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Zoom Into Books Author
David Selby was born and educated in West Virginia. A veteran of stage, screen, and television, including such popular series as "Dark Shadows" and "Falcon Crest", the actor and award winning author's last novel, Promises of Love, won awards at the Paris and Hollywood Book Festivals and an International Reader's Favorite Book Award. In 1989, he was honored as a distinguished alumnus of West Virginia University and was given the first Life Achievement Award from the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts. He received the distinguished West Virginian Award from the state in 2002.
In 2004, he received an honorary doctorate from West Virginia University. He and his wife fund a guest artist series at West Virginia University, and he has made many guest appearances around the state.
David is a member of the Cleveland Playhouse Hall of Fame, and in May 1992, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Southern Illinois University, where he had earlier earned a PhD. In 1999 he received the Millennium Recognition Award from the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.
He lives with his family in California. For more information, visit DavidSelby.com
Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite
Life can be hard, especially in impoverished areas, and that is exactly what Daniel Friend experienced as a child. Promises of Love by David Selby follows the sorrows and successes of Daniel from the death of his young mother from a botched abortion to his old age, introspectively analyzing his life. Raised by his sister, Dee, after their father’s suicide, Daniel strives to succeed academically and professionally, in spite of the negative, defeatist attitudes he had heard constantly up to that point. Becoming a prominent surgeon and returning to the mountain country of his youth, Daniel finally marries, has a family, and continues to strive to be the best he can be. Unfortunately, that means guiding his children according to his plans and dreams even though that path is not necessarily the right one. The question becomes, what is the promise of love when someone is ruled by strong mental will and specific dreams?
Social and cultural expectations change over time and Promises of Love by David Selby offers an intimate look at this process in action. From the post World War II poverty in mountainous Virginia through the protests of the 1960s and beyond, the world changes around Daniel Friend without him really accepting it. Deeply insightful and meticulously detailed, Promises of Love includes you in the main character’s struggles through the years so that you can feel all the pain, hope, disappointment and joy as Daniel lives out his life and pursues his dreams. It is said that the unexamined life is one that is not worth living, but at what point does the examination get in the way of actually living your life? Promises of Love is a well written and engrossing story that provides you with a wonderful opportunity to ponder that question through Daniel’s eyes and leaves you taking a good look at your own opinions and choices. The impact of this story lasts well beyond the last page.
