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Black Water Tales: To the Moon and Back
As Simone Parker’s belly swells with baby number three, she is anxious to move her husband and two daughters to her childhood home in the picturesque town of Black Water, even if it was the site of her family’s massacre twenty-three years ago. Resettling there won’t be easy, but she is determined to break generational curses and reclaim her good memories. While dismissing the adolescent, town legend that her family was murdered by the Sandman, Simone cannot deny that some unsettling haunt remains. As the evil builds to a peak marked by the brutal birth of her son, Simone is forced to realize that the monster is real and has returned. She must face him or lose her children to his eternal sleep.
Hush little baby, don’t you cry. Here comes the Sandman close … your …eyes.
To the Moon and Back is the third installment in the Black Water Tales psychological horror series. If you hunger for things that go bump in the night, ghastly monsters and thrilling plot twists, then you’ll love this unique tale of terror.
Grab To the Moon and Back and descend into the madness of this series today.
*All books in the series stand alone.
Hush little baby, don’t you cry. Here comes the Sandman close … your …eyes.
To the Moon and Back is the third installment in the Black Water Tales psychological horror series. If you hunger for things that go bump in the night, ghastly monsters and thrilling plot twists, then you’ll love this unique tale of terror.
Grab To the Moon and Back and descend into the madness of this series today.
*All books in the series stand alone.
- GenresHorror
280 pages, ebook
Published January 29, 2021
35 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Jean Nicole Rivers
6 books125 followersJean Nicole (@jeannicole19) is a National Black Book Festival award-winner and author of two psychological horror novels, Black Water Tales: The Unwanted and Black Water Tales: The Secret Keepers. She has also garnered awards for her screenplay, If I Die, from multiple film festivals including the Shivers International Film Festival (Canada).
Currently, she is working through the 3rd installment of her Black Water Tales series on a novel currently titled, To the Moon and Back.
In 2016, she launched the only novel writing software founded and owned by a black woman, Simple Stylus (www.SimplyStylus.com) and she teaches an online beginner writing course titled, Simply Writing: An Aspiring Author’s Guide to Developing A Solid Writing Process and FINALLY Writing Their Novel.
She writes because she loves words, she writes because she loves stories, she writes because she has a story to tell.
Currently, she is working through the 3rd installment of her Black Water Tales series on a novel currently titled, To the Moon and Back.
In 2016, she launched the only novel writing software founded and owned by a black woman, Simple Stylus (www.SimplyStylus.com) and she teaches an online beginner writing course titled, Simply Writing: An Aspiring Author’s Guide to Developing A Solid Writing Process and FINALLY Writing Their Novel.
She writes because she loves words, she writes because she loves stories, she writes because she has a story to tell.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 3, 2021
Wow! What a horrific story that affects so many Black women! I felt this story to my core. This is as story to remind us of the horrors and the trauma of giving birth and how the medical system treats Black women. The way Jean Nicole Rivers writes a scene and pulls you into the story was done very well. I also loved that the reader is not quite sure what the horror is until the end of the book.
Check out my interview with the author.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChGxa...
Check out my interview with the author.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChGxa...
January 30, 2021
It is nice to be back in Black Water, or at least I think it is. Ya never know what Jean Nicole Rivers has in store for her characters, but I am always eager to find out. And…Simone is coming home too…home to the house where her entire family had been killed…murdered.
Her husband, Mack, knows her past and doesn’t understand why she feels the need to come back to a place that held such horror for her. The man accused of killing her family is locked up, but that is not the end for her. She wants her house, her memories, her family, back.
Mack has found the perfect business for him to purchase, Watkins Auto. He is a mechanic, so it should be a perfect fit. Simone is pregnant and I am worried about her.
The small town had taken a ghost story mixed with a tragedy and made it an urban legend, questioning how she survived. Is the Sandman true? Can fairy tales be true? If a woman can find her knight in shining armor, why can’t monsters be real?
“You face your fears head on; that’s the only way…”
A sense of impending doom infuses every page. This could go two ways, but I choose my first thought and now I am really curious about Simone and her family. They are in grave danger and I wonder how they will be saved. I am going to have to read straight through, because I have to know.
I felt such a sense of urgency, I wanted to yell at times, telling them NO, don’t do that. HELP HER!
