This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester has its beginnings in a chance encounter between Lindsey Wood and David McClain, which sparks romance between them. The romance is kept alive through Skype when he is back on duty in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan he has to witness horrendous acts of war, arson and violence, mostly senseless. On completion of his stint, he returns to find himself horribly affected. This leaves Lindsey in terrible grief; she is already in the doldrums owing to her father’s condition, being a Gulf veteran. Her experience with this comes in handy when David finds it more or less common among such repatriates, and with mutual assistance they make peace with the present. David and Lindsay begin their journey.
Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester is bound to take its toll on one's emotions: the instant chemistry between Lindsey and David, the exchange of numbers in the hopes he will call, and the call doing wonders, as well as his invitation to a party without telling her that it’s his going away party! I have had the occasion to witness something similar and have always felt how treasured such moments are. Steven has adopted a good degree of moderation; at no stage do the emotional scenes and exchanges seem unnatural. A moving story with a complete plot, it leaves one with the same feeling as the last thought of the hero: “Life is better than good.” And just like him, with a smile.
