Not a Fire Exit

by Christopher M Finlan, Heather Goodman (Editor), Hillary Dunlop Schmid (Foreword)

Hurry up, she thought, quickly bypassing the rest of the menu. The message began, her face turning ashen as she listened. She stopped and replayed the message from the beginning, hand trembling as she pushed each key. But there was no mistaking Dr. Schad's voice in the message she heard. It consisted of just two words - "Go ahead." And so begins the story of Jim and Sarah Knox, two individuals who make an extraordinary couple and are about to have their lives changed forever by a single cupcake. From the first Nolan Knockout to the last drop of Gringo Moreno, it's a love story wrapped in a mystery that'll keep you laughing throughout and have you racing to sign up for your own "Felines for Frederick's" program. For each copy sold, a donation will be made to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation.

234 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2009

Reviews

[Halle Eavelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not A Fire Exit is a fascinating amalgam of mystery story, medical fantasy, and one writer's desire to make a difference in the world. Written in a breezy, witty, and highly accessible style, Not A Fire Exit opens with a medical miracle for one baby with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or "SMA",(which I'd never heard of, but which is a devastating disease that kills most of the infants who suffer from it). Then it switches on the mystery, as we meet the couple who are the central characters in the book, Sarah and her husband Jim, and the intriguing and possibly nefarious Cal Nolan, owner of Nolan Realty and the Nolan Realty Knockouts, a set of beautiful lady realtors. If first-time author Christopher Finlan doesn't decide to make writing his full-time career (and he should), he could probably do something with this innovative real estate scheme. Throughout the book, we see Sarah and Jim's very real relationship as a backdrop for uncovering who Cal Nolan really is, and how this all relates to a baby who survived SMA.

While all this would be reason enough to buy the book, Finlan's gone one step further, donating a large chunk of the book's proceeds to SMA, and has found a sponsor who matches the donation. I can't think of a greater way to get a good read in and make the world a better place all at the same time, so hats off to Finlan, and all the interesting characters in Not A Fire Exit.
http://www.notafireexit.com

[Rayni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was riveting & a good read. I don't have a bookshelf for medical fantasy, but it is. The good doctor reminded me of Dr. Who.

I should wait to review the books I read. While I liked this book & think the story is great, there were things I didn't care for. OK, so I'm a prude, but I did not like the sexual innuendos. I don't know if I'll ever be able to enjoy a KitKat again without thinking of this book. I don't even know if I should mention the language, I've heard worse. The constant "domestic squabbles" wore me down. The characters seemed one-dimensional. Such as she's discussing her "case" at a counter in a café. They were sitting at the counter because it was too busy for a table or a booth, yet I got the feeling there was no one around them

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a real disease, a terminal one. The details were portrayed accurately. I like the way the author wrapped his story around those details. I like the way he is using proceeds from this book to go toward research for SMA.

[glitrbug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Failed the 30% rule. I can't remember when I have been more bored by a book. The review I read said it was funny, but I didn't even get a smile out of it. That will teach me to always read a sample.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up for Kindle for $1.99 - pretty funny debut novel.