Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

BEYOND THE RISING TIDE by Sarah Beard

Paperback, 304 pages

Published June 14th 2016 by Sweetwater Books

Kai was seventeen when he died saving Avery's life, though he didn't have much to live for. After spending half his life being shipped around to different families, the only place he felt at home was on a street corner with his guitar. Now, it's been six months since his death. Six months adapting to a new kind of existence where instead of making music, he uses his new healing powers to save lives. But in his off hours, he watches helplessly as Avery's life is unraveled by his death.

Avery doesn't know that it was Kai who saved her life in the ocean, because her rescuer's body was never found. Wracked with guilt, the ocean she once loved is now her tormentor. As her surfboards collect dust in the garage, the weight of her grief destroys her relationships and stretches her to a breaking point.

Always willing to break rules for those he loves, Kai steals a ring that temporarily gives his body substance. With limited time, he does all he can to restore her life to the way it was before his tragic death, but Kai's half-baked plans rarely turn out the way he thinks they will. Beyond the Rising Tide is a beautiful love story that explores life, death, and the gray places in between.

Praise for the Book:

“Vividly imagined, this novel is the perfect mix of modern love story and literary fiction. One brimming with genuine emotion that had me re-reading passages simply because they were too beautifully written to experience just once.” --Julie N. Ford, author of With No Regrets

“This book is not only an engaging and satisfying supernatural romance, but also a beautiful story about life, death, and the gray places in between.” --E.B. Wheeler, author of The Haunting of Springett Hall

"This is one of those stories that stays with you long after the closing scene. It was beautifully imagined and vividly written and I absolutely loved it!” --Teresa Richards, author of Emerald Bound

EXCERPT (Avery's point-of-view):

My mind retraces the past few months, all the conversations Tyler and I have had, the words we’ve said and haven’t said, all stemming from one incident, one day. And then I’m thrown back to that afternoon, back into the ocean and the cold, roiling waves. I feel them around me, tossing me this way and that, pounding over my head like a stampede of wild horses. I feel the salt stinging my eyes and see the abyss below me in the moment I dove under to find the boy. I saw him there, motionless and suspended in the deep, just out of reach.

Just out of reach.

My face feels hot, and I can’t breathe. But I keep my panic cloaked beneath my skin. A violent earthquake rattles my insides, but I tense my muscles, holding it in, restraining it, refusing to let it show. I dig my nails into my arm, anchoring them there, anchoring me into stillness, and I focus all my attention on the present physical pain in my arm.

Kai’s hand reaches for mine. His touch stills my insides, draws out the tremors as though they’re water and he’s a sponge.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My Review: 5 Stars

This is a great teenage love story with a lot of angst. There are many moments overflowing with emotion and some great, thought-provoking quotes. I honestly can't even imagine going through what Avery and Kai do--not only does it blow my mind, but it breaks my heart.

The only time Avery and Kai met is when he jumps into the ocean to save her--and gives is life for her. She can't get over the fact that someone, a stranger, died for her, and when he has the chance to help her, he takes it, even though it means stealing. Their growing love for each other is obviously doomed before it begins, but I stop hoping for them to find a way to figure it out.

Although there is a darker, sad undertone, I still felt many different emotions throughout these pages and didn't find it overly depressing. The imagery of the setting (a beach in California), as well as the vivid descriptions of the characters, anchored this story deep into my heart. I love the growth and obstacles these two have to overcome. I seriously can't stop thinking about this book! Ms. Beard is a fantastic writer, one who really plays on a reader's emotions. Well done!

Content: mild romance (kissing); mild violence (mostly vague talk of abuse/neglect/suicide attempts/death). Clean.

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Purchase Link: 

Giveaway:
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the Author:

 
Sarah Beard is the author of YA novels Porcelain Keys and Beyond the Rising Tide. She earned a degree in communications from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing an MFA in writing from VCFA. When she's not writing, she referees wrestling matches between her three
boys and listens to audiobooks while folding self-replicating piles of laundry. She is a breast cancer survivor, a baker of sweets, a seeker of good love stories, a composer of melancholy music, and a traveler who wishes her travel budget was much bigger. She lives with her husband and children in the shadow of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

Social Media/Websites:
 
Twitter: @authorsarahb
Website: sarahbeard.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorsarahbeard