STORY LINE, TIDEWATER SUMMER:
Set in South Carolina of 1952, Tidewater Summer is a story of physical abuse, renewal, and redemption. Rose Marie Henley thought she had everything until her fiancé Walter physically abused her body and her mind. With her world out of sync, Rose’s Aunt Clara offers her beach house on Silver Island for peace, contemplation, and healing which Rose gratefully accepts.
The local hardware store sends over a hunky handyman to repair Rose’s hot water heater. Rose’s nerves and fears are too raw to appreciate gentle and kind Frank Sutton. As nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, Rose does everything except accuse Frank of being a rapist. However, Frank refuses to give up on Rose. A true southern gentleman and Godly man, Frank pursues Rose with gentleness and caring. Frank is more than he seems at first glance.
Will Frank’s gentlemanly ways and kind sweet spirit break through the shell of horror that haunts Rose? Will Silver Island and the close-knit community heal the wounds Rose suffered? Does Walter discover Rose has sought refuge on Silver Island and come knocking?
Come along with Rose, Frank, and the Silver Island community as they come to know and love each other.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:
First, Author Jo Huddleston did not shy away from the issue of abuse, but faced the issue head on. During the 50’s, the attitude towards abuse was most often to ignore or blame the other party . Ms. Huddleston, carefully and thoughtfully, brought this issue to the forefront. Secondly, I felt Rose’s fear and each shake of her body in the aftermath. Her character growth as she comes to terms with the abuse, overcomes her fears, and comes closer to God was skillfully presented.
Although classified as a sweet clean romance, Ms. Huddleston skillfully wove the love of God into her story. Ms. Huddleston presented the message of God’s love without force; she weaves the threads into the story-line skillfully. Nor does the reader feel pushed or prodded as the story-line has just the right amount of religious elements.
Every woman wishes for a knight in shining armor; Frank is the embodiment of a knight in shining armor and true gentleman. Meanwhile, every knight must a villain to conqueror and Walter fills the bill perfectly. Walter is a character you will love to hate.
Rose fights herself and her fear as she comes to know Frank, the Silver Island community, and God restores her spirit. I loved Rose’s character as she becomes all she can be in life and her relationship with God.
In concluding the review of Tidewater Summer, I found the characters and story-line well-developed and the pace steady. This is a sweet clean well-written romance. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend.
RECOMMENDATION TIDEWATER SUMMER:
STARS 4
In conclusion, I found Tidewater Summer a relaxing enjoyable book. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clean well-written romance. Due to subject matter, I recommend Tidewater Summer to young adults and adults.
Finally, I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; in addition book reviews on line under my name and on my blog are my opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/LINKS
PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
Jo Huddleston is an Amazon Bestselling author of books, articles, and short stories. Novels in her West Virginia Mountains series and her Caney Creek series are sweet Southern historical romances. Her novels are endorsed by Amanda Cabot, Lillian Duncan, Cara Lynn James, Sharlene MacLaren, and Ann Tatlock. The redeeming story of God’s pursuing love is the foundation of her novels, and in them you will find inspiration, hope, and gentle stories that are intriguing and entertaining. Jo is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN). Learn more at: AUTHORS WEBSITE