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The Collectibles
Book one of the Collectibles Trilogy
"Do what the other fella can't. Be what the other fella ain't, and then help the other fella." Joe Hart has never let go of his uncle's words. An orphan from the unspoiled Adirondack mountains, Joe leaves his humble beginnings and goes on to distinguish himself, first as a Navy submarine commander, then as an attorney unequaled in his field. But Joe's world crashes with an unexpected tragedy.
A child of wealth and privilege from New York's Upper East Side, Preston Wilson harbors a fear of financial failure. When that fear threatens to become reality, Preston tracks down the one attorney who might be able to save him. Joe reluctantly decides to help—but only after extracting a promise that Preston will fulfill an unspecified condition when called upon. Preston, desperate, agrees.
Too soon, Joe calls in his unconventional IOU. The self-absorbed Preston balks when Joe tells him he must meet, earn the trust of and care for several people. Each of Joe's "collectibles" –none of whom Preston would ever want to know—has a serious personal challenge. Can Preston find the integrity to make good on his promise to Joe? Does he have a choice?
Reviews
"This is a character driven inspirational tale that makes a case for people to select and help "Collectibles". The key to this strong message is that each of the Collectibles contains different personalities and woes. Joe shows first hand by example to Preston that life has no meaning if you fail to, as his uncle said, "…help the other fella". This work is so thought provoking, readers will reflect on who their "collector" is and who their "collectibles" are."
— Harriet Klausner
Amazon.com
"Mr. Kaufman has written a fine novel. The character development in The Collectibles is excellent and the setting descriptions place the reader right in the center of all the locations. It's been a lovely read. I laughed, I cried and I wished for more. Mr. Kaufman deserves to join that long line of distinguished North Carolina authors. There is an art to crafting a well written book and he should be very proud of having succeeded in his first effort."
— Sylvia V. Hewitt
Amazon.com
"When I started to read the book I soon found I was hooked from the very beginning. The characters just seem to draw you to them and you could not help but become connected with them. As the plot deepens I found out there was no way to put the book down. There is such a lesson in life throughout the pages of this book. Highly Recommended."
— Miss Lynn's Book Blog
books-n-more.blogspot.com
"The Collectibles is such a great read… a rich, sprawling novel of friendship, loss, sin, and redemption."
— Frank Baldwin
Author of Balling the Jack
"The Collectibles, a beautifully written, extremely readable debut novel by an extraordinarily gifted writer, is one that I can heartily recommend to my bookstore patrons. I hope it will be the first of many more by author James Kaufman."
— Brooks Preik
Owner, Two Sisters Bookery, Wilmington, NC
"The Collectibles is the first novel written by James Kaufman and I hope it will not be the last. I was spellbound by this book. It has so many themes, and is so powerfully drawn of personal integrity, and compassion and honesty and friendship… and a very deep kind of love where you really accept people just as they are. I highly recommend it."
— Jemila Ericson
Host, Morning Music and Midday Cafe, WHQR
"For a debut novel, Mr. Kaufman has outdone himself. This book is nothing short of incredible and extremely heartwarming. By the end, I was in tears. It drew me in emotionally and just wouldn't let me go. I felt as if I knew these characters and they had become part of my life."
— Night Owl Reviews
nightowlreviews.com — Top Pick
"When I finished The Collectibles, I knew I'd read a book I would never forget, and I could not wait for Book Two of the Trilogy. I pre-ordered it, and I read it the minute it came. My expectations were high — and I was not disappointed. In fact, it was even better."
— Deborah Haupt
Verified Reader