Title: Escape Through the Wilderness
Author: Gary Rodrgiuez
Genre: Tween/Young Adult
Christian Adventure
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (June
2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1-63268-201-7
Purchase at: https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781632682017
and at http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Through-Wilderness-Gary-Rodriguez/dp/163268201X/
About the book:
Sixteen-year-oldSavannah Evans walks with a slight limp thanks to a
gymnastics’ accident that
dashed her Olympic dreams, but didn’t stop her from attending an adventure camp
in Idaho. At Camp Arrowhead, she quickly befriends Jade Chang and Rico Cruz,
but Conner Swift taunts Savi because of her injury.
When the four are
teamed together for an overnight white-water river rafting adventure, Savi
refuses to get in the same raft with Conner. Unfortunately, the director will
not reassign her.
A fun expedition down
the river turns into a nightmare when their raft slams into a huge rock and
their adult guide disappears down the river.
Without their guide
and desperately trying to steer an out-of-control raft, they pass the “Last
Chance” marker and enter the larger rapids. With Jade pinned between the raft
and a rock, and Rico clinging to a lifeline, Savi must cut the raft free.
When the four drag
themselves out of the river, they’re bruised, beaten, lost, and twenty-five
miles from camp. Because of late-night campfire tales of Vexel, a vicious
animal that roams the nearby woods, Savi and the others are terrified.
Savi becomes the
unlikely leader who tries to guide the group back to Camp Arrowhead. Limited
supplies, injuries, and the constant threat of Vexel—who Savi fears is stalking
them, complicate the harrowing return trip.
Readers will enjoy
dramatic survival scenes and the group working together, solving problems, and
learning to overcome adversity.
Book excerpt:
The river turned
slightly to the right and then they saw the nightmare ahead. The turbulence was
like nothing they had seen before. The water appeared completely white and
rushed forward at a furious pace, breaking over and against rocks on both
sides. The only way through was a narrow slot between the rocks, which they
needed to hit just right, to make it through safely.
“Watch
for rocks,” Doug warned with a shout. “And hold on!”
As they shot through
the tight gap between the rocks, water rose above the raft on both sides. They
flew through the first surge and then saw the river bend slightly left between
a new set of obstacles.
“Paddle
left!” Doug yelled over the thunderous roar.
“Hard
left!” he shouted again.
“Rock!”
Savi screamed.
Water drenched them
from every direction. Conner removed his right hand from the paddle for a
second to wipe off his glasses.
“Rocks
left!” Savi shouted.
My Review:
A well written story of character and determination in the face of danger and aggravating peers. Savi doesn't appreciate being made fun of for her handicap and when forced to team up with the one boy she'd rather not ever have on a team it could mean her life.
The story shows the true struggles of teens and children in our world today who suffer from not only bullying but dealing with difficult situations that many times they may not be prepared for. I loved each of the characters and how Savi and her friends handled many of the situations they were thrust in and how Savi stuck to her faith in God in spite of disbelief, ridicule and near death experiences. She showed by example that we should not just believe and trust during good times but through all difficulties life throws at us. The story kept my interest from beginning to end. This is a great book for Middle Grade up to Adult readers.
About the author:
Gary Rodriguez is president of
LeaderMetrix Inc., a consulting company that specializes in senior-level
executive coaching, organizational development and conflict resolution. He is
the author of the new adventure novel Escape through the Wilderness scheduled
for release in June 2014.
His first book Purpose-Centered
Public Speaking was an instant hit and recently republished by Tate Publishing.
His extensive resume includes
eighteen years as an executive in the radio business where he spent several
years as one of the original managers of Infinity Broadcasting. He was twice
nominated as medium market manager of the year by the Bobby Poe report, a
national media publication.
For over thirty-five years, Gary
has spoken in public both nationally and internationally. Gary’s resume includes a season in the U.S.
Army where he was highly decorated as the youngest Drill Instructor in the
Army's history at age 18 years. He was also awarded the Silver Star (the
nation's third highest award for valor) while serving in Viet Nam.
Visit the book’s website at http://ettw.tateauthor.com/
You can also find Gary at http://leadermetrix.com/ and http://www.leadermetrix.com/authorspeaker.
The author will be giving one
reader a print copy of Escape Through the Wilderness. Open in the
Continental U.S. only.
Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.
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