Book Review - The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) by Janet W. Ferguson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Rivers Sullivan has both visible and invisible scars, such as the bullet wound from the attack that killed her fiancé. After losing her faith in humanity, she decides to travel to  St. Simons Island to see the cottage and art gallery she inherited from her late fiancé. When Rivers discovers that recovering addicts are running her gallery, she is forced to confront her feelings from the attack.

After the devastating drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days and nights trying to redeem himself for his past mistakes. He spends his counseling and coaching people who are looking for help and he searches for others who are caught in the quickly rising tides of St. Simmons.  When Cooper rescues Rivers from the tides and delivers her to his grandmother's cottage; he knows his life will be changed forever.

While their tragic circumstances bring Cooper and Rivers closer, they fight their growing feelings for each other. Cooper has been sober for years but, Rivers has a tough time trusting her heart to a recovering addict. He knows a relationship with Rivers will rip the fragile bond he has with his family. Will Rivers and Cooper be able to get over their insecurities and take a chance on themselves and each other?

The novel was an inspirational read about people who are trying to conquer their struggles. It gives a realistic view of people who struggle when their faith is broken. I found the mystery a bit predictable but, overall the novel was a good read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) By Janet W. Ferguson Christian 

Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 299 Pages June 30th 2019 by Southern Sun Press LLC

​Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.

After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.

Tragic circumstances draw Cooper and Rivers closer, but they fight their growing feelings. Though Cooper’s been sober for years, Rivers can’t imagine trusting her heart to someone in recovery, and he knows a relationship with her will only rip his family further apart. Distrust and guilt are only the first roadblocks they must overcome if they take a chance on love.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository Also available through KindleUnlimited.

About the Author

Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

Website│Goodreads│BookBub│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

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Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and signed copies of the first two books in the series, Magnolia Storms and Falling for Grace US only Ends November 6, 2019

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Book Review - The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong

Photo Credit - Amazon

Twenty-six-year-old Yu-jin wakes up to a strange smell and a phone call from his brother asking if everything is okay because he had a missed call from their mother. Yi-jin shortly discovers her murdered body in their apartment and he is covered with her blood. Yu-jin suffers from seizures his most of his life and has trouble with his memory. He recalls his mother calling his name but, he is unsure why she was calling his name. Yi-jin begins to uncover what happened that night and he learns the truth about himself and his family.

The novel was a suspenseful read but, a few parts were a bit slow. I was surprised at the ending but,  I wondered if there was more that could have been done with the story. Overall, it was an interesting take on the mind of a psychopath and I would read more books by the author.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis + Giveaway

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Queen Eleanor of Albion is exiled to a small coastal island when her sister seizes the throne from her. The only inhabitants of the islands are nuns of a convent who spend their days peacefully trying to survive. However, the island is home to a mysterious orphan named Margaret. Margaret's life is turned upside down when the new visitor arrives.

As time passes, Eleanor and Margaret grow closer until Margaret finds out about the true purpose of the island and the truth of her own past. When Eleanor's safety is threatened, Margaret is faced with helping Eleanor or protecting herself. Will Margaret help Eleanor if it means risking her own life?

The beautifully drawn novel is a fictionalized history of  Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. I found the book to be an entertaining read but, I was a bit disappointed that the novel left off on a cliffhanger. I felt that the book had a lot of filler and could have fit more of the story. However, I am looking forward to reading the continuation of the series.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Age Range: 10 - 14 years
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Walker Books US (June 25, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1536204986
ISBN-13: 978-1536204988

Praise for QUEEN OF THE SEA

The art, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s style, creates levity during perilous situations. The book is dense with dialogue, often feeling more like a work of prose than a graphic novel. As a result, this complex work will be more accessible to those familiar with graphic novels…Certain to charm sophisticated graphic novel devotees. —School Library Journal (starred review)

Meconis offers an atmospheric alternate history inspired by the childhood and succession of Queen Elizabeth I in this quietly ambitious graphic novel…Art in soft, earthy colors brings this singular story to life in styles ranging from simple line drawings to elaborately styled text illuminations. The island world is richly developed, both in its physical particulars and its close-knit community (fascinating digressions into topics such as convent time, hand gestures used at table, and chess and embroidery flesh out daily life), and Margaret proves herself an endearing heroine with a strong voice full of humor and wonder. Her perspective transforms a storm-wracked rock into a vibrant world of hidden treasures. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Meconis’ humor and storytelling gifts here wed seamlessly with her evocative pen-and-ink and gouache illustrations, which are rendered in warm earth and sea tones and brim with movement, expressively capturing even Margaret’s interior monologues. With its compelling, complex characters and intrigue-laden plot, this will have readers hoping it’s only the first of many adventures for Meconis’ savvy heroine. —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Weaving faith, love, statecraft, and self-discovery into a tale of palace intrigue relocated to the halls of a convent on a remote island at sea, Dylan Meconis uses the trappings of the history we know to create a high-stakes adventure in an alternate past that feels so detailed and so familiar, you’ll find yourself wondering why you never read about it in school. This beautiful book swept me away from the first page.” —Kate Milford, author of the Greenglass House series

“Dylan Meconis is at the absolute top of her game. A gorgeously rendered, lovingly realized alternate history, full of personal revelations in the midst of political intrigue. A tale of growing up, and of understanding that the world is larger and stranger than it once seemed. (Plus it has a Terrible Recipe for Terrible Gruel.)” —Ben Hatke, author-illustrator of the Zita the Spacegirl series

“This is the book I was always trying to get my hands on in high school that never seemed to materialize. An adventure to lose yourself in, with an attention to historical detail to please the nerdiest among us. I fell easily and completely into this world and its characters, knowing I was safe in Dylan Meconis’s hands, and I’m really excited for more people to find out what I’ve known for a long time—that she is one of a kind.” —Kate Beaton, author-illustrator of Hark! A Vagrant

Cult graphic novelist Dylan Meconis offers a rich reimagining of history in this hybrid novel loosely based on the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary.

When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelation of the island’s sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor’s life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself.

You can purchase Queen of the Sea at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Dylan Meconis

I’ve been writing and illustrating my own stories since the first grade, and I’ve been making comic books since middle school (no, really! Seventh grade was a tough year for me socially, so I had a lot of time to draw). I started my first book-length comic (graphic novel) in high school.

Unlike a lot of people who become professional artists and authors, I didn’t go to art school or a creative writing program in college. Instead, I mostly studied history, literature, philosophy, and French in the College of Letters at Wesleyan University. This means I have a brain full of weird facts, old books, strange art, and the extremely useful ability to read The Tales of Canterbury in the original Middle English. Except for the Middle English bit, it’s all come in very handy for writing and drawing historical fiction and fantasy.

I first started to get paid for making comics when I was still in college, when my first graphic novel was published online. After college, I worked as a graphic designer and visual communications consultant (which means “person who helps teach adults complicated stuff in cool new ways using pictures”). I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies, global charities, technology companies, libraries, and a lot of other interesting organizations. I’ve made illustrations, animations, information graphics and cool presentations, explaining everything from how microchips work to the ways that clean drinking water can help communities in the third world.

For the last ten years, though, I mostly work as a writer, comic book creator and illustrator! Sometimes I make books totally by myself, and sometimes I get to team up with other writers or artists. It can be lots of fun, but it can also be very hard work. Luckily, I never get tired of making new stories.

        

WEEK ONE

JUNE 24th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

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Book Review - To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer + Guest Post

Photo Credit - Amazon

Avery Bloom is bookish twelve years old who lives in New York City. She can be intense and she is afraid of many things, especially the water. Bett Devlin is a fearless twelve-year-old who lives in California. She loves the water, animals and she is outgoing. While the duo has opposite personalities, they do have one thing in common as they are both raised by single, gay dads.

Their dads meet during a business trip and fall in love. Their dads send them to the same sleepaway camp against their will in hopes that they would become friends.  However, the trip leads to unexpected results and the pair find themselves becoming closer. Will the two girls be able to find a way to be together?

When I first read the summary, I wasn't sure what to expect from the novel. I thought it was going to be the stereotypical novel where everyone hates each other and then they become best friends. However, while the book does go a similar route, it has something I didn't expect --- heart and authenticity. I kept rooting for Night Owl and Dogfish. I kept hoping the pair would find their way together when obstacles were keeping them apart. I also enjoyed that communication between the girls was all through emails and letters. I thought it was interesting and refreshing because I felt that characters were more open and honest with each other than they would have been if they were communicating face to face. Overall, the novel was an enjoyable read and can't wait to read more novels from the authors.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**   

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION 

From two extraordinary authors comes a moving, exuberant, laugh-out-loud novel about friendship and family, told entirely in emails and letters.

