The River at Night by Erica Ferencik

The River at Night
by Erica Ferencik

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Twitter @EricaFerencik

Just released: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Genre: Thriller
Hardback: 304 pages
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
Early one morning in late March, Pia forced my hand.

A high stakes drama set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charting the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident, The River at Night is a nonstop and unforgettable thriller by a stunning new voice in fiction.

Winifred Allen needs a vacation.

Stifled by a soul-crushing job, devastated by the death of her beloved brother, and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on, despite her misgivings.

What starts out as an invigorating hiking and rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: A freak accident leaves the women stranded, separating them from their raft and everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. But as Wini and her friends grasp the true intent of their supposed saviors, long buried secrets emerge and lifelong allegiances are put to the test. To survive, Wini must reach beyond the world she knows to harness an inner strength she never knew she possessed.

With intimately observed characters, visceral prose, and pacing as ruthless as the river itself, The River at Night is a dark exploration of creatures—both friend and foe—that you won’t soon forget.

My two-bits:

Not so interested in river rafting after reading this one. OR if I do, must do some research about the place and take some survival courses. And have back up plans for those "what if" moments.

This scary thriller takes you on a white water river rafting trip gone wrong - and then worse.

Friendship between women and issues when traveling together are explored as well.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of publisher

* part of Cloak & Dagger Challenge (here)

Excerpt: The River at Night by Erica Ferencik

The River at Night
by Erica Ferencik
-Mystery, Thriller
Release date: January 10, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads
A high stakes drama set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charting the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident, The River at Night is a nonstop and unforgettable thriller by a stunning new voice in fiction.

Winifred Allen needs a vacation.

Stifled by a soul-crushing job, devastated by the death of her beloved brother, and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on, despite her misgivings.

What starts out as an invigorating hiking and rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: A freak accident leaves the women stranded, separating them from their raft and everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. But as Wini and her friends grasp the true intent of their supposed saviors, long buried secrets emerge and lifelong allegiances are put to the test. To survive, Wini must reach beyond the world she knows to harness an inner strength she never knew she possessed.

With intimately observed characters, visceral prose, and pacing as ruthless as the river itself, The River at Night is a dark exploration of creatures—both friend and foe—that you won’t soon forget.

Excerpt: from Chapter 1

Early one morning in late March, Pia forced my hand.

A slapping spring wind ushered me through the heavy doors of the YMCA lobby as the minute hand of the yellowing 1950s-era clock over the check-in desk snapped to 7:09. Head down and on task to be in my preferred lane by precisely 7:15, I rushed along the glass corridor next to the pool. The chemical stink leaked from the ancient windows, as did the muffled shrieks of children and the lifeguard’s whistle. I felt cosseted by the shabby walls, by my self-righteous routine, by the fact that I’d ousted myself from my warm bed to face another tedious day head-on. Small victories.

I’d just squeezed myself into my old-lady swimsuit when the phone in my bag began to bleat. I dug it out. The screen pulsed with the image of Pia Zanderlee ski-racing down a double black diamond slope somewhere in Banff.

My choices? Answer it now or play phone tag for another week. Pia was that friend you love with a twinge of resentment. The sparkly one who never has time for you unless it’s on her schedule, but you like her too much to flush her down the friendship toilet.

“Wow, a phone call—from you!” I said as I mercilessly assessed my middle-aged pudge in the greasy mirror. “To what do I owe the honor?”

Of course I knew the reason. Five unanswered texts.

Pia laughed. “Hey, Win, listen. We need to make our reservations.

Like, by tomorrow.”

I fished around in my swim bag for my goggles. “Yeah, I haven’t—”

“I get it. Nature’s not your thing, but you’re going to love it once you’re out there. Rachel and Sandra are chomping at the bit to go, but they have to make their travel plans. We all do.” With a shudder, I recalled my frantic Google search the night before for Winnegosset River Rafting, Maine.

No results.

