75th out of 265 books
—
1,356 voters
H2O the Novel
by
Austin Boyd (Goodreads Author),
Brannon Hollingsworth (Goodreads Author)
H2O is a contemporary crossover women’s novel that tells the story of Kate Pepper, a successful young business woman in Seattle whose life is suddenly—and strangely—turned upside down. Unexplainable visions torment her every time she gets wet. Sinking into despair, frantic to avoid water at any cost, Kate ultimately finds romance and redemption through the advice of simpl...more
Paperback, 266 pages
Published
November 2nd 2011
by Living Ink Books
(first published October 10th 2011)
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When I got a request to be friends with Hollingsworth, and entered his contest to receive a free book, I was not sure whether to be excited or not when I won. I had never heard of either of the authors before. His taste in books is similar to mine, and the cover looked intriguing, so I was hopeful. Finding out that Hollingsworth also designed games excited me because I was certain that a game designer would lead me on an adventure worth reading. After reading Boyd's author page, I understood tha...more
H2O is riveting, edgy, and unabashedly raw. I was captivated from the start as Kate Pepper, a woman bent on control, fights to keep her stilettos firmly planted against the strengthening undertow of a buried secret. The story’s character development is sensational (you’ll love to hate Xavier, her heartless heartthrob boyfriend), and the progression of the water theme throughout the book is thoroughly gripping. I was truly impressed at how the authors (friends and brilliant novelists Austin Boyd...more
Mar 15, 2012
Sandie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Young Adult +
Recommended to Sandie by:
Brannon Hollingsworth
Shelves:
christian-fiction,
fiction
Where do I start? The best place is to begin with a thank you to Brannon for a copy of his book. I was immediately attracted to the title (my namesake) and the cover. The first kudos goes to the book designer. What a captivating cover for a novel. I love the imagery it brings to the experience...nicely done.
I feel somewhat obligated to gush all over this book b/c of the free copy I received. I will eliminate that pressure with an honest review. I always steer clear of all Christian Fiction, main...more
I feel somewhat obligated to gush all over this book b/c of the free copy I received. I will eliminate that pressure with an honest review. I always steer clear of all Christian Fiction, main...more
I feel very fortunate to have won this books on the goodreads site. I had no idea what type of book H2O the Novel was when I began reading it. I was blown away by it! The Christian themed book is full of powerful images, deep and meaningful visions, and insights that can be both inspiring and somewhat troubling. Water and visions...who knew that the combination would make a fantastic read? I have recommended this book to my friends and I will continue to suggest it.
This is a wonderful book that you will be compelled to read from start to end without wanting to stop. It is unlike any inspirational or spiritual book I have read. The idea of water playing such an important role in the book was ingenious. It is a sensational debut for Brannon Hollingsworth and I look for more great reads to come from Mr Hollingsworth.
Kate Pepper has a high-stress job, a creepy megalomaniac boyfriend named Xavier, an addiction to dark roast coffee, and even more disturbing- disturbing and unpredictable visions that come out of nowhere, taking away not only her peace of mind, but in several instances, also hurting her greatly, almost to the point of near death. After Xavier and co-workers begin doubting her and making her question her own sanity, she realizes that all of these visions come to her when she's wet or in contact w...more
I LOVED this book! It's amazing to me to think of the lenghts that our Wonderful Savior will go to when trying to bring his children back to his side! I think that Kate had the kind of life that alot of us fantasize about having. She had the great job, the great condo, the good looking boyfried, and the money to do pretty much as she pleased. She wasnt a bad person. She lived a great life, and was a repectible person. Though she had turned away from Gods love for so long. Its amazing to see God...more
I figured out what "speculative fiction" means... stinking hard to review!! So, this 5 star rating is going to come with a lot of caveats and might still end up meandering into confusion. If so, be assured if you decide to read the book, it will all make sense - probably.
