Night Owl Reviews, Top Pick, www.nightowlreviews.com
“For a debut novel, Mr. Kaufman has outdone himself. This book is nothing short of incredible and extremely heartwarming. I wasn’t too sure about this book when I started it but when I finished it, I was so glad that I had the opportunity to read this outstanding story.
Overall, I can’t say enough good things about this story. 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. Their problems became mine and their issues were real. I was rooting for Preston to see beyond his life and his realities to become a man that you could be proud to call your friend. With the end of this book, I felt as if I had lost a friend and truly felt as if I, as a person, had gained something.”
Deborah Haupt – High Expectations Exceeded!
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.
I love Katherine Kelly, the young investigative journalist the author introduces. I’m a mother with a grown daughter of my own, and I could totally relate to the love a mother feels together with her hope that her daughter will be happy. Katherine reminded me of my daughter–smart, energetic, and a bit of a bulldog. The writing is wonderful; you can see the scenes and all the characters are compelling. I felt that I knew them personally. I was also amazed at the journey Katherine was on in her search for the truth and her real father. What a timely book. Don’t let this one go by. I can’t wait for Book Three!
Harriet Klausner, reviewed on Amazon.com
The son of Manhattan high societye Preston Wilson grew up with a platinum spoon. On the other hand orphaned as a child Joe Hart was raised by his working class Uncle Howard and Aunt Lettie with a sterling silver spoon. Whereas Preston has an extremely easy path to success; Joe works his way through the US Navy, college and law school.
They met as teens when Joe saved Preston’s life in the Adirondacks. Years later, a distraught Preston is in deep financial trouble and needing a lawyer. He asks Joe to represent him; Joe agrees on the stipulation that Preston owes him a debt that one day he will collect. Preston accepts the strange terms. Not long after reluctantly agreeing to help, Joe saves his client from financial ruin. The attorney demands remittance. He directs Preston to obtain the trust of Joe’s friends “The Collectibles”; as he expects Preston to care for these troubled people when he soon cannot. He explains he helps them as homage to his uncle helping him. Johnny is a mentally challenged dishwasher; Missy is a domestic abuse victim waiting tables; Tommy is a gambling addict; Harry is a bipolar photographer and Corey is a carpenter suffering from early Alzheimer’s.
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 si thought provoking, readers will reflect on who their “collector” is and who their “collectibles” are.
Sylvia V. Hewitt, reviewed on 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 and there are alot. It’s been a lovely read. I laughed, I cried and I wished for more.
Joe Hart is a fascinating character and there is the promise of learning where life takes his Collectibles in the future. I trust we can expect to find out one day. Without being overly sentimental, there are life lessons to be carried away and that’s a challenge for an author to maintain.
Other reviewers have written well about the story line. Suffice it to say that 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. It’s so nice to discover another new favorite author.
If we are lucky, we will hear more from Mr. Kaufman and if you are looking for a good read, you should settle in with The Collectibles. A chain of car dealerships, boats and beaches, the Adirondacks, big money and low life’s – this book will take you on quite a ride – that’s a promise.”
Miss Lynn’s Book Blog, www.books-n-more.blogspot.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. All the money and power in the world cannot bring happiness, Love and generosity relationships and obligations makes the person. I hope the movie that is in the works is as great as the book. Highly Recommended.”
Avil Beckford, Writer, Researcher and Author
“The Collectibles by James Kaufman is one of those books that when you start reading it, you do not want to put it down because you want to know how it ends. Even though it’s a novel, the scenes play out in the corporate boardroom every day. It’s often recommended that authors should write about what they know. An attorney and former judge, Kaufman is the founder and CEO of The Kaufman Group where he assists companies worldwide to meet challenges, and help them to restructure and subsequently flourish. His knowledge of business makes the scenes realistic and the characters believable. … The Collectibles is a story about love, loss, wrong doing and redemption. We are human, we all make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from our mistakes and try to correct them when possible. I recommend The Collectibles by James J. Kaufman, and though it’s a work of fiction, it’s also a wonderful business story which will teach you strategies and techniques that you can use in work and life.”
Frank Baldwin, author of Balling the Jack and Hollywood screenplay writer
“The Collectibles is such a great read… a rich, sprawling novel of friendship, loss, sin, and redemption.”
Narayan Radhakrishnan, author of legal fiction compendium A Fiction of Law
“Kaufman enters the realm of legal writing with this finely crafted and well-narrated novel. The Collectibles…interesting reading… the book reminded me of Jeffery Archer’s Kane and Abel…the book makes interesting reading…gives you a ‘Feel Good’ feeling after you finish… a grand one (read).”
Brooks Preik, owner of Two Sisters Bookery, Wilmington, NC
“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.”
Johnny Tan, Award-Winning Author and Talk Show Host
“Love and Fear Caught up in the Discomforts of life. The Collectibles gives the reader a unique perspective of life because it provides a window into what people value and why they value it. Two very unlikely people meet in a most unlikely way. Preston Wilson emerges from affluence, having never learned the meaning of earning his way. This leads him into trouble. His counterpart, Joe Hart, was an orphan, mentored by his uncle, and grew up in a working class family. Joe struggled to attain an education, subsequently overcoming all obstacles to be an attorney.Joe crossed paths with Preston the first time around as teenagers when he saved Preston’s life. In in cycle of life, when Preston found himself in all sorts of trouble, he learned that Joe had become a successful attorney and seek him as a legal counsel. Joe agreed to represent Preston on the condition that he would return a favor in the future.
When Joe came to collect the debt Preston promised to pay, Preston was surprised to learn the unusual nature of Joe’s request. Preston must acquaint himself and earn the trust of a group of people Joe had befriended. For the first time, Preston faced the compromise of his life.
The book is about living life, the power of human relationships and how people sort out obligations. The author’s first book is easy reading. James Kaufman is an attorney, former judge, and a successful businessman. He write an intense tale that forces one to reflect on the meaning of his own life. It’s a substantial book that teaches us a valuable lesson in life. When we allow our love to exceed our fear, then harmony will follow in everything we do. A must read for those seeking to understand the human power deep within us.” Jemila Ericson, host, Morning Music and Midday Cafe, WHQR
“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.”