Customer Reviews

The Distant Shore

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This captivating tale from Debora Coty has it all--top-notch writing, intrigue, romance, humor and spiritual truths about God's faithfulness. The Distant Shore will captivate you to the very end. This author is one to watch! I have a hunch that even her grocery list would make good reading.

"The Distant Shore" was an inspiration to me! I lived every moment through the vivid display of the well-formed and lovable characters. The author depicts a gratifying story of love, faith, and adventure through the eyes of a little girl, named Emma-Lee, whom I became undoubtedly attached to by the end of the book. It's truly a heartfelt story that grips your attention from the first word until the last. Definitely a book I will read many more times! I can't wait for a sequel to tear into!

Ms. Coty's "The Distant Shore" is a fabulous read for folks of all ages. It's a heartwarming tale that I didn't want to end. Being from Florida, it was very nostalgic and the descriptions were spot on. A wonderful story to share with your family! Can't say enough great things about this book!

This was a very well written historical account of old Florida - Merritt Island. The author allowed you to be there to watch as the sun set in the sky. You became a part of this island which was "a little bit of heaven that fell from the sky and landed between two rivers." I enjoyed my visit!

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Sweet, charming, exciting, and tearful. This book has it all. This was a fantastic read that any member of the family would enjoy. My favorite part about this book was the fact that it was able to ignite every emotion and still be good, clean reading. Emma-Lee Palmer will have you melting in her hand. Right from the beginning your heart it breaking for her. Emma-Lee is being sent away to live with her Aunt Augusta on Merritt Island. The island is very isolated and you can only reach it by boat.

Emma-Lee has two brothers and two sisters, yet she is the only one who is being sent away. She is terribly saddened by this fact, and can't help but wonder what she could have possibly done wrong. Her father and mother gave her no explanations for why she is going. Her few memories of her aunt are not fond; Aunt Augusta is not one for showing much emotion. I found myself becoming so angry for Emma-Lee, swearing to never speak to her parents again for doing such a thing. It's amazing how the author can send you all the way back with a nine-year-old's mindset. It wasn't until well within the book that I started to wonder if she was sent for good reason.

Eventually, right along with Emma-Lee, you get over the hurt and start to settle in with her life at Merritt Island. Aunt Augusta is the school teacher on the island. Throughout the book you start to see different sides to Aunt Augusta and begin to understand her a little bit more. Much like Emma-Lee you fall right in love with her. Emma-Lee was so excited to make friends, and was a little caught off guard by how difficult that turned out to be. However, she did becomes friends with quite a few people. Her first day off the train she met a gentleman by the name of Captain Stone, who treated her like his very own daughter. She also became quite close with his parents, who introduced her to Christ.

Pa and Ma Stone were wonderful people, the type everyone wants as grandparents. Pa Stone used to be a pirate, until he met Christ and changed his ways. But he still had many stories that Emma-Lee just loved listening to. I found myself becoming quite fascinated with his different tales. She started spending so much time with Captain Stone, that even he and her aunt became rather close. Emma-Lee enjoyed seeing the love develop between them, and it was a wonderful way to draw her mind away from missing her family.

Emma-Lee became great friends with a girl everyone called Punkin. Punkin had a bit more sass in her than Emma-Lee, and took this opportunity to show her all the adventures and mischief one could get into on the small island. There was one particular adventure that will have you biting your nails, hoping everything will turn out right. Punkin is the kind of girl, everyone needs as a friend. She is quick to defend anyone she loves. Emma-Lee wished many times she had as much courage as Punkin, but she never realized until the end, just how courageous she actually was. For a nine year old this girl was braver than most men I know. She is one amazing character to overcome so many trials and tribulations at such a young age. As you will soon learn, there is not much this girl can't handle.

There were so many moments in this book that I was laughing out loud, and crying my eyes out. You will honestly experience, every emotion there is. Which all the more makes this author a fantastic writer. You will completely forget about everything going on in your life, because you will be so involved in Emma-Lee's. It seems like there is one tragedy after another happening to Emma-Lee, yet many wonderful things happen to her as well. You wouldn't be able to put this book down for a second even if you wanted too. There are too many exciting moments that you have to keep reading till it's over.

If you are looking for an entertaining and wholesome book this is the one. It is sure to keep your interest, never wanting it to end. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. I insist you go out and buy this book this very second, because I can guarantee you will feel exactly as I do.

I grew up and went to school with this very talented and sweet author. Debbie was my best friend and loved me through my terrible teen years when that wasn't such an easy thing to do. I knew she was very funny and smart and that she loved her God, but she kept this talent hidden. Boy, what a surprise when I read "The Distant Shore". I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish and have given several copies to my friends. This is a great book for everyone of all ages. If you haven't read it, then put it at the top of your must read list.

This is a great "clean" romance. One you can share with your teenage daughter and not worry what she may learn. I have several of Debbie's books. I keep loving each new one more and more.

I loved this book and couldn't wait to send it to my niece. Each chapter left me waiting for the next. Exciting,warm and wholesome---great reading for all ages.

Reviewed by Nicole LeBoeuf (age 16) for Reader Views (6/07)


Debora Coty's "The Distant Shore" was a charming and inspiring novel, able to warm your heart on the coldest of days. Coty, an internationally published columnist, sought after speaker, and former occupational therapist and piano teacher, has succeeded in creating a tale appropriate for all ages. Although she didn't begin writing until later in life, it didn't take long for her new career to prove to be a promising one. A sequel is already in the making, entitled "Billowing Sails." She is also working on other titles, like "Grit for the Oyster: Devotions for Aspiring Writers."

"The Distant Shore" is the tale of an adventurous young girl named Emma-Lee, the embodiment of innocence, who easily captures any reader's heart. Set in 1904, Emma-Lee is sent from a broken home and forced to move in with her strict spinster aunt on a remote island off of Florida. Before she even reaches Merritt Island, she meets Captain Stone, a former pirate turned into a God-fearing ship captain, who becomes the father she never had. With his help and the eventual love of her aunt and other members of the close-knit island community, they overcome many obstacles together. They brave everything from storms that ravage the island and smugglers that take advantage of innocence to the worry caused by letters from home and the deep longing to be there once more. In the end, just like any fairy tale, the puzzle pieces are finally rearranged to complete a reassuring picture: that everything will turn out alright in the end of you just have faith.

"The Distant Shore" is as magical as any movie you'd find featured on the Disney Channel. Geared toward children, it is a good book to read to your kids at night. It will fill their dreams with adventure, as the almost over-the-top description paints a vivid picture. The novel is inspiring. The bond of love is always proven strong, God is shown to be an ever-present force, and the ties of family always come through in the end. Emma-Lee learns many important lessons as the story progresses, and from the grimmest of circumstances, hope prevails. Inspired by a true story, "The Distant Shore" will leave you with a different outlook on life.

Book received free of charge