trying to be.
Audio notes: I liked the narration by Julia Whelan and the other actor, whose name escapes me at the moment but I'll add later. Their performances probably helped with my not noticing what was lacking for some time. The choice to have the unnamed male narrator mostly bookend the audiobook was also an effective one.
An audio copy was provided by the publisher for review.
January 2, 2018
** Provided by the Publisher for an Honest Review **
Powerful tale of survival of the fittest with a romantic twist.
Bill Rancic, winner of The Apprentice and successful entrepreneur, has definitely showed us his literary ability in his first fictional novel with First Light, showcasing that he has multiple talents and writing is one of them. Not many celebrities have hit it big with fictional novels, but Bill captivated me with this dashing, adventurous tale of a heroic nature and I was pleasantly surprised.
A family is on their way for a memorial in Canada, during the journey they reminisce to their son the importance of his life and their own survival during a brutal plane crash in the Yukon.
The story of Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Eagan is told in stages; before, during and after the crash with flashes into the present. The reader gets to not only witness Daniel and Kerry’s endeavors but all the survivors that played a role within the story.
As the plane stopped sliding, the injured were taken in and accounted for, Daniel knew he needed to seek help. He sets out on a dangerous mission leaving his love behind hoping to seek help for her in time.
Will he make it back in time?
Multiple twists and turns with the passengers/survivors on their journey of bravery, courage, life and friendship are peppered throughout this story, taking us the reader on an emotional roller coaster.
The Power of human kindness is felt strongly throughout the pages but at other times sadness for what they go through, especially Kerry and Daniel. There were moments I had to remind myself to breath on the many daunting tasks these characters were tasked with and with that, Bill had me trapped as a reader.
I believe this would be a good holiday novel since the holidays are upon us. Multiple meanings of kindness, goodness and human decency are read in between the sentences. Bill’s writing was commendable and his storyline was gripping and edgy.
I commend him for venturing out in the fictional world. We can not wait to see what else he publishes next.
Powerful tale of survival of the fittest with a romantic twist.
Bill Rancic, winner of The Apprentice and successful entrepreneur, has definitely showed us his literary ability in his first fictional novel with First Light, showcasing that he has multiple talents and writing is one of them. Not many celebrities have hit it big with fictional novels, but Bill captivated me with this dashing, adventurous tale of a heroic nature and I was pleasantly surprised.
A family is on their way for a memorial in Canada, during the journey they reminisce to their son the importance of his life and their own survival during a brutal plane crash in the Yukon.
The story of Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Eagan is told in stages; before, during and after the crash with flashes into the present. The reader gets to not only witness Daniel and Kerry’s endeavors but all the survivors that played a role within the story.
As the plane stopped sliding, the injured were taken in and accounted for, Daniel knew he needed to seek help. He sets out on a dangerous mission leaving his love behind hoping to seek help for her in time.
Will he make it back in time?
Multiple twists and turns with the passengers/survivors on their journey of bravery, courage, life and friendship are peppered throughout this story, taking us the reader on an emotional roller coaster.
The Power of human kindness is felt strongly throughout the pages but at other times sadness for what they go through, especially Kerry and Daniel. There were moments I had to remind myself to breath on the many daunting tasks these characters were tasked with and with that, Bill had me trapped as a reader.
I believe this would be a good holiday novel since the holidays are upon us. Multiple meanings of kindness, goodness and human decency are read in between the sentences. Bill’s writing was commendable and his storyline was gripping and edgy.
I commend him for venturing out in the fictional world. We can not wait to see what else he publishes next.
May 7, 2021
A heartfelt, touching family story about love and sacrifice. The way the tale is set up lets the reader experience the book knowing that some of the major characters do survive the ordeal. This allows the reader to be more relaxed and become a part of the story. The setting and events are vividly described, and the bone-chilling cold and despair of the passengers is palpable. The ending is ultimately uplifting.
Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Eagan are a young couple working for a petroleum company. They are in charge of public relations and damage control during major accidents, like the one they are currently working on in Alaska. The two are in love, engaged and expecting a baby. They head back to Chicago during a large snow storm, and the plane crashes into the mountains somewhere in Canada. Kerry is injured and Daniel knows he must try to help her and the other passengers. Can he find help before it is too late?
October 24, 2016
Yes, this review contains spoilers so don't read any further if you don't want to know. You're obviously reading this so I guess you want to know everything. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I'm a firm believer that celebrities and even pseudo-celebs should stick to writing memoirs, tell-alls, cookbooks, or even some political diatribe to push whatever ridiculous agenda they wish to promote. In the world of literary works or even fiction, they really should stay away from any particular fictional genre. (Ahem, Tyra Banks's Modelland?) Simply because these books aren't very good. (Hear that Snooki?) Former first season Apprentice winner Bill Rancic is one such person with his debut fictional novel First Light.
The story starts out with a married couple reflecting on them surviving a plane crash years ago to their son. As it continues, we discover that these two characters, Daniel and Kerry, each have successful careers and are ecstatic that Kerry is preggers while flying from Alaska to Chicago Of course, the conflict happens when the plane crashes in the middle a snowstorm with freezing temperatures surrounding them which now the plot turns into a harrowing survival story and something about the underlying nature of love. After going through a shitstorm of overly borrowed plot devices, we discover at the end (to no surprise) that.....HERE COMES THE SPOILER FOLKS....
......
.......
.......
Daniel dies saving everyone. Kerry marries one of the supporting characters, raises the baby together, teaches the kid about the power of love (again) and everything ends happily ever after and I'm just about to chuck up my lunch from all of this drivel.
Excuse me, but didn't I already read this story before? Man and woman go through obstacles all for the sake of love. Oh yeah, I did! It's called Nicholas Sparks. Face it, this is the same plot devices that Sparks uses.
