Today I have a review of Moon Water by Pam Webber now available from She Write Press. A big thank you to Stephanie Barko for the invitation to the blog tour. I was ecstatic to be reunited with this author’s books!
I read and reviewed Pam Webber’s debut novel, The Wiregrass, which precedes this one back in 2015. I was obsessed with the book and the nostalgia she captured with these cousins visiting family over summer because I spent every childhood summer with my cousins. This is where Nettie’s story begins. Please check out my Goodreads review of The Wiregrass.
My Thoughts:
I was so happy to find Nettie again in this story. Now, it’s the summer of 1969, and she’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nettie and her boyfriend are thinking of breaking up.
Those are not the only hard times Nettie is experiencing, though. She has a lifelong nemesis bugging her left and right, and of all things, her preacher is refusing to baptize her.
Nettie meets a Monacan (Native American) medicine woman who tells her about an upcoming darkness, specifically a blood moon, that will affect Nettie and her loved ones. I live not far from the Blue Ridge mountains, and the blood moon still has importance and intrigue today.
The medicine woman tells her she must prepare a dream catcher, which she does along with her best friend, Win.
Pam Webber is back with her beautifully simple storytelling. The native Monacan elements added interest, and with this region not being far from where I live, I was captivated with the history and touches of culture.
There was a light mystery here and great tension. I loved Nibi, the medicine woman’s, sections with herbs and her resourceful knowledge of the wilderness. I also loved witnessing Win and Nettie interact with Nibi.
Overall, Moon Water’s characters shine, as does Pam Webber’s smooth storytelling.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the summer of 1969, Moon Water finds Nettie, 16, with her boyfriend wanting to breakup just as they are figuring out the sex thing. Nettie’s lifelong nemesis is jabbing her with perfectly polished nails, while her hellfire and brimstone preacher refuses to baptize her. Amid this turmoil, a Monacan Indian medicine woman gives her a cryptic message about a coming darkness, a blood moon whose veiled danger threatens Nettie and those she loves. To prepare for the darkness, Nettie and her best friend, Win, make a treacherous journey into the mountains to build a mysterious dreamcatcher of ancient elements.
Have you read Moon Water, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I didn’t know about the blood moon. Like I know the Lunar Eclipse but didn’t know any beliefs around it. Just Googled it. Great review, Jennifer. This does sound different but quite interesting.
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Thanks, Diana! It was definitely a unique read and so well-done! The Native Americans tended to be in touch with nature and connected it to their spiritual beliefs. It’s quite beautiful!
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Hope you enjoy the story, Diana(-:
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Such a tight ball. Which end is which? I always think it must be so comforting during the winter months to have a furry tail with which to cover ones nose. We humans seriously missed out when tails were being issued! 😂
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😂 We really did, Paula! I loved how he mirrored the shape of the moon with his body! Such a smart boy, interpreting covers for me! ♥️
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I think you should set up a cat modelling agency. It could be called Mog To Munchkin Management or simply Premier Puss. I’m quite sure there would be all call for it! 🐈
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Why, thank you! I should! 😂 ♥️
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Beautiful review, Jennifer💜 Your love for the story and characters shine brilliantly.
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Thanks, Jonetta! I really appreciate those kind words! ♥️
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Hope you enjoy the characters and the story, Jonetta(-:
PAm
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There’s something special about reading a book that’s set where you live, so I know how you feel! Love the sound of this, Jennifer😁
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So true, Tammy! It offers that extra connection! Thank you!
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Tammy, I agree with you and Jennifer. Living in and writing about the Blue Ridge is special! Hope you enjoy the story(-:
Pam
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There sounds like many things to love in this story and importantly a great story. I always love a setting near a place I have lived and ones with diversities in cultures. Excellent review!
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Thanks, Anne! Me, too! And the first book completely endeared me to Nettie, so it was wonderful to “see” her again!
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Hope you enjoy the story, Anne(-:
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Awesome review Jen! You hooked me and I’m going to see if I can both of these from the library! Happy Thursday my friend!🌞🌻💙
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Thanks, Sus! I loved them both so much, and the first one gave me the best nostalgia for summers spent with my cousins! I hope you can find them! ♥️
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Got the first one on Hoopla and this one on Netgalley! Woot woot!!😂😂💜
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Hooray! This makes me so happy! I hope you love them!
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Hope you enjoy the story, Susan(-:
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Lovely picture with cute kitty, fabulous review, Jennifer! I added this historical fiction to my TBR list. Happy Reading!🐾🐾😻❤️📚🌺🌚🌔😊😘
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Thanks, Virginia! This is such a special read. I hope you get a chance to check it out! ♥️
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Hope you enjoy the story, Virginia(-:
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I think you and Susan must be working for the Blue Ridge Tourism Agency today! Must be wonderful to live close enough to visit them… 😀
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I would love that job, FF! I wish you could come see them! I was reminiscing with my dad earlier tonight, and I remembered a trip to the mountains, just the two of us, to celebrate my 12th birthday. I loved nothing more at that time than visiting the mountains, gem mining, and riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Such a special memory! It was actually Susan’s video that brought back that memory, and I’m so grateful for it.
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Gem mining! That all sounds like a scene from an old cowboy movie – a wonderful memory indeed! 😀
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Hope you enjoy the story, Fiction Fan(-:
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Lovely review! It is always nice to know the place where the story takes place.
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Thank you! I completely agree- that connection is so special!
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Hope you enjoy the story, Stargazer(-:
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This sounds like a very special read! Wonderful review, as ever!
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Thanks, Chrissi! It was a special read for sure!
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Hope you enjoy the story, Chrissi(-:
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This sounds so good – I’m definitely intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Blood Moon and how the author incorporates Monocan culture into the story through Nibi.
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Hope you enjoy the story, Newbury Girl(-:
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Library Thing is offering free ebooks of Moon Water. Enter to win through September 20, 2019 at https://www.librarything.com/er_list.php?program=giveaway&sort=startdate
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