Everything Is Just Beginning - by Erin Bartels

This isn't a light and fluffy book that's easy to read but it's definitely a book worth reading! Author Erin Bartels shares the heart and soul of Michael Scott, a young man who yearns to find fame as a musician. His dream seems shattered until he meets a dying woman and her blind daughter, and what he finds is worth much more than fame and fortune! Bartels shares Michael's story in first person and I was amazed at her ability to capture his voice and thoughts. Anger and bitterness have plagued him for so long, but slowly his feelings of hurt and sorrow evolve into hope. For the first time, he witnesses what a loving family can be. Is it too late for him? Will his anger and bitterness disrupt the lives of these caring people, or will their influence change him? Will he finally understand the meaning of grace and forgiveness? Cancer, blindness, and alcohol abuse are some of the heavy topics in Everything is Just Beginning but the main themes are Michael's anger and trust issues. If you enjoy contemporary fiction centered around the late 1980s/early 1990s music industry, you will want to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Book Review of Everything Is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels This book is a contemporary romance set in the late 80's, early 90's, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. It is about impossible dreams, seemingly unsurpassable obstacles, and unconditional love. It is about endings and beginnings. It is about how God works through people to bring life changing results. The characters in this book are very realistic and alive, each faces some sort of obstacle in their life which inhibits them in some way, however, those with a strong faith in God are more able to deal with the pain and struggles and tend to walk by faith not by sight. Others, who have lost their faith, or never had it, live their lives in a worldly emptiness, without hope to overcome, unless they reach out to God for help. The contrast in the lives of the characters is quite interesting. If you love music, this book will enthrall you. It is based on the music of the late 80's and early 90's. The book does not list its Chapters as such but calls them Tracks instead, and the cover is absolutely amazing! The cover has a guitar with strings that are raised and to the touch the strings feel as if they could be played. This book has a beautiful meaning to its realistic story. I was given this book free by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Are you a music fan? Do 1980s music and television programs make you feel nostalgic? Then this may be a book you will enjoy. Unfortunately it wasn't the book for me. The story deals with relationships, largely unhealthy ones. I was not able to stick with the story long enough to discover how things worked out. I am sure that many people will enjoy this offering from Erin Bartels, a slow-paced story with in-depth character development. I just didn't have the patience required at this time, possibly because I did not connect with the main character. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I have to admit when I started reading Everything Is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels, I was intrigued and not necessarily hooked on the novel. But, read on! This fiction story takes place in1989. I found that an interesting year to set a novel in, rather unique and intriguing. Guitarist Michael Sullivan is kicked out of his band and moved in with his Uncle Mike. Across the street lives the Wheeler family, who is very well-known in the music industry, including Deb Wheeler. Deb is famous for her songs that she had recorded many years ago. Michael also meets Deb’s daughter, Natalie , who is beautiful and happens to be blind. Her father, Dusty, is very well-connected in the music industry. Having grown up with no significant home influence, Michael is taken aback by Natalie‘s family. He spends time with Natalie and enjoys getting to know her family. However, that will all have to soon come to an end. Admittedly once I had started the novel and was about a quarter of the way into it, I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I was a little surprised by the content since Revell typically publishes Christian content. This book was not overtly Christian. However it was a good read, and I would recommend. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do. I would recommend Everything Is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels.

