Drawing Down the Moon

by Shawn Keller Cooper

Betrayal, lost babies, and terrifying nightmares follow Jade to the Carolina coast. Damaged and devastated by her third miscarriage and deteriorating marriage, she walks into the Atlantic seeking permanent redemption and peace but a whisper of hope begs her to save herself. Jade is befriended by Agnes, a mysterious older woman, who uses her own tragedies and mystical Wiccan wisdom to help her on a journey of self-discovery. While still reeling from her breakdown, a forgotten reunion brings estranged sorority sisters back to the island of their college summers before suspicions and secrets separated them for decades.A story of resilience and courage, it celebrates the power of friendship, and the tenacity, humor, and spirit needed to uplift each other. ”Delicately plotted and well-executed. Jade’s pain is extraordinarily visceral and developed. Her voice truly shines within this novel of growth and redemption.” — The Book Life Prize

326 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2019

About the author

Shawn Keller Cooper graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in administration of criminal justice and political science. Prior to her concentration on creative writing, she was a journalist, editorial photographer, newspaper editor, and award-winning columnist. Her professional affiliations include Women’s Fiction Writers Association, North Carolina Writers’ Network, Women’s National Book Association, Charlotte chapter, and the Charlotte Writers Club. Her publishing affiliations include Ingram Spark, IndieBound, and the Southern Independent Book Alliance. She lives at Lake Norman, North Carolina, with her husband, Jim, their two children, and two cats.

Reviews

[Christy Wv Tate]

This book was great.

Jade is in the ocean- drowning wanting it all to go away..... the loss, the unhappiness, but she awakes and Agnes is there to help.

Her friend from college calls its time for their 20 year reunion and she remembered- jade can’t handle this...

Em and Penn come to the beach house...

20 years of secrets come out, current secrets come out...

This is a great book of love, friendship and growth...

[Andrea]

Drawing Down the Moon by Shawn Keller Cooper was a book I found my way to as it was the selection for my online book club, and y'all, I'm so, so glad I did. This was such a wonderful story about women - how they grieve, how they connect, and how they learn to move forward. The story focuses on Jade who has retreated to James Island after suffering a third miscarriage and struggling in her marriage. She retreats to this place because she is struggling, and she attempts suicide. Her attempt is not successful, and she she finds connection with a woman named Agnes. Agnes starts to explore her emotional journey and reality, and this is some tough stuff. Additionally, 20 years earlier, Jade and two sorority sisters had agreed to a reunion. This is the time that is supposed to happen. These two women show up with their own stories and struggles. Additionally, there are longstanding wounds from previous situations that the women have never resolved. Y'all, this is a beautiful story centering women. For one, it talks about struggles of women, including infertility, that aren't always put into stories. It also talks about women's friendship and all those evolve, how they connect, and how they can vary across the lifespan. This was a book that was authentic and raw and so honest. I absolutely loved the way in which emotion was explored and explained through these women.

[Katie Washington]

Drawing Down the Moon started off really slow and honestly I wanted to put it down. However it ebbed and flowed much like the ocean in intrigue. I'm really glad that I continued on. The writer puts a lot of though into the way they frame the story and how they use descriptions to enhance a mental picture of what Jade, her friends or her husband Ian are going through. The back and forth in time did get a little confusing but overall I liked the story it had to tell.

[Jenelle Atiyeh]

I met Shawn at a book signing in Chapel Hill and I’m so glad I purchased this enchanting book. She does a wonderful job illustrating the complexities of each character using clear, “flowing” language. As someone who resonates with the Wicca faith, I was naturally drawn to this book. I can’t wait for the second installment!

~ Jenelle A.

[Elizabeth]

The power of women friendships whether life long friends, sorority sisters, or a woman you met on the beach. Beautifully written.

[Rachel Brewer]

3.5 stars.

Trigger warning for this book re: Infertility.

This was a solid read. I enjoyed the strong female relationships and friendships in the novel, both among the college trio but also between Maggie/Agnes and the college friends.

