Saturday, February 27, 2010

Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

“Eternal on the Water” is a delightful, intriguing, heart-wrenching story of two soul mates and a devastating disease.

This novel doesn’t begin as most story do - the beginning of a budding relationship between a man and a woman. This novel begins at the tragic end of he couple’s relationship.

Knowing this story didn’t have a “happy ever-lasting” ending, I was apprehensive about reading it. Being tenderhearted was also a disadvantage to my willingness to read.

Once I began reading, however, it was hard to put it down. This timeless love story will hold you in its grip.

Cobb and Mary met on the Allagash River in Maine. It was Cobb’s first kayaking adventure and Mary was an old pro at it. Their chance meeting before going down the river changed their lives forever.

It was love at first sight for both. It was also the beginning of a journey that took the couple to Indonesia, Yellowstone National Park, and rural New England. The story is told in a flowing detail description. You can almost feel the mist from the river as the two kayak down the Allagash. You come to understand Mary’s love of the river and of life itself.

Cobb learns that Mary has  a life threatening disease but it doesn’t change his feelings for her. They go after life with a sense of adventure from their first encounter on.

When the end draws near for Mary, she enlists Cobb to fulfill her last request. They return to the Allagash River where it all began for them and ends for Mary. This is an inspiring story of adventure, humor, strength, pain, and undying love. “Eternal on the Water” addresses the question, “How far would you go to help the one you love?”

This is a novel that will stay with you long after you put it down and wipe away the tears.

JOSEPH MONNINGER, twice a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, has published award-winning fiction and non-fiction. He is currently a college professor living with his family in New Hampshire. For more information on Monninger, check out his website at josephmonninger.com

Thanks to Sarah and  Simon & Schuster, I have one copy of "Eternal on the Water" to giveaway. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. To enter this giveaway, send me an e-mail with "Win Eternal" in the subject line and include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. The giveaway ends at 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 5.


Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger * Gallery Books * @2010 * ISBN:9781439168332 * 368 pages * Paperback
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FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by Simon & Schuster in hopes I would review it. Receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

11 comments:

  1. Mason - This really does sound like a very compelling read! I'm not usually one for stories that you know have a sad ending, either, but if the focus is on the love story, not the end, I'll bet it worked. Thanks for sharing a unique book with us : )

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  2. Here you've given me something I can give my sister to read. She is full against happy endings so thank you for this.
    You have a lovely weekend.
    Warm regards,
    Simone

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  3. It sounds beautiful...but it would make me sad! I cried through "Love Story."

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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  4. Awh man, I'm a sucker for these kinds of books. I hate 'em 'cause they make me cry and I love 'em 'cause they make me cry. This one sounds beautiful.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

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  5. Wow, sounds like a well crafted heart-wrencher, for sure. I don't have to have happy endings - life isn't always that way, so books shouldn'r have to always be, either. Thanks for this review.

    Marvin D Wilson

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  6. Margot, it does have some humor throughout it so that helped. I was surprised that I liked considering how it began.

    Simon, if your sister doesn't like happy endings then this is the book for her. Have a great weekend.

    Elizabeth, I cried through Love Story too. And yes, this one will make you cry. I thought I wouldn't since it wasn't going to be a surprise or shock. But that didn't stop the waterworks.

    Helen, this is a beautifully written love story with twist and turns. I would find myself hoping the end was going to be a big surprise but it wasn't so the tears came.

    Marvin, you're right about life not always having happy endings so I guess books should reflect life sometimes. In it's own way, this book had a peaceful ending.

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  7. Sounds like I'll need a couple of boxes of Kleenex handy when I read this one!

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  8. Jemi, you definitely will need at least one. But it's worth it.

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  9. This sounds like a great book-I have seen it on a few blogs this weekend.

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  10. Oh, that sounds beautiful. I'll definitely be emailing you.

    I love a non-happily-ry. It always resonates. (For me.)

    Great review!

    Corra

    from the desk of a writer

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  11. non-happily-ry = non-happily-ever-after

    (sticky keyboard)

    :P

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