Forever and a Day

I must say Ms. Davis has done the best job of any novel I have read in depicting the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the levee breach in New Orleans. She took me back to those days before and my fears for the people of New Orleans. I remember thinking the same things she wrote about "Why aren't they taking this seriously?" and "Why aren't they listening to Mayor Nagin's request for them to leave?" I live in Texas and I remember staying up for days watching the news and praying for the victims. In the midst of all the sadness, she was able to create a touching love story between Torrie and Jake. There were times I just wanted to reach in the book and shake sense into Torrie for some of her stubbornness and pride. Jake was so giving and caring that I didn't always feel like she properly appreciated what she had. Oh and don't get me started on the two families. They were like the modern day Hatfield's and McCoy's with shot guns to boot. Who would ever think you could meet and fall in love with your soul-mate at the age of 5? This story was truly well developed and Ms. Davis took a difficult topic and made it heart-warming and hopeful, despite the sadness and destruction. I loved it!!

Although Jake Broussard and Torrie Thibodeaux are both from New Orleans, they come from different parts of the city which places a seemingly unbreakable class barrier between them. Jake and Torrie have known each other since they were children and the connection between them is very strong, even when they were apart. When hurricane Katrina blasts her deadly winds through their city, Jake and Torrie are brought together again. Torrie and Jake realize they are meant to be together but their love will be tested as their families and the effects of the storm's destruction constantly pull them apart. Jake is from the right side of the tracks and Torrie from the wrong one. Through her visions, Torrie saw the storm coming, but she can't see a future with Jake. Will their love be strong enough to see them through? In Forever and a Day, Torrie and Jake's angst filled love story is told against the backdrop of hurricane Katrina. Although many events may be depicted fictionally, they are still powerful and heartbreaking. Jake's and Torrie's lives were changed forever, but through the heartache and loss came a love so strong nothing could destroy it. I loved Jake and Torrie. Their past, present and even their future is touching and romantic. I admire Torrie's strength and Jake's protectiveness. Forever and a Day is a passionate, poignant, and well written story. Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Torrie Thibodeaux has always had a sixth sense that her family never really paid attention to. Her biggest fear was having her life destroyed by a hurricane. From the age of 4, Torrie has had these feelings and it was Jake Broussard who was always able to comfort her. Despite being her hero and only true love, Torrie and Jake were kept apart by their color and class - Torrie was a dark skinned African American that lived in the 9th ward (poor section) while Jake was "light, Bright and nearly White" African American that lived in the Garden District. As Torrie stuggles to convenice her family to leave the area before the storm hits, Jake jumps into SUV in New York and heads to Torrie. Dyanne Davis has done something with the novel that I have never seen before - she has crafted a very emotional love story in the midst of a Storm. She gives an inside look at what it was like for those that left New Orleans and the heart ache they suffered as they tried to put the pieces back together again. In addition, Torrie and Jake had to struggle to build a life together in spite of discriminaiton within their families and learn to love and trust each other. Heck ... the man braved a storm and came running to her.... Very, very good story... I was introduced to Ms. Davis through a yahoo group and ordered her book. I am soooo glad I did... can't wait to read the others....(^_^) VBG Peace and Blessings!!

Author Dyanne Davis' "Forever and A Day" captures an up close and personal view of what is was like to be in the midst of Hurricane Katrina and the tragedies that resulted from such a devastating storm. The lives it took and the damage that has ravaged New Orleans, Mississippi, and is something that will never be forgotten. Ever since Torrie Thibodeaux was five years-old, she would cower in the corner, afraid of the impending storms that New Orleans would experience every year. When this would happen during the time she was in pre-school, Jake Broussard would come over and sit with her, promising with all his five year-old heart that he would protect her. This was their relationship as they grew up, despite the class difference and skin color. Until the day it was made evident to the two of them by the neighbor who embarrassed them and ultimately changed their relationship seemingly forever. Over the years Torrie and Jake lived their lives apart from each other, Torrie in New Orleans and Jake in New York. Whenever there was a storm, Jake would call Torrie and talk her through it, putting her fears at bay. But he has always known that Torrie's apprehension far surpassed her fear of storms, and was directly related to the dreams and visions of the devastation that would some day come to be known as "Hurricane Katrina." Running ahead of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Torrie was very instrumental by becoming a modern day "Moses", helping family and friends to escape the storms and find shelter, food and jobs. All the while Jake came running behind Torrie determined to rekindle their relationship and accept and forge ahead with the love he has had for Torrie since he was five years-old. They still had to deal with the fact that they came from different worlds, Torrie from the Ninth Ward and he from the Garden District, but they both matured enough to confront these issues and others all the while dealing with the crisis of the storm, their families' concerns and thoughts about them being together, and a host of things from their past that had come full circle. "Forever and A Day" is a wonderful novel that author Davis was able to weave into a beautiful love story despite the issues skin color, upbringing, and class. The storm was the catalyst that blurred these concerns making the people one in their unfortunate ordeal. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books, and to those who still have concerns about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and those who are still suffering from its destruction. Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love Apooo BookClub

Forever and a Day is a wonderful romance, with two soul mates destined to be together. The author does a great job of building up your connection to the main characters to the point when their love is revealed, with a graphic and heartfelt background of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The very real issues of classism and distinctions based on color within the race are addressed head on. Great read! would recommend to anyone who loves a real romance.