Back in July when I gathered with three other writers (see post here) Janet Ferguson gave me her latest book, The Art of Rivers. I liked it so well, I bought the e-book for my sister. I thought I’d reviewed it, but I can’t find where I did, so that’s what I’m doing this week. 
Be warned–while this book isn’t a suspense or mystery, it will draw you in and keep you reading past midnight! Here’s the back cover copy: (And don’t you love the cover!)
The Art of Rivers
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.
My take:
Addiction has touched every family in America, and this story brings a realistic look at the problem. I really liked both Rivers and James and was rooting for them to get together. But his past history with alcohol addiction was a huge obstacle to overcome, especially since Rivers’ fiancé was killed in a brutal attack by a druggie looking for money for his next fix.
Rivers wished she could have died with her fiancé, Jordan, but she lived, and Ferguson realistically showed her grief and the slow healing that took place in the book. She also provided a look inside the life of an addict and how hard it is to break the cycle of drugs. Watching Rivers come to a place where she could emphasize with some of the characters caught in the web of addiction kept me riveted to the page. This is a book that will stay with you long after you finish it. Janet Ferguson is a great writer and I can’t wait for her next book.
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library. How hard would it be to trust someone who had addiction problems in the past?
You can purchase The Art of Rivers at Amazon, and it is well worth the $4.99 price tag.
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Comments 44
I am not surprised that Janet has written another wonderful book and I look forward to reading it. Janet has a gift in being able to describe the heart of people who have suffered, and then hopefully found a way to grow on from that and help others. You and she are two of my favorite writers, and more importantly two of my favorite people! 🙂
Author
I truly love Janet’s books, Jan. She is such a talented writer. Thanks for stopping by.
I have a daughter who got caught in the world of addiction and is serving time in jail because of it. We thought she was really just struggling to make ends meet and the money our family gave her was really just to support her habit. It will probably always be a struggle to totally trust. It’s been gut wrenching trying to know what to do. It’s definitely made me have a heart for those struggling with addiction. Addiction drives decisions that some people wouldn’t normally make.
Author
I so agree, Nicole. And I’m sorry for what your family has gone through because of your daughter’s addiction. But hopefully, she will get straight now.A friend had been addicted for 35 years when she got sober. I am not easily conned, but she was a master at it. I had no idea up until she almost overdosed that she was even using!
That’s so hard, Nicole. It will tear your heart out. Prayers
I like that the setting is somewhere i’ve visited and enjoyed. It sounds compelling.
Author
I would love to visit the island where Janet set her story, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by.
I loved visiting St. Simons! I hope you like the story!
This sounds good and unusual in that it weaves together very difficult but needful topics. It sounds like not an easy but an important read.
Author
It is, Delores. I think you would enjoy the book!
Thanks, Delores. It took me two years to write. I hope you like it, if you read it.
I’d say that it takes time to build trust in the person who is in recovery; there is hope, however, especially as they show themselves faithful in regular church attendance, being teachable, and letting God daily change their lives.
Author
I so agree, Lual. And it’s always good seeing you here. Even when an addict does everything right, there is always that niggling thought in the back of others’ minds that wonders if they’re using.
Right, Lual. Grace is free, but trust is earned.
I have had several vacations on St. Simon’s Island and enjoyed the many books written by Eugenia Price. She tied so many families together with romance, and I wasn’t shocked she used the name of one of her characters with Cooper. Such a natural setting for her story. Can’t wait to read it myself after reading your review and personal comments.
Author
So glad you enjoyed my review! It’s a great book.
Oh neat! I hope you enjoy!
Sounds like an interesting book. I have wanted to visit St. Simons Island for years but never made it. Maybe I can visit in story. I don’t know how I feel about developing trust in a recovering addict. I had someone in my life who became dependent on prescription drugs and eventually got the necessary help to move beyond that, but I already had a strong relationship with the person long before the situation arose. To meet someone I know nothing about and develop a relationship seems very different to me. It would take some very unusual circumstances for me to get beyond the introduction.
Author
I know what you mean, Edward. There’s always that question lingering in the back of your mind…will they start using again? Thanks for your input.
You’re right, Edward. We have to be careful. The hero in this story is five years sober and now an addiction counselor. I hope it all makes sense if you read it.
This is a new to me author. I ‘enjoy’ books that deal with the real issues of today. My husband was an alcoholic before I met him. The Lord delivered him and I have never been concerned about trusting him. Thanks for the introduction to yet another book that should be on my TBR pile 🙂
Author
Betti, I think you’d really enjoy Janet’s book! Always great to see you here.
What an amazing testimony, Betti! I hope you enjoy!
I would find it very hard having had an alcoholic father who would be sober for a year or so and then start drinking again. At one point he was sober for almost 40 years and started again.
Author
Joan, my sympathies for you and your dad. They say the desire never goes away, that you have to live from day to day. What a terrible monkey to have on your back.
Thank you so much, Jan! Much love!!
Oh Joan, I’m so sorry. I don’t blame you. It’s such a hard issue. I did try to show all sides of it… the sad and the hopeful.
My father also was an alcoholic, and he finally quit and was sober for over 30 years, until his death. I know that they have to decide to quit the habit and there is nothing anyone else can do for them until they make that decision. I think that I have this book on my Kindle and I look forward to reading it.
Author
You will enjoy it, Gloria. And so glad your dad was able to stay sober! And you’re right. Until the addict wants to make a change and commits to it, no one can help them.
So sorry, Gloria. That’s so hard.
It can be hard to trust someone with a addition ,until they admit they have a problem and are willing to change,no one can help them.
You’re right. The person has to want to change.
This book sounds like a very good read and one that a lot of us should read. I Love the cover and I loved reading the review on it, Thank you. It would be very hard to trust a person who has been an addict before. I am a true believer that Actions speak louder than Words. I would have to see that person trying to help themselves , getting help instead of just saying they are doing something about it. My brother in law has a drinking problem, now he is doing more talking then showing with his actions that he is getting help. He just tells lie, after lie after lie. My sister has given him chances, but he just isn’t helping himself. Yes, you can give people a second chance if you see that they are helping themselves, but people also have to want to change and it has to come from them, we can’t make people change, we can try, but it has to come from them to really want to change. It is a very Sad situation. Have a Great weekend. God Bless you . I enjoyed reading the review. Thank you.
Author
Alicia, sometimes the person has to hit rock bottom before they want to change. And sometimes that means we have to practice tough–which is harder on the one giving the love than the one receiving it. Although they rarely recognize it. Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation!
Yes, when people are still in addiction, their main language is lying. So sad. Prayer for all.
I pre ordered this book because I really like Janet’s writing. Looking forward to reading it soon.
I would find it hard to trust someone coming out of addiction.
Author
You will enjoy it, Paula! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much, Paula. It is hard to trust.
It is hard, but possible through Christ.
Lucy, That’s pretty much the only way.
So true, Lucy. Thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful review, Pat! I recently won this book. I’m looking forward to reading it soon.
I know you will enjoy the book, Caryl!
Hey, Caryl! Let me know!