Book of the Month: A Soul Called River by John Tweedy.
Happy October book lovers!
This means it’s time to share our next Book of the Month with you all.
This October our Book of the Month is A Soul Called River by John Tweedy. It’s the perfect book to read on those cold autumn evenings snuggled up with a cosy blanket.
A Soul Called River is a metaphysical fantasy story with a lot of twists and turns. Read on to dive into this unforgettable and epic book and open the door on a captivating new world.
Synopsis
Still reeling from her father’s death, Sarah is lost in thought on the beach when she hears a voice seemingly from nowhere.
Drawn by the voice she enters the ocean to find herself lifted and transported to an unknown place. Here, she meets Tony. After a confused and short meeting he jumps off a rock and into the water below, never to be seen again. Tired and dazed, Sarah falls asleep, only to wake up and meet a young boy named River. His insights startle her and he jumps off the same rock and vanishes. Overcome by deeper grief she drifts off to sleep once more and awakens in a magical place where Ty is searching for Princess, the girl of his dreams.
What follows is an intriguing journey for both, packed with twists and turns. In a magical world, where nothing is what it seems, innocence fights with despair, hopes, fate and dreams lie in the balance, and young River faces the challenge of his young life. Will this brave young boy, whose smile lights the forest through which they travel, be strong enough to carry the responsibility placed upon him? Will he return from the fight of his life?
Reviews
“In this book, we follow Sarah and her epic journey through a magical world. The story is full of twists and turns. At times you will find the story a little confusing but this is definitely an interesting read. With short chapters and beautifully written, you can't help but fall in love.” - Nimalee Ravi
”Not only does John Tweedy have a beautiful, poetic writing style, he also manages to express, describe and explain complex and important emotions and experiences through his personified versions of them in the characters.” - @bookchainedsoul
“John Tweedy's debut novel indirectly covers the internal battles of addiction and depression on an individual, as well as the impact on those around us. The book delivers a creative fantasy around an otherwise dark subject.” - Ilovetoread123
About the Author
Tim ‘John’ Tweedy was born in London. He started to write verses and poems from the age of 17 and many of these were dark, deep, and reflective of the darker parts of life. Within the grips of these thoughts, he fell into the grips of drug addiction.
Lost and broken he finally at the age of 38 found recovery through the love and care of others that bought light, creativity, love, and imagination into his ‘soul’ which then became a guide to his words and actions. He found study again, went to university and through the guidance of something ‘greater than himself’ created a different life, reaching out to others in need through his occupation as a Counsellor. He was drawn into writing A Soul called River, inspired by feelings towards another at the time he wrote it in 2014 in three months. It helped him, alongside his previously published poems, to find light in places where shadows lived before.
Instagram: @twistypoet
Book Extract Chapter 10
“When I come back you will still be here, waiting?” he said quietly.
“Waiting, longing, hoping to see you soon. All of those plus so much more. Yes, I will be waiting, even if the earth stops turning, I will stay and wait… count on it.”
River didn’t speak he just put his hands out and placed them gently on either side of her face, bringing his face close to hers, placing his forehead lightly against hers, their noses brushing softly. “I have never had or could have wished for a better friend,” he said, as they stayed that way, “You have always shown me so much, shared so much, I will love you until tomorrow and then again the day after.”
Princess laughed, it was what he always said when they left each other, and he knew it would touch her. “And I will love you beyond both of those and into next week,” she replied, giving her normal response.
He threw his arms around her, pulling her close, so close, as if they were simply one person joined together – two hearts beating with one single breath.
They stayed that way for some time until again it was River who made the first move and let go.
She felt her heart racing, her breath coming in short gasps.
He put his hands on her cheeks again and started to kiss her, first on one check, then the other and then finally on her nose, saying as he did, “This is for later, this is for tomorrow and this is for right now,” his final kiss like a butterfly’s wings on her nose.
He hugged her one last time and slowly turned and started to walk the final steps towards the beginning of the forest.
As he did, a single drop of rain fell, and landed on his cheek.