Saving Sailor: A Novel [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Renee Riva (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

The year is 1968. After spending the first half of summer vacation driving her Italian family crazy with her fake southern accent, 10-year old A.J. finds a soul mate on the other side of the island to divert her attention.

She is intrigued to learn that Danny shares her same burning desire to know God and realizes that few people her age think as deeply as the two of them do.

However, the depth of their newfound faith and friendship is soon tested when Danny's father betrays his wife.

Set in a simpler time, Saving Sailor is a heartwarming tale of how hearts can change and relationships can be restored with God's help.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Renee Riva has been writing humorous stories since she won a writing contest in second grade. Her two previous titles Izzy the Lizzy and Guido's Gondola both published by WaterBrook Press in May of 2005 and met with instant success--over 4000 sold in four months.

Additionally, Riva is a former greeting card verse writer as well as a speaker for women's groups and Young Authors. She and her husband reside in Richland, Washington with their three daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: RiverOak; New edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589190912
• ASIN: B00394DKGK
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,601,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Renee Riva is an ACFW award winning author who writes for WaterBrook/Random House, and David C. Cook Publishers. Renee has been writing inspirational, humorous stories ever since she won her first writing contest in the second grade. From there she became a greeting-card verse writer and is currently a Young Author's Instructor teaching writing workshops in schools throughout the Northwest and as far South as Alabama. She loves working with children of all ages, hoping to inspire and spark young imaginations. An animal lover and kid at heart, Renee has published two children's books: Izzy the Lizzy, and Guido's Gondola, as well as a humorous, family , YA-Adult trilogy: Saving Sailor (which took 3rd place in the ACFW Book of the Year 2008), it's sequel, Taking Tuscany released 2009, and Heading Home 2010. Her two chapter books are Farley's Five and Dime, and Rudy the Runt. Happy Camper is her latest YA novel, a fun romantic comedy. Renee and her husband reside in Washington State with their three daughters, a dog, a cat and a baby box turtle named Buster.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny, sweet, coming-of-age story., October 12, 2008

By 

Novel Teen (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Saving Sailor: A Novel (Paperback)

Saving Sailor by Renée Riva takes the reader to Indian Lake, Idaho 1968 where A.J. Degulio and her family spend every summer. A.J. loves hanging out in the canoe with Sailor, her dog, and drifting. She torments her family by speaking in a Southern accent, even though she's Italian.

Another family is spending the summer at the lake and A.J. meets her soul mate, Danny Morgan, who shares her love of star-gazing and God. But Danny's family is falling apart. His father's had an affair and Danny just knows his mom will forgive him again. A tragedy causes everyone to look at how precious life is and consider that God can change even the hardest hearts when forgiveness is offered.

Saving Sailor is a wonderful story about a girl just loving life. A.J. is funny and smart and I enjoyed her hysterical moments in catechism classes and her mother's impersonating Sophia Lauren and giving autographs to the public. What a funny, sweet, and heartwarming story.

Highly recommended.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting - We Need More Books Like This One..., July 1, 2008

By 

VRWC (San Diego, CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saving Sailor: A Novel (Paperback)

This is the most enjoyable, happy, comforting novel I've read since I was young. A far cry from most books written today that are either about dysfunctional relationships, shallow mean-spirited friendships, or just general self-absorption. The characters are well developed and the humor is lovely. I adored the mom, Sophia, whose positive outlook is a real treat. I plan on having my 11 year-old read it as well. I hope there are many more stories coming from Ms. Riva...

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Sailor, June 4, 2007

By 

Susanna Aughtmon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saving Sailor: A Novel (Paperback)

I loved this book. It was cleverly written with humor and lots of heart. I loved AJ and the story took me back to my own sweet childhood summers. It is a must read for those who love summer, driftin' on a lake and sharing all that is good in the world with your dog and crazy family.