“Just wondering why this place doesn’t have some kind of website. I mean, is it legit?” I asked, my voice coming out all high and tinny. Already I was ashamed of my wussiness. “I’d hate to get all the way up there and find out this is some sort of shady operation—”

Stacking the Shelves & Sunday Post - 1.14.17

Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

AND now including...

Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer (details)
It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~*~
For Review:

The River at Night
by Erica Ferencik
-Thriller, ebook
courtesy of publisher -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

UNBOXING:

From Lit-Cube (details & signup):
Lit-Cube is a monthly subscription box for readers. We strive to pair hand-picked reads with high quality literary-themed products to bring you a magical reading experience each and every month. We mail out a variety of books & genres. We are *not* a YA only box subscription and we choose new releases, older releases, and a variety of book formats monthly.

Note: it is too late to sign up for this particular box, but if there are leftover it might be available in their shop later. Also, signup for their newsletter for a heads-up on the future themed boxes.

TEASER: February box - live.laugh.love

JANUARY Box includes:
theme: dragon
- Heartstone themed pen
- Heartstone signed book plate
- Dragon Claw Necklake
- Game of Thrones fabric wall scroll (exclusive) - Daenerys and her babies ;-)
- Game of Thrones pillow case (exclusive)
- Chips and Nachos

AND this book...

Heartstone
by Elle Katharine White
-Fantasy, YA
courtesy of -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms.

They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.

Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.

It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.

Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique new world.

===== The Jane Austen influence has got me excited to read this one.


OTHER things:

===== GOT snail mail.

- Heart card from my cousin and aunt.

- Holiday angel card from my penpal, Wenday of Wendy's Waffle, from Pen Pals 2017
hosted by Coletta's Kitchen Sink (details).

- Unicorn card from Ashley of Happy.Pretty.Sweet. The card is part of the Write_On campaign (here) which promotes writing letters. In April they post a challenge to write 30 letters in 30 days. Sounds like something fun to take on!


AND binge watched: online

The Walking Dead (2016)
tv series: season 7, part 1
Creator: Frank Darabont
Based on graphic novel by: Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard
Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride
-Drama, Horror, Thriller | imdb | my rating: 5
Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by the walking dead. Fighting the dead, fearing the living.

===== It was hard to watch our favorite crew get put in their place by the infamous Negan. And, the loss of some favorite characters was heartbreaking. It is such a dark period for them. Rock bottom.


AND watched: in theatre

Moana (2017)
Directors: Ron Clements, Don Hall, John Musker, Chris Williams
Screenplay: Jared Bush
Writers: Ron Clements, John Musker, Chris Williams, Don Hall, Pamela Ribon,
Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson
-Animation, Adventure, Comedy | imdb | my rating: 5
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.

Oscar nominated for Animated Feature, Original Song

Very entertaining and not your usual Princess story. Tamatoa, the a gargantuan coconut crab, was adorable and -- > shiny ;-) MAKE sure and stick around to watch all the movie credits for some extra treats.


UPCOMING reviews for January:
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Different Class by Joanne Harris
The Return of Sir Percival by S. Alexander O'Keefe
Brake Failure by Alison Brodie
River Road by Carol Goodman
Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe


~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

Happy Release: The River at Night by Erica Ferencik

The River at Night
by Erica Ferencik
-Mystery, Thriller
Release date: January 10, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads
A high stakes drama set against the harsh beauty of the Maine wilderness, charting the journey of four friends as they fight to survive the aftermath of a white water rafting accident, The River at Night is a nonstop and unforgettable thriller by a stunning new voice in fiction.

Winifred Allen needs a vacation.

Stifled by a soul-crushing job, devastated by the death of her beloved brother, and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on, despite her misgivings.

What starts out as an invigorating hiking and rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: A freak accident leaves the women stranded, separating them from their raft and everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. But as Wini and her friends grasp the true intent of their supposed saviors, long buried secrets emerge and lifelong allegiances are put to the test. To survive, Wini must reach beyond the world she knows to harness an inner strength she never knew she possessed.

With intimately observed characters, visceral prose, and pacing as ruthless as the river itself, The River at Night is a dark exploration of creatures—both friend and foe—that you won’t soon forget.