This was my second book by Charles Martin and I enjoyed it even more than the first one I read. It was a bit of a slow and confusing start, but well worth the payoff to stay the course.

Murphy, the main character, is a bit of a contradiction. He’s also full of secrets—or at least information that he chooses to keep to himself, revealing information only as needed. Murphy has found fulfillment in finding victims of human trafficking. The focus of the story is about the love that led Murphy to rescue victims and also led to his “other profession.”

The story was one with a strong sense of place. Set on the coastal waters of Florida and in Key West, Martin painted such a vivid picture that it was easy to imagine being there. There was quite a bit about boating, but the human trafficking was front and center in the story.

When Murphy meets a woman named Summer, the pace of the story really revs up. It was exciting, nerve-wracking and heart-warming. At times, I had to suspend belief a bit because when Murphy is in pursuit, he is close to being superhuman and unstoppable. I have to give a special shout out to Gunner, my favorite character in the book, who saved the day several times. Charles Martin, I thank you for not gutting me where Gunner was concerned.

Readers need not worry about explicit sexual content relating to the human trafficking. There is, however, quite a bit of violence at times, but the story moves fairly quickly, not dwelling on the injuries. With themes of love and forgiveness, this is a story that stresses the value of each of us and that we are all worthy of being saved.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

I have mulled over what to say about this book. Although it kept me reading to the end, I realized at the end that I didn’t like it as I have generally liked books by this author.

After the introductory scene in the book, where the main character meets Angel, the pace seems frenetic. The boat and water feature prominently in the story. I don’t know, maybe it’s the subject of human trafficking that put me off, but I just wasn’t moved by the story. I just kept reading to see what would happen, and I guess there was a satisfying ending of sorts. Is this the beginning of a series maybe?

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book by Charles Martin I've read and loved. The subject matter of this book is difficult. The story starts off leading you to believe one thing about the characters and I wasn't sure I'd be interested. It quickly changes and you start to realize who the characters really are. And you sort of do but there is a big twist later in the book. It ends with a couple of cliff hangers so I'm hopeful that means there will be a part 2.

After I finished reading The Water Keeper, I went through Charles Martin’s past book titles on Goodreads, and I notice to my surprise that a lot of his books include the word, water. This should not be a shock to me as all of his books are about healing the hurts that we accumulate in life.

We meet the main character Murphy Shepherd as he agrees to find Angel, the daughter of Summer a former drug addict and dancer. It is his mission in life to find young women who have or are about to become a part of the sex trafficking industry that operates on the Florida waters. He knows what he is doing because he has the invisible and visible wounds to prove he can and will do anything he can do to find and bring Angel back to her mother. What he didn’t expect was meeting a young girl named Ellie hiding on Gone Fiction. Murphy is a good man and he makes a promise to Ellie not realizing how she is connected to his past and his future. He didn’t realize that he would be reuniting and healing from a part of his past that he thought was dead.

I loved this storytelling journey that Charles Martin takes his readers on, it was one that had me confused at times because I’ve never navigated the waters of Florida, but never did I feel that Murphy wasn’t up to par to take me to parts of his heart that needed examining and healing. It was a world that I was glad that I could be safely steered to the best ending for this thrilling ride of a story, that is really fiction made up in someone’s imagination, though the sex trafficking part I know is not.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Water Keeper.

I couldn’t get enough of Water Keeper, but it was the very ending that, I at first didn’t like, but as I thought about it through the day, I realized it was exactly very appropriate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. My gratitude to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

Look for my Elevator Ride with the Author series, coming May 5th with Charles Martin to get all the “behind-the-scenes” inspiration and more about this talented author.

One of my favorite authors, Southern master storyteller and New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin, kicks off an extraordinary new evocative series in celebration of his 20th anniversary of stories. This one gets ALL the stars from me and then some.

Beautifully executed, with power and precision, Charles Martin is at his finest (his best book yet) in this latest novel of forgiveness —THE WATER KEEPER. Hands down, The BEST Book of 2020! This book has it ALL! For guys and gals, young and old alike.

The author takes us on a (boat-Gone Fiction) “ride of your life” adventure from the Atlantic coastal NE Florida Intracoastal Waterway to the Southernmost part of the US— Key West. (Floridians will find a lot to like here).

