Dog Ear Publishing reviews a new novel by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse that pairs young love with current events in an unforgettable journey exploring family loyalty and the hope for a better life.
In “The Eyes Have It,” Olivia and Ethan start a whirlwind romance, becoming absorbed with their new relationship and shutting out the rest of the world. When her father finally meets Ethan, he seems to take an instant dislike to him, leaving the teens puzzled by his behavior. Her father is typically an easy-going man.
Ethan’s family, on the other hand, is much more welcoming, including his Muslim mother, who once lived in Saudi Arabia. The exception is his older brother Jamail, who seems committed to converting Ethan to Islam from Catholicism and has nothing good to say about Olivia.
During a traditional family outing with Olivia’s family and Ethan, true disaster strikes, and dozens of lives are affected. Although Ethan, Olivia and her brother are not injured, things will change dramatically in the aftermath of the horrific event, a terrorist attack. As authorities begin to pepper both families with questions, long-held secrets eventually come to light, rippling through the two families with devastating emotional impact.
“The Eyes Have It” takes readers on a journey that could play out in any number of U.S. cities, drawing readers in with its relentless action. Whether the young lovers can survive what life has thrown their way remains to be seen, but sacrifice and love of family can’t always guarantee a happy ending.
Author Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse is getting glowing reviews for the novel. She “proves she understands the human heart as well as any writer working today, and she knows how to make a reader’s heart thump hard – with anticipation, with sorrow, with fear, and with joy,” writes author Mark Spencer.
Lajeunesse spent years in the health care industry as a nurse before turning to her true passion – writing. The Troy, New York, native creates stories about relationships, families and other life connections related to everyday people.
She recently began exploring her Armenian heritage, exploring the history of the Armenian church and its members for a future historical fiction project. The author and her husband, Dennis, live in South Glens Falls, New York.
For additional information, please visit www.myfriendivy.com.
The Eyes Have It
Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-7059-9 198 pages $14.99 US
Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.
Dog Ear Publishing partners with authors to shape content that resonates with readers as diverse as the books we publish. Our mission is to leverage expertise, technology and relationships to form a meaningful and lasting bond between creators, content and culture as a whole. Dog Ear Publishing is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and can be contacted by phone at (317) 228-3656 or through www.dogearpublishing.net.