I have not yet finished this book. It is a very well written book, but I have been sick and have not dedicated much time to reading. I will just focus on what I have read in this review.

Writing style:
It is very well written with little to no grammatical errors. I think in my review copy I came across a double comma that distracted me for a few seconds of irritation. However, once my knit-pick internal rant was over, I ignored it and moved on.

I enjoy the conversational tone of the book as well. It reads similar to sitting down to reminisce about "old times" with a friend.

Content:
Within the first page I was hooked. But when a story or life as bitter sweet as this comes at you it is best done in small doses. That is why I haven finished.

Everything I never knew about Randy Travis is in this book (so far). I can't imagine that a life that full is one that is not filled to overflowing with the mercies of God.

OVERALL:
In the bit I have read this far I am overjoyed to have had the opportunity to read about Randy Travis's life. I am so glad the publisher and NetGalley chose me to review and thoroughly enjoy Forever and Ever, Amen. IF my own life slows down and I finish the book soon, I will try to revisit my review and let you know my final thoughts. For now, I'm giving the book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Such a great book on the life of a country mega star should be read by anyone looking to have a life in the public arena. Written in such a personal style that you feel you've stumbled across his personal diary, Randy Travis lays his life's journey out for everyone to see and judge. His up front style leaves no questions on how he became one of the genre's best known and loved artists while still telling the story of his equally fast fall from the top and slide into the headlines with a mug shot and ultimately a hospital stay. I've always been a Randy Travis fan, now I can appreciate his music so much more. Definitely a must read.

This was a beautifully well-written memoir. Randy is very honest which makes the book at times uplifting and at times gut-wrenching. He's got a very strong faith and makes you want to believe right along with him. I would highly recommend this book. He's such a country music legend and he's had a long hard road in his life that's he's travelled. It's inspirational.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was a struggle for me...I really loved 90's country and was a fan of Randy Travis. I thought this book would be a good one to read to shed some light on his newsworthy behavior of recent years. It took me awhile to get going with this because at first I was bored...but once his career kicked off and things started happening I was interested. After his divorce I couldn't put it down! There was a lot more to his story than I realized and am so glad I was able to read this and review it. If you are 90's country kid like me you'll love all of the name drops, the song mentions, and the interesting life of Randy Travis!

Title: Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life



Author: Randy Travis



Pages: 304



Genre: Memoir



Rating: 4.5 stars



I grew up listening to Randy Travis’s music my mom and papaw where huge fans. So when I heard about his new memoir I knew that I had to read it. And I wasn’t disappointed. It’s the story of his life in his own words. Unlike most celebrity memoirs he doesn’t sugar coat it. He does hide anything. He puts ever thing to the page even the bad stuff. Starting with his childhood and continuing today.

Throughout the book you will laugh, you will cry but more importantly you will see Randy through his ups and downs and finding his faith again. His life is indeed a country song. If you are a country music fan, then this is book that you need to pick up. I recommend having tissues handy when you read this book.





I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Forever and Ever, Amen
A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life

by Randy Travis

Harper Collins

Thomas Nelson

Biographies & Memoirs

Pub Date 14 May 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Forever and Ever, Amen through Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:


Randy Travis is beloved around the world, he has sold over twenty five million albums in both country and gospel genres. He is considered one of the finest performers of his generation with a fan base ranging from Mick Jagger to Gsrth Brooks!



Randy Travis went from a working class background in North Carolina to a job as a cook and club singer in Nashville, to overnight success with Storms of Life which launched the Neo Traditional movement in Country music. The first three decades are a true rags to riches story.




In 2009 Randy Travis’s seemingly charmed life began a downward spiral. His marriage ended, he learned his finances were a mess and his anger management issues led to alcohol abuse, public embarrassment and an arrest in 2012.


Just as he began piecing his life back together Randy suffered a massive stroke which they didn’t believe he would survive. But he did survive and he learned to walk again and in 2016 he accepted his induction into the Country Music Hall Of Fame by singing Amazing Grace.



I found Forever and Ever, Amen to be a heartfelt ad uplifting autobiography one that reminds us that even as we go through the valleys we can find strength.


