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.
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Other Books in The Series
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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.
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My Impressions:
The Art of Rivers is the first book I have read by Janet Ferguson, although I have 3 of her other titles waiting impatiently on my TBR shelf. The setting, the story line, and the engaging characters checked all the right boxes — I cannot wait to open another one of her novels! This book is definitely a recommended read.
Characterization is strong in The Art of Rivers. Both the main characters, Rivers and Cooper, are struggling with the tragedy of addiction — but from opposite sides. Choices affect both the guilty and the innocent, and trust and forgiveness are hard to extend and receive. I especially loved Cooper, a man who has given his life to God’s healing power, yet still wrestles with guilt and shame. The love story that unfolds for the two is unconventional, yet grace-filled. I cheered the two on as they face doubts and family opposition. Secondary characters touched this reader’s heart as well. Ferguson’s extensive research into addiction really shows. The backdrop of St. Simons Island was perfect — I could almost feel the breezes and hear the crash of the waves. Parts of the story were hard, but its themes of forgiveness and new life in Christ filled the pages with hope and healing.
The Art of Rivers is part of the Coastal Hearts series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel. But if you are like me, after you turn the last page, you will want more!
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Prism Book Tours and the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Tour Schedule
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
This sounds like a book I would love. I enjoy books where the characters have to work hard to build their relationships by dealing with difficult issues.
I hope you enjoy it, if you read it. It was a hard book to write, but I believe it offers God’s hope.
Blessings,
Janet
Thank you so much for giving my novel a try 🙂 I know you have so many to choose from! My heart is happy that you liked it!
Blessings,
Janet