Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester

From the back cover:

David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

Guest review by Laura Hogan:

The thread that runs through Gooseberry Island is a very sweet ‘love-at-first-sight’ romance, but it is much more than that. The real heartbreak of the novel is the devastating effect of war on the lives of ordinary people. Through the eyes of army ranger David McClain, the reader has a glimpse into the physical, psychological and emotional demands placed on the modern American soldier.

Lindsey Wood is also a fascinating character. Her father, a war veteran, suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with its attendant problems such as violent night terrors and alcoholism. Lindsey remains courageous and dignified, loyally caring for her father as best she can between his trips to the VA hospital. It makes sense that she would feel a connection with David, and would prove to be strong, open and honourable.

These two main characters are so likeable that the reader craves a happy ending for them both, despite the odds against it. Perhaps that was the one weakness in the novel—at the beginning of chapter 9, David is deep trouble, but there are only 87 pages left in which to make a full recovery and live happily ever after. For that reason, I’d be curious to see Gooseberry Island in movie form—a good screenplay and the visual medium can sometimes enhance the timing and depth of a good story like this one.

Gooseberry Island is a lovely, emotional read, and because of it I’m definitely looking forward to catching up on other Steven Manchester novels!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Learn more about the author and his books by visiting his website.

Steven Manchester's next book will be out on January 6, 2015. Voted one of the Must Read Books of 2015 by Cyrus Webb Presents, Gooseberry Island is sure to be the next hit from one of our #1 bestselling authors. The book looks at the budding relationship between Lindsay and David, who have to deal with David's deployment overseas and his recovery from the trauma he witnessed in the service of his country. 

PTSD is one of the biggest problems facing soldiers as they return from war. As an experienced veteran himself, Steven Manchester understands that. That's why, during the promotion of this book, Steven and The Story Plant are going to be working toward helping returning veterans. And we need your help to do that.

From now until January 31, 2015, we will donate $1 to the Wounded Warrior Project for every copy of Gooseberry Island that is pre-ordered and sold. All you have to do is email us a copy of your receipt and we will make the donation. In addition to that, we will also donate a copy of the e-book to returning soldiers, one donation for each copy sold.

Here's the really important part - we need your help to spread the word about this campaign! Tell your neighbors, tell your family members, tell the person working the checkout line in the grocery story. Just tell as many people as you can and ask them to help spread the word too. We want this campaign to go viral! Let's do something good this holiday season and celebrate those who protect and serve our country!

You can read more about Gooseberry Island at our website. It is available for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and IndieBound.

Curious about Wounded Warrior or want to make your own donation? Visit their website here.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

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