Jean Nicole Rivers just keeps getting better and I loved this fantastic tale. I don’t read enough books by black authors and books with black characters, and I am trying to remedy that, expand my reading horizons.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of To The Moon And Back by Jean Nicole Rivers.
See more at fundinmental
Her husband, Mack, knows her past and doesn’t understand why she feels the need to come back to a place that held such horror for her. The man accused of killing her family is locked up, but that is not the end for her. She wants her house, her memories, her family, back.
Mack has found the perfect business for him to purchase, Watkins Auto. He is a mechanic, so it should be a perfect fit. Simone is pregnant and I am worried about her.
The small town had taken a ghost story mixed with a tragedy and made it an urban legend, questioning how she survived. Is the Sandman true? Can fairy tales be true? If a woman can find her knight in shining armor, why can’t monsters be real?
“You face your fears head on; that’s the only way…”
A sense of impending doom infuses every page. This could go two ways, but I choose my first thought and now I am really curious about Simone and her family. They are in grave danger and I wonder how they will be saved. I am going to have to read straight through, because I have to know.
I felt such a sense of urgency, I wanted to yell at times, telling them NO, don’t do that. HELP HER!
Jean Nicole Rivers just keeps getting better and I loved this fantastic tale. I don’t read enough books by black authors and books with black characters, and I am trying to remedy that, expand my reading horizons.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of To The Moon And Back by Jean Nicole Rivers.
See more at fundinmental
March 27, 2021
Too good to put down!
I saw the author’s post on TikTok, and decided to buy the book. I’m generally a speculative fiction reader, but this story sucked me in! I found Simone’s need to be “fine” annoying and relatable at the same time. The suspense in this book gets you in the gut in a more intense way than a movie, to me anyways. I found it easy to read and my eyes where frantically scanning pages to confirm my theories!!! Seriously, read this book! I’m off to read another book in the series!
I saw the author’s post on TikTok, and decided to buy the book. I’m generally a speculative fiction reader, but this story sucked me in! I found Simone’s need to be “fine” annoying and relatable at the same time. The suspense in this book gets you in the gut in a more intense way than a movie, to me anyways. I found it easy to read and my eyes where frantically scanning pages to confirm my theories!!! Seriously, read this book! I’m off to read another book in the series!
February 3, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
TITLE: Black Water Tales: To the Moon and Back
AUTHOR: Jean Nicole Rivers
RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2021
This is my first time reading in this genre-horror/psychological thriller and I must say it won’t be my last!
Jean Nicole Rivers’ third installment of her Black Water Tales series is more than a fairy tale story. To the Moon and Back is about deep family secrets, death, the boogey man, and reclaiming family.
“Black Water is a sleepy, summer loving community nestled in the heart of the Midwest…but anyone who knows Black Water knows that [it does] …a fine job of distracting eyes and minds from its dark side and even darker history.”
The main character, Simone Parker, uproots her family-husband, Mack and two daughters, Aaliyah and Jada, and baby on the way back to her childhood hometown of Black Water-starting a new business and a new life. The only thing about this move is her entire family was killed in the house that is to be their new home. This house holds a dark secret within the shadows where children believe in magical fairy tales and where The Sandman, with pointed ears and a huge snout lurks in the dark corners waiting.
“You know the old, white house of Maple Road...The Sandman lives there, and he comes and gets you if you stay up…a story our mothers tell us to get us to go to sleep.”
Welcome home.
This book had a subtle creepiness which builds slowly throughout the novel-it started off slow but had a nice pickup. You felt the creaky floors and held your breath for the monster to jump out of the closet (I read most of this during daylight hours for the most part…lol). It was well written-a bit wordy sometimes, but overall good descriptive language with strong characters, even though Simone did get on my nerves a little with her house repair demands-but there were just enough suspenseful visuals to keep turning the page. The plot twist was not predictable and had an unexpected turn at the end.
I really liked this novel. It was had suspense and mystery with just enough creepiness.
Thank you, Jean Nicole Rivers, for allowing me to read this advanced copy!
TITLE: Black Water Tales: To the Moon and Back
AUTHOR: Jean Nicole Rivers
RELEASE DATE: January 29, 2021
This is my first time reading in this genre-horror/psychological thriller and I must say it won’t be my last!
