I’d like to continue to share a few of my own reviews, but I don’t want to detract from our Tuesday guest authors, so I’m probably going to do mine as Sunday bonus posts. And today, I’d like to share one of my favorite reviews of my first Riverbend book, Swamp Ghosts. This was my second novel, and in spite of the eerie-sounding title, the ghosts are purely metaphorical. Unlike my Wake-Robin Ridge books, there’s nothing supernatural going on in the little town of Riverbend, because the people who live there are weird enough all by themselves! 🙂 Hope you enjoy this one, and will have a moment to pass it along. THANKS!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A perfect blend of setting, characters and plot resulting in a brilliant novel.
By MacTrish on February 13, 2018
I came across the author Marcia Meara when I read her Wake-Robin Ridge books. I really enjoyed her first one and so I took a punt on the second in the series which introduces a boy called ‘Rabbit’ and, in my opinion, the second and third books managed to surpass the first one. I’ve subsequently discovered that there’s more ‘Rabbit’ to come but in the meanwhile I thought I’d give the first of her Riverbend books a go.
Swamp Ghosts, despite the title, has nothing to do with ghostly hauntings. It’s a romantic thriller and so the development of a tender love between feisty, suspicious Maggie and Gunnar (a wildlife photographer who needs her boating skills to navigate the wetlands) is set against the sadistic appetite of a serial killer in their midst.
As with her other books, Marcia Meara excels at painting the scenes so uniquely and vividly yet without spoiling the flow of the narrative. I live thousands of miles from Florida but I’ve been in those wetlands in my head now. The brooding menace is another of her strengths and some of this is real edge of the seat stuff!
I’m not going to say any more about the beautifully crafted plot because there’s a twist there I didn’t see coming and I don’t want to inadvertently give away any spoilers.
This book didn’t disappoint and I’m now going to buy the next one in the Riverbend series. Keep ’em coming, Marcia!
BLURB:
Wildlife photographer Gunnar Wolfe looked like the kind of guy every man wanted to be and every woman just plain wanted, and the St. Johns River of central Florida drew him like a magnet. EcoTour boat owner Maggie Devlin knew all the river’s secrets, including the deadliest ones found in the swamps. But neither Maggie nor Gunn was prepared for the danger that would come after them on two legs.
On a quest to make history photographing the rarest birds of them all, Gunn hires the fiery, no-nonsense Maggie to canoe him into the most remote wetland areas of the state. He was unprepared for how much he would enjoy both the trips and Maggie’s company. He soon realizes he wants more than she’s prepared to give, but before he can win her over, they make a grisly discovery that changes everything, and turns the quiet little town of Riverbend upside down. A serial killer is on the prowl among them.
Author Marcia Meara
Buy Swamp Ghosts HERE
Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years, four big cats, and two small dachshunds. When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. Her belief in the redemptive power of love is a unifying factor in both her haunting Blue Ridge Mountain series, and her Riverbend, Florida one.
Marcia has published six novels, one novella, and one book of poetry to date, all of which are available on Amazon:
Wake-Robin Ridge
A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2
Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3
Swamp Ghosts: A Riverbend Novel
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2
That Darkest Place: Riverbend Book 3
The Emissary: A Riverbend Spinoff Novella
Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love
You can reach Marcia via email at marciameara16@gmail.com or on the following social media sites:
The Write Stuff: https://marciamearawrites.com/
Twitter: @marciameara
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcia.meara.writer
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marciameara/
Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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Thanks for the reblog, Viv! I VERY much appreciate it, Owl Lady! 🙂 ❤
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You’re very welcome, Marcia! I’ll be sending one of mine today.
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
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Sounds great! 🙂
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I loved this book, Marcia! @v@ ❤
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That is SO nice to hear, Viv! I really enjoyed writing this one, partly because it let me draw on my many years of canoeing and exploring central Florida’s rivers and swamps. My heart may be in the mountains, but the REST of me is here near the St. Johns River, so I may as well take advantage of what’s around me, eh? 😀 ❤
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Fabulous, well-deserved review.:)
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Thanks so much for that kind comment, Mary! ❤ It was a super nice review, and I have reviews picked out for both of the following books, as well. Next Sunday, I'll share a favorite Finding Hunter review. 😀
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Reblogged this on Campbells World.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Patty! I really appreciate it. 🙂
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Congratulations, Marcia. That’s an excellent, well-deserved review!
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Thanks so much, Mae. I’ve been lucky enough to receive some outstanding reviews along my writing journey, and I’m so happy to share them here. I’m glad you think Swamp Ghosts deserves this one. 🙂 ❤
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A fabulous book, Marcia.
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Aw, thanks so much, Robbie. I’m very glad you liked it! 🙂 ❤
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Lovely review – Tweeted!
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Thank you so much, Hywela! I really appreciate it! 🙂
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Fabulous review, Marcia! I know you’re smiling 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, and yes, about ever so many things! 😀 ❤
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Yay Marsh, awesome review! And you are so entitled to share your own reviews here!!! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Deb, and that’s what I figured. I just don’t want them to get in the way of my Tuesday folks. But I’ve received some pretty nice ones that I’d love for folks to read and share, so look for mine on Sundays. 😀 ❤
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You know I’ll be around. 🙂 ❤
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Wow! what a compelling review! Congratulations Marcia 🙂
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Thanks, Balroop. This book can get some pretty interesting comments and this is one of my favorites, for sure! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 ❤
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Reading it! 🙂
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Wow, thanks! Doing the happy dance, here! Looking forward to seeing what you think. Hope you enjoy it. 😀 ❤
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Excellent compelling review, Marcia. I look forward to reading your book.
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Thanks, Pam! I’m glad you enjoyed the review, and I hope you’ll enjoy the book, when you have a chance to check it out. 🙂 Thanks for visiting today, and taking the time to comment. 🙂 ❤
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XO
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