Saving Sailor

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.

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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.

This book brought me back to the 1970s when my brother,sister and my cousins and I spent every summer together in Hampton New Hampshire. It was a simpler time and family was everything. The girl in this story,A.J reminded me of myself when I was growing up. She has a great imagination and a real love for animals. It really brought back so many fond memories of long ago.If your childhood was a time and place where you'd like to "re-visit" this is the book to read.

My best friend and her daughter insisted I read this book. I'm so glad I did! I found myself thoroughly immersed in A.J.'s character as well as her "unforgettable summer." Her stories and experiences brought me back to a time when life was sweet and wonderful. Ms. Riva's writing style has a special way of bringing her characters to life so it's easy to relate to them. I actually had a few summertime experiences like A.J. when I was younger! My teenager is now reading the book and loving it! I hope there will be a sequel because I would love to know more about A.J.'s life as she grows up!

This book was a delight to read!! While reading the story of a little girl it brought back many warm childhood memories growing up as a Catholic in a large family. After a long stressful day of my now adulthood I found myself being swept away while relating to a young girl who is learning the same lessons I had to learn for myself as a child. It's the kind of book that you can pick up and enjoy from start to finish.

You will laugh, you will cry. This well written book will draw you in and leaving you wanting more. The main character, A.J. will add sunshine to your fall. Riva's wonderful sense of humor will have you rolling.

Warm and delightful, Saving Sailor brought me back to summer childhood. There were places where I laughed out loud. I love the family dynamics, and A. J's spunk! I'd love to hear what happens next in A.J's life--hope there's a sequel!

Saving Sailor was my first book report for the school year. A+ for the report and the book! Yeah! My teacher read the book and is now reading it to the class! If you like to laugh this is a great book to read and share. A.J. Degulio's story of growing up in the 60's in a big Italian family and their adventures during a summer vacation bring out the best - family, fun, forgiveness and laughter. Two thumbs up!

The book was slow I couldn't even finish it. To much Catholicism in it. I am a Christian so it was hard to make sense of it. This is actually the first book I bought that I didn't like. Good plot just a little boring. I won't be reading anymore of her books.

    Tell us a little about yourself.  Well, I guess I could best answer that by saying I'm a whole lot like A.J. in the story--only grown up.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  My motivation came out of fond memories of spending my childhood summers with my big Italian family in a small summer cabin on an island at Spirit Lake, Idaho, in the 1960's.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  I hope readers will enjoy some memories of the good old days, or try and simplify the life they have now. We were happy without all the stuff. I hope young people will seek for people of character in their relationships. And I hope they will give God a chance.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  I felt like I went back to those childhood days where God, pets and family meant everything, and lazy summer days were the best. It was like writing a family memoir, which I'm so thankful I did, because a year later, my wonderful dad (our Sonny)suddenly passed away. But I have all these memories that will live on.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  My influences are my writing friends who help to hold me to a high standard. My favorite authors are; Kathrine Hannigan--"Ida B", Sharon Creech--"Ruby Holler," and Maureen McQuerry "Wolfproof." I like authors who write from the heart, and choose words that will impact lives in a positive way. We only have one shot at leaving our voice behind--may we all leave something worthwhile.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  When I finished writing the book, I told God, "this book is my soul on paper, do with it whatever you like." I hope He reaches many hearts through it. To my readers: Thanks for reading Saving Sailor. I hope it touches your heart and soul. I hope you sense God's love for you in it too.

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