Summer Banks Review of Self Published Novel - Rear View Mirror
When I was approached recently by author Cindy Callinsky to read her autobiography Rear View Mirror, I had no idea the effects it would have on me personally. Through lives lived, loves lost, and challenges mastered, author Cindy Callinsky tackles the hardest treasure of human life, struggle, and wins.
Rear View Mirror is Callinsky's first novel and you can certainly tell. The untainted nature of the novel grabs you from the first sentences and carries you graciously through the roller coaster ride of the author's life. Some may find the clear grammatical deficiencies a hindrance, but, I found them extremely endearing. Told in the first person with real words in what I call "human speak", the author allows the reader to embrace the characters as friends not simply as written names on a page. Though this tactic may not have been deliberate, it certainly adds to the novel's appeal. Along with grammatical genius comes fluid movement. I felt certain upon beginning this novel to find transitional breaks and uncomfortable chapter bridging. Contrary to my certainty, Callinsky rendered the chronological events of the story with the talent of a seasoned author. The read is smooth and unfaltering. Every idea cleanly leads into the next line, paragraph, page, and chapter. Superb!
Though autobiographical novels abound in the marketplace, I have never been a great fan. After reading Rear View Mirror, I am truly thankful Callinsky chose me. Rear View Mirror captured my attention early on with great simplicity and coerced me to continue reading for hours. When challenges were overcome, I cheered. When tears were shed, I cried. When love was lost, I grabbed the tissue box and settled in for a good ball! Callinsky's words wrapped my heart with silken fingers and pulled me right along her road to emotional freedom. With ease and grace, Rear View Mirror will undoubtedly affect every reader in just this way. Whether you can relate to the times, struggles, or choices, this novel offers a resemblance to "every woman's" life.
Cindy Callinsky may be a novice author, but you would never guess by the talent represented within the innocence of Rear View Mirror. She flawlessly captures the reader from the first pages and carefully leads them through her struggle, hand in hand. It is with great honesty I convey five out of five stars for Rear View Mirror. It is with great pleasure I call the author a friend.
~Summer Banks