I wouldn’t have read this but for the fact that it’s the first book in a trilogy and the second book is an upcoming read for my book club! It’s not my normal genre (it is strictly within the bizarro genre of “women’s fiction” or chicklit which I detest as a genre/label, but this really is IMO, a book geared toward women, and solely women.

I liked the switch back and forth between multiple times periods. I thought the random chapter narrated by other characters were odd and they felt out of place. Like the one chapter from Ian, the husband? What? Why? It added nothing and felt like a female author trying to hard to write the male perspective.

But overall I enjoyed this book, although as I stated before it’s not something I would ever read on my own.

As an aside, a lot of this book focused on food and cooking, which I really appreciated. Added to the southern feel of the novel.

[Gamma Grace]

This book was HEAVY. By the time I reached the 11% mark, I was already a sobbing mess.

While I haven't experienced this specific kind of loss, I do relate to debilitating depression and the toll it can take on friendships, family, and a marriage. Because of that, this story hit incredibly close to home, and I spent most of the book feeling deeply uncomfortable. Ironically, that's the only reason I gave it 4 ⭐ instead of 5. It wasn't a flaw in the writing, it was because the story made me feel so exposed, and I didn't enjoy sitting with those emotions.

That said, this book is beautifully written and offers a powerful, honest portrayal of depression, grief, and loss. I think it's an important read for anyone wanting a better understanding of the reality of living with depression and the impact it has on everyone around you. However, if you've experienced depression or profound loss firsthand, I'd recommend going into this one with care. It's an incredibly moving story, but it can also be emotionally overwhelming.

[Gloria T.]

Drawing Down The Moon is a breathtaking story of brokenness turned into beauty. Shawn Keller Cooper writes with such raw honesty that Jade’s pain feels like your own, yet so does her healing. The balance between heartbreak and hope is masterful. This book reminds us that light always finds its way through the cracks a true testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

[Wanda L.]

What an emotionally rich and deeply spiritual novel! Jade’s journey through grief and rediscovery mirrors the battles so many women face in silence. Cooper writes with compassion and wisdom, weaving Wiccan mysticism and friendship into something unforgettable. This isn’t just a story, it’s a healing experience.

[Karen W.]

Few authors can write pain so truthfully and still leave readers feeling uplifted. Shawn Keller Cooper does that beautifully. Through Jade, Agnes and the circle of women, we see how love and friendship mend even the deepest wounds. A touching, empowering masterpiece that deserves far more recognition.

[Jerald A.]

Shawn Keller Cooper captures womanhood in all its fragile strength. Drawing Down The Moon is about loss, self-forgiveness, and the quiet magic of second chances. Every page feels like poetry and every emotion is real.
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This book lingers in your heart long after you finish.

[Jesse T.]

Reading this felt like therapy for the soul. Jade’s despair, her walk into the sea, and her rebirth through friendship and faith all written with such compassion and grace.......... Shawn Keller Cooper has written something sacred here, something that reminds us we are never truly alone.

[Joseph M.]

A stunning story that radiates warmth even through tragedy.



The Carolina coast becomes almost a character itself a place of renewal and reflection. Cooper’s storytelling is powerful, her message timeless: healing is possible even when hope seems lost.

[Bernadette B.]

Drawing Down The Moon is a triumph of emotional storytelling. The themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and rediscovery are handled with rare sensitivity. Shawn Keller Cooper writes like she’s lived a thousand lives and invites us to live each one through her words...............

[Ryan P.]

There’s a quiet strength in this novel that sneaks up on you. What begins as heartbreak transforms into something almost divine. Cooper’s prose is elegant, her characters beautifully flawed and her message clear healing takes courage, but it’s worth every tear.

[Cora M.]

This isn’t just fiction; it’s a mirror reflecting the silent struggles so many endure. Jade’s pain, her surrender to the sea and her resurrection through friendship made me cry, then breathe again. Cooper’s writing is tender, fierce and deeply human.
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Bravo, truly.

[James J.]

Every chapter of Drawing Down The Moon feels like a whispered prayer. Shawn Keller Cooper blends sorrow, faith and the feminine spirit into something profoundly moving. It’s more than a story, it’s a companion for anyone trying to find themselves again.