Customer Reviews

The Cost of Dreams

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flora, the main character in the story, showed incredible courage in not only escaping from the troubles in her country to the USA but she then got married, had a family and trained to be a teacher. But I didn't really feel as if I got to know Flora as a person, I didn't know what she was thinking or the kind of person she was most of the time and so I didn't care too much about her terrible ordeals ......... and she did have a tough time throughout the book....... which was a shame, as I do love to sympathise with my characters and I usually want them to come through and live happily ever after. But I'm afraid I wasn't that bothered about what happened to any of them.

The storyline was interesting and it never got boring, there was always plenty of action, but not a lot of narrative. It was mainly plot-driven and descriptive, some of the terrain scenes I found quite difficult to visualize. Also, particularly at the beginning of the book, some of the sentences were long-winded and it didn't make for quick and easy reading, but I felt that this improved as the story went on.

Overall, even though this wasn't a book that I particularly enjoyed, I do feel that Gary Stelzer has some good creative ideas, and it was interesting to learn about a different culture.

Stelzer completely captivated me in Flora's story from the beginning. He just completely captured the difficulties that people crossing the border have and the kind of life they continue to live while in the States. There were so many things that were just so amazing! Flora's character is a strong willed, charismatic, and loving woman. She loves her husband, even after he left her in the car for dead; she adores her two children and manages to teach a school. This novel made me visualize Flora's journey with a variety of language techniques and through the visualistic language. When I got to the very last page, I seriously could not believe it! The writing is so fast paced that I just couldn't get believe that I had gotten to the last page that quickly! Anyway guys, check out this book! I guarantee you will not be sorry! I give this novel 4 out of 5 paws.

Some books are destined to become best sellers and I truly feel this is one of them. And I'd be very surprised if it didn't pull in several awards, as well.

I've read mixed reviews of this book. Many of those who didn't particularly care for it were the readers who found it difficult emotionally.

That, however, is the point of the story.

Gary Stelzer brings to the pages a tale meant to shock. Although rare, it can be a somewhat common story for those immigrants who face some harsh realities when they trade one tough situation for another.

The main character ends up fighting for her life in this unusual story of drugs, kidnapping, murder and insanity. And, indeed, there were parts very difficult to read, but without them, this would not be the book it is.

Even though it is fiction, the words paint a picture of a story that could really have happened. This is an excellent read and one I'd recommend to anyone wanting to understand the trials many immigrants could potentially face in a new land.

This book caught me off guard. It took me a bit to get into and yet it read so easily. At first I was thinking that it wasn't my kind of story and then before you knew it I was sucked in and over halfway through the book.

The Cost of Dreams is about a woman's life. All her struggles, strife's, joys, hope, faith and dare I say triumphs. I found by the end of it, I had grown very attached to Flora as well as a few other characters.

I was on the edge of my seat many times and I had to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. What hurdles Flora had yet to conquer in her life. What joys might be in her path.

In the end, I am very glad I chose to read this book. I really enjoyed it. (Received book for review)

Do you ever read a book that just sucks you in and not only captures 100% of your attention but your heart as well. I don't think that I have ever held my breath so many times in reading a book as I did when I read The Cost of Drams by Gary Stelzer. This is a story about survival and strength like I have never read before. The pure determination to live and find happiness is Flora's main objective as she flees her small Central American village for the US. After her parents are killed in a raid she knows that she too will end up like them if she doesn't change her life with her two brothers. Unfortunately for them they are captured and arrested and Flora is able to escape barely only to begin a new adventure. Survival in the US, alone and penniless.



Eventually Flora is hired as a nanny for a young boy and struggles to get her life together. So strong willed yet you would think she would be so beaten down from her past she meets Monte and they get married. But Monte has a pretty evil brother who is a drug dealer and when he comes around looking for some missing drugs and Monte Flora is the one who is shot in the neck and left for dead. Not just by her brother in law but by Monte her husband as well.

But Flora's story doesn't end there, gathering her will and all her fight she travels across the country to call on someone she considered a friend. Kate and her brother were aid workers in Central America before Flora fled, but Kate holds her own demons, he nephew has gone missing. Kate went home and he disappeared. Her guilt eats her alive and with the arrival of Flora and her persuasion to find out what happened to him they set out an mission for truth and reprieve.

I was captured from the moment I started this book and the pure heart of Flora, the hardship she endoured having to leave her family behind, losing them so tragically I was continually on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next!

This is a book that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can to find out what happens next. Most of the time, it is something you didn't expect. The story is about hope, fortitude and a love of life. The author has created a fighter within these pages, able to withstand whatever life throws her. Following her from the first page to the last was an amazing journey and I hope the author doesn't stop here.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the strength of the human spirit, and/or wants to read a book that is exciting from page one.

Living as we do less than 3 miles for the Mexican Border, I was very interested in reading this book. It is so easy to form an opinion about the situation of people crossing illegally into the states without maybe looking at it from the viewpoint of the illegal that is doing the crossing. This book didn't change my mind about people coming into this country illegally but it did create an empathy for these people that I hadn't had before. But this story isn't only about Flora coming to America and seeking a new life. It is also about her surviving a brutal attack, being kidnapped by a mad woman who thinks she is her deceased daughter come back to life and her rescue and journey back into a foreign country for what she hopes will be healing from a local medicine man.

This book has a lot going on for only 296 pages.

I rooted for Flora, I cried for Flora, I felt Flora's pain and betrayal and her ultimate triumph.

Fourteen year old, Flora Enriquez and her brothers and sisters flee their home in
Central America for the U.S. Their parents were killed during the raid on their village. Flora is not the oldest as her brother, Willie at sixteen is. Though, Flora's drive and determination makes her way more mature for her age. She consumes the leadership role for her brothers and sisters. Flora and her two brothers cross the border, only to have the authorities arrest Willie and Rubio. Flora escapes unnoticed.

Flora meets up with a nice family and is hired to take care of their son. She convinces the family to pay for her schooling as she plans to become a teacher. One day, Flora meets a man by the name of Monte Erickson. She and Monte get married. Just when it seems things are looking up for Flora, bad things happen. Monte's drug dealing brother, Roy comes looking for Monte. Flora ends up getting shot and Monte leaves her for dead. Will Flora survive or is The Cost of Dreams too high?

Gary Stelzer has penned a wonderful novel with The Cost of Dreams. Flora was such a great character. She has a wide range of dimensions from...strong leadership to caring and nurturing. Everything she went though would cause some people to give up but not Flora. She is a fighter. I got lost in this book instantly. It was like I was right with Flora every step of the way from her dangerous trek across Central America to setting foot onto American soil. The Cost of Dreams is a fast paced good read. Check out this book and I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Gary Stelzer has written a terrific novel of struggle, faith and hope, in "The Cost of Dreams".

It is a nail biter, both harrowing and hopeful, that follows Flora Enriquez on her journey from Central America to the US. Walking from her village with her brothers and sister, she endures starvation and dehydration, while trying to get her family to a better place.Flora get a job, gets educated, and starts a family, and a job as a teacher. When her husbands drug dealer brother comes looking for missing drugs, he shoots Flora in the neck,leaving her unable to move or speak, as her husband runs and hopes for the best. Flora is picked up by strangers and hauled onto a freight train,leaving her husband and children behind, taking her on a journey even more harrowing than her trip from Central America.

This is one terrific read, full of heart, and hope. I really liked it so much! If you are looking for a wonderful story with adventure thrown in, this is for you.

I received this book from Robyn at Carol Fass Publicity, for review. Thank You!