For fans of Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve comes an exhilarating debut novel of one woman’s courage in the face of catastrophe.She’ll do anything to save them.But what will she do to save herself?When Kat Jamison retreats to the Blue Ridge Mountains, she’s counting on peace and solitude to help her make a difficult decision. Her breast cancer has returned, but after the death of her husband, her … returned, but after the death of her husband, her will to fight is dampened. Now she has a choice to make: face yet another round of chemotherapy or surrender gracefully.
Self-reflection quickly proves impossible as her getaway is complicated by a pair of abandoned dogs and two friendly children staying nearby, Lily and Nirav. In no time at all, Kat’s quiet seclusion is invaded by the happy confusion of children and pets.
But when lightning ignites a deadly wildfire, Kat’s cabin is cut off from the rest of the camp, separating Lily and Nirav from their parents. Left with no choice, Kat, the children, and the dogs must flee on foot through the drought-stricken forest, away from the ravenous flames. As a frantic rescue mission is launched below the fire line, Kat drives the party deeper into the mountains, determined to save four innocent lives. But when the moment comes to save her own, Kat will have to decide just how hard she’s willing to fight to survive–and what’s worth living for.
A heart-pounding novel of bravery, sacrifice, and self-discovery, Wildland will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page.
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BOOK REVIEW: Wildland by author, Rebecca Hodge
Where do I begin…
Heartwarming, emotional, gripping and heroic are just a few of the words that come to mind regarding this page-turning narrative~
Rebecca Hodge has written a winning debut novel. One that will fill your heart with emotion and have you on the edge of your seat with ragged nerves, from beginning to end.
Wildland is full of hope, promise, and an intensity that filters in and around the stunning backdrop of The Blue Ridge Mountains as Kat Jamison has a decision to make, and it’s one that seems impossible for her to make…
Searching for peace and solitude she needs, and craves, she finds that life itself has other plans for her as lightning strikes~ in a way she never imagined.
Ms. Hodges talent shines throughout this story as she takes you on a powerful journey of self-reflection, bravery and change, through the lives of each and every character she presents. A story that is as descriptive, as it is absorbing, and one that will set deep within your bones.
If you enjoy a story that has it all, this is one read you won’t want to miss…
5 Stars
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Fabulous story! I read this in one day because I didn’t want to put it down! The story keeps moving at a fast pace so you just keep reading wondering what will happen on the next page!
Everything in “Wildland” by Rebecca Hodge screams “Fervent”!
From the wild fires that began raging in the mountains to the deep, hot, and burning desire for Kat Jamison to determine her life’s next chapter; every moment was so deeply experienced.
As I joined Kat on her path and those of the other characters, I was so immersed I could not let go! I turned the pages with the same sense of urgency I’m sure each character was either trying to escape the Blue Ridge Mountains or rescue them!
Intense, powerful, inspirational!
Wildland left me breathless. Holding my dogs tighter! Appreciating my life
Bound by circumstance and driven by their most basic instincts, Hodge’s band of characters pop off the page—adults, children, and dogs alike. Every tortured choice they make offers readers hope that when pushed to dig that deep, we too might find such surprising sources of compassion and courage. A heart-warming page-turner not to be missed!
The summary of this book was so interesting that I knew I needed to read it. I was a little hesitant when the story began with two separate fathers allowing their young children to visit with a woman that they had just met while camping. I kept reading, as the story did intrigue me, and I am so glad that I did. This was a wonderful story of hope and the desire to survive. Kat Jamison has a decision to make. Does she go through chemo again or just accept what she believes is her fate? When a fire breaks out near her rented cabin, she is alone except for the two children and two dogs. How can she possibly save them as the fire gets closer? Meanwhile the two fathers have joined forces to locate and save their children and Kat using all resources available. You will read along with these characters as they fight through nearly impossible odds, but never give up…what a rush! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
What a debut novel by Rebecca Hodge. From start to finish it is so good you won’t want to put it down. It will keep you captivated all the way.
What would you do if the lives of two children and two dogs were totally dependent on you. And you are stuck in the middle of a raging forest fire. And you are on top a mountain and said fire is heading straight for you. And the children are not even yours. Could you make the decisions that would help these children and yourself escape alive. Would you want to give up and let the smoke fill you and lay down to just give up.
Kat went to a cottage in the Appalachian mountains to get away for a month. To think about her future and what she wants to do. She has already been through a lot with cancer. Having had breast cancer, having her breasts removed and gone through the horrible treatments that go along with cancer. Can she do it again for her daughter. For herself. It’s why she is there. Her daughter brings her a dog to keep her company and two other adults lower down the mountain visit with their children. One man, Scott and his daughter, Lily, are spending their time together on vacation. He has plans for them and he is somewhat judgmental toward others. His daughter is only 12 and loves meeting Kat’s dog. Then there is Malcolm who is there with his adopted son, Nirav. Nirav lost his parents in a fire of a different kind.
Kat has to make some very serious choices in this book. Some that will either save her, the children, and the dogs. Or they may not make it at all. She does not feel adequate in her choices. She’s not sure what she is doing is the right thing. The whole area is burning wildly around them and it seems hopeless. They don’t even know if anyone is going to come try to save them.
This book will make you feel actual pain. Not just pain in your heart, or tears in your eyes and believe me there are plenty of tears shed, but physical pain. The descriptions in this story take you right in the middle of everything. You feel all the things that these people feel. It describes in very good detail what happens and all the fears each character goes through. It’s so realistic I actually held my breathe and cringed in many many places.
Will everyone make it out alive. That is the ultimate question. Will they be ok if they do make it out. Will the father’s of the two children blame Kat for the choices she makes. This is a story of such intense feelings you will truly feel the fire’s heat. The pain when something happens to one of them. The sadness when they are sad. The hopelessness that is felt. The many many fears of all the adults.
This is a book that you won’t be able to put down until you know how it’s going to play out. How it’s going to end. It’s so realistic. This author did a wonderful job of writing her debut novel. I can’t wait to read more by her.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #Rebecca Hodge, #Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. This is my own true review.
I gave it 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone I know. It’s a great book. It’s an edge of your seat book. Not a thriller but not exactly a mystery either. It’s just a story of three families who get caught up in Mother Nature in the worse way.
Magnificent Tale of Guts and Survival
I love this book. I know that I will re-read it in the future. The author is such a good storyteller! It is as if the reader is right there trying to breathe. The entire book is absolutely believable. From the children to the dogs to the firefighters, not a word out of place. I will be watching for future works by this author. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a story of self-worth and fear and forgiveness and futility. A superbly written story with characters that lead you through their every emotion. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!
When survival is uncertain, Hodge captures the strength of the human spirit to endure, persevere, and overcome. An edge of your seat, emotional, powerful story filled with inspiration.
I really wanted to love this book but …. as I read through it, I just kept thinking how trite it was. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. It was predictable – the outcome, the character arcs, all of it. The author has potential … she’s not quite there yet.
Thank you #netgalley and #crookedlanebooks for the eARC.