With classic Charles Martin's signature style, fans have come to expect. Combining a perfect blending of a poignant Nicholas Sparks-The Notebook (love story romance) meets action-packed thrills and suspense of Greg Hurwitz (Orphan X series) and Harlan Coben.

An intriguing, moving, and memorable journey with heartfelt and broken characters seeking redemption, love, and forgiveness.

The people and bad guys they encounter along the journey are reminiscent of the works of authors: Richard Paul Evans (The Walk Series), and Catherine Ryan Hyde (Take Me With You and Stay).

The lyrical prose and stunning metaphors will draw you into the world of a complex broken man. David Bishop Murphy Shepherd (a priest, a recluse, a man who loves deeply, a fictional writer, and a powerful government agent).

He is resilient and will stop at nothing to save those sheep who have fallen astray from the fold to lead them back to their loved ones and freedom. However, he needs to be the kind of shepherd who will leave the warmth of the fire and the safety of the flock to risk the cold, the rain, and the sleepless nights to "find the ONE."

The historical and literary elements will remind you of (Ernest Hemingway) adventures, infused with literary icons, rich historical details, and vivid settings with an Old Florida flair.

From characters, Murphy meets along the way: Angel, a sixteen-year-old girl, pulled into sex and human trafficking.

A mother recovering from an Opioid addiction in search of her missing daughter before she is sold to the highest bidder.

An African American older gentleman ex-con (self-defense) sick and barely surviving, fighting to see the love of his life to make things right.

A tenacious white Labrador retriever, Gunner, who has nine lives and is the captain of this ship.

A young girl who is desperately trying to find her birth mother and father, a woman who is dying hiding from a world due to shame, leaving just enough crumbs for someone to see her.

A convent and Sister trying to protect. A mentor, a fellow agent, a rescuer, and just one more sheep to be saved before it is too late.

Martin intertwines humor, page-turning suspense, intense emotions, an endless love story, and unforgettable characters that reach into your heart and soul, searching for the healing power of love.

Ultimately uplifting and hopeful, leaving fans anxiously awaiting the next in the series. Prime for a TV series or the widescreen.

Flawless and irresistible, profoundly moving, and endlessly emotional. Fans continue to love the warmth and inspiration they draw from Martin's books and characters. They will be richly rewarded.

I highly recommend all his books (both fiction and nonfiction). Crossing multi-genres, Charles Martin proves once again that he is at the TOP OF HIS GAME! An Outstanding Achievement.

“Love does that. It erases the pain. The darkness.
The stuff that wants to hold our head under the water. Love reminds us who we are and who we were always meant to be. And there never has been nor ever will be anything that can kill it.” —David Bishop Murphy Shepherd

Charles Martin | The Water Keeper

In celebration of Charles 20th Anniversary of stories, my favorites:
I love them (all 5 Stars); however, if I must pick:
• Chasing Fireflies (never cried so hard over a book in my life. Plus, everyone I recommended it to, agrees) The characters will break your heart.
• When Crickets Cry
• Water From My Heart
• The Water Keeper

#JDCMustReadBooks

A special thank you to HarperCollins for an advanced reading copy.

On a side note:
Being a Floridan, I have resided and worked along the coast of SE Florida (ICW and A1A) from St John’s, Volusia, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties over the past twenty years, I immensely enjoyed re-visiting familiar, memorable landmarks and the rich Florida history. (great job) Being a Georgian before Florida, I devoured Martin’s earlier novels, as well.

I really enjoyed the boating/water elements in THE WATER KEEPER, having lived and worked in the Florida Keys selling waterfront condos for boats and condo-hotel residences with marina clubs and currently reside along ICW in West Palm Beach. Every time I see a yacht across the street, I think of this book.

The Water Keeper is a wild ride with of lots of action with characters who are flawed but you are rooting for. Murphy lives on an island and tends to a church. He comes across a woman named Summer who is looking for her missing her daughter. We end up in a world of Human trafficking and they are racing against the clock to rescue her. Your heart will beat fast on the journey they go on, to find Summer's daughter and as they discover themselves.