Jean Nicole Rivers’ third installment of her Black Water Tales series is more than a fairy tale story. To the Moon and Back is about deep family secrets, death, the boogey man, and reclaiming family.
“Black Water is a sleepy, summer loving community nestled in the heart of the Midwest…but anyone who knows Black Water knows that [it does] …a fine job of distracting eyes and minds from its dark side and even darker history.”
The main character, Simone Parker, uproots her family-husband, Mack and two daughters, Aaliyah and Jada, and baby on the way back to her childhood hometown of Black Water-starting a new business and a new life. The only thing about this move is her entire family was killed in the house that is to be their new home. This house holds a dark secret within the shadows where children believe in magical fairy tales and where The Sandman, with pointed ears and a huge snout lurks in the dark corners waiting.
“You know the old, white house of Maple Road...The Sandman lives there, and he comes and gets you if you stay up…a story our mothers tell us to get us to go to sleep.”
Welcome home.
This book had a subtle creepiness which builds slowly throughout the novel-it started off slow but had a nice pickup. You felt the creaky floors and held your breath for the monster to jump out of the closet (I read most of this during daylight hours for the most part…lol). It was well written-a bit wordy sometimes, but overall good descriptive language with strong characters, even though Simone did get on my nerves a little with her house repair demands-but there were just enough suspenseful visuals to keep turning the page. The plot twist was not predictable and had an unexpected turn at the end.
I really liked this novel. It was had suspense and mystery with just enough creepiness.
Thank you, Jean Nicole Rivers, for allowing me to read this advanced copy!
September 4, 2022
Jean Nicole Rivers has done it again! “To the Moon and Back” is a suspense-filled mystery that unfolded in my mind as I read through each chapter. But…I could not figure out the ending before I read it. I purchased the book when it was first released, enjoyed the writing, and the story that was building before putting it down until another time. It is this feel-good relatable story of a family with normal real-life issues moving to a “new” home that made me curious and want to read more. I picked the book up again yesterday and COULD NOT put it down! It had turned into this shocking story of postpartum depression, psychosis, ignorance, manipulation, unbelievable visuals, and horror. Thanks to how expertly Ms. Rivers pulled me into the gripping scenes and well-defined characters, I can see “To the Moon and Back” becoming a movie someday. The build-up is good, and the ending is shocking and a surprise that readers won’t see coming. It left a lump in my throat and would have people talking and reflecting for weeks and months. I am eagerly looking forward to Jean Nicole Rivers’ next book. I am in awe of her talent.
February 18, 2025
Oh Mr Sandman....
Jean Nicole Rivers delivers a story that lingers, unsettles, and refuses to let go. This isn’t just horror—it’s trauma, injustice, and the real-life nightmares for so many Black women. This story pulled me in and held my attention until the end.
Simone returns to the place where her family was slaughtered. Her husband, Mack, doesn’t understand why. The killer is behind bars, but for Simone, it’s not over. She wants back what was stolen—her home, her past, her family.
Mack has his own dreams, but Simone carries more than just their unborn child. The town whispers of ghosts, of legends born from tragedy. Simone survived once. Some say she shouldn’t have.
The Sandman is just a story… right?
"You face your fears head-on. It’s the only way." Every page tightens the noose. Time is running out. Salvation feels impossible.
Great 1st read. Looking forward to reading more.
Jean Nicole Rivers delivers a story that lingers, unsettles, and refuses to let go. This isn’t just horror—it’s trauma, injustice, and the real-life nightmares for so many Black women. This story pulled me in and held my attention until the end.
Simone returns to the place where her family was slaughtered. Her husband, Mack, doesn’t understand why. The killer is behind bars, but for Simone, it’s not over. She wants back what was stolen—her home, her past, her family.
Mack has his own dreams, but Simone carries more than just their unborn child. The town whispers of ghosts, of legends born from tragedy. Simone survived once. Some say she shouldn’t have.
The Sandman is just a story… right?
"You face your fears head-on. It’s the only way." Every page tightens the noose. Time is running out. Salvation feels impossible.
Great 1st read. Looking forward to reading more.
July 9, 2021
To the Moon and Back goes there, where even horror still shies away and considers taboo: post-partum psychosis and child murder. Jean Nicole Rivers goes there boldly, and she goes there well.