Sadly, First Light suffers from all the terrible clichés to the point I kept screaming at the book for the hungry survivors to start cannibalizing each other. Hell, it worked for the real passengers of Alive. I mean that would really turn this poorly conceived book around.
As for Rancic's writing style, I found it meh. It wasn't bad, nor was it good. Even some of the prose seemed a bit off and I kept re-reading to see if flowed well. Unfortunately, in some passages it didn't. Hence, it makes me question whether nor not Billy boy should be writing fiction at all. It's not his forte and he should stick to what he knows. Business writing.
To summarize First Light, I'll quote his un-PC wife Guiliana Rancic, "Like I feel like [this book] smells like patchouli. Or weed." Hell, I'd be smoking a blunt too if I was publishing rep who thought this novel was a good idea. Sorry, First Light missed the mark with me.
If anything, I'll quote his old boss Donald Trump to give his perspective on his book.
I'm a firm believer that celebrities and even pseudo-celebs should stick to writing memoirs, tell-alls, cookbooks, or even some political diatribe to push whatever ridiculous agenda they wish to promote. In the world of literary works or even fiction, they really should stay away from any particular fictional genre. (Ahem, Tyra Banks's Modelland?) Simply because these books aren't very good. (Hear that Snooki?) Former first season Apprentice winner Bill Rancic is one such person with his debut fictional novel First Light.
The story starts out with a married couple reflecting on them surviving a plane crash years ago to their son. As it continues, we discover that these two characters, Daniel and Kerry, each have successful careers and are ecstatic that Kerry is preggers while flying from Alaska to Chicago Of course, the conflict happens when the plane crashes in the middle a snowstorm with freezing temperatures surrounding them which now the plot turns into a harrowing survival story and something about the underlying nature of love. After going through a shitstorm of overly borrowed plot devices, we discover at the end (to no surprise) that.....HERE COMES THE SPOILER FOLKS....
......
.......
.......
Daniel dies saving everyone. Kerry marries one of the supporting characters, raises the baby together, teaches the kid about the power of love (again) and everything ends happily ever after and I'm just about to chuck up my lunch from all of this drivel.
Excuse me, but didn't I already read this story before? Man and woman go through obstacles all for the sake of love. Oh yeah, I did! It's called Nicholas Sparks. Face it, this is the same plot devices that Sparks uses.
Sadly, First Light suffers from all the terrible clichés to the point I kept screaming at the book for the hungry survivors to start cannibalizing each other. Hell, it worked for the real passengers of Alive. I mean that would really turn this poorly conceived book around.
As for Rancic's writing style, I found it meh. It wasn't bad, nor was it good. Even some of the prose seemed a bit off and I kept re-reading to see if flowed well. Unfortunately, in some passages it didn't. Hence, it makes me question whether nor not Billy boy should be writing fiction at all. It's not his forte and he should stick to what he knows. Business writing.
To summarize First Light, I'll quote his un-PC wife Guiliana Rancic, "Like I feel like [this book] smells like patchouli. Or weed." Hell, I'd be smoking a blunt too if I was publishing rep who thought this novel was a good idea. Sorry, First Light missed the mark with me.
If anything, I'll quote his old boss Donald Trump to give his perspective on his book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
I was surprised by how captivating I found this story. I needed to know what happened next. It was a great survival story.
October 1, 2023
I didn’t even realize Bill Rancic wrote a book!! This one was enjoyable if somewhat predictable. Narrated by my favorite audiobook narrator, Julia Whelan. Definitely worth a read! 3.5 stars
October 4, 2016
First Light by Bill Rancic was categorized in NetGalley like Romance. Well there was romance, that's true. But for me it was more like Catastrophe book, Drama, Adventure, since the story is about plane crash, about the survivors, about their life before the crash and after they are rescued.
It all begins with idyllic picture about a father, who is waiting his wife and son to come home from football game. They are invited to a reunion. So while they drive up to Canada, to a city of Whitehorse, father and mother tell their son what happened ten years ago, why they are invited to this reunion.
Then the story goes back ten years to Alaska, where group of workers have come to clean up an drilling platform accident. After they finally finished with their work under pressure from their boss and also media, they start their flights back to Chicago. First leg of the trip goes well, but the second flight meets extreme weather and the plane is forced to turn around when the engines give up. But they do not get to make emergency landing. The plane is ripped in two before they get anywhere near any populated place.
In the front part of the plane are four coworkers - Daniel, Kerry, Phil and their boss. Daniel and Kerry are engaged and just before the plane took off, they decided to have a flash mob wedding in two weeks, since their busy work schedules do not give them time to plan big wedding. Phil has been working with Kerry last two years, and he has been in love with Kerry these two years, but since he lost his wife to cancer shortly before he took the job, he's still not over his loss and he does not want to have the feelings he has.
When the plane has finally stopped sliding down the mountain, they evaluate their situation, who is hurt, how badly and how could they make sure, they will be rescued. Kerry has concussion, Phil has severe abdominal injury and only Daniel and their boss are fine. There are about fifty passengers still up and moving around, some injured some not. But the storm is still strong, the temperature still falling, snow still falls heavy and they can not be sure that the emergency beacon is working. So what to do? Should they hope and wait the storm to end? Should they start walking an looking for signs of civilization? When Kerry falls a sleep and not wakes up, will she survive? How severe is Phil's injury?
After I finished the book, I was seriously thinking that maybe this story was written by two different authors or maybe part of it was written much earlier than other part, since the beginning and ending are listless, almost formal, with minimum emotions, but the recollection about the catastrophe is the opposite, it's full of emotions, it's vibrant. The best way I could describe it, would be that the beginning and end was checked black and white and the middle was technicolor in 3D. Maybe it was deliberate, but it does make any sense if it was meant to be like that.
