River by K. Lumpkin

Meet Author K. (Kenya) Lumpkin:

"K. Lumpkin began writing and illustrating books at the age of 4. Currently, she is a wife and mother of two adolescents who make the simplest things in life exciting. K. Lumpkin and her family have lived in Latin America and various states in the U.S.

When not homeschooling and learning with as well as from her teens and when a breath can be caught, she enjoys the pleasures of her early years — writing, reading, dancing and painting.

River (previously titled Fire Clouds) and Beauty (previously titled Beauty for Ashes) are the next installments in the series of the novel you currently hold in your hands. K. Lumpkin is also the author of Nothing in Time Separating." ~Goodreads

"Love is stronger than death."

Kyana could have never imagined loving anyone as much as she loves David. Beautiful. Strange description for a man but everything about him is beautiful.

"Its jealousy as unyielding as the grave."

Olivia Moore, David's first love, is back in town and her colorful fiancé, Nigel Williams, is with her.

Fire and ice.

Fire. Under Olivia's saucy shell and beneath her first soft then suddenly raging temper is a shattered soul with the never-ending hope that a man's touch will heal her. Will Nigel be the man?

"It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."

Ice. Or will it be Micah, David's brother, the one she's always loved, the one she's always desired? The cool unflappable presence. The man full of mystery she cannot help but ache to solve.

When Olivia plunges into a web of deceit and terror that engulfs all whose lives she has touched, who will drown and who will remain standing?

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away." 

~Reedsy Discovery

Find her work and more about her at these sites:

Website

Smashwords

Amazon

Goodreads

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

From lies and deception to redemption, K. Lumpkin gives us a character to cheer on.

River is the second installment to Author Kenya Lumpkin's (K. Lumpkin) Quenching the Fire series. Previously titled Fire Clouds, River gives us the continued story of David Mitchell and Kyana Cel`on, from Fire, while setting up the story for Olivia Moore. Olivia is David's first love, but her past helped drive them apart. Now, we're given the opportunity to see her side of the story and what happened to her and David's relationship as well as what has happened in her life since their breakup. It's an emotional journey.

I was first introduced to K. Lumpkin when I read her first book of the series, Fire, through Reedsy Discovery. The book centered around the life of Kyana Cel`on and her budding relationship with David Mitchell. It was a worthy read with suspense, romance, and faith. When I found out River was available to read next, I jumped at the chance. I appreciated Olivia's point of view and the opportunity to see David and Kyana once again. 

Olivia's story is a difficult read since it deals with sexual abuse, negative self-image, and loss. Having her father leave her as a child and her mother hold her responsible for this and many other later incidents, Olivia struggles with self-worth and being the independent, strong woman she wants to be. With her past hampering her future, she's trying to find solid footing with the Lord and striking deals in the hope to relieve her guilt and shame. Olivia gives us a view of how our own views shape who we are and how remarkable it is when we can finally see ourselves through God's eyes. 

The journey through this book gives us multiple povs, background knowledge of Olivia's life and her personal growth, and the continuation of David and Kyana's story. It also throws us the continued mystery of Larry Wasp and a new antagonist. There's a lot going on in this story, and we're given a lot of information about the characters. We're introduced to a few different subplots, and the overall mystery isn't tied neatly in a bow at the end. 

To continue, the narrative is a bit overwhelming at times with its intention to tell everything the reader needs to know. Also, there are points when the timeline could be a little clearer -- as in when we jump from one season or setting or character to the next there could be a bit more of a  transition. Since there are many subplots and characters at work, it would help to have those pieces a little more streamlined. 

I appreciate the author's willingness to tackle challenging subjects, create a strong character who exemplifies continued maturity, and the secrecy surrounding the antagonists. I'm okay with the cliffhanger ending and can appreciate the character's reliance on the Lord despite the difficult journey she has endured. The plot gives us some surprising twists and an unexpected ending.

 

Lumpkin is definitely a master of suspense and taking the road less traveled in terms of resolution and closure. With all these things in mind, I have rated this work as a 3/5 "worth a read." It has several worthy elements to explore and learn from and a notable set of characters to get to know. 

Thanks to K. Lumpkin and Reedsy Discovery for giving me the opportunity to read and review with an ARC.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author