Saturday, October 13, 2012

Like Moonlight at Low Tide

I love discovering a good novel, don’t you?
In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve done a book review. Probably because it takes more than a well-penned story to knock the socks off my feet (cliché intended) before I’ll take the time to write a review in the first place. Contrary, aren’t I?
But I can't help it. Even with all the good books on the market, a lot of them don't grab me. You know, they don’t leave me feeling as though I’ve just taken a bite of a nice steak, where I chew slowly, savoring the burst of flavor in my mouth.
In addition, I’ve had other issues, besides those I already have, especially when it comes to novels. I’ve lost track of the number of books I wanted to hurl across the room.
Why, you might ask?
Thank you, I’m glad you did.
Although I've always believed in God, I didn’t grow up with the traditional “Christian spoon” in my mouth. The world I was raised in was nothing like the world many Christian novelists paint for their readers. Don't get me wrong. Their stories minister to many. But people like me—yes, there are more of us—scary thought, I know—want stories that deal with the facts of what we've seen—what we lived.
I’m happy to say, I recently discovered such a steak, I mean, book.

Like Moonlight at Low Tide, written by debut novelist Nicole Quigley, is a young adult novel that deals with raw topics (no fluff, thank you very much), multifaceted characters (totally realistic), and delivers a story you won’t soon forget (like savoring a nice steak).
Here’s the book blurb:
This is not a story about suicide. But you should know that when I was seventeen, the only boy who ever called me by my full name took his own life. It was the first time I ever saw a mistake that was permanent, that couldn’t be undone with whiteout or atoned for with an after-school-detention. Nothing else I do for the rest of my life will ever be able to change this fact.
This story is actually about three boys. One who loved me. One who couldn’t. And one who didn’t know how.
My name is Melissa Keiser, and I was raised in Anna Maria Island, Florida.
Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?

And if you're wondering why I'm not writing my usual type of review, well, how can I top the blurb? If that doesn't hook you, I don't know what will.

If you want a little bit more, though, here's the book's description:

When high school junior Melissa Keiser returns to her hometown of Anna Maria Island, Florida, she has one goal: hide from the bullies who had convinced her she was the ugliest girl in school. But when she is caught sneaking into a neighbor’s pool at night, everything changes. Something is different now that Melissa is sixteen, and the guys and popular girls who once made her life miserable have taken notice. When Melissa gets the chance to escape life in a house ruled by her mom’s latest boyfriend, she must choose where her loyalties lie between a long-time crush, a new friend, and her surfer brother who makes it impossible to forget her roots. Just as Melissa seems to achieve everything she ever wanted, she loses a loved one to suicide. Melissa must not only grieve for her loss, she must find the truth about the three boys who loved her and discover that joy sometimes comes from the most unexpected place of all.
Like Moonlight at Low Tide will appeal to teens (and even some adults) who have dealt with bullying, suicide, a dysfunctional family life, peer pressure, first loves, and more. Although this novel contains scenes that deal with drinking, drugs, etc., the author did so tastefully. I found it refreshing, honest, and full of heart. I look forward to more of this author's work.
I highly recommend this book.

About Nicole Quigley:
As a kid, I memorized lines of words in community theater. I wrote pages upon pages of words to my best friends in high school (and in subsequent summer school).  I thought I had lost all my words when I was rejected from my high school newspaper, but I found them again when I got my first writing job as a student columnist for the Manatee Am/Sarasota Herald Tribune years later.
After majoring in Communications at Appalachian State University, I was blessed to find the profession of public relations, which allowed me to work with words on a daily basis for the last dozen years in Washington, D.C.
But it wasn’t until I wrote Like Moonlight at Low Tide that I got to share the words that meant the most to me—the ones that tell a story of God’s goodness and relevance to all of us.  I don’t think my words will ever do that mission justice, but it is sure fun (and incredibly humbling) to try.
Originally, I am from beautiful (and sunny) Anna Maria Island, Florida.
You can learn more about Nicole at her web site.

Note: Today's post is part of the CW blog chain. The topic is "Discovery". Please check out my sidebar, further down on the right, to see some great posts by other writers.

14 comments:

  1. How nice of you to do a book review for your CW blog post on "discovery." Of course it caught my attention from just the location of the book being in Anna Marie Island. My brother and his wife currently live there. It's easy to be drawn to books when you have lived or visited the story's locale.

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    1. Thanks so much, Christine. It's one of those books worthy of mention. I appreciate your stopping by.

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  2. I enjoyed reading about Nicole and her new book.

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  3. Thanks Deborah - good idea to review a book (and author) you have discovered. And they're certainly great examples of how to write a book "blurb" and description to learn from.

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    1. That's for sure, Bill. And this book is something a lot of people can learn from, at least in my humble opinion. Thanks for posting!

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  4. Hmm, it sounds like an intriguing book for teens ----and perhaps the young at heart :-) Thanks for sharing your discovery!

    ~heather~

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    1. It really is, Heather. And I think it's a good read for older people as well, especially those who might still carry scars from their youth. Thanks for stopping!

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  5. Wow, I don't usually read many of these but this one sounds excellent, thank you for sharing Deborah!

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    1. I'm blessed you read this one, Chris. It is a good book. Raw, real, and done so tastefully. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!

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  6. Sounds intriguing and powerful. Thanks for the recommendation. Our book club is always looking for good reads we can sink our teeth into (since we always have a potluck while we discuss the books--heh-heh!)

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    1. You'll sink your teeth into this one, Carol. But like I said, it's tastefully done. As always, thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Excellent discovery, Deborah. Thanks for sharing your find with us.

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