Well anyway, I chose this book, since I wanted to see what kind of Romance novel can Bill Rancic write and I got an Catastrophe Drama with a dash of Romance. It was readable book and Bill Rancic turns out to be just as multi talented and his mentor is :).
It all begins with idyllic picture about a father, who is waiting his wife and son to come home from football game. They are invited to a reunion. So while they drive up to Canada, to a city of Whitehorse, father and mother tell their son what happened ten years ago, why they are invited to this reunion.
Then the story goes back ten years to Alaska, where group of workers have come to clean up an drilling platform accident. After they finally finished with their work under pressure from their boss and also media, they start their flights back to Chicago. First leg of the trip goes well, but the second flight meets extreme weather and the plane is forced to turn around when the engines give up. But they do not get to make emergency landing. The plane is ripped in two before they get anywhere near any populated place.
In the front part of the plane are four coworkers - Daniel, Kerry, Phil and their boss. Daniel and Kerry are engaged and just before the plane took off, they decided to have a flash mob wedding in two weeks, since their busy work schedules do not give them time to plan big wedding. Phil has been working with Kerry last two years, and he has been in love with Kerry these two years, but since he lost his wife to cancer shortly before he took the job, he's still not over his loss and he does not want to have the feelings he has.
When the plane has finally stopped sliding down the mountain, they evaluate their situation, who is hurt, how badly and how could they make sure, they will be rescued. Kerry has concussion, Phil has severe abdominal injury and only Daniel and their boss are fine. There are about fifty passengers still up and moving around, some injured some not. But the storm is still strong, the temperature still falling, snow still falls heavy and they can not be sure that the emergency beacon is working. So what to do? Should they hope and wait the storm to end? Should they start walking an looking for signs of civilization? When Kerry falls a sleep and not wakes up, will she survive? How severe is Phil's injury?
After I finished the book, I was seriously thinking that maybe this story was written by two different authors or maybe part of it was written much earlier than other part, since the beginning and ending are listless, almost formal, with minimum emotions, but the recollection about the catastrophe is the opposite, it's full of emotions, it's vibrant. The best way I could describe it, would be that the beginning and end was checked black and white and the middle was technicolor in 3D. Maybe it was deliberate, but it does make any sense if it was meant to be like that.
Well anyway, I chose this book, since I wanted to see what kind of Romance novel can Bill Rancic write and I got an Catastrophe Drama with a dash of Romance. It was readable book and Bill Rancic turns out to be just as multi talented and his mentor is :).
November 12, 2016
First Light: Bill Rancic
Lives changed when Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Egan both working for Petrol and when a trip to Alaska for work would change the lives of so many in both tragic and miraculous ways. When a young father decides to revisit the place where a tragic plane crash occurred in the wilderness a decade ago how does he explain it to his son. The car ride would forever change young Jackson’s life as his parents explain his birth, the death of so many and the miracle that brought him life. The setting is deep in the woods of the Yukon and as we meet Daniel and Kerry about to venture on this dangerous mission or trip we also meet many other heroes and heroines. Planning their original wedding when and if they get back home to Chicago never imagining the end result, Daniel is forced to speed up a special job and endanger his work crew because his boss, Bob, can’t understand the meaning of safety and wait. Pleading with him to allow him more time for the weather to cooperate and not endanger the men that would go below the surface of icy waters to correct a leak, he has no choice but to follow his lead and direction. Bob, is self-absorbed, only concerned for himself and never hears or listens to the other side of a conversation. When the job is finally done they realize that many flights are cancelled yet their flight to Chicago takes off but what happens and the graphic and vividly described way author Bill Ranci portrays the scene the reader feels as if he or she is on the plane with the passengers experiencing the fall, the crash and fire in both engines that send the plane slamming directly into the mountainside in the middle of a huge and powerful snowstorm. When the plane finally settles and the story continues they realize the plane came apart, many did not make it while others including Kerry were badly injured. Fatalities were high and the few that survived would have to either die in the cold or ban together to get help and survive.
As the trip progresses Jackson does not really seem interested in going to Alaska, Disneyworld would be his first choice but when all of the information is revealed he will have to decide on learning a harsh reality about himself and his past learning to deal with something most children his age do not.
It’s a warm and heartfelt love story between Daniel and Kerry the two people who survive the crash but one who will make it out after all the wind, snow, drifts, ice and cold tapers off. The cold in Alaska is way below zero and chance of those on the plane getting frostbite or hypothermia is great when the food and water supply are scarce and the heat in the plane does not exist. How can people survive as Kerry fights her own battle with a serious concussion that would affect her even years later and the fight to keep her unborn child safe and alive as Daniel proves to be more than just the head of a team in crisis management but with his survival skills and persistence he was determined to save those that survived even though it meant risking his own life. The CEO, Bob Packer had sent the crisis management team to Barrow before the bodies had been discovered and the team’s job because of this accident and explosion on one of Petrol’s oil platforms off the Alaska coast, meant that Daniel and his crew would have to shut down the leak, aid the families of the dead workers, settle their affairs, and offer any help the company could to the families. Working with the local authorities to clean up the mess and hopefully minimized the impact on the environment. But, Bob Packer, his boss did not want to hear that it was dangerous sending his men down there. Daniel tried his best to convince him but Bob Packer was self-centered, unfeeling and did not bend a inch. As the senior VP of the crisis management department he never really delineated the differences between personal and business lives. His life was work and although good at his job he did not care about anything but getting the job done at all costs. Learning more about him does not endear readers to this man as we forge ahead to the crash and we learn what some did to save others and we meet Phil the head of human resources who never socialized, seemed withdrawn and lived in the past remembering his wife, Emily who passed away. While the ability to send signals from the black box or cell service was not an option and Kerry was not waking up for a while, one woman, a former nurse, Beverly takes charge helping Kerry and as many others as she can. Daniel feels it’s up to him to save and find help no matter what happens, no matter the danger and Bob being headstrong and needing to take charge decides to venture out into the arctic air and cold with him. The sky is filled with clouds, mist and snow and unless they find a way to light a fire and signal the search and rescue teams they will all die.
