Never Too Late (Changes #1): Changes - a family saga

Changes #1

by Jay Howard

Relationships can strain to breaking point when there are too many secrets, too many problems not faced. Maggie is forced to make tough choices when her husband is left in a coma and his secrets start to surface. The changes to her life inevitably have repercussions for her son and daughter. What choices will they make to bring about the changes they need? Maggie must find her inner strength, for herself and her children, and she will never see life in quite the same way again.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery

386 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Writing is a mixture of OCD and schizophrenia. Each time I finish a novel or short story I wonder why I put myself through so much hard work and frustration. But you know what they say about forgetting the pain of birth once you have the joy of holding your baby… I know full well that the characters in my head will insist I carry on. I hear their conversations, they drive me back to the keyboard. I hope you enjoying reading what I’ve transcribed.

I blame my husband. It’s all his fault for pushing me to actually finish and publish that first novel. I suppose his patience was wearing thin after so many years ;-) I haven’t asked him if he remembers any of the many swear words I invented when I was trying to master all the other skills I needed in order to achieve a professional level of publication.

I am a very lucky woman. I am far from rich in worldly terms, but I am wealthy beyond measure in my family and friends. I have also been amazed at the generosity of other authors, who have taken time from their own busy lives to help me improve my craft. I suppose it’s rather appropriate that in publishing online I find I’ve made so many more friends online. What an amazing, vibrant world this interweb is.

I was born in Bedfordshire. My family moved to Wales when I was 11 and I am the only one of the clan to have left, first of all trying London for size. I have lived and worked in many places, as diverse as Gateshead, Berkshire, British Columbia and Alberta (I hold dual citizenship), settling in Somerset in 2002.

If you get the chance I can thoroughly recommend taking the 4 days needed to travel by train from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast of my other country. It's only by travelling by land that you can appreciate the vastness and diversity of Canada. Listen to the stories your fellow travellers will have to tell and you could well find yourself inspired to write too.

My debut novel, Never Too Late (Changes Book 1), was started when I was working in Jasper, Alberta. I have just published the sequel, New Beginnings (August 2012) and I have outlines for many more novels. I'm ready to spend time with new characters in new locations. I just have to decide which people to meet first... I didn't believe it when I heard other authors talking about their characters surprising them. I was firmly of the opinion that you create your characters and you will have control over their actions. Wrong! They are living, breathing people, with their own ideas about how their lives will pan out.

Writing and publishing have put me through a real rollercoaster of emotions. I'm still struggling to believe there are now thousands of people around the world who are reading my work. Darling husband of mine, what have you started?

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Write to Review

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Maggie feels like her life has hit a plateau. Her children have moved to London, and her husband's constant business trips leave her feeling lonely. Finding solace in a rescue dog, Maggie still grapples with her 43rd birthday approaching, unsure of how to launch a career with no qualifications or experience.

However, her life takes an unexpected turn on the night of her birthday party when her husband is involved in a car crash. As he lies in the hospital, shocking personal and business secrets come to light. Maggie is now faced with critical decisions about her marriage, their family business, and her children. It becomes clear that everyone must make significant changes to find true happiness, and Maggie's perspective on life is forever altered.

Everyone has to learn some tough lessons in life and this story really brings across the reality of that situation. With that being said some of the chapters were a little harder to get through, and some issues were solved a little too easily it seemed for the gravity of the situation. To each their own though, the characterization fit nicely in and the characters themselves blended easily together. I will definitely be reading the second one, Jay Howard makes characters come alive.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the characters in this novel were so charming that I wished I could meet them. This was especially true of Maggie, the main character, who is so dedicated to her family. Her bucolic existence is upset by a series of tragedies, and the reader sails through the story as we see her, other family members and friends in a contemporary English village come to grips with some very trying situations. Maggie typically does so with aplomb, but not everyone does.

I enjoyed this story, and found myself looking forward to reading it from day to day. American readers will enjoy the interesting “Briticisms” sprinkled through the vernacular speech of the characters. One drawback to the novel for me was the large number of minor characters.

[Sue Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Never Too Late, nearly all the plot twists and suspense are character-driven - which is no mean feat for author Howard to have accomplished. The relaxed pace, fully-drawn settings, true-to-life situations, dry wit, and glimpses into many characters' thoughts combined to make me a part of these peoples lives. I soon felt like I lived in the village and I grew to care quite a bit about many of these individuals and I want to know what happens next to them.

Although detail is essential to the book's impact, the book seemed somewhat long to me, and I guesstimate that about 1/4 of the details could be cut without harm. I was also uncertain whether some of the subplots were still dangling (awaiting book 2) or resolved with too little fanfare.

One really petty concern: sometimes thoughts were identified in single quotes, and sometimes they were part of the omniscient narration, and I could not detect a firm rule that governed when quotes were used, or not.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Vic Heaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and have recommended my wife to read it because it reminded me so much of The Archers, which she used to enjoy on the radio before it turned into East Enders.

Maggie McTavish is the rock round which her family swirls, and who is a mainstay of the village. And yest so many of them do not realise it. When she realises how some of them, especially her husband, are letting her down, she becomes a little more assertive. And suddenly they realise just what a treasure they have among them. Fortunately there are people like Maggie around to maintain our faith in human nature.

There were so many characters I was losing track of some of them a bit - I don't know how Jay Howard kept them all in line.

An excellent first novel. I look forward to the sequel.

And yes, my wife has just started to read the book.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 3 out of 5]

She writes subject matter that keeps you interested, but still keeps it on a level of intrigue.

She has a relaxed way of writing and helps the reader feel that way too.

Jay Howard writes real life issues, real life situations.

I am not going to give much of the story away as there is quite a bit in the blurb, so anything I say I am actually hesitant to give any more light to it so as not to write a spoiler. I would certainly read more of this authors books.


I would like to give this 3.1/2. Its a fine story.

Review on my blog
http://sueandherbooks.blogspot.co.uk/...

[M.O. Kenyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it hard to get through the first few chapters. As a reader I found it a bit unnecesary, I am sure the author had a good reason to put it there but i didn't see it. On my part the story begun when Maggie finds out her husband is cheating, her son's problem with his wife and that her daughter isn't such an angle. Those different dynamics brought out who Maggie really was, she's kind, understanding, strong and she just wants to be let out of her cage.

I think it was just too easy the way she forgave her husband, this guy has been sleeping around for the better part of her husband and she forgives him just like that. That didn't seem realistic to me.

Other than that I thought it was a good story and the main four characters are what made the stories the others were just a distraction.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was a good read that kept me entertained from the first to the last page. Its a book about family life and follows Maggie, Iain, James, Keela and Chloe as they each gain some harsh lessons about life, family and love. The disappointment I had with this book was that by the end of the book some of the characters had blended together a little, they were mostly just 'nice' people. That said, the main characters were each charismatic in their own way.

I would recommend this book as one to unwind with, there are some surprises and turmoil, but its a gentle turmoil. I found myself looking forward to chance to sit and read this on my kindle and will be looking out for more work from Jay Howard.

[Bluejay44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the sequel. Interesting way the characters developed and changed as they met their challenges.

[Joanna Gawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and enjoyable story about love, life and relationships. My cats will never forgive me, but I'd love to have Deefor! I've already downloaded the sequel 'New Beginnings'.

[Rainey]

Another novel that takes place in London. My Favourite place.

[Shantanu]

Readable.....