Book Reviews

From the Judge: 33rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

What readers will find compelling about this book and why:

“From the beginning, the vivid description of location makes each scene almost palpable. The dialogue is realistic and engaging. The narrative touches on various important societal issues and current events. This is a good portrayal of how trauma affects people emotionally, physically, and psychologically. I especially like Maddy’s character and where her life takes her, which is clearly a direct result of her upbringing and the trauma she experiences early on in life. Themes of strength and resilience are strong. I appreciate the idea of finding family, and family being what you make it is.

Character Appeal and Development:

“This book is exemplary in character appeal (or interest) and development. All main characters (including antagonists) are unique and fully fleshed out with compelling, layered motivations and traits. Secondary characters are unique and have a meaningful purpose.”

What Readers are saying

Great read with wonderful characters. Once you start reading, the book is very hard to put down. The author, John Gourhan, has written an exceptional novel. Hopefully a follow up novel from Mr. Gourhan is on the way.

B. Gross Hard Novel to Put Down!

This book is a perfect summer read. Absolutely captivating. It is extremely well-written. Beautiful prose. The characters are fascinating, complex and engaging. The plotting is exceptional, full of surprising twists and turns. Just be prepared: Once you start reading this compelling story you won't be able to stop. Great job, Mr. Gourhan.

Tracey B A Powerful Novel

John Gourhan’s new book, Mendocino Waves of Renewal very much brings to mind Delia Owens’ bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing. Both evocatively paint a wonderful, graphic feel for their respective environs : the wild Pacific coast and forests of the Northern California coast and the lush, earthy, sensual tidelands of North Carolina. In both books, the character’s individual personalities are richly developed by their personal life’s experiences and the subsequent interactions and personal dynamics are well developed from those influences. And, lastly, both books build to a very exciting and suspenseful conclusion that captures all of your attention. They are , indeed, very satisfying reads and are highly recommended.

Dr. W.I. Johnson Comparative Novels

“Mendocino, Waves of Renewal”, a powerful tale of family, commitment and love, is reminiscent of Steinbeck’s “East of Eden”. Here, the evocative description of Mendocino, not the Salinas Valley, provides the setting. Similar themes of love, rejection, identity and moral choice propel this novel to its dramatic conclusion.

Steve Greene

I just finished reading Buckeye, a new novel by Patrick Ryan which was very enjoyable & reminded me of John Gourhan’s novel, Mendocino Waves of Renewal. Both novels have well developed complicated characters that are followed over time. The impact of childhood experiences on life decisions are a common thread in both novels. The descriptions of war & its impact on the lives of the characters was well written. Both novels discussed the Vietnam war. Buckeye also discussed World War II. Mendocino had more descriptive writing of the countryside giving you a feel for the beauty of the Pacific West Coast, while Buckeye described Ohio. Both novels described the emotional struggles of their characters very well. I would recommend both novels.

C. Johnson

"Mendocino, Waves of Renewal" conjures rugged beauty, isolation, family secrets: an atmosphere evoking that coastal Northern California feel. I compare it to books with strong sense-of-place (think Big Little Lies, Olive Kitteridge, or anything by Kristin Hannah).

Thomas G.