As we get to know Daniel and realize that he is doing this to save Kerry and the others we meet Phil Velez, seriously hurt in the crash yet forced to face some harsh realities about himself, take another grip on his life and hopefully take care of Kerry, while Daniel searches for help in the woods to find a town or anyone to help them. No houses, no phones, no roads, nothing but a world of ice and snow.
With few on the plane willing to help we meet a young boy named Zach who is astute, smart and only wants to help and he does. Needing something to trek in the snow Zach brilliantly collects shoelaces for Daniel to use to create snowshoes. Added in he helps build a fire to warm the survivors and when Daniel leaves and Bill steps up to the plate what he does lets readers know that he just might be taking a turn in a different direction and was no longer feeling sorry for himself.
As Bill promises to take care of Kerry and Beverly takes on the job of nurse and doctor, what they both realize about each other is remarkable as Bill finally stops taking on the self- pity attitude and Beverly works feverishly to save Kerry. With frozen IV bags to be thawed out, no water supply but somehow using snow, two flight attendants take on the responsibility of finding some water source and supplies to help the others. But, in every situation there are those that are selfish, lazy and unfeeling as Bill and Zach created a fire and when one man pushes Zach aside what Bill does will make readers want to take some really cold snow or ice balls and throw them at the man who pushed him aside.
Daniel is strong but not invincible and Bob is stubborn and their actions might cost both of them their lives as they create a fire hoping to attract the rescue planes, hoping to survive as Daniel realizes his hands are frostbitten, Bob is having trouble breathing and walking and their limbs might be frozen. Daniel’s choices are made all the more difficult by the presence of his boss, a stubborn man more interested in results than taking care of people. Only one man will come out of their trek alive, but it still may not be in time to save Kerry and the others back at the crash site, slowly dying from their injuries.
For anyone that has ever experienced severe turbulence during a flight or has ever been on a flight that has made an emergency landing, which I know from first hand experience, the thoughts going through Daniel’s mind and Kerry’s are so perfectly described as each one ponders their fate but will they both survive.
The author flashes back and forth to the present as Jackson begins to get more interested in the story and is about to find out the truth behind his birth, just who Daniel really was and the reasons why it was hidden from him for so long. But, how will he react and what questions will he want answered? A riveting and compelling story that takes readers into the heart of this mountain filled with snow, ice and the chilling winds as Daniel and Bob trek through miles and miles of whiteout snow to get help but will they survive? As both men have their own way of dealing with the elements and when Bob fails to keep the fire lit, Daniel winds up with serious frostbite but when the fire is reignited will the rescue team get there in time to save anyone before it’s too late. In the present when the entire trip is about to end and they are at the same place where the crash occurred when Jackson learns will affect him forever and will change his life in regarding someone close to him. When he learns what happened to the rest of the passengers and realizes his parents sacrificed a lot to save others what will his reaction be when he learns the truth about his father and his identity? An ending you won’t see coming and a family that will either be broken apart of close than ever before. Author Bill Rancic hits high marks and breaks the bar for delivering a heartfelt, thought provoking novel and kept this reviewer glued to the printed page from start to finish. Once you pick it up you won't put it down until you read the dramatic and surprise ending. What happens when the sky gets darker, the clouds are dark, the snow begins to fall and the visibility is less than an inch if that much you pray hard that the sun will shine and that a miracle will occur when it does at FIRST LIGHT!
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine
Lives changed when Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Egan both working for Petrol and when a trip to Alaska for work would change the lives of so many in both tragic and miraculous ways. When a young father decides to revisit the place where a tragic plane crash occurred in the wilderness a decade ago how does he explain it to his son. The car ride would forever change young Jackson’s life as his parents explain his birth, the death of so many and the miracle that brought him life. The setting is deep in the woods of the Yukon and as we meet Daniel and Kerry about to venture on this dangerous mission or trip we also meet many other heroes and heroines. Planning their original wedding when and if they get back home to Chicago never imagining the end result, Daniel is forced to speed up a special job and endanger his work crew because his boss, Bob, can’t understand the meaning of safety and wait. Pleading with him to allow him more time for the weather to cooperate and not endanger the men that would go below the surface of icy waters to correct a leak, he has no choice but to follow his lead and direction. Bob, is self-absorbed, only concerned for himself and never hears or listens to the other side of a conversation. When the job is finally done they realize that many flights are cancelled yet their flight to Chicago takes off but what happens and the graphic and vividly described way author Bill Ranci portrays the scene the reader feels as if he or she is on the plane with the passengers experiencing the fall, the crash and fire in both engines that send the plane slamming directly into the mountainside in the middle of a huge and powerful snowstorm. When the plane finally settles and the story continues they realize the plane came apart, many did not make it while others including Kerry were badly injured. Fatalities were high and the few that survived would have to either die in the cold or ban together to get help and survive.
As the trip progresses Jackson does not really seem interested in going to Alaska, Disneyworld would be his first choice but when all of the information is revealed he will have to decide on learning a harsh reality about himself and his past learning to deal with something most children his age do not.