First off, the book is undoubtably Christian, the message is strong even if the story seems somewhat harsh. The first few pages may make one wonder why they even picked the book up. It starts as uncomfortable reading. As the pl...more
First off, the book is undoubtably Christian, the message is strong even if the story seems somewhat harsh. The first few pages may make one wonder why they even picked the book up. It starts as uncomfortable reading. As the pl...more
A few months ago author Austin Boyd visited my blog and encouraged me to read his latest release, promising that I wouldn't "go away thirsty" from it. Wow, was he right! "H2O" is a beautiful story full of descriptive imagery and eternal truths that came to life all over again as I turned the pages. Full of depth and honesty, you could see the care and craftsmanship that the authors poured into the story over a three-year writing period. This is a master of a novel!
Kate Pepper is the Ice Queen. H...more
Kate Pepper is the Ice Queen. H...more
Brannon was super nice to provide me a copy of this book for a honest review. :)
This book is very descriptive, a lot of imageries. I felt like I was there and feeling the pain of the character. Something it can get disturbing/uncomfortable at sometimes because I am feeling too much. The words paint the images so vividly. I must applause the writers, the writing is a masterpiece! I am not even kidding!!! It just make me shiver every time when I read a beautifully crafted sentence, which is so oft...more
This book is very descriptive, a lot of imageries. I felt like I was there and feeling the pain of the character. Something it can get disturbing/uncomfortable at sometimes because I am feeling too much. The words paint the images so vividly. I must applause the writers, the writing is a masterpiece! I am not even kidding!!! It just make me shiver every time when I read a beautifully crafted sentence, which is so oft...more
Thank you to Brannon Hollingsworth for the copy. Received for a honest review with no compensation provided.
Kate is workaholic, driven to succeed and also dating her boss Xavier. While cleaning some fish for her special roll sushi she faints and ends up having visions. The visions don't stop since it happens to be triggered by water. She ends up missing important projects and presentations at work because her mind is occupied by her avoidance of water and her sheet determination for some answers...more
Kate is workaholic, driven to succeed and also dating her boss Xavier. While cleaning some fish for her special roll sushi she faints and ends up having visions. The visions don't stop since it happens to be triggered by water. She ends up missing important projects and presentations at work because her mind is occupied by her avoidance of water and her sheet determination for some answers...more
Rating: 4 1/2 stars!
What would you do if you suddenly started having visions when you got wet? Visions so powerful you lost touch with the world for that amount of time. Would you avoid water at all costs - or learn to live with it?
That is exactly what happened to Kate Pepper. She used to love getting wet, but when she suddenly starts having visions whenever she comes in contact with water, she finds herself fearing water and trying to avoid it at all costs. But how can you live without water? W...more
What would you do if you suddenly started having visions when you got wet? Visions so powerful you lost touch with the world for that amount of time. Would you avoid water at all costs - or learn to live with it?
That is exactly what happened to Kate Pepper. She used to love getting wet, but when she suddenly starts having visions whenever she comes in contact with water, she finds herself fearing water and trying to avoid it at all costs. But how can you live without water? W...more
May 20, 2013
Ian Wood
added it
After reading only only a couple of sentences of H2O I thought I would dislike it. The florid language just turned my stomach, but I pressed on and was rewarded with a story which grew more fascinating as I progressed and then went to hell in a handbasket. A full review can be found on my blog .
As I progressed it became obvious this was Christian fiction and there was no mystery at allover what the protagonist was experiencing, but it as interested to note that it takes two guys to write a novel...more
As I progressed it became obvious this was Christian fiction and there was no mystery at allover what the protagonist was experiencing, but it as interested to note that it takes two guys to write a novel...more
H2O is a strange story, and it took me a long time to get around to writing the review because I didn’t really know what to say about it. I think that’s because it has many layers of meaning—something rare and wonderful—and I responded better to some layers than others.
On the surface, it’s a well constructed and written story about Kate Pepper, a highly successful young business woman in Seattle, who starts having visions when water touches her skin. The visions take her over at unexpected and u...more
On the surface, it’s a well constructed and written story about Kate Pepper, a highly successful young business woman in Seattle, who starts having visions when water touches her skin. The visions take her over at unexpected and u...more
My initial feeling about H2O was uncertainty - it is narrated by Kate Pepper, a 102-pound size 2 aerospace marketing executive and sushi chef who slices off part of her palm while catering a work-related dinner party hosted by her gorgeous but controlling boyfriend, Xavier. I'm not big on blood and I don't like controlling men in fiction or in real life, so this was not a promising start.
