"This is a book I definitely want to put on my shelves at school. This book is as real as it gets for a fiction book. [...] Anyone who reads this book will find themselves in this book somewhere along the line. I’m not sure there are enough stars in the heaven to give to this book." - Sandra, Goodreads
A mysterious stranger helps a teenage boy called Ethan rescue his mentor, an elderly father-figure, from drowning when their canoe capsizes in a flooding river. A star athlete, Ethan later gets involved in unsafe sex, which leads to drugs, and gets him blackballed by jealous and gossiping team-mates. The boy is going down, and at times hates himself for it and for hurting his mom who is a caring, loving, and beautiful woman.
After another disastrous episode, where Ethan might have died, the river-stranger turns up again to confront him about his life choices. However, even after rehab, the boy’s condition is marked by a yo-yo attitude which causes massive emotional heartache for his mom.
The river-stranger, after sharing his own amazing history, suggests taking the fight to another level which draws on the resources of God. This begins a new and fascinating sequence of events, including a tornado, which get Ethan’s attention.
This book is a captivating story, packed with adventure in the desert Southwest and in the rivers and lakes of the Midwest USA. But it is also a goldmine of spiritual wisdom for teenagers. The mystery that permeates the story is compelling, and the thrilling ending may call for a tissue or two.
AUTHOR's Q&A
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
In the book Weed and Water, Ethan is a good-looking teenager, well-adjusted, and a star athlete in basketball and football. But his attitude takes a downturn when he contacts herpes from a cheerleader named Rachel. When he is blackballed by seniors in the football team, who hear about this, Ethan is crushed. He turns to drugs. Then the struggle is on. Angelina, a beautiful single mom, tries everything to save her son. But he is by turns resistant one day and charming the next. Everyone knows the story…..a good kid goes wrong. His self-esteem is too often in the dumpster, and nobody seems to know how to help him.
In the book Weed and Water, Ethan is a good-looking teenager, well-adjusted, and a star athlete in basketball and football. But his attitude takes a downturn when he contacts herpes from a cheerleader named Rachel. When he is blackballed by seniors in the football team, who hear about this, Ethan is crushed. He turns to drugs. Then the struggle is on. Angelina, a beautiful single mom, tries everything to save her son. But he is by turns resistant one day and charming the next. Everyone knows the story…..a good kid goes wrong. His self-esteem is too often in the dumpster, and nobody seems to know how to help him.
Ethan’s life is pushed and pulled by forces for good and bad. It’s every teenager’s story. Confronted by options, the smallest upset can propel a boy to make the wrong choice and step from the garden into the swamp. Plenty of advice arrives from parents and the church on the one hand, and enticements from dubious peers on the other. When Ethan is sane, he can make good choices. But when he’s embroiled by past mistakes, and desperate for emotional escape, he can plunge into darkness. And yes, God makes an appearance in the life of this boy, several times in fact, but the end result is never guaranteed.
This story is a metaphor for the eternal struggle for the heart and soul of men and women everywhere, and the choices they make toward good or evil. The book Weed and Water is also a goldmine for learning more about the warring emotional forces that act on a son or daughter in high-school.
What book do you think everyone should read?
The five love languages, by Gary Chapman. The five languages are: (1) Words of affirmation, (2) Quality time, (3) Receiving gifts, (4) Acts of service, (5) Physical touch. Knowing these five languages of love about the other significant person in your life, whether spouse or child or parent or friend, gives you a huge advantage in showing love to them.
The five love languages, by Gary Chapman. The five languages are: (1) Words of affirmation, (2) Quality time, (3) Receiving gifts, (4) Acts of service, (5) Physical touch. Knowing these five languages of love about the other significant person in your life, whether spouse or child or parent or friend, gives you a huge advantage in showing love to them.
An example: a woman I know rather well always identified love by Receiving Gifts. In a previous marriage, her husband figured this out, and always bought expensive jewelry for her after they had a fight. She felt loved again, and quickly made up. In her current marriage, her husband never did that because he never identified love with Receiving Gifts. His notion of love was Physical Touch. So they had real trouble making up after fights…. until he read the book and figured it out.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I am writing a memoir. First, about my career, which started out in space physics: cosmic rays that travel from sun to earth. Got a Ph.D. out of this weird stuff. I was studying how these energetic protons and electrons travel across interplanetary space. Then came a solo year in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they built the bomb. Finally, I jumped ship to the oil and gas industry where I became a petroleum engineer who studied fracking.
I am writing a memoir. First, about my career, which started out in space physics: cosmic rays that travel from sun to earth. Got a Ph.D. out of this weird stuff. I was studying how these energetic protons and electrons travel across interplanetary space. Then came a solo year in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they built the bomb. Finally, I jumped ship to the oil and gas industry where I became a petroleum engineer who studied fracking.
Second, about my personality. As a young man, I lacked confidence in my abilities. To correct this, I worked too hard. When I reached age 40, I realized I was better than I thought I was, and my confidence returned. Now I was able to market my work successfully, and my social skills took off too.
Third, about my relationship with God. I always believed, but as I look back I can see the hand of God intervening in my life. Not just once, or a few times, but many times. As a result, I have now learned to ask God for insights and wisdom, and I do this on most days.
About the author:
Originally from Australia, Ian lives in the high desert in his beloved Southwest USA. As a petroleum engineer, recently retired, he consulted all over the world.
When he hikes with them or watches them play sports, Ian’s grandchildren are a particular source of happiness.
His main interests are hiking, dancing, writing, and stimulating conversation.
Ian regularly writes a new blog on various topics relating to Christian faith, and has also written a book called Hiking Toward Heaven.
You can find out more about Ian and his books at:
Author's Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
13 comments:
Sounds like a story that grabs you and hesitates to let go.
Sounds very interesting.
This sounds like a good inspiring book I would enjoy.
Has the author already started on his next work?
What inspired the author to write this book?
Who is your favorite inspirational author?
If your book was turned into a movie, who would you want to star in it?
What is your favorite book? Your favorite genre to read?
Who is your favorite literary character?
Who do you think is the best literary villian?
Do you write several different genres or just focus on one?
The book sounds very interesting.
I think this book sounds like such an interesting read! Looking forward to checking it out!
Post a Comment