It’s a warm and heartfelt love story between Daniel and Kerry the two people who survive the crash but one who will make it out after all the wind, snow, drifts, ice and cold tapers off. The cold in Alaska is way below zero and chance of those on the plane getting frostbite or hypothermia is great when the food and water supply are scarce and the heat in the plane does not exist. How can people survive as Kerry fights her own battle with a serious concussion that would affect her even years later and the fight to keep her unborn child safe and alive as Daniel proves to be more than just the head of a team in crisis management but with his survival skills and persistence he was determined to save those that survived even though it meant risking his own life. The CEO, Bob Packer had sent the crisis management team to Barrow before the bodies had been discovered and the team’s job because of this accident and explosion on one of Petrol’s oil platforms off the Alaska coast, meant that Daniel and his crew would have to shut down the leak, aid the families of the dead workers, settle their affairs, and offer any help the company could to the families. Working with the local authorities to clean up the mess and hopefully minimized the impact on the environment. But, Bob Packer, his boss did not want to hear that it was dangerous sending his men down there. Daniel tried his best to convince him but Bob Packer was self-centered, unfeeling and did not bend a inch. As the senior VP of the crisis management department he never really delineated the differences between personal and business lives. His life was work and although good at his job he did not care about anything but getting the job done at all costs. Learning more about him does not endear readers to this man as we forge ahead to the crash and we learn what some did to save others and we meet Phil the head of human resources who never socialized, seemed withdrawn and lived in the past remembering his wife, Emily who passed away. While the ability to send signals from the black box or cell service was not an option and Kerry was not waking up for a while, one woman, a former nurse, Beverly takes charge helping Kerry and as many others as she can. Daniel feels it’s up to him to save and find help no matter what happens, no matter the danger and Bob being headstrong and needing to take charge decides to venture out into the arctic air and cold with him. The sky is filled with clouds, mist and snow and unless they find a way to light a fire and signal the search and rescue teams they will all die.
As we get to know Daniel and realize that he is doing this to save Kerry and the others we meet Phil Velez, seriously hurt in the crash yet forced to face some harsh realities about himself, take another grip on his life and hopefully take care of Kerry, while Daniel searches for help in the woods to find a town or anyone to help them. No houses, no phones, no roads, nothing but a world of ice and snow.
With few on the plane willing to help we meet a young boy named Zach who is astute, smart and only wants to help and he does. Needing something to trek in the snow Zach brilliantly collects shoelaces for Daniel to use to create snowshoes. Added in he helps build a fire to warm the survivors and when Daniel leaves and Bill steps up to the plate what he does lets readers know that he just might be taking a turn in a different direction and was no longer feeling sorry for himself.
As Bill promises to take care of Kerry and Beverly takes on the job of nurse and doctor, what they both realize about each other is remarkable as Bill finally stops taking on the self- pity attitude and Beverly works feverishly to save Kerry. With frozen IV bags to be thawed out, no water supply but somehow using snow, two flight attendants take on the responsibility of finding some water source and supplies to help the others. But, in every situation there are those that are selfish, lazy and unfeeling as Bill and Zach created a fire and when one man pushes Zach aside what Bill does will make readers want to take some really cold snow or ice balls and throw them at the man who pushed him aside.
Daniel is strong but not invincible and Bob is stubborn and their actions might cost both of them their lives as they create a fire hoping to attract the rescue planes, hoping to survive as Daniel realizes his hands are frostbitten, Bob is having trouble breathing and walking and their limbs might be frozen. Daniel’s choices are made all the more difficult by the presence of his boss, a stubborn man more interested in results than taking care of people. Only one man will come out of their trek alive, but it still may not be in time to save Kerry and the others back at the crash site, slowly dying from their injuries.
For anyone that has ever experienced severe turbulence during a flight or has ever been on a flight that has made an emergency landing, which I know from first hand experience, the thoughts going through Daniel’s mind and Kerry’s are so perfectly described as each one ponders their fate but will they both survive.
The author flashes back and forth to the present as Jackson begins to get more interested in the story and is about to find out the truth behind his birth, just who Daniel really was and the reasons why it was hidden from him for so long. But, how will he react and what questions will he want answered? A riveting and compelling story that takes readers into the heart of this mountain filled with snow, ice and the chilling winds as Daniel and Bob trek through miles and miles of whiteout snow to get help but will they survive? As both men have their own way of dealing with the elements and when Bob fails to keep the fire lit, Daniel winds up with serious frostbite but when the fire is reignited will the rescue team get there in time to save anyone before it’s too late. In the present when the entire trip is about to end and they are at the same place where the crash occurred when Jackson learns will affect him forever and will change his life in regarding someone close to him. When he learns what happened to the rest of the passengers and realizes his parents sacrificed a lot to save others what will his reaction be when he learns the truth about his father and his identity? An ending you won’t see coming and a family that will either be broken apart of close than ever before. Author Bill Rancic hits high marks and breaks the bar for delivering a heartfelt, thought provoking novel and kept this reviewer glued to the printed page from start to finish. Once you pick it up you won't put it down until you read the dramatic and surprise ending. What happens when the sky gets darker, the clouds are dark, the snow begins to fall and the visibility is less than an inch if that much you pray hard that the sun will shine and that a miracle will occur when it does at FIRST LIGHT!
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine
February 25, 2017
3.5 stars and love for Bill Rancic! :)
August 26, 2017
Powerful story. The ups and downs and horrible realities of human nature and frailty. But also the depths of human kindness, and strength. The powers and struggles you will go through to do all you can for those you love. and the odd, weird twisted way it all turns out...
I do want to know who is at the ceremony though. Bev, Keica, mother and son?
Humanity brought to the corporate world...Like it or not, we're all in this together. we can work together to give us all a chance--or we all will perish.
well spun story. beautiful tapestry.
I do want to know who is at the ceremony though. Bev, Keica, mother and son?
Humanity brought to the corporate world...Like it or not, we're all in this together. we can work together to give us all a chance--or we all will perish.
well spun story. beautiful tapestry.