But underneath the doubtful beginning there is the start of a puzzle, a mystery, about Kate's reactions to t...more
But underneath the doubtful beginning there is the start of a puzzle, a mystery, about Kate's reactions to t...more
A most amazing, vivid tale filled with amazing imagery. Kate Pepper a 29yr old woman that seems to have it all together, but scratch the surface and there is a much deeper hurt and a much deeper purpose. As she goes through her life, in one heart racing moment she is hit by a vision. These visions come each time water comes in contact with her and their persistance and intensity only increases.
Kate has it all, a great job, dating her boss (who is verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive),...more
Kate has it all, a great job, dating her boss (who is verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive),...more
H2O is an allegorical work of Christian fiction that I read in two sittings because it was so hard to put down!
Kate, a successful business woman and sushi chef of growing renown, thinks she has everything she wants from life. Then she begins blacking out and having visions every time her skin comes into water, and her life begins to fall apart. After several serious accidents and seeking medical help to no avail, being rejected by her boyfriend/boss, Kate sinks into a serious depression, trappe...more
Kate, a successful business woman and sushi chef of growing renown, thinks she has everything she wants from life. Then she begins blacking out and having visions every time her skin comes into water, and her life begins to fall apart. After several serious accidents and seeking medical help to no avail, being rejected by her boyfriend/boss, Kate sinks into a serious depression, trappe...more
Kate Pepper, a successful, intelligent, yet self-destructive woman suddenly finds that when she comes in contact with pure water, she has mysterious visions, turning her 'perfect' world inside-out. She loses everything she equated with success and happiness, falling into a deep depression and becoming a recluse. Her one 'confidant' is an online friend, a stranger, who seems to understand her, without passing judgement. How these two finally meet has definitely got to be a 'miracle' in the works!...more
After reading this work, the first thought I have is: Mature. Not pornographic maturity. This book has the character, depth, solidity of a classic. The linguistic poise, beautiful depiction, and haunting plot masterfully weave two author's into one tale. Having read the first run of this book, I have come to delight in its refinement. It has matured, becoming a gem worthy of any reader, from nearly any age. I highly recommend it to those looking to be thrilled, chilled, surprised, and stunned by...more
Sometimes I find myself reading a book that, despite having a subject matter or theme that I usually go out of my way to avoid, I can't stop myself from devouring in one sitting. The novel 'H2O' was one such read.
The writing was very evocative, which took the unusual premise to a whole new level. So much so that at times I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading. The writing was fluid (sorry, couldn't help the pun!) and the plot inventive and one of the most unique ones I've read in...more
The writing was very evocative, which took the unusual premise to a whole new level. So much so that at times I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading. The writing was fluid (sorry, couldn't help the pun!) and the plot inventive and one of the most unique ones I've read in...more
Apr 02, 2012
Jenna Christy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Jenna Christy by:
Brannon Hollingsworth
Shelves:
favorites,
christian-fiction
I am super blessed reading the novel, and I can still feel the high (joy) from finishing the book- not because I finished it, but because of the story.
H2O the Novel is highly gripping, metaphorical and brilliantly written. The idea behind touching water spark visions is truly unnatural but very unique and interesting. The way the words were woven and used phrase by phrase was very smart. It's deep, no doubt in that.
Kate Peppers has it all- the brain, the beauty, the boyfriend, and the work, and...more
H2O the Novel is highly gripping, metaphorical and brilliantly written. The idea behind touching water spark visions is truly unnatural but very unique and interesting. The way the words were woven and used phrase by phrase was very smart. It's deep, no doubt in that.
Kate Peppers has it all- the brain, the beauty, the boyfriend, and the work, and...more
I'm a little conflicted on this one, for sure. On the one hand, I do adore Christian fiction and I generally find contemporary reads from the genre to be quite refreshing. On the other hand, some of the visions just felt so blatant and heavy handed that it took a little of the enjoyment away, some how...