Everything is just Beginning by Erin Bartels Topic or themes I saw: Feelings of failure, not being liked. Doubting yourself. The fear you have nothing to offer or it isn’t good enough. Search for happiness and fulfillment. Approval that matters, approval that doesn’t. Read it if you like: ✔️The 90’s ✔️Music ✔️Underdog stories ✔️Stories with strong mentors ✔️Women’s fiction ✔️Characters who have disabilities Story: Michael wants to be a famous singer. In an attempt to get to a producer, he attends a party he isn’t invited to. At the party, he meets Natalie and together they begin an unlikely band. Stories that bring out belonging, self-worth, and loneliness, healed by the kindness of someone who cares are my very favorite. I can’t get enough of them. I saw these themes in this novel. Everything is Just Beginning is the kind of book that makes me want to hug the author and say thanks. Thanks for writing this book for me. I also loved that the lyrics for the songs Michael and Natalie wrote were included in the story. Bartels does spectacular at placing the reader in the life of a musician. The setting and song writing process really came alive for me. Quote: “Sometimes what looks like an obstacle is actually useful to you.” Thank you Revell for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Michael is a young guy who has had a terrible upbringing, including having no father in his life. His single mom has constantly made bad choices in men, causing both her and Michael to suffer. Because of that, Michael feels entitled to be mean and angry. He moves in with his alcoholic, angry uncle, and discovers he is living across the street from some famous singers. He crashes their New Year's Eve party with his uncle's invitation in hopes of making a connection to get his music career off the ground. Although the family realizes Michael was not invited, they befriend him, and are very kind to him. That includes their sweet talented daughter, Natalie, who is blind. It was very sad to see Natalie, with so much potential, be taken in by someone who has horrible anger issues, and the inability to be responsible for his own problems. If Michael does something bad, instead of him admitting his mistake, he will blame everyone else for his bad behavior. For instance, he will say, it is really Natalie’s fault for “making” him so angry he couldn’t control himself, and acted out. He then feels entitled to unleash torrents of vicious anger on her. This is a pattern often seen in those who control others. Michael is a very troubled soul. It is wonderful to try to help someone like that find peace, and definitely find the Lord. That doesn't mean you have to date them, give them your heart, and let yourself in for a world of trouble. Be aware that this book deals with adult themes, lots of alcohol use, and coarse language (not outright profanity, but as close as it gets). The style of the tale is edgy and sketchy. The ending of this three-star book didn't work because it was hard to believe that after Michael spent the entire book being angry, that he would suddenly be able to have a healthy love relationship. Instead, it felt like a round peg being forced into a square hole. If the story were to continue, it would be a perfect example of why you should not be unequally yoked. There cannot be a happily-ever-after ending here without a radical healing of Michael's anger and other issues. Thank you, Library Thing, for giving Tickmenot a book copy. Opinions are my own.

“Take advantage of anonymity while you have it. No one has any expectations of you. You can be anyone when you’re no one,” Michael is told in Erin Bartels’s novel, Everything Is Just Beginning. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-forty-one-page paperback targets those interested in a young man’s struggle with his past, trusting others, and overcoming guilt. With no profanity but the use of slang words such as dang, crap, and heck, topics of alcohol and drug use, illness, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes acknowledgments, an excerpt of the author’s prior novel, her biography, and advertisements. In this story written in first person, twenty-two-year-old Michael Sullivan has been kicked out of the Detroit band he played in plus kicked out of his apartment. When he moves in with his uncle, he crashes a New Year’s Eve party across the street, hoping to meet a man who could launch his music career. Instead, he becomes involved with a family who is dealing with their own issues but in a healthy way that changes Michael’s mindset in more ways than one. ~ Why ~ I have always enjoyed books written in first person, and this one is done well, showing the angst, anger, and affirmations of a young adult who thinks little of himself and sometimes others. I appreciate the handling of Natalie’s disability and the music of the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as the written-out songs. Explaining how grace and mercy are pivotal for forgiveness was nicely orchestrated. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not like a mostly secular tale of a guitarist trying to find self-worth may not appreciate this book. Others may not care for the few references of God, praying, and going to church. Some may be disappointed with the ending, wanting more resolution. ~ Wish Although the author mentions eternal salvation, the story missed the mark on how to get it through trusting solely in Jesus Christ. I wish no slang words were included. Adding discussion questions at the end would be thoughtful for book clubs. ~ Want ~ If you like a story about how a struggling, lonely musician creatively strums his insecurities into emotional art, this is an engaging read. Thanks to Revell for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

This book is amazing! The prose is like lyrical poetry and the song lyrics come alive and make the story so touchingly realistic. The entire plot just flowed from the page into my heart. The story of Michael Sullivan, a lyricist who has been kicked out of his band, and Natalie Wheeler, a blind musician who is extraordinarily gifted, is one that should be read and appreciated by all who need a story to make them think and feel good about life. It is the story of daring to reach out for a better future and of forgiving those who have held you back in your past so that you can achieve your dreams. I loved getting to know each of the characters, even the seemingly unredeemable Uncle Mike who drinks and gambles to forget his tragic past. I found myself wanting Michael to forgive his father Steve completely and find a new relationship with him. I was totally invested in the stories of the characters because they became like real people to me. The plot was moderately paced, not too fast which I think would ruin it and not too slow which would make it drag. It was perfectly paced for the story that was being told, the story of young love, exploration into new beginnings and support from those who had forged a path in the past. I think my very favorite character was Deb Wheeler, a talented musician who gave up her promising career for personal reasons. She elicited sympathy from me but also a great deal of respect because of her compassion and wisdom that she showed to all whose lives she touched. This is one of the most beautifully written tales I have ever read and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s refreshingly original and totally engaging. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”