February 12, 2018
What a heartbreaking, emotional story. I read this in a day! It pulls you in quick and keeps your attention! But it's also a story of the human heart and the hope we can find in each other in crisis. I can't imagine being in this situation..........but I'd like to think that I'd look after others in this situation.
March 27, 2017
Ouuuuu what a twist! Although I started to speculate the twist before it was revealed...Very thrilling story! If you are not a good flyer: DO NOT read this book!! As I was listening to this while driving I felt like my car was crashing!! Hahaha.
February 10, 2017
By the end of the book I was in tears. Definitely a must read book. The story will make you want to keep on reading until the end.
March 28, 2018
The story Bill Rancic portrays is his book First Light is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Both the main characters Kerry and Daniel embody individuals who are willing to go through anything to save each other from the plane crash they were in and the lengths they went to save others. In its entirety the story expresses the kindness, and support humans have for one another when in dangerous life threatening situations. After reading this book in a short few weeks it allowed me to think about how valuable life is, not that I did not think it was before, just that telling a story of a couple who was living a perfectly normal life expecting a child and then suddenly being in a plane crash reassures me that nothing is secured in this life, not safety not anything because there are many things that can happen when you least expect it. I recommend this book to the romance novel lovers because it certainly tells a love story but it also appeals to those who would like to try something new because in this book there is something for everyone, I can almost guarantee that as you finalize this book your perspective on life will be altered mostly because of the uncertainty life has and how in a blink of an eye everything can take a 360 degree turn for better or for worse.
August 1, 2017
I really wanted to say this book was closer to a four. But the ending fell a little short for me. I'm always so blindsided when I'm reading a story sometimes. Ah...but this was good. I can say I do love survival stories.
May 15, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. All the characters felt very real, and the author did a great job and pulling the reader in and getting you to care about the characters early on.
November 15, 2017
This is possibly one of the best books I have read in a long time. The twist in the story to me, a certified bibliophile, that I didn't see coming. This is a MUST read.
February 6, 2017
When the invitation arrived to attend a ceremony about to be held in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, honouring the victims and survivors of the plane crash that almost cost the lives of his family, he decided it was time. His son deserved to know what happened to his parents. The trip will take several days by car, neither he nor Kerry would get on a plane again. They can use the time to tell Jackson the whole story.
The story then takes us back in time. Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Egan are both working for Petrol, with Daniel the head of the crisis management team. There’s been an explosion on one of Petrol’s oil platforms in Alaska, and several workers have died. Daniel and his crew need to shut down the leak, reduce the environmental impact as much as possible and offer any help they can to the families of the dead workers.
As the weather worsens with a snow storm imminent, Daniel wants to wait it out before they leave Alaska and head back to Chicago, where he and Kerry, who is pregnant, plan to marry. Bob Packer, Daniel’s boss’, has the final say and they leave. Not long into their flight the engines fail and send the plane diving into the side of a mountain, splitting it in two. Kerry is badly injured and with no sign of the storm abating, consequently there would be no attempted rescue mission, it becomes obvious their chances of survival are diminishing rapidly. Daniel takes matters into his own hands, hampered by his overbearing and stubborn boss.
The narrative alternates between past and present with the present told from the first person perspective of Jackson’s dad, the rest in the third person. The setting, crash and its aftermath is described in realistic detail. The horrors, emotions and physical suffering of the survivors is convincing enough to be able to imagine being in that terrifying situation.
A gripping tale of survival against extreme odds and the powerful forces of nature, with tragedy and romance woven into the story….and a reveal I didn’t see coming. Excellent narration by Julia Whelan and Kaleo Griffith.
The story then takes us back in time. Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Egan are both working for Petrol, with Daniel the head of the crisis management team. There’s been an explosion on one of Petrol’s oil platforms in Alaska, and several workers have died. Daniel and his crew need to shut down the leak, reduce the environmental impact as much as possible and offer any help they can to the families of the dead workers.
As the weather worsens with a snow storm imminent, Daniel wants to wait it out before they leave Alaska and head back to Chicago, where he and Kerry, who is pregnant, plan to marry. Bob Packer, Daniel’s boss’, has the final say and they leave. Not long into their flight the engines fail and send the plane diving into the side of a mountain, splitting it in two. Kerry is badly injured and with no sign of the storm abating, consequently there would be no attempted rescue mission, it becomes obvious their chances of survival are diminishing rapidly. Daniel takes matters into his own hands, hampered by his overbearing and stubborn boss.
The narrative alternates between past and present with the present told from the first person perspective of Jackson’s dad, the rest in the third person. The setting, crash and its aftermath is described in realistic detail. The horrors, emotions and physical suffering of the survivors is convincing enough to be able to imagine being in that terrifying situation.
A gripping tale of survival against extreme odds and the powerful forces of nature, with tragedy and romance woven into the story….and a reveal I didn’t see coming. Excellent narration by Julia Whelan and Kaleo Griffith.
November 24, 2016
Full & Detailed review: http://cynthology.blogspot.com/2016/1...
Kerry, her husband and her ten-year-old son, Jackson, go on a 5-day road trip to Canada to attend a memorial service for those who died in Denali Airlines Flight 806, over a decade ago. On the trip, the couple tell Jackson about that aspect of the past that they have always kept hidden from him.
The first chapter is in the first person point of view of Kerry’s husband. At that point, we do not even know his name. it is only in Chapter 2, that the author moves behind for a wider look, giving us the entire story through the medium of the parents telling young Jackson about what happened before his birth.
The description of the plane crash and its immediate aftermath feels real and heart rending.
