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 … 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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Good book. It took me a while to get into it but so enjoyed it after I did. Get it read it you will enjoy!!
Liked this book no swearing and good clean book.
This is part of a series but can stand on its own. It’s a captivating story of people with addictions and those affected by other’s addictions. It’s both sad and heart-warming.
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down!
Very realistic and modern. Liked the main characters and their ‘character’.
Couldn’t put it down. Will read more by this author. Already looking for a bargain on the next book.
Loved reading about the lives of Rivers,Jordon and Cooper. Very realistic and moving. Thank you for your incredible talent.
Loved it! Great, clean read that inspired me to be a better sharer of the Gospel!
This was one of the best books I have ever read. The main characters in the book were Christian’s and lived out their faith. Even though they all had problems they always did the right thing. Loved the author’s writing style.
Clean, inspirational story.
A very good look at addiction and its effects on all involved.
This book had a lot of good things about it. The main character had gone through a terrible trauma, and yet was willing to reach out to help others, and in doing so she found new purpose, and, of course, love!
A deeply satisfying read full of the array of emotions that touch the human heart and soul. Rivers survives an horrific incident where her fiancé, Jordan is killed. When she moves to St Simons to clear out the family cottage she is rescued by Cooper, Jordan’s cousin, who has survived his own traumas thus far. This is a story that delves into the lives of people affected by addiction to many different substances and find themselves at a place of hope, Reclaimed a great name for a place to recover yourself and your dreams. I loved this story, the writing is superb and full of color and vibrant language, characters who are very human and courageous in the face of great challenges. Janet W Ferguson is a master of the written language and storyteller.
To much preaching. The story itself was a good sermon.
“Life has black moments, those dark, heartbreaking days we wish we could blot out and forget. But life is also full of sunny yellows and green days, blue skies, and pink flower days, we wish we could hold onto forever.”
These words are some of the deep colorful words that this book brings. This book is full of quotes to live by, and moments that will touch your soul in tender ways. It’s also a story that might make you want to get out and paint something.
Rivers and Cooper are two characters whose lives will forever be changed because of events they both survive. What this book also brings is the need for forgiveness to others and for our own selves. It’s a book that shows the freedom and healing forgiveness can give.
There are also some fun interesting characters who will warm your hearts and make you laugh.
Janet W. Ferguson has written a tender story that brings to light the struggles of those who are dealing with additions, what they battle daily, and the ripple effect it can have. I appreciate how she doesn’t sugar-coat it or make it all hunky-dory at the end. She makes it real and relatable. I know it challenged me to think about others and their needs; what they may be going through and where I can help.
If you want to read a story that will touch your heart and challenge you to dig deeper, then this is the book for you.
If you want to read a book that weaves a beautiful tale of forgiveness, hurts, grace, love, trust, healing, and hope, then you want to pick this up. As these characters go through some tough times, the author sweetly brings in the hope and forgiveness we all can have in God. It’s not pushy, or fake. She presences it in a very real way.
I highly recommend you pick this book up to read.
He can bring the dead to life!
The Art of Rivers is another faith-filled masterpiece, which deserves 10 stars. It is a powerful story of forgiveness and new beginnings for lost and struggling. Worth every minute of reading time.
“Forgiveness is free while trust is earned.”
“Show God your problem then show your problem your God!”
Incredible writing and narration.
Great book. I’ll read it again.
An interesting and clean romance with some unexpected turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
A few months ago I read Janet Ferguson’s book, Magnolia Storms, and it was such an awesome story, I loved it. So when Art of Rivers came up for review, I knew it would be a great read, and it was. I enjoyed this book so much. I quickly fell in love with the characters, they all were so realistic and developed so well throughout this story. My heart hurt for Rivers because of the tragic past she has endured. And Cooper was nothing like I expected, he had my heart from the beginning. And the work he does is not only rewarding, but it’s life changing, it a world that needs people like him so much.
Rivers has been through so much, and trying to deal with the house full of things her fiancee has left her wasn’t easy, but it had to be done. But she had no idea what she would fine. And Cooper was doing what he felt the Lord wanted him to do, stay clean and sober and do whatever he can to make a difference in people’s lives. And after five years, it was still difficult. And the only want he survived was Trusting in the Lord. You don’t want to miss finding out what happens to these two broken people, with a tragic past. A past that God takes them from completely, and gives them a new hope, a new meaning.
I love and appreciate the way Ms. Ferguson clearly shows Jesus in the lives of her characters, and does it in a way that doesn’t offend. It just sounds like Christians today living their everyday lives. This is an enjoyable book for anyone wanting a good clean read. And the cover is beautiful, the name very clever, so what’s there to loose!
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Art of Rivers is the third installment from Janet W Ferguson’s Coastal Hearts series. It is, also, my first book I have read by this author. Since I have not read the first two books in the series, I feel as though this one can be read as a stand alone. I would love to go back read them to see what had happened prior.
The Art of Rivers tells the beautiful story of Rivers Sullivan, who is suffering from external and internal pain. She has lost her faith and decides to take time away at the beautiful St Simons Island. She meets up with James Cooper Knight, who is, also, learning how to deal with his own struggles and pain.
I enjoyed The Art of Rivers. I thought it was a fabulous story of love, overcoming, moving on and second chances. I am giving it a well deserved five plus stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.