This book had me rapt. The story unwinds at a perfect pace, with just enough detail, description, and intrigue. There is plenty of trope and predictability, yet it is all approached with such a crisp and developed perspective. The characters are rich, layered, and realistic in way that ultimately becomes heartbreaking in its effectivity.
The most compelling part of the book is the way Rivers captures motherhood. There are so many snapshots and comments that are so brief yet vividly impactful and just the perfect resonance of the mother experience. The way those details rang true just served to draw me deeper into the entire world of the book.
I loved this book, even when it hurt me to do so.
This book had me rapt. The story unwinds at a perfect pace, with just enough detail, description, and intrigue. There is plenty of trope and predictability, yet it is all approached with such a crisp and developed perspective. The characters are rich, layered, and realistic in way that ultimately becomes heartbreaking in its effectivity.
The most compelling part of the book is the way Rivers captures motherhood. There are so many snapshots and comments that are so brief yet vividly impactful and just the perfect resonance of the mother experience. The way those details rang true just served to draw me deeper into the entire world of the book.
I loved this book, even when it hurt me to do so.
July 1, 2021
Wow! What a tale! This family moves back to the mom's hometown. To the old house where she grew up and her family tragically perished. She, and all the family members are haunted by those past events. With many events and twists you won't see coming, you can't put this book down!
I got this Audible version from Story Origin and am voluntarily reviewing.
I wasn't that satisfied with this narrator. She read too fast and wasn't that easy to understand. She didn't add much to the suspense. I've heard much better performers.
I got this Audible version from Story Origin and am voluntarily reviewing.
I wasn't that satisfied with this narrator. She read too fast and wasn't that easy to understand. She didn't add much to the suspense. I've heard much better performers.
July 28, 2021
This story really messed with my mind! It starts out innocently enough but don’t let that fool you. As the twists and turns come, you are led on quite the psychological ride.
Jean Nicole Rivers did a fantastic job with keeping me on the edge of my seat. I should have seen the revelations at the end coming, but I didn’t!
Kenye L. Askew’s narration definitely brought out the proper tone of the story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Jean Nicole Rivers did a fantastic job with keeping me on the edge of my seat. I should have seen the revelations at the end coming, but I didn’t!
Kenye L. Askew’s narration definitely brought out the proper tone of the story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
February 10, 2021
The book was ok. There was an attempt to make it scary or suspenseful that didn't really work for me. I was hoping it would all come together in the end, but the premise wasn't captivating enough. I think the book could have been longer to give the author more time to develop the plot and make it truly suspenseful. It did not make me want to read more, which is unfortunate because I was really looking forward to this.
October 7, 2023
Apparently this is the third book…
I thought they were stand alones
But this was still easy to understand!
Okay now let’s get to the meat!!
Let’s start with what I didn’t like…
I feel like it was really slow to build and there were some stuff that could of been left out.. that was it the rest of the story had me like wow!! I was going between who I thought was suspicious and who wasn’t and omg omg!!!
But this isn’t a bad read, it went quick and now I’m going to go read the others
I thought they were stand alones
But this was still easy to understand!
Okay now let’s get to the meat!!
Let’s start with what I didn’t like…
I feel like it was really slow to build and there were some stuff that could of been left out.. that was it the rest of the story had me like wow!! I was going between who I thought was suspicious and who wasn’t and omg omg!!!
But this isn’t a bad read, it went quick and now I’m going to go read the others
August 15, 2023
Great writing
This was not the book I thought I was going to read but what I did read had me on the edge of my seat. I truly enjoyed the thrills and the mystery that left me shaking in my boots. This was a great first read from this author. Looking forward reading her other books.
This was not the book I thought I was going to read but what I did read had me on the edge of my seat. I truly enjoyed the thrills and the mystery that left me shaking in my boots. This was a great first read from this author. Looking forward reading her other books.
April 8, 2021
Fantastic
The book was awesome but so sad at the end. I almost cried! I wish it would have ended differently but I loved it the way it was.
The book was awesome but so sad at the end. I almost cried! I wish it would have ended differently but I loved it the way it was.
May 10, 2022
I loved this story, it was amazing. Very twisted and unexpected ending. The narrator was fabulous.
August 15, 2022
Sorry, the writing is good, but I'm not a fan of scary tales.
March 30, 2021
Wasn’t terrible, just not my style.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews