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Deep in the Heart of Me
" Ulie says we write the stories we can live with. I say we write the stories we want to live in."
This is such a beautiful story. It tells the tale of a young boy growing into a man. It tells of a girl and of love. It tells of a family, and of bonds that you can't break. It tells of adventure, and death, of enterprise and growth. And every word on every page pulls you in, to experience all of it as you read.
There are few books that have tugged at my heart as much as this has. I really don't want to share the plot, because it's just so much better when you read it blind. When I started, I thought it was going one way, but then...
Read this, because it is just that good.
This is such a beautiful story. It tells the tale of a young boy growing into a man. It tells of a girl and of love. It tells of a family, and of bonds that you can't break. It tells of adventure, and death, of enterprise and growth. And every word on every page pulls you in, to experience all of it as you read.
There are few books that have tugged at my heart as much as this has. I really don't want to share the plot, because it's just so much better when you read it blind. When I started, I thought it was going one way, but then...
Read this, because it is just that good.
- GenresRomance
599 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2016
About the author
Diane Munier
13 books84 followersLiving comfortably in the heart of America with the people I love. I live an extroverted life, but I'm a genuine introvert. An urban kid, I spent much of my youth running in various neighborhood establishments. There I met many colorful characters and I learned to love them and be fascinated by them. My love of story comes from them. I learned to sit on a bar stool or a kitchen chair or in a pew and hear story. There is no greater honor than to hear someone's story. If you feel that way about the tales I tell...what more could I ask.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 20, 2016
Few people can tell a story like Diane. The way she describes people, places, dialogue, and events, is nothing short of transcendent. No hyperbole. It's easy to get sucked in and feel as if one is really there. I often wonder if Diane has lived 1000 lives, because the way she spins a story... It is as if she is telling it from experience. I loved the story of Tonio and Sobe. I love that everyone had to work for their happy ending. There were no easy outs. So much pain and sadness, so much hope and reward. And beauty. It truly is a beautiful day in the heart of America.
The book was a true pleasure to read.
The book was a true pleasure to read.
July 9, 2016
This is an exciting and moving story that takes place in the 1930s. The main characters are a young couple that fall quickly in love, but are challenged by obstacles, danger, and maturing. The characters are endearing, bold and fearless, and always entertaining. The story is moving and gripping and is hard to put down. I love reading Diane Munier's stories, and highly recommend Deep in the Heart of Me to anyone wanting an exciting story!
July 7, 2016
Deep in the Heart of Me creates a long past time and space that is so clear it is cinematic in the reader's mind. This is a novel where falling in love is palpable and fighting for that love is everything despite the obstacles, risks, and unknown. Unique in tone and voice, give this special story a try.
May 6, 2017
Diane Munier takes the reader to a farm and into the hearts and lives of those struggling to survive. Tonio’s path is strewn with mishaps and fortune—not the fortune that can be bought, but fortune that must be learned through experience and some very tough knocks along the way. His childhood sweetheart, Sobe, discovers that what was their one dream she no longer shares with Tonio and enjoys the possibilities in life that education brings. This well-crafted novel is so much more than a love story. “Deep in the Heart of Me” will take you into a world where what seems simple is anything but, and fairness lives in a far off land—sought after, but only achieved after much tribulation for some. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reading complex characters, and a compelling plot.
September 1, 2017
I do love Diane's writing. She is up to her old magic here, painting a whole world and vivid characters that breathe on the page. That being said, this book was a little tedious for me to get through and I set it aside for a bit. I had little patience with the angry young entitled white male telling this story. While some of his rage is definitely not entirely misplaced, it grew tiresome to be around for the length of the read. Relief came in our heroine's voice at certain points, but not often enough to feel they flowed well with the story. Perspective change for just a couple chapters out of a staggering 101 total chapters seems without real merit. I'm sorry Diane, I wish I had liked this one more. :)
June 7, 2017
I truly felt I was back in the 30's while reading this moving story. Diane writes so beautifully you feel transported to whatever time and place she dictates. This is a story of growing up, young love, hardship, and heartache. Tonio is the oldest of a 'passel of youngins' and learns responsibility at a very young age. His family relies on him a little too much at times but he carries it all. A new young lady in school turns his head and life is never the same for Tonio. There is mystery, humor, and the growing pains of young love. This is a well crafted and totally engrossing story. You won't be sorry.
August 15, 2016
Young Tonio Clannan’s life makes sense. Life is the land—most of it Clannan land—and he shares his father’s pride in working that land. He’s the oldest of nine kids, so he knows the meaning of “work.” And work is fine because work makes sense. He’s got deep-seated beef with the Smith boys and can't wait to be finished with school, but all of that makes sense too. Because above all else, Tonio’s life makes sense.
Until the arrival of Miss Sobe Bell.
She flies into town in her father’s Ford and stirs up more than just dust on Clannan Lane. Tonio first deems her “the girl with two names,” but he will soon discover she needs a few others too.
Stubborn. Fearless. Infuriating. Beautiful.
And it’s that last one, you see, that plagues him most. Because Sobe distracts and vexes him, makes him wonder and worry. He wonders what she means when she speaks and worries he’ll never understand a word of it. He wonders where she came from and worries she’ll go away.
And he wonders and worries what he’ll do if that ever happens.
But Tonio doesn’t always have time to wonder and worry about that maddening Sobe Bell because he’s got other things on his mind—the kind of things that make a boy take matters into his own hands...the kind of things that make that boy a man overnight.
I’ll let Tonio tell you all about those things...and Sobe too, if she’s willing.
But with all that said...and a whole bunch of other stuff I can’t even get into right now...here’s the bottom line: Tonio Clannan may live for the land, but Sobe Bell comes to live in his heart. And a Clannan man protects his heart no matter what.
Deep in the Heart of Me is the kind of sweeping, sensual story you’ve come to expect and love from Diane Munier. Tonio may be a farm boy of fourteen, but in Munier’s deft hands, his young heart teems with palpable passion and pride. This is his story, after all, and Munier lets him tell it exactly as he sees fit. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Until the arrival of Miss Sobe Bell.
She flies into town in her father’s Ford and stirs up more than just dust on Clannan Lane. Tonio first deems her “the girl with two names,” but he will soon discover she needs a few others too.
Stubborn. Fearless. Infuriating. Beautiful.
And it’s that last one, you see, that plagues him most. Because Sobe distracts and vexes him, makes him wonder and worry. He wonders what she means when she speaks and worries he’ll never understand a word of it. He wonders where she came from and worries she’ll go away.
And he wonders and worries what he’ll do if that ever happens.
But Tonio doesn’t always have time to wonder and worry about that maddening Sobe Bell because he’s got other things on his mind—the kind of things that make a boy take matters into his own hands...the kind of things that make that boy a man overnight.
I’ll let Tonio tell you all about those things...and Sobe too, if she’s willing.
But with all that said...and a whole bunch of other stuff I can’t even get into right now...here’s the bottom line: Tonio Clannan may live for the land, but Sobe Bell comes to live in his heart. And a Clannan man protects his heart no matter what.
Deep in the Heart of Me is the kind of sweeping, sensual story you’ve come to expect and love from Diane Munier. Tonio may be a farm boy of fourteen, but in Munier’s deft hands, his young heart teems with palpable passion and pride. This is his story, after all, and Munier lets him tell it exactly as he sees fit. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
July 30, 2016
I lived and breathed the lives of Tonio and Sobe from the start of their first childhood meeting in the 1930's. Their hard fought victories from surviving those years without mercy felt as though they were my own!
This story has been my constant companion for the last two weeks of my commute on the train to work. Although it was more adventure than romance, I was always curious to see where the author would take us next. Her story leaves us in a good place, with the possibility of another chapter down the road. Fingers crossed, we will get one!
This story has been my constant companion for the last two weeks of my commute on the train to work. Although it was more adventure than romance, I was always curious to see where the author would take us next. Her story leaves us in a good place, with the possibility of another chapter down the road. Fingers crossed, we will get one!
August 1, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. Diane took me back in time and told me a great story that completely captured me. I was drawn to the 2 main characters and their progression from child to adult. What more can you ask for, well it's also well written and the cover is beautiful.
August 13, 2016
Loved this wonderful story of growing up but also learning some things in a very hard way. First love of a girl that Boyo also tries to protect but ends him in trouble. Recommend highly!!
September 3, 2016
Freaking wonderful book!
I Love Tonio! So many places in this book, i stopped wanted to cry. Im planning on reading everything Munier writes. Totally recommend this one.
I Love Tonio! So many places in this book, i stopped wanted to cry. Im planning on reading everything Munier writes. Totally recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews