Review By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Review: Loving the Missing Link – by Julia Asel Thomas
By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Julia Asel Thomas tackles several ‘big issues’ (acceptance, self-education, and self-understanding to name a few) in Loving the Missing Link. For Cheryl, things are a little more complicated than the ordinary low self-esteem of a lower class teenager girl in a small town and the ending was full of twists and turns that I hadn’t expected. The main character, Cheryl, struggles to find herself amidst the demands of her mother, expectations of her teachers, and the unconditional acceptance of her boyfriend, Jerry. Cheryl is very much a loner who has trouble expressing her thoughts and feelings to others; she finds a haven in her journal and what is so difficult to express in life is captured on those safe pages. Cheryl’s practice of journaling is where I, as a reader was able to really gain understanding of her as a character. We are different in so many ways where I am quite confident, she was shy and fearful and seemed content with being average. I found myself cheering her on as she began on the path to self-understanding.
I enjoy the style of Thomas’s writing and appreciate the honest thoughts from the characters. Loving the Missing Link is told in such a way that I quickly became engrossed with the character development and enjoyed it right through to the end. It would be hard to say more without spoilers. When Cheryl finds herself lost as a housewife in a college town, she meets Sid of Sid’s Shelves and the two become friends. Cheryl was running away from a controlling well-meaning mother and found comfort in the non-judgmental Sid who was much more tactful than her mother yet still had a way of helping push Cheryl toward her full potential. Somehow Thomas manages to make each chapter meaningful in Cheryl’s coming of age. Based on the wide range of issues, this would be a good pick for book discussions.
The constant theme of music throughout Loving the Missing Link could appeal to those who enjoy music as well as those more familiar with the creation of music. Thomas has such a way with words as she takes an ordinary young woman from a small town and helps her find her voice (literally). I hope to read more from Thomas in the future; there is a rhythm and vibe to her writing that spoke to me. Even though Cheryl and I are two very different people, I know people who struggle with self-esteem and confidence and it the insight from Cheryl’s journal allowed me to see things from a different perspective. With just a few pages left to read, I set down Loving the Missing Link and was reluctant to pick it up again. By that time, I knew how things were going to end but I was not ready to say good bye to the characters I had been cheering for throughout the journey.
Loving the Missing Link is a first published works for Thomas but I do hope she writes more, and I would definitely be interested in a sequel if there is one in the future. Cheryl came so far in Loving the Missing Link and like all of us; she is a work in progress. I would like to be there to see where future paths will lead.
By Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Julia Asel Thomas tackles several ‘big issues’ (acceptance, self-education, and self-understanding to name a few) in Loving the Missing Link. For Cheryl, things are a little more complicated than the ordinary low self-esteem of a lower class teenager girl in a small town and the ending was full of twists and turns that I hadn’t expected. The main character, Cheryl, struggles to find herself amidst the demands of her mother, expectations of her teachers, and the unconditional acceptance of her boyfriend, Jerry. Cheryl is very much a loner who has trouble expressing her thoughts and feelings to others; she finds a haven in her journal and what is so difficult to express in life is captured on those safe pages. Cheryl’s practice of journaling is where I, as a reader was able to really gain understanding of her as a character. We are different in so many ways where I am quite confident, she was shy and fearful and seemed content with being average. I found myself cheering her on as she began on the path to self-understanding.
I enjoy the style of Thomas’s writing and appreciate the honest thoughts from the characters. Loving the Missing Link is told in such a way that I quickly became engrossed with the character development and enjoyed it right through to the end. It would be hard to say more without spoilers. When Cheryl finds herself lost as a housewife in a college town, she meets Sid of Sid’s Shelves and the two become friends. Cheryl was running away from a controlling well-meaning mother and found comfort in the non-judgmental Sid who was much more tactful than her mother yet still had a way of helping push Cheryl toward her full potential. Somehow Thomas manages to make each chapter meaningful in Cheryl’s coming of age. Based on the wide range of issues, this would be a good pick for book discussions.
The constant theme of music throughout Loving the Missing Link could appeal to those who enjoy music as well as those more familiar with the creation of music. Thomas has such a way with words as she takes an ordinary young woman from a small town and helps her find her voice (literally). I hope to read more from Thomas in the future; there is a rhythm and vibe to her writing that spoke to me. Even though Cheryl and I are two very different people, I know people who struggle with self-esteem and confidence and it the insight from Cheryl’s journal allowed me to see things from a different perspective. With just a few pages left to read, I set down Loving the Missing Link and was reluctant to pick it up again. By that time, I knew how things were going to end but I was not ready to say good bye to the characters I had been cheering for throughout the journey.
Loving the Missing Link is a first published works for Thomas but I do hope she writes more, and I would definitely be interested in a sequel if there is one in the future. Cheryl came so far in Loving the Missing Link and like all of us; she is a work in progress. I would like to be there to see where future paths will lead.
Paperback: 190
Pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (self-published) Publishing (August 6, 2013)
ISBN-10: ISBN10: 1480106240
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (self-published) Publishing (August 6, 2013)
ISBN-10: ISBN10: 1480106240
Twitter hashtag: #LMLThomas
Loving the Missing Link is available as a print and e- book at Amazon.
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| Julia Asel Thomas - Author of Loving the Missing Link |
About the Author:
Julia Asel Thomas writes stories with vivid
descriptions, authentic dialogue and revealing narration. Her debut book,
Loving the Missing Link, presents the engrossing and moving story of a young,
small town girl who grows up, lives and loves while trying to find a balance
between despair and hope.
Like the protagonist in her debut book, Loving
the Missing Link, Julia Asel Thomas knows small town life. However, Julia’s
experiences were quite different than Cheryl’s. Julia is the middle child of
seven children and the daughter of a church organist and a business manager.
Growing up in the small town of Hamilton, Missouri, Julia’s family enjoyed a
reputation as a bright and interesting family. Julia thrived on the quiet and
carefree life she lived in that gentle place.
When Julia was in high school, she earned a
scholarship for a trip to Cali, Colombia as a foreign exchange student. The
experience, although it only lasted a few brief months, had a profound
influence on the rest of her life. After her time abroad, Julia realized in a
very real way that, although customs may differ from culture to culture, the
substance of human emotions is constant. We all need love. We all need to feel
secure. We all have happy moments and sad moments. Back from Colombia, Julia
become ever more interested in capturing these human emotions through music and
writing.
After high school, Julia took a break before
going on to college. During this time, she married her husband, Will. Will
joined the Air Force, and Julia accompanied him to bases around the country,
taking college classes in each town where they resided. Their two children were
born in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Will was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.
Married in 1976, Julia and Will are thrilled to celebrate each new anniversary
and look forward to staying together for life.
Julia began writing fiction at the age of ten,
when her 5th grade teacher gave her the assignment to write about “My Worst
Day.” Julia took the opportunity to concoct every possible disaster a young
child could face during the course of a normal day. The teacher loved her work
and asked her to read it to the class. From then on, Julia wanted nothing more
than to be a writer.
In 2007, Julia began earning her living by
writing articles, press releases and website content for a number of clients.
As she settled into a routine of working every day on her writing, the old urge
to write fiction resurfaced. In 2012, Julia started with a story she had
written in 1985 and continued it to create the story in Loving the Missing
Link.
Find out more about this author by visiting her online:
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