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"What are we but our stories?" asks Jennifer, a widow and newspaper columnist who is summoned to a Lake Geneva Wisconsin hospital where her beloved grandmother Sam lies in a coma. Jennifer spends the rest of the summer at Sam's home on the lake, reliving her memories of time she spent at the lake as a child and waiting for Sam to awaken from her coma. She discovers a bundle of letters that her grandmother wrote to her which uncover secrets about Sam's unhappy marriage and a mysterious lover simply called "Doc." She renews the acquaintance of an old friend, Brendan, and falls in love with him.

Similar in tone to Patterson's "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas," this short novel tells two entwined stories: that of Sam through her letters to Jennifer and that of Jennifer herself as she deals with her grandmother's illness and lets love back into her life. This is a tale of love, loss, and making the most of the precious time we have on earth. Both sentimental and suspenseful, this is a quick and enjoyable read.

Eileen Rieback

Sam's Letters to Jennifer is truly vintage James Patterson. This novel is an extremely fast (2 hour) read and grossly satisfying. I strongly recommend just creating a short block of time for this book and read it through as a short story. In typical Patterson form, the chapters are short, yet telling with plenty of surprises to keep you turning the pages.

The premise of the story surrounds heart-broken Jennifer and her grandmother Sam who starts the story in a coma. Jennifer rushes to see Sam (really her onlly family left) and stays in Lake Geneva at Sam's home visiting her every day at the hospital. Sam and Jennifer have always been very close and turns out Sam had left Jennifer a series of letters detailing her life and making relevent comparisons to much of the feelings Jennifer had recently experienced. This novel is about second chances, learning who you are, and who your loved ones have been. Expect another hit for Patterson.

James Patterson lost his touch in this book. The romance seemed too forced and the plot didn't flow as smoothly as you would expect it would from a Patterson novel. The fact the the reverend is shacking up with a married women is never discussed. Jennifer becomes romantically involved with a man she knew when she was too young to remember him and the apprehensions about becoming involved so recently after her first husband's death are only lightly discussed. The story seems too forced and Patterson should stick to mystery thrillers.

Irish tenor Frank Patterson was born and raised in Tipperary, performing at an early age with the Wren Boys. Patterson's early works were primarily classical, but with the increasingly popularity of celtic music, Frank turned his energies toward his homeland traditional folk ballads. PBS special "Ireland in Song" was a tremendous hit, giving him more exposure than ever to the world with his "God" given talent.

This album - "God Bless America - An Irish Salute", is one of the most touching compilations of music ever recorded. One of the highlights is his wife Eily O'Grady and her Irish Harp Orchestra, simply an emotional pair of people enjoying what they do best, spreading love and happiness through the power of song.

Total Time: 72:20 on 17 Tracks/ RCA Victor Records - 09026 63659 2 (2000)

I do not have the album but saw the PBS special last Saturday night and have been looking for the cd and will buy it. The song My Son is the most moving and beautiful I have ever heard. Having three sons, I felt it related to each of them and it can be for either mother or father. The rest of the songs were superb. Mr Patterson is a warm and wonderful human being and has a great voice. His son played the violin when he sang My Son, by the way. Also, his wife's group of harpists are wonderful. All in all, a great group of songs show and I am sure a great cd. I also want the tape when it is available.

Sorry, I have not heard this album, but the song "MY SON" was suggested for a Mother/Son dance at his wedding. I would surely love to see the words first, before I purchase the album.. Thank you for any help you may have.

"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.