The Water Keeper


The Water Keeper is a riveting and breathless boat trip down the Florida Intercoastal Waterway

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Murphy Shephard is a man with many secrets. He lives alone on a island in Northeast Florida, tending the grounds of a church with no priest and no parishioners. He has quietly dedicated his life to rescuing women in peril. No one know who he is or what he does. But as he mourns the recent loss of his mentor and friend, Murph himself may be more lost than he realizes.

When he pulls a beautiful woman name Summer out of the Florida Intercoastal Waterway, Murph’s cruise to lay his mentor to rest in the water of the Keys, takes a unplanned and dangerous turn. Drawn to help Summer find her missing daughter, Murphy is pulled once again, into the dark and dangerous world of human-trafficking.

Murphy gets help from some unexpected new friends, including a faithful Labrador he plucks from the ocean, and an ex-convict name Clay. Murph races against the clock to locate Summer’s daughter. At the same time he is unknowingly uncovering secrets of his past.


REVIEW
THE WATER KEEPER is another fabulously powerful novel by Charles Martin. It’s a story of love, friendship, sacrifice, dedication and forgiveness. The writing is absorbing and beautiful, and each of the characters are well drawn. This is a BlueStockingBest read for 2020.

Murph is an amazingly strong, sensitive and faith-filled man. His past, present and future collide in this smartly structured action-packed thriller. Just be prepared for a fast and furious roller-coaster of a boat ride.

There is danger around every bend, as Murph races down the Intercoastal to find the bad guys and rescue Summer’s daughter before it’s to late. A big shout out to Gunner, the resilient Labrador Retriever. Even he helps bring the story to life with his boundless energy, stamina and loyalty.

Author Charles Martin lives in Jacksonville, Florida and has portrayed the beauty of the eastern coastline of Florida magnificently. This is his fourteenth novel. His prior novels include Send Down the Rain Long Way Gone and The Mountain Between Us, which was made into a major motion picture

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Thomas Nelson
Published May 5, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com



#netgalley, #thomasnelson, #thewaterkeeper #bluestockingreviews #bookreviews

Wow. What an intense page turner. Main character Murphy is one amazing man. His character lives out what it means to love others unconditionally. While love is the main theme and trust me it is crystal clear in theme, there is a LOT of action. Speeding boats, guns and much more as Murphy seeks to rescue women and girls from sex trafficking.

Secondary characters are well developed and complement the story. I especially loved Clay, a man recently released from prison after serving decades and Gunner, the canine hero of the novel.

Beautifully written novel that's both engaging and meaningful.

At first, I found this book rather hard to get into. It didn't help that there was this one scene near the beginning that reminded me of a similar scene in another of the author's books. It irritated me no end. Maybe it does happen often in real life? I don't know!

However, the last quarter of this story really grabbed me and I even forgot where I was and what time it was! So much going on! Love how caring the main character is, always out to help people. Inspiring. But he had his really dark moments too.

The Mountain Between Us is still my absolute favourite from Charles Martin. That was a 5 star.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. This is my honest review.

2 stars
The Water Keeper by Charles Martin
Charles Martin is a long time favorite author of mine. But, I really struggled with this one. I just couldn't get into it and I tried multiple times. I hate to leave a negative review but I just didn't like this book
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining and well written book. Great plot and well developed characters. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

My first read from this author, and I can honestly say that I haven't read anything like it before.

A mix of action adventure/romance/intrigue, I found the story a bit confusing in the beginning. The story is written in first-person narrative and revolves around the life (past and present) of a priest/government agent/best-selling fiction writer.

Murphy has dedicated his life to finding lost souls, more specifically those taken in human sex trafficking, while also struggling with his own personal loss. This books contains some exquisitely-written prose, deeply-felt insights and thought-provoking passages. However, it can also get a bit convoluted, switching between real life and his fictional character's life. There are also quite a lot of descriptive passages involving Florida's waterways, boat jargon, etc. that at times straddle the line between interesting and tedious. But while this book had its moments of unbelievable feats/plot points, overall I found myself liking and rooting for Murphy to beat the bad guys, save the day and reach some inner peace for himself. I did have some issues with the two female leads in their neediness and questionable tactics, but tried to keep my focus centered on Murphy and his growth and development.

This is the first of a series, and I'm intrigued to see where it leads. I will say that I hope to see further info and insights into Murphy's childhood and growing up years in future books.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

One awesome read! Themes of love and redemption run through this story surrounding the evil abduction of girls for sex trafficking. These themes are familiar in all the Charles Martin stories I've read so far. I am so in love with the hero, Murphy and everything he does in helping others. I highly recommend this and any of Charles Martin's books. His books touch my soul!

The characters are well-developed and interesting. The plot is engrossing. Then tension builds at just the right pace.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson - FICTION through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Murph appears to be a simple man who maintains an island chapel until troubled Angel stumbles into his life. As the plot unfolds, we realize that Murph is anything but simple. His character has a complex history and has endured unspeakable hardships.

Although, a suspenseful novel about sex trafficking, Charles Martin brings together characters that have struggled. All of which are alone. The bond these characters creates is touching and gives us hope even in the most desperate times.

Martin weaves together a suspenseful and heartwarming tale that kept me up late wanting to know what would happen next. Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this enjoyable book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The plot didn't work for me. I really struggled to finish the book.

This is the first book that I have read by Charles Martin, but it certainly will not be the last. There are some stories that you know will just stick with you long after the final page, and this was certainly one of those. Simply put, the story was captivating.

Murph is a man with a definite air of mystery surrounding him. We figure out early on that he's let an interesting life--- but it's not until the story progresses that we really learn all the ins and outs of that life. As more and more of his life is revealed slowly throughout the story, I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the events. The Water Keeper tackles the tough topic of human trafficking and slavery through an adventure story that reminded me of a timeless classic adventure--- complete with a rag tag group of characters, all broken in their own ways. As they set out in search of Summer's daughter Angel, I loved seeing how their stories would unfold...past and present. There are some twists and turns along the way...and while I admit that I did see some coming fairly early on, others took me by complete surprise and had me curious to go back and see where reality and fiction intersected and what I might have missed. The story truly was quite intriguing, with a beautiful message of love and it's ability to overcome all. Certainly not a typical romance novel, by any means... but a beautiful story of love nonetheless.

I will say that there was a lot of technical detail about the various boats and waterways traveled. For me, I must admit that it slowed the story down a bit in places and I personally could have done without it. Others may disagree if they are into that kind of thing. Still, it wasn't a big enough issue to keep me from thoroughly enjoying this story... while it might have kept it from being a 5 star from me, it was still very much a STRONG 4 stars. It's beautifully written and one I'm certain I won't soon forget.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Charles Martin is one of my favorite authors and can always render a story that calls to the human spirit. This book stayed with me long after I had finished it. It was very atmospheric and I loved the broken characters.
Many thanks to a Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Charles Martin gets you right in the feels with this book about a jaded secret agent searching for a girl who has been kidnapped by a sex-trafficking ring, and finding the way back to his own heart along the way.

This book wasn't my typical type of read, but I'm glad to have given it a chance. The characters have depth and you root for them from the beginning. It has a strong sense of place; I could feel the wind in my hair and smell the water as we sped along the Florida Intracoastal Waterway. I was kept guessing right up to the end.

If there is anything to complain about (and I'm not complaining), it does wrap up a bit too neatly. A few times I had to suspend disbelief when some events that happened seemed too convenient. But that being said, this is a story that kept me interested, invested me in the characters, and warmed my heart.

A heartbreaking story about a man who has made it his life's mission to rescue girls and young women from slavery in and around Florida. Lyrical and detailed descriptions make you feel as if you are along for the ride. That being said, the writing felt a bit rushed toward the end. It also felt like the end was being written for an action movie. Some of the things the severely injured protagonist was able to do seemed to be humanly impossible. Still, this book is not easily forgotten and definitely a recommended read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is my first Charles Martin book and I will be reading more of them. I love how he wove together such a moving story with beautiful characters. Their pasts, struggles, hopes, dreams, mistakes and loves keep the story moving forward and engages the reader in a deep way. I stayed up way too late reading this one and it had me thinking about it long after the book was finished.