Avery Bloom, who's bookish, intense, and afraid of many things, particularly deep water, lives in New York City. Bett Devlin, who's fearless, outgoing, and loves all animals as well as the ocean, lives in California. What they have in common is that they are both twelve years old, and are both being raised by single, gay dads.

When their dads fall in love, Bett and Avery are sent, against their will, to the same sleepaway camp. Their dads hope that they will find common ground and become friends--and possibly, one day, even sisters.

But things soon go off the rails for the girls (and for their dads too), and they find themselves on a summer adventure that neither of them could have predicted. Now that they can't imagine life without each other, will the two girls (who sometimes call themselves Night Owl and Dogfish) figure out a way to be a family?

AUTHOR BIO:

Holly Goldberg Sloan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent her childhood living in Holland; Istanbul, Turkey; Washington, D.C.; Berkeley, California; and Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from Wellesley College and spending some time as an advertising copywriter, she began writing family feature films, including Angels in the Outfield and Made in America. She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Counting by 7s and Short, among other novels. 

Meg Wolitzer was born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in the town of Syosset, on Long Island, and sold her first novel, Sleepwalking, while a senior in college. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of numerous novels for adults, including The Interestings, The Ten-Year Nap, The Wife, and The Female Persuasion; the young adult novel Belzhar; and the middle-grade novel The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman.

 

 

Author Guest Post - What inspires you to write?  (EAST COAST)

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

MW:  Inspiration is a tricky thing, and sometimes hard to understand. Don't you think, Holly?

HGS: I'm inspired to write because it's my job. Is that inspiration or the need to pay my bills?

MW:  Yes. It's what we do. I can’t always sit waiting for ideas to slowly roll toward me. I sometimes have to force them a bit, because like you, writing is my full-time job. And we've both had careers as writers since college, which means we've been at it for a long time. Getting paid is certainly motivating. But the deeper answer is that inspiration comes from the world around us—no?  The world we’ve been living in and observing and forming ideas about.

HGS:  A look at the world we see--and an attempt to interpret that and make sense of it. Yes.

MW:  For my part, I ask a lot of questions, both of myself and other people. I'm interested in point of view, and in the differences and similarities in people.

HGS:  Agree. We both, I think, start with character. We absolutely did on this book.

MW: In this book we definitely did. From character came action, and plot. As writers, we often work to put characters in interesting situations, and then watch how they react. We cause trouble.

HGS: I remember reading somewhere that interaction between people in storytelling (and I apologize for not crediting the person who wrote this) is either a fight, a seduction, or a negotiation/transaction.

MW:  That’s really interesting. I believe there is also a way to use interaction to illuminate. Shining a spotlight on one particular corner can ask people to question ideas and behavior.

HGS:  Our book is about two young girls and their gay fathers. We write about the situation in a way that's very modern, I believe. Gay people have families and they are protected by law in this country to marry and pursue their happiness. We don't make a big deal about that. It's just a fact.

MW: Yes. And the reception we’ve gotten solidifies that. It isn’t an “issues” book, and we never wanted it to be. It’s about these two girls’ powerful friendship, and their ideas about family. 

HGS: I'm hopeful when I talk to kids today. And that's part of the reason I write books for young people. The future is theirs.

 

 

Book Review - Ascension of Larks

Photo Credit - Amazon

Maggie Henry has her dream career that she always wanted. However, lately she feels like her life is missing something except when she visits her two best friends and their kids at their summer home. When tragedy strikes and kills one of her friends, she must travel to a remote island to care for her friend and her young children. Maggie used to love to come out to island spend time with the Firelli family but now with the death of  the only man she has ever loved; she finds it hard to be at peace. As Maggie work to help pick up the pieces Marco's death left behind, she learns to appreciate things that she took for granted and open her heart to love again.

The novel was a pleasant read that keep me entertained until the last page. It showed a different side of tragedy while the recurring conflict of family versus personal ambition breathe life into the novel. While it was an enjoyable read, I wasn't completely in love with the novel but I would still be interested in reading other books by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**