Title: Free Fall
Author: Fern Michaels
First published March 1, 2007
319 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780821778814 (ISBN10: 0821778811)
Rating: 4.34
Overview
Discover the life-changing power of minimalism with Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism. Unlike other experts, Sasaki is just an ordinary person who found himself constantly stressed and comparing himself to others.
That is until he decided to make a change and say goodbye to everything that didn’t bring him joy. The results were nothing short of incredible: Sasaki gained true freedom, a new focus, and a deep sense of gratitude for everything around him.
In this inspiring book, Sasaki shares his personal minimalist journey, providing practical tips on how to declutter and simplify your life. By embracing a minimalist lifestyle, you can transform not just your physical space, but also your inner world.
Sasaki’s humble vision of true happiness will help you unlock the potential of minimalism and change your life for the better.
About the Author
Hi there! I’d love to tell you about Fern Michaels. You may have heard of her before, but did you know that Fern Michaels isn’t actually a person?
It’s true – Fern Michaels® is the pen name of Mary Ruth Kuczkir, who grew up in Hastings, Pennsylvania. When she entered the business world, she started going by Mary, but her family and friends still call her Dink, a nickname her father gave her when she was born.
However, she answers to Fern since it’s an easier name for people to pronounce.
Mary’s life changed when her youngest child went off to Kindergarten and her husband told her to “get off [her] ass and get a job.” She didn’t know how to do anything other than be a wife and mother, but she was an avid reader and decided to try her hand at writing a book. To her surprise, it wasn’t as intimidating as she thought it would be.
Her husband may have thought she was foolish, but Mary went on to write 99 books, most of which became New York Times Best Sellers.
Years later, Mary left Ballantine Books, parted ways with her agent, and moved from her New Jersey home to South Carolina. She remodeled a 300-year-old plantation house that’s listed in the National Registry and has beautiful gardens and ancient Angel Oaks with Spanish moss.
She does have a ghost, though – a mischievous one named Mary Margaret who has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret doesn’t like certain coffee cups or where Mary puts her pillows, and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the morning at least once a week.
But Mary and her dogs co-habit with the friendly ghost just fine.
Mary loves being a writer and bringing her characters to life, especially strong women who persevere and overcome obstacles. She knows firsthand that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, but where you’re going and how you get there.
Her induction into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame was a proud moment for her, and she hopes to keep writing for another 37 years.
Mary’s old Polish grandmother once told her that when God is good to you, you have to give back. Mary didn’t know how to do that at first, but she eventually set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation to give back to causes she cares about.
Editoral Review
Free Fall by Fern Michaels is an intense and gripping novel that explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and redemption. Fern Michaels is a bestselling author known for her impactful and emotionally charged writing style in the romance and suspense genres.
Her powerful storytelling abilities are on full display in Free Fall, a book that captivates the reader from the beginning to the end. Set against the backdrop of the United States and Switzerland, the novel follows the journey of Autumn, a successful businesswoman who has everything she has ever wanted in life, except for true love.
When Autumn is betrayed by someone she thought she could trust, her world collapses, and she is forced to confront her deepest fears and insecurities. Along the way, she meets an enigmatic artist named Danielle, who becomes her closest confidante and most trusted ally.
Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery that will change their lives forever. One of the most distinctive aspects of Free Fall is Fern Michaels’ ability to vividly illustrate the dynamics of human relationships.
The interactions between Autumn and Danielle are particularly powerful, as the two women support and challenge each other in equal measure. The characters are well-developed, and their innermost thoughts and emotions are expertly conveyed to the reader.
Furthermore, Free Fall is a book that has significant cultural and historical significance. The novel touches upon sensitive issues such as domestic abuse, toxic relationships, and the complexities of mental health.
Fern Michaels’ empathetic and nuanced portrayal of these themes makes her novel particularly relevant in the current social climate. Despite its many strengths, there are some issues with the novel’s pacing.
Certain subplots and minor characters sometimes detract from the central storyline, causing the novel to feel slightly bloated at times. Additionally, some readers might find the romance-heavy focus of the book to be somewhat cliched.
Overall, Free Fall is an engrossing and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Fern Michaels’ exceptional writing imbues this work with heart and soul, making it an instant classic in the romance genre.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotionally charged and deeply satisfying story. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
