Book Description

This is the story of two friends, Philip Corts and Jake Holdridge, and what can happen when one of them is psychic, one is suicidal, and the bonds of friendship are stretched to their limit as Philip learns exactly what he is willing to do to save a friend's life.

Philip Corts has a special gift that his best friend Jake Holdridge won't let him ignore--he can "track" lost objects, people, and even past lives with his mind. But not all trackings have happy endings and Philip vows to lay his gift to rest until... Jake slips into desperation and comes to Philip with a terrifying request: Could he track one more time? Philip must decide: Watch Jake die or try to save him and risk both their lives.

Editorial Reviews

REVIEWED BY JASON JORDAN in decomposition magazine December 2004
In a nutshell, Ophelia Julien's Saving Jake (New Leaf Books, 2002) focuses on the relationship between Jake Holdridge and Philip Corts. However, the long-lost friend motif is in place as Chapter One unfolds. The reader then discovers that the main characters have been drawn together through unusual circumstances; and, they both rely on the other's characteristics as a means of dependence. Corts, as he is affectionately known, enjoys Jake's artistic endeavors, while Jake is accustomed to Corts reading and writing for hours on end. Eventually, the audience is able to decipher that both individuals are at complete peace when they're in one another's presence, and doing the things they love.

Conversely, Corts has a "gift" that Jake attempts to utilize many times. Corts is wary of fully diving into his talent, but his idiosyncratic trait is ultimately the reason why Jake Holdridge returns after his sabbatical. The story is relayed through a series of flashbacks, while we are continually reminded of the present situation. The two main characters are seemingly the only ones of any importance; the minor characters are basically props, of which some are 2D or 3D if you want to think of it like that.

Essentially, though, Jake and Corts have been brought up in juxtaposed environments and lead very different lives from their counterpart. As mentioned earlier, a phenomenon presents itself and, thus, the two find themselves best friends. The most notable thing about Saving Jake is the "realness" of that said friendship. A great amount of the dialogue not only feels authentic, but sounds like it as well. Some doesn't, but those instances are few and far between. And, the narrative is a gripping tale: one character is going uphill and the other is going downhill. The plot comes to a head and is ended predictably, but there was really no other way to end it ... at least not one I can think of. The fact that you'll reminisce about the novel is one of its strengths. Ulysses it's not, but Julien's full-length is deeper - and more engaging - than it may let on.

Perhaps needless to say, I entered the novel with complacency, but soon after delving into its pages I found that I couldn't shake my sense of curiosity - I simply had to know how it would end.

About Jason Jordan: Indiana writer Jason Jordan has performed at the Old Louisville Coffeehouse and was the winner of Decomposition Magazine's first creative writing contest in July 2004 with his piece, Untitled. His work has recently appeared in The Giles Corey Press.

REVIEWED BY by Kimberly Pauley, YA Books Central
What would you do for a friend? Philip Corts has special talents, skills that an old friend desperately needs him to use. Jake, Phil's best friend since seventh grade, appears on his doorstep after a long absence, asking him to use those very talents.

Phil, or Corts, as Jake calls him, can track objects back to their owners. He can also track people and even places, using only his mind. He and Jake have a special bond that can make his powers stronger (there's a lot to this special bond, but I don't want to spoil the big surprise in the book for you -- you'll just have to read it).

Jake is an artist with an artist's soul. But, his dad is a business man with no stomach for his son's interests. He gives Jake one chance, and one chance only, to lead his own life. Jake has to put together a full portfolio of art to be judged by a gallery owner. If Jake's showing succeeds, his father will let him try it his way. If it doesn't, he has to do what his father says. If it doesn't...Jake wants Phil to send him away to a place he has dreamed of.

There's much more to the story than this, but I don't want to give everything away. The sub-plots (Phil competing for a prestigious scholarship, his on again, off again relationship with his girlfriend) are as riveting as the main plot.)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. As a first-time novelist, Ms. Julien juggles all of the plot details well. The story ... builds very nicely.

I recommend this book for readers 14 and up, especially those with an interest in past lives and psychometry.


Presentations
Ophelia's school presentations start off with the information she presents on the writing process and how ideas can become published books, and then evolve into a question/answer/discussion period that can run the gamut from "How does a publisher pay you?" to "What's the scariest movie you ever saw?" She finds her audiences to be bright and perceptive, and loves having the opportunity to visit a classroom, from the middle grades on up. She is also happy to do presentations for adults groups.

The Professional fee is negotiable and depending on distance includes travel expenses.
Contact

Ophelia Julien
22 W 670 Saint Charles Rd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-3752

Phone (630) 858-9505

ojulien@sbcglobal.net

Website http://www.opheliajulien.com

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