Thirsting for More

Mended Vessels #2

by Marie Wells Coutu

Rebuilding her life isn't as easy as renovating a historic house.The whole city of Charleston seems to be watching, waiting for Northern transplant and recently hired director of tourism, Victoria Russo, to either work a miracle or to stumble and fall. But she hadn't expected the cold reception and the deception she's experiencing, especially from her assistant director.The change of geography is a chance for multi-divorced Victoria to start a new life. Hoping to gain acceptance, she purchases and tackles the renovation of an historic home, but soon falls back into her old ways.Will Victoria find the one friendship that can change her world or will she return to the place where her past failures lurk around every turn and keep her thirsting for something--or Someone--she cannot find?This modern-day re-telling of the biblical story of the Samaritan woman at the well "captivates you to read one more chapter before putting the book down."

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2015

Reviews

[Angie Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

f you love visiting Charleston, South Carolina, or have never been and want to go, you're going to love this book. Coutu's descriptions of The Battery, the Market area and the lovely neighborhoods in and around Charleston are spot-on. You can feel the ocean breezes and hear the clip-clop of the tour carriages as you read this heart-warming story.

This is a story of how two very different females (a woman from New England and a young native Charlestonian) deal with bullying and betrayal. I'm not sure what my favorite part is of this beautiful story: the characters are beautiful women with real problems and real emotions while the settings put me in the heart of one of the South's loveliest cities. And the story is a re-telling of the biblical story, the Woman at the Well (John 4:7 - 26). I know you'll enjoy Coutu's realistic storyline and rich characters..

If you're looking for a lovely work of women's fiction, you'll love Thirsting for More. And if you've ever been an outsider or different, you'll love it even more.

I’d like to thank the author for my copy of Thirsting for More in exchange for my fair and impartial review.

[Sherida Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

One woman’s journey of healing and acceptance.

Upon leaving frosty Connecticut, thirty-something Victoria Russo arrives at her new job as the director of the Charleston Tourism Bureau, in historic South Carolina, battered from past failures. In her new position, she faces a steep learning curve and some animosity from her staff. As she becomes acquainted with her new job and spends time restoring an old house, she struggles with past and present issues.

I enjoyed this story of personal growth and acceptance of faith. Since I’m an armchair traveler, the descriptions of Charleston, and the details of renewing a historic home there, were engaging. The secondary characters added to the story with their unique personalities.

Woven together, like the sweet grass basket featured in the story, all the details and experiences create a charming book.

Favorite quotes:
“If you don’t face your fears, you will never be all that you were created to be.”
“Once I got smart and started talking to God about it, I quit feeling so lonely.”
Additionally, the thoughtful dedication of this book is a delightful testimony.

*I won a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m pleased to offer my opinion of this book.

[Megan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Wells Coutu deals with a tough topic in a sensitive, beautifully written novel set in Charleston, SC. This re-imagined telling of the women at the well incorporates a well-constructed setting, realistic characters, and rich prose. Even though the main character experiences deep wounds and shame from her past and present course, the ending offers a redemptive turnaround which is satisfying and believable.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the first in this series, the story captivates you and lures you to read "just one more chapter" before putting the book down! So, it is a very quick read! Love that it is a Christian novel based on a Biblical character, but not 'preachy'. Looking forward to her next book!