Forever and Ever, Amen is worthy of five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I have been a longtime fan of Randy Travis's music. I love reading an autobiography and this was no exception. Even as a fan I learned so much detail regarding Randy's life. Some good, some not so good. Reading of his health issues and his survival made me sad, but so glad he is doing as well as he is. This book is an excellent biography and I think any fan of Randy Travis will enjoy!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Having recently finished “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis with Ken Abraham, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson!

As a Randy Travis fan from way back when, I was looking forward to reading his story. Although parts of his memoir were interesting, I came away feeling that there were far too many "big and famous" look who I've met moments and "awards I have won" lists than actual story. I still believe that Randy Travis is humble and generous, and a traditional soul at heart. Although I know more about him than I did before, for some reason his story in book form was not as enjoyable as his music. As a fan, the ending was perfect though... "Forever and Ever, Amen."

This book was so hard to keep reading. Randy Travis was the voice of my childhood and I was so excited to read his life story. The actual story parts were great, I loved learning about his family and how he was discovered. But mixed in with the story was so many weird details about random people places that it was hard to follow the story and keep track of everything. I think the book would have been a lot better if it was more story, less record keeping.

As a country music fan I have sung to Randy Travis' songs on the radio many times. And as a country music can i remember when he was in the hospital. An emotional story of Randy Travis' life so far.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I have been a fan of Randy Travis since the 80’s when he turned country music back to what it once was.

Randy Travis gave us back that Hank Williams, Sr. feel and country music changed into the 90’s and even now.

I enjoyed reading his story. Many things I already knew but hearing it first hand seemed different. And I enjoyed the stories that I had never heard. It gave me a new perspective on the legend.

Any fan of country music and especially Randy Travis should pick up this story. It will be a great read for any fan.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Listening to his music when he was popular I really never knew anything else about him. I still thought he was married to the woman who had been his manager for all of these years, but they broke up and divorce years back. Travis goes into his childhood and the trouble he caused, and how he was arrested more than once. He also explains how he got into singing and then having the women who were 18 years his senior not only be his manager, but also his wife. She left her husband for Randy. She would much later leave an older Randy for a younger guy. I did have some problems with her being with him when he was 16, 17 and she was 34 or 35, seems like statutory rape if it was a man in his thirties with a girl in her teens. Well just saying. The lady would take advantage of the whole situation and much later when the divorce happened money was missing and so-called friends of his would not answer his calls. That whole part was just frustrating. He goes into the writing of songs and the people either he wrote them with or the person or people that wrote the songs that became his biggest hits. He fusses up to the charges he received for drunk driving, though I still think the police were wrong for not taking him to the hospital with glass in his head. Protect and serve did not seem like it was being forced. He goes into his sickness and his new wife sticking by his side when she could have walked away. What I got out of this book was a man owning up to his faults and saying he done wrong, who hasn’t. He is trying to live his faith and for others, it seemed like they were able to take advantage because he was famous. Overall not a bad book a few places where it dragged but most bio’s do. A good book.

Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis  is his autobiography.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

This is the autobiography of Country Music Legend Randy Travis. It is deeply personal, and he tells his story from his childhood to current day, from his deepest lows to the remarkable heights, from cook to super-star. We hear about his closest friends, and those that betrayed him. We hear about his idols, his concerts and many charity benefits. We hear about his health, his alcohol abuse, car accidents and police records, his brain surgeries, and his stroke. We hear about the long painful rehab and the many set-backs. We hear about his Faith. This is all public knowledge, but this time it is told by the man himself.

The book tells his story from the time he is a teenager just starting out, through the devastating massive stroke he suffered, through his triumphant 2016 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, where he walked on stage and sang Amazing Grace.


My Opinions:
Randy Travis prefaces this autobiography with the message that because of certain circumstances he has had to rely on the recollections of doctors, lawyers, music executives, fellow artists and writers, longtime band members and crew, friends, and family members to present this story as accurately as possible.

This doesn’t really matter, as any fan will tell you. It’s Randy Travis. We will read/watch/listen to anything that is written.

My only "complaint", is that I wish it had a few more details of his actual childhood.

I didn’t realize how many lives he touched, how many different artists he performed with, nor how many movies he was in. This book brought back my own memories of his many hits, of the many other legends he was friends with, and their hits. I often took a break to hum a few bars of a song or artist just mentioned. I know I will be looking into my collection and playing some oldies soon.

