Bookish Thursday - Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler
I'm starting off February with a bang! Loads of book reviews coming and I love it that I am starting the month off with a book I really enjoyed!
But first, this book review is sponsored by WOW-Women on Writing, so go check out other opinions and topics by the author.
And now about the book!
The coming-of-age story follows Gwyn Madison, the summer after her high school graduation, as she grapples with her fast-approaching future. She’ll have to face more than she bargained for with her Aunt Delia, the family matriarch, who holds the purse strings and the final word. In the meantime, Gwyn stumbles upon a tightly held family secret. Could a mysterious letter provide Gwyn the leverage she desires? Will it only bring more family division? Or, maybe, the past was never meant to stay buried after all. Whispering Through Water navigates family dynamics, young love, and female autonomy with a little 1990s nostalgia.
Publisher: Monarch Educational Services, L.L.C
ISBN-10: 1957656052
ISBN-13: 978-1957656052
ASIN: B0BCCW8T54
Print length: 265 pages
Purchase a copy of Whispering Through Water on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler was raised in West Point, a small town in the Tidewater region of Virginia. From the moment she submitted her first short story to a young author’s contest in second grade, Rebecca knew she wanted to be a writer. Her love of writing led her to earn a BA in English and an MEd in English education. She spent several years as a high school teacher, during which she also developed a passion for mental health advocacy. Rebecca completed an MA in professional counseling and now works in the school-based mental health field and as a college adjunct psychology instructor. Rebecca also teaches yoga for the young and the young at heart, and she likes to infuse yoga and breathwork in her counseling practice wherever she can.
She believes the most valuable use of her time is teaching youth how to love and care for each other and the world around them. Her stories share her focus on positive relationships and a love of nature. Rebecca now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and two spoiled Siamese cats.
Whispering Through Water is her first YA novel and second book. Her picture book When Daddy Shows Me the Sky was released November 2021. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccawwheeler_author and www.rebeccawwheeler.com.
Now for the important part - MY OPINION!
First off, if you have followed me for any length of time, you have probably read I have my share of 'family secrets'. I was a young teen when I found out my maternal grandfather was actually my step-grandfather. There was an unspoken 'don't ask' wall about the past with my grandmother and mother.
Over the years I did find out tidbits of my mother's early years and her father's side of the family. But I never met any of them over the years.
Whispering Through Water plays on the unspoken family secrets most families probably have. It is also a homage to the time when Gwyn's aunt was growing up. Can't really say much more about what happens without it being a spoiler.
At 206 pages it should be a really fast read. However, I found the writing style, along with the twists and turns, compelling enough to want to take my time reading the book. It also may me think about the reasons why my own family secrets were, well, secret.
I am also 65 and a good Southern girl. So much of what goes on strikes some memories. I think for a reader my age, they would be nodding their head with how the situation was handled. For younger readers, this would be a glimpse into an age where certain things were not discussed and definitely hidden to maintain position and status.
Overall, a great read and one which hopes for more from Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
Blog Tour Calendar
January 9th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. We interview the author and give away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
January 10th @ Mindy McGinnis' blog
Visit Mindy's blog to read Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler's guest post about things she's learned about the author and editor relationship.
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
January 10th @ Rockin' Book Reviews
Visit Lu Ann's blog for her review of Whispering Through Water. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book!
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
January 11th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog for an interview with author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
January 12th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Join Anthony as he shares his thoughts about Whispering Through Water.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 13th @ A Storybook World
Deirdre features Whispering Through Water in a book spotlight.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
January 14th @ Just Katherine
Katherine treats us to an excerpt of Whispering Through Water.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
January 15th @ Reading is My Remedy
Join Chelsie for a review of Whispering Through Water.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
January 16th @ One Writer's Journey
Sue shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about how her graduate program in counseling helped her write fiction.
January 18th @ Word Magic
Fiona spotlights Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
January 19th @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
Visit Joan's blog for her insights about Whispering Through Water.
https://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/
January 21st @ Life According to Jamie
Visit Jamie's blog for her thoughts about Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/
January 24th @ Author Anthony Avina's blog
Join Anthony as he shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about her different processes when writing young adult versus picture books.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 26th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews the book Whispering Through Water.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
January 27th @ Storeybook Reviews
Come by Leslie's blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water.
https://storeybookreviews.com/
January 28th @ Reading is My Remedy
Cheslie shares a guest post from Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about gardening.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
February 1st @ Beverley A. Baird
Join Beverley as she reviews Whispering Through Water.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 2nd @ Celticlady's Reviews
Check out a book spotlight of Whispering Through Water. A must-read book to add to your collection!
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
February 2nd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
February 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley's blog again for a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about growing up in a small town.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 5th @ The Mommies Reviews
Join Glenda as she reviews Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://themommiesreviews.com/
February 6th @ One Writer's Journey
Sue will be interviewing Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. Learn more about this prolific writer!
February 7th @ Liberate and Lather
Join Angela as she reviews Whispering Through Water. She also shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about simple things to do at home to be more eco-friendly.
https://liberateandlather.com/
February 9th @ Chapter Break
Julie interviews author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about books, writing, life, and more.
February 10th @ From the TBR Pile
Visit Kari's blog for a review of Whispering Through Water.
https://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/
February 11th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Visit Linda's blog for an in-depth interview with author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler and her book Whispering Through Water.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
Wonderful review!
ReplyDelete