LOVED this book so much!!! Best book I’ve read in 2020 so far! Thanks for the opportunity to read this! Such an awesome writing style and loved all the characters! I will definitely check out more books by Charles Martin!

This is my 7th Charles Martin book I’ve read and everyone of them has been added to my top reads each year. When Crickets Cry is still one of my favorites of all time. But unfortunately, while reading this book, I had to check several times to make sure the author was the same Charles Martin that wrote all of those other awesome books. It was, and I almost didn’t want to write a review, but this definitely is not one of my favorites.
All of his previous books were believable love stories with so much heart, they would bring tears to your eyes or cause you to laugh out loud, and you came to care for all of the characters. This one is an action tale that has so much going on, it’s difficult to keep up with who and where Murphy and the bad guys are. The action overwrites all of the possible romance scenes.
My first con, it took me a little bit to figure out that this is a story inside of writing a story and there were multiple times I was completely lost of which timeframe we were in. My second con, several of the chase action scenes were so over the top, there is no way Murphy and the dog could have kept going after all the damage and injuries they went through.
I still have several books written by Mr. Martin to read and I certainly will, but I do hope he stayed with what works for him, wonderful loveable characters with so much heartfelt stories.
I was allowed an ARC from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. This one gets 3 stars.

I love anything I've read by Charles Martin. He's a gifted storyteller and he always manages to make me cry.
This story took me a little bit more time than usual to get into (kind of an info dump in the beginning) but as soon as I reached the hump, I coasted through the rest. A poignant and meaningful story.

I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several books by Charles Martin over the past few months, and I have been struck by the way each book takes characters who have been broken in many different ways who then find their way to redemption. The Water Keeper is much darker than any of Martin's previous books, tackling human trafficking and one man's mission to save as many girls as possible along the Florida coast as a way to heal his own broken heart. I'm not sure why, but I find the first few chapters of most of Martin's books to be a bit confusing, but they are always worth the effort to continue reading to find how those opening chapters tie in to the rest of the novel. Highly recommend.

Classic Charles Martin. A privilege to read from beginning to end. Give yourself a gift and curl up w/ this novel...savor it...you will not be disappointed. Five Stars.

I like the characters in this book and have enjoyed other books by Mr. Martin, however, this one took a bit more to get into and some seemed a bit unrealistic. The subject matter is timely and important. I didn't like the ending. I'm wondering if there is going to be a sequel. If this was the first book that I had read by this author I probably wouldn't read any others, however, I have enjoyed his other books. He does a great job with his characters.
I received a complementary copy of this book for the purpose of an honest revies.

I always enjoy Charles Martin's books, they are well researched and fast paced.
This is an amazing story of love, loss and rebirth. There were a few details about the waterways of Florida I could have lived without but it is an amazing story that brings attention to child trafficking in the US and around the world.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for my copy of this book. When I saw it was available as an ARC, I immediately applied to get a copy.

Great characters, excellent and sometimes eye-opening interwoven stories. Also includes a love story and a wonderful dog set on the beautiful coast of eastern Florida. While all the characters are damaged souls, their interactions save them from becoming lost. You may love them, you may hate them or barely find them tolerable. However, all are believable and memorable as they carry you along on an adventure of a lifetime. Fast paced and hard to put down.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions and comments are strictly my own.

Starting out - I'll be honest - I didn't love it. There are only so many details I need about boats and what waterways connect to what. I kept reading though, because this book has some glowing reviews. By the end I was glad I finished it. It's rare to find an author that can write so poignantly about love while also tackling some of the most terrifying issues in the world today. It fast paced, full of twists, and very enjoyable. Thanks Netgalley for the great read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Charles Martin is one of the better authors in the Christian fiction genre. A complex plot, romance, suspense and an unforgettable character in Murphy make this a must-read book.

I wanted to love this book, I really did! However, I struggled to stay engaged with this. Charles Martin's writing is so good, but the story of this book didn't capture my attention like I had hoped. Overall, this book sadly fell flat for me.

I think this is my first book by this author and what a book it was! It was intense, fast paced , and full of some twists.
It was hard to put down! I really enjoyed it! Definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I always enjoy Charles Martin's books. This one was one of his best. I truly fell in love with Murphy and enjoyed this exciting story. Will definitely purchase for the library and recommend it to the patrons.