This book is inspiring. Randy Travis died, but came back to live another day. His love of music, his determination, his courage, his faith in God, and with his wife Mary by his side, he has learned to stand, to walk, and is slowly getting back his speech.

It was an emotional read, eliciting both laughter and tears in me. Definitely recommend it to any country music lover – traditional or new.

I’ve been a fan of Randy Travis from way back so I picked up this ARC without hesitation. The story itself was good, easy reading, almost like having Randy Travis sitting in your living room having a fine old talk. This book in its final form will be enjoyed by most any Randy Travis fan who is looking for a good read about him. Or a biography reader who likes country music. The main focus is on his career, but there is some about his growing up years too. It’s also an inspiring story of how he’s overcome such awful medical issues that he wasn’t expected to survive. My thanks for the advance electronic review copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Randy Travis, and the publisher.

I have always loved listening to Randy Travis and knew he was from North Carolina. His music is one of my favorites and this book is amazing. It has a lot of personal happiness and his sadness in his life he's gone through. This is a book that I will be purchasing in Hardback for my personal collection and to give one to my husband who likes Randy Travis too. I do highly recommend this book to those who love to learn more about Randy Travis and how he got his start in the business.

Growing up in a house where Randy Travis’ music was played often by my father, this book intrigued me. I found some of the chapters to be a little long with detail after detail and he said she said dialogue but for the most part I really enjoyed getting the perspective of all Randy went through and how he came out on the other side. It is a memoir full of challenges and rising above and gives hope to anyone that feel they’ve gone too far from God’s grace.

I read few of these types of books but decided to try this one. Plus my Mom is a big Randy Travis fan. I most likely will buy her this book too.
It was a easy fast story which kept my interest. I enjoyed it and I’m sure his fans will like it too

An inspirational book about a legendary country singer. Great book!.

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

As he's been a superstar longer than I've been alive, it's kind of easy to just assign the routine trials and tribulations of a celebrity musician to Mr. Travis, and, when you consider the clearly bizarre string of events he has gone through the past few decades, one can just shrug the shoulders and figure that such exclamatory moments are a part of the package when you live an artist's life. But that's not the case here. Starting from his childhood, Randy recounts the unique avenue through which he achieved his status as a country music legend, unflinching in his resolve to hold fast on his traditional tastes.

Self-effacing, appreciative without end, and considerate even of those who betrayed him, Travis' words also communicate his subdued nature and wry humor--it rings out as clearly as any of his songs on the radio. Most people wouldn't know or remember that there was so much more to the stories involving his arrests and his unfortunate medical woes; he describes it all in detail (as much as he can remember, coupled with what he's uncovered since then) and doesn't hesitate to fault himself for being aloof, negligent, or careless when recounting the bad times, even when he has every right to put people on blast and leave it at that.

By and large, this is a book of appreciation, giving Travis an opportunity to record his thanks to many who helped him along the way. As you'd expect, you're treated to recollections of how he came about recording so many of his hits; an added bonus is the extra context he gives (exact dates, his fellow nominees (which, again, says a great deal about Travis), locations of things) that help the reader get a better grip on the time.

Also, I know what you're thinking and, yes, he does mention the filming of Black Dog. Rest easy.

As one could've probably assumed (as he is a traditional country artist), Travis is a dedicated Christian. His faith has helped him through these trying (to say the very least) times, and, fellow Christian or not, the spiritual side of the man is undoubtedly inspiring, warranting respect and admiration.

The string of near-unbelievable incidents he's endured never had me in the camp of those discounting him (I just merely remarked that I hope he got his life back in order); but it's a wonderful experience to read that he's basically who I thought he was all along and, now that he's in the position he's in (not to mention that his issuing of this book is an action that certainly leaves the author a bit vulnerable), I look forward to rooting him on and continuing to enjoy his new music with a renewed vigor.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Thomas Nelson for the advance read.

This seems like it would be an interesting read, however my eARC had formatting issues (font changed size multiple times on same page, every page had do not duplicate on it and they weren't always in correct order- do duplicate not) also it seemed like words were left out. I read as far as I could with the problems, but was not able to finish.

The book itself is an easy fun read and I enjoyed the story. I will check it out when it is published to read it without the above mentioned issues.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGally for the chance to read the eARC for an honest review