But backing up a notch, the concept for H20 THE NOVEL is spectacular! A young woman, named Kate, is conflicted with a bizarre issue for which she can find no real explanation. Each and every time...more
But backing up a notch, the concept for H20 THE NOVEL is spectacular! A young woman, named Kate, is conflicted with a bizarre issue for which she can find no real explanation. Each and every time...more
I was really impressed with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect since I was not familiar with it prior to the author contacting me asking if I wanted to read and review it. First off... look at that cover! SERIOUSLY!! It has to be one of the best covers I have seen in a long time. Although "packaging" doesn't change the inside product -- it definitely makes an impact -- and the cover of H20 made me WANT to read the book.
My rating is probably around 3.5-3.75 stars. There were a few things th...more
My rating is probably around 3.5-3.75 stars. There were a few things th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Given that this is Christian fiction, and since I hold Christian beliefs, and since non-Christians liked this book, I thought this would surely be a 4- or 5-star book for me. But, alas, I never really felt much sympathy for Kate Pepper - she lets her boyfriends treat her like crap; she's awful to her parents (the book never explains what her mother did in relationship re: "the event" when she was 17 that caused her blame her mother for everything - if you know, please share below!); she abuses h...more
H20 is a deeply spiritual book without being "preachy." I enjoyed the imagery and being completely immersed in the mind of the lead character. There were parts of the book that hurt my heart and others that made me laugh. Having been raised in an extremely religious environment I can understand the feelings that Kate had about her past. Often coming from such a background if you ever leave you will find it hard and maybe even impossible to go back to even an image of that life. I find that I am...more
This is a touching Christian fiction that will make you cry tears of joy! I thought the authors did a great job capturing the moment of when a person first believes, when they first realize that they are not alone and that they are saved. I tear up just thinking about it! I had watery eyes several times in this book. I think Kate's character was very realistic and reminded me of when I was a nonbeliever myself. What a dark world! I didn't like Xavier's character very much though. I found him to...more
I received a copy of H2O the Novel by Austin Boyd and Brannon Hollingsworth to read and review. I do not know where to begin, this book was incredible, I finished it a week ago and I am still thinking about it. I do not think I can do it justice in a review.
First off, all the descriptions and blurbs I find for this book call it a “contemporary crossover women’s novel” guys do not let that keep you from reading it. Yes, the main character is a women dealing with a lot of issues women deal with. B...more
First off, all the descriptions and blurbs I find for this book call it a “contemporary crossover women’s novel” guys do not let that keep you from reading it. Yes, the main character is a women dealing with a lot of issues women deal with. B...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
You can read more reviews at my blog, The Armchair Librarian.
I'm not a Christian. I don't normally like to discuss my beliefs because I believe those are personal, but in this case, my beliefs--or lack thereof--are relevant, because this book is Christian fiction. Which I did not know when I applied for it.
Oops.
And I'm noticing that one of the problems with Christian fiction is that they come off like a bunch of gossipy girls trading in-jokes about secrets I know absolutely nothing about.
Some Ch...more
I'm not a Christian. I don't normally like to discuss my beliefs because I believe those are personal, but in this case, my beliefs--or lack thereof--are relevant, because this book is Christian fiction. Which I did not know when I applied for it.
Oops.
And I'm noticing that one of the problems with Christian fiction is that they come off like a bunch of gossipy girls trading in-jokes about secrets I know absolutely nothing about.
Some Ch...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Readers: Evangelism and Discipleship According to Water | 7 | 13 | Jan 17, 2012 08:36pm | |
| Creative Reviews: Need reviewers for Speculative Fiction | 5 | 25 | Jan 05, 2012 05:17pm |
Austin is an award-winning author who writes extensively about faith issues related to technology and business. He published award winning poetry and more than two dozen technical articles and papers during his career as a Navy pilot, NASA astronaut finalist, and spacecraft engineer. The author of six novels, he is a Christy Gold Medal finalist (The Proof, 2007) and the winner of the Mount Hermon...more
More about Austin Boyd...
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I a so happy you enjo...more
Feb 04, 2012 11:54am
Thanks for the insightful review. I'm very happy when folks share exactly what they feel about a novel, and this is a superb example of such a revi...more
Feb 04, 2012 12:07pm