In this story of a plane crash, while Mother Nature plays out her drama, the humans play theirs. The author highlights the physical, mental and emotional distress of the survivors as they struggle to keep themselves alive while waiting for the rescue teams to find them. Nerves clash as the need for survival brings out the worst instincts in some people.
I felt conflicted about the character of Daniel. I admired the way he rose to every occasion, looking for food that he could salvage, and helping people. The fact that he is a crisis management professional made his actions believable. But he also got irritating.
While it is no surprise that they get rescued, given that the book begins with young Jackson learning the story from his parents, the twist is still there, and it took me by surprise.
This was a heartwarming story of courage amid difficulties, and love seeking to triumph over huge odds, that I enjoyed reading.
My prayers for all victims of plane crashes.
Kerry, her husband and her ten-year-old son, Jackson, go on a 5-day road trip to Canada to attend a memorial service for those who died in Denali Airlines Flight 806, over a decade ago. On the trip, the couple tell Jackson about that aspect of the past that they have always kept hidden from him.
The first chapter is in the first person point of view of Kerry’s husband. At that point, we do not even know his name. it is only in Chapter 2, that the author moves behind for a wider look, giving us the entire story through the medium of the parents telling young Jackson about what happened before his birth.
The description of the plane crash and its immediate aftermath feels real and heart rending.
In this story of a plane crash, while Mother Nature plays out her drama, the humans play theirs. The author highlights the physical, mental and emotional distress of the survivors as they struggle to keep themselves alive while waiting for the rescue teams to find them. Nerves clash as the need for survival brings out the worst instincts in some people.
I felt conflicted about the character of Daniel. I admired the way he rose to every occasion, looking for food that he could salvage, and helping people. The fact that he is a crisis management professional made his actions believable. But he also got irritating.
While it is no surprise that they get rescued, given that the book begins with young Jackson learning the story from his parents, the twist is still there, and it took me by surprise.
This was a heartwarming story of courage amid difficulties, and love seeking to triumph over huge odds, that I enjoyed reading.
My prayers for all victims of plane crashes.
October 14, 2016
Full review also on my blog: http://nextbookaroundthecorner.blogsp...
I just finished this book, and just... WOW. I don't know if you ever saw the movie 'The Sixth Sense'? The boy who wispers "I can see dead people"? At the end of the movie, you are kind of shaken, because you so didn't see that one coming. Well, with First Light it is just exactly the same. In the last few pages, your world just turns on it's axis. Breathtaking, moving and shocking.
Needless to say, this book gets a fivestar rating. The story starts with a boy, whose parents have survived a plane crash, ten years ago. They receive an invitation to a memorial and decide to go on a roadtrip (of course they wouldn't set a foot in a plane any more) to attend this meeting. During the trip they tell their story, so that their son finally understands what has happened all those years ago.
The story is told through the eyes of different characters. Mainly from Kerry and Daniel's point of view. You can't help to dislike Bob. I mean, seriously, what kind of boss is he? And the scary part is: I think there are really those kind of bosses out there. And Phil, what is to like about him? He is mostly self-centred and a bit stiff and arrogant. But after a few days in survival modus at the plane, he even manages to surprise Beverly, the elderly nurse, who also survived the crash and is tending to all the injured passengers.
Not to reveal the story to you, I'll not go into detail further. But seriously, if you want romance, drama, and even some excitement. Please read this book. Thank you FirstToRead for this gem. I'll keep an eye out for more books from Bill Rancic.
I just finished this book, and just... WOW. I don't know if you ever saw the movie 'The Sixth Sense'? The boy who wispers "I can see dead people"? At the end of the movie, you are kind of shaken, because you so didn't see that one coming. Well, with First Light it is just exactly the same. In the last few pages, your world just turns on it's axis. Breathtaking, moving and shocking.
Needless to say, this book gets a fivestar rating. The story starts with a boy, whose parents have survived a plane crash, ten years ago. They receive an invitation to a memorial and decide to go on a roadtrip (of course they wouldn't set a foot in a plane any more) to attend this meeting. During the trip they tell their story, so that their son finally understands what has happened all those years ago.
The story is told through the eyes of different characters. Mainly from Kerry and Daniel's point of view. You can't help to dislike Bob. I mean, seriously, what kind of boss is he? And the scary part is: I think there are really those kind of bosses out there. And Phil, what is to like about him? He is mostly self-centred and a bit stiff and arrogant. But after a few days in survival modus at the plane, he even manages to surprise Beverly, the elderly nurse, who also survived the crash and is tending to all the injured passengers.
Not to reveal the story to you, I'll not go into detail further. But seriously, if you want romance, drama, and even some excitement. Please read this book. Thank you FirstToRead for this gem. I'll keep an eye out for more books from Bill Rancic.
November 3, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for an honest review*
This book was very unexpected. It was tender, emotional, and utterly captivating. Even though you knew from the beginning that two of the main characters survive, this book manages to stay extremely high-tension. It balances the actions necessary for survival with the emotional development of the characters.
The book does an excellent job of setting up the characters, giving you a background on their skills and setting up relationships. Even before the plane crash, the reader becomes emotionally attached to the main characters. The fight for survival seems incredibly realistic and at times brutal. The personas that the characters had in their previous lives are stripped away as they discover new aspects to themselves. While Daniel was incredibly brave, the emotional development that Phil went through was perhaps the most touching aspect of the story for me.
This is an intense read that grabs the reader and doesn’t let them go. It stays with you after the last page, haunting in its portrayal of what individuals will do to survive. While I wish the current relationship between the parents had been developed a little more, there were hints as to the depths of emotion they felt for each other.
This book was very unexpected. It was tender, emotional, and utterly captivating. Even though you knew from the beginning that two of the main characters survive, this book manages to stay extremely high-tension. It balances the actions necessary for survival with the emotional development of the characters.
