Review: Jessie (Coastal Chronicles #2) by Rebekah Lyn

 
Jessie (Coastal Chronicles Book 2) by Rebekah Lyn
Publication: July 2014, Real Life Books & Media, 368 pages
My Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

Description: The four Cole boys suffer abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father, while largely being left to their own devices by a heartbroken and overworked mother. Their adventures on their island home have become a welcome escape, and one of the only things in life the boys can truly rely on. Jessie, the youngest and a dreamer, becomes enamored with US plans for manned space flight and its race to the moon, stirring his own dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. In a strange twist of fate, it is the space program and the momentum it gains that abruptly brings their beloved island life to an end. The family is forced to move to the city and start anew.

Life in town creates new challenges, financial pressures, and news of the Vietnam War and the impending threat of the military draft for Max the eldest of the Cole brothers.

My Review:  Jessie and his family live in Florida and are basically kicked out of their home because of the space program in the mid-60s. Moving was very difficult for them--dealing with bullies, school, an alcoholic father, etc. I loved the way Jessie learned to survive and the relationship he had with his brothers was incredible. They really watched out for one another. I loved the positive male influences that Jessie had in his life. The respect these boys showed to their teachers, mother, and even father is inspiring. Jessie's passion for the space program dictated his life and really gave him direction.

When I was young, I, too, was fascinated with the space program. I remember watching the launches on tv at school. I remember being saddened by the space shuttle explosion in 1986 and having a real desire to become an astronaut. I become very immersed in this story because I found a lot of it easy to relate to. Unlike me, Jessie did a lot of research on the astronauts and the rockets. He knew pretty much everything related to his love. I loved watching him grow, mature, and focus. I felt that these experiences, even Vietnam, were very true to history and the story progressed in a very realistic way.

Jessie had a high school sweetheart, Virginia. I would have liked to see more resolution with that situation, even though it wasn't the main focus of the story. Other than that, I thought it was a well-researched and written historical story that was very entertaining.

Content: no language; some violence--fighting, alcoholic abuse (none of it was extremely graphic); some kissing, but very mild. Clean! 

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About the Author:

Rebekah is a Christian with a heart for new beginnings. She is a Florida native and a graduate of Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fl. A love of history, research and journaling led naturally to a passion for writing. She enjoys travel and has traveled extensively across the United States and Canada as well as Europe and the Caribbean. Her reading taste run from the classics to light fiction. When she is not working or writing, she enjoys cooking,baking and sharing recipes on her blog, http://rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.com

Her current works include, Summer Storms and the new release Winter's End, books 1 & 2 in The Seasons of Faith series and Julianne the first book in The Coastal Chronicle series. She is currently working on the second installment of the Coastal Chronicles, set in Brevard County, Florida during the early years of the space program.

Rebekah currently resides in Florida along with her "attack" cat, Mia. They would enjoy meeting with you on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn  

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