The Nature of Jade

By: Deb Caletti

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Jade DeLuna is trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That’s why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, which is where she first sees Sebastian.

When she finally meets him, their connection is immediate, and soon Jade is drawn into the cozy life Sebastian has with his son and his grandmother on their Seattle houseboat. Even though the situation is complicated, Jade hasn’t felt this safe in a long time.

But then she learns that Sebastian is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right....

©2008 Deb Caletti (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The author does a fine job of developing both principal and supporting characters (even the elephants are nicely differentiated), describing their emotions deeply as well as authentically. The love story is also quite captivating." ( Booklist)

Great!

If you could sum up The Nature of Jade in three words, what would they be?

Sweet, easy, different....

What other book might you compare The Nature of Jade to and why?

Not sure, it was different than most I have read. I very much related to Jade, although I am much older than her. It was interesting to see how she handled her anxiety.

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is my favorite narrator. I actually bought the book because I like her voice and intonation!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just made me smile....

JADE sneaked into my soul when I wasn't looking!

I find that, so far, Deb Caletti's books are all the same. They start out easily enough; seeming to be a light, perhaps a little silly and fun "read." Then before I can say WTF she had wormed her way into my consciousness and I cannot WAIT to find out what will happen next. Ms Caletti never fails to leave me with a new outlook at the people around me. No person is predictable, no story is simple. Caletti keeps taking "snap judgment" situations (meaning those that we see and we instantly "know" everything about that person or scenario), turning them into three dimensional living beings, and making all the events, reactions and judgment (both the reader's and the character's) reasonable and understandable....regardless of the reader's personal views or biases. THE NATURE OF JADE is another Caletti story about real people with real feelings in real situations...regardless of how fictional the actual narrative is.

Ms Whelan's reading of the story was beyond reproach. I began the book listening to a young, immature woman and quickly was drawn in. Ms Whelan's inflection and articulation of nuance is AMAZING. She captures many of the characters so very well and her accents and young child voices (Beau in particular) are a riot. Exceptionally well done, Ms. Whelan!!!

I hope these two, author and narrator, collaborate often, for each compliments the other so well. Ms Caletti provides such substance for Ms Whelan to work with and Ms Whelan responds by doing such justice to the material. Kudos to you both!