The book does an excellent job of setting up the characters, giving you a background on their skills and setting up relationships. Even before the plane crash, the reader becomes emotionally attached to the main characters. The fight for survival seems incredibly realistic and at times brutal. The personas that the characters had in their previous lives are stripped away as they discover new aspects to themselves. While Daniel was incredibly brave, the emotional development that Phil went through was perhaps the most touching aspect of the story for me.
This is an intense read that grabs the reader and doesn’t let them go. It stays with you after the last page, haunting in its portrayal of what individuals will do to survive. While I wish the current relationship between the parents had been developed a little more, there were hints as to the depths of emotion they felt for each other.
October 28, 2016
This was the story of a plane crash and the aftermath of it. But it was also a very sweet and tender love story that I enjoyed very much.
I loved being along as two parents told the story of their adventure to their son on their trip back to the Yukon to memorialize the plane crash. In telling the story we get an in depth look at them and their lives and come to know what drives them and what brought them to be on a plane in Alaska.
The twist at the end was a good one and although I saw it coming it still was shocking seeing it in black and white. I do love a good twist. It was a little reminiscent of a good Nicholas Sparks read, which I enjoy.
All in all I'd recommend this one to lovers of a beautiful romance with some adventure thrown in.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book
I loved being along as two parents told the story of their adventure to their son on their trip back to the Yukon to memorialize the plane crash. In telling the story we get an in depth look at them and their lives and come to know what drives them and what brought them to be on a plane in Alaska.
The twist at the end was a good one and although I saw it coming it still was shocking seeing it in black and white. I do love a good twist. It was a little reminiscent of a good Nicholas Sparks read, which I enjoy.
All in all I'd recommend this one to lovers of a beautiful romance with some adventure thrown in.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book
September 18, 2016
What begins as a work trip to the Canadian wilderness ends in a devastating plane crash. This should be the main story but it is just the tip of the iceberg (pardon the pun). We start with the survivors being asked back to a memorial and a family making the trip with the intention of telling their son what really happened. Besides the average attractions to co-workers, really lousy bosses and over the top deadlines we get the full story of heroic acts by average people and the way people deal with loss when life throws you a curve ball. Have lots of tissue handy and you might not want to read this one on a plane as I did. For anyone who loves a story of everyday people thrown into a disaster. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
October 5, 2016
Received in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the book and thought it well written and a good story. Early on I did suspect the ending, and in fact by the second chapter or so I went back to the book beginning to confirm.
My only comment it that with so many people on the downed airliner, why is only one or two people taking charge. And of course one is a big hero, but then again it is a novel.
I am recommending the book and hope for the best in sales.
I think the characters were well written, Phil, Kerry and Daniel, but know there could have been more on the other passengers. Others who were injured, or dead.
I really liked the book and thought it well written and a good story. Early on I did suspect the ending, and in fact by the second chapter or so I went back to the book beginning to confirm.
My only comment it that with so many people on the downed airliner, why is only one or two people taking charge. And of course one is a big hero, but then again it is a novel.
I am recommending the book and hope for the best in sales.
I think the characters were well written, Phil, Kerry and Daniel, but know there could have been more on the other passengers. Others who were injured, or dead.
January 7, 2017
I must admit that I was a little weary of this book at first considering it was written by a reality star, but honestly? I loved it! This story had me hooked from the very beginning & I couldn't put it down & finished it in about a week. The story starts with a couple telling their son for the first time about the plane crash they survived ten years prior & then we are transported back to the crash & the days leading up to it. Yes, this story has some sappy parts to it but it's part romance so what do you expect? The story also has adventure, drama, heroism, love, & even a by of a twist. I would recommend this book (& I have been ever since I started reading it)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2016
This story is set in the frigid winter of the Yukon. It is a story of a young couple beginning their lives together. They are flying home from a work trip when disaster strikes and the airplane they are on catches fire and crashes. The story starts out ten years after the crash as the couple decide to tell their son about surviving this horrific accident. It reminded me a lot of Hatchet by Gary Paulson. I wanted a little more dialogue between the parents and their son as they took this road trip to the crash site for the anniversary. It's a quick read with a twist to the end.
November 1, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised when I read this novel. It was a fast read -- once I had time to read -- I read it pretty quickly. I loved all the characters in the story, especially Kerry and Beverly. I know it was a love story -- but I really would have liked to have know exactly how many survivors there were and and an additional chapter all of them coming to the reunion. Enjoyable and intense at times which means it is not your usual love story. I received a free digital galley as part of Penguin's First to Read Program.
May 27, 2017
The arrival of an invitation creates an opportunity to reveal a long-held family secret. Kerry and her husband take their son on a road trip to the Canadian Yukon for a memorial reunion of a plane crash. I did figure out the twist long before then end of the story, but that did not spoil the reading experience for me. It is a quick read. I finished in an afternoon. There are gruesome scenes so beware. A sort of happy ending for some is the result. My thanks to the author and the Penguin First to Read program for a complimentary copy.
October 23, 2016
Goodreads Giveaway.
Intense story about survival in the middle of winter in the middle of nowhere. WOW. I was really hooked on this book I could not put it down. I really wanted to see who would survive and who wouldn't make it. The book gave enough information that you can picture the crash scene. The characters were well developed and the story had a nice flow. There really no dull moments in the story. Recommended.
Intense story about survival in the middle of winter in the middle of nowhere. WOW. I was really hooked on this book I could not put it down. I really wanted to see who would survive and who wouldn't make it. The book gave enough information that you can picture the crash scene. The characters were well developed and the story had a nice flow. There really no dull moments in the story. Recommended.
February 19, 2017
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. It was pretty good and I admit the ending did surprise me.. Good job for a first try in to fiction
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