Travel to Fort George Island, north of Jacksonville Florida...
now get in a boat and travel to a smaller island... meet Murphy Shepard.
He has spent life rescuing others, now he is unable to rescue himself.
He is dealing with a loss, unable to "get over"
(Charles Martin worded so eloquently, I want to remember how he expressed
I have never been able to put loss into words as well)

I have read all of Charles Martin's books, I will continue to read his books irregardless of subject matter.
I recommend his books to family, friends, patrons, strangers who ask me for a good book to read.

Suspense intrigued my need for conclusion - had to keep reading.
You will not want to put down!

*Sometimes people need more than water to learn to swim*

When you have to go to work tomorrow but you can not put a book down. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking, hopefully story about love and freedom from the things that haunt us. The characters and the relationships were beautiful. The way that they author wove the story together was captivating. HIGHLY recommend this book and will be thinking about the last few chapters for a while. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin
Murphy Shepherd is more than the simple, solitary caretaker that he appears. When Angel, an under-age trafficked girl crosses his path, it puts his life on a trajectory that even he doesn’t expect.
Murphy is a classic Charles Martin hero--- tough exterior, tender inside, wounded, but always honorable. He made me wish that such a person really existed to be the hero that so many pine for today.
This book had lots to keep the reader engaged. The plot was always shifting. Murphy kept pulling out unexpected surprises. And the author kept surprising me, too. The characters, especially Murphy, continued to reveal more about themselves and their past. There was always something happening to draw the reader in. It worked on me as, I finished this book in a weekend.
I have read several of Martin’s other books and appreciate his wholesome writing. This book was the same, despite dealing with the difficult subject of sex trafficking. I did wonder why he didn’t include any information regarding organizations rescuing children from this horror. I think his audience would have been receptive to that.
If you are a Charles Martin fan, put this on the top of your TBR pile today! If you have yet to read one of his books, start with this one—because you can’t go wrong. Both men and women readers will enjoy this. There is enough action and romance for either. I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy, for this my honest review.

Big thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
I have mixed feelings about The Water Keeper. There were a lot of things about the story I liked a lot - good themes, good characters, good story twists. However I also found some aspects of the story very confusing (fiction vs reality) or unrealistic, and there was an overdose of sailing and geographic information that slowed the plot down.

Charles Martin is one of the best storytellers. A friend introduced me to him a few years ago and I have slowly been devouring his books. The Water Keeper is Martin's newest book and it does not disappoint. You meet Murphy who lives a quiet life of solitude, until he has another woman or girl to find. He helps find women that are abducted and helps them better their life after being found. You learn his past and story as the book unfolds. Murphy was once in love with Marie and she was the one the got away. He has spent his life looking for her in one way or the other. Murphy has lived many lives before this current one. He is a great character.
Martin fills his stories with some unforgettable and lovable characters. This book had action, love and romance, thrills, and sadness.
Parts of this book spoke to me in ways that some books don't. Martin definitely has a gift. "We all lose our way. Sometimes it just takes someone else to find us and bring us back." Some days we all need to be brought back.
Martin's books are an easy read that flow from one chapter to the next. You'll find yourself lost in the book, one chapter turns into a dozen. I will be recommending this book to others and will be looking for Martin's other works. Special Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Charles Martin for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#TheWaterKeeper #NetGalley

Reading a Charles Martin novel is such a breath of fresh air and I always excitedly anticipate his newest release. Martin’s writing is solid and memorable with characters that possess passion and strength. In each of his books, the reader can find a quiet sense of Jesus Christ’s presence. In his latest novel, the Water Keeper, the story flows a bit differently. The main character seems to be a mix of Magnum PI and James Bond rolled into one with threads of Charles Martin’s goodness holding them together. The main character, “Murph” is a white-knight to young girls encompassed in the sex slave industry. Along the way, the novel unrolls many different characters that at times gets a little confusing as to the who and when of their role. The characters all seem to be a sub-thought except for the precious dog, who is consistently present. The plot feels a bit rushed and takes many turns that while keeps the reader guessing, gets a little frustrating. However, readers of Charles Martin will love this book as they have his previous novels, it just may not be their favorite.

Wow. What twisty, powerful ride this read turned out to be. A priest and a black ops rescue guy are the same person? Love (or the lack of self love), redemption, tough choices and friendship trickle through the entire plot, shaping the actions and outcomes. The tough part was the human trafficking bit; though not graphic it was hard to hear how these evil men prey on vulnerable females. Young girls don't stand a chance against their slickness unless we educate them. This book might be mostly fiction but I do hope that there are many people like Murph fighting for, and rescuing, the taken ones.

I'm looking forward to the discussion questions when the book is released.