""Your gift of writing is so smooth, powerful and graceful. I keep wanting to just sit and keep reading." ... Maryann, Portland, Maine
"Sons and Daughters of the Ocean is the first of a three-part
trilogy that is based on the author's own family history. The story is
told in various voices. Mainly those of Albert Miller and Sarah Dyer;
each chapter is dedicated to one character and nicely done in a voice of
that particular era of 1850s. Kevin Mills writes with such authority on
the subject of sail, that you feel safe in his hands as he guides you
through the lives of his characters living on the coast of Maine.
The story opens on the high seas where we meet Captain George Fuller at
the helm, and his dying wife in a cabin having just given birth to
their first child. I am immediately drawn by the emotion that Kevin
Mills writes in, and attention to detail.
By chapter three we are introduced to the wealthy David Watson, this
time inshore at his home, and it is so well written that I found myself
disappointed that I am pulled away from Captain George Fuller and his
newly dead wife. But I'm entranced by Albert's story at sea, and Sarah's
(the main characters), as she continues her life on shore away from her
beloved Albert.
In my view the story is about destiny, rather than sailing. Superbly written."
... Louise, author of a Proper Charlie, England
"I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was taken back to this small coastal village in Maine in the late 1800's.
The book is about the lives of three teens in a Maine town where
shipbuilding is king. All three characters are wonderful and intriguing.
Bouncing back-and-forth between their first-person accounts really
takes you into their lives and thinking. I loved feeling the excitement
of Sammy Jones going off to sea. I could feel Albert's search for
destiny. Sarah's strength as well as her pain and longing for her love
at sea was enduring. It just gave me a great look at life in those times
and put me in that place through the eyes of these characters. Even the
characters around them drew me into the story and helped create this
world at the sea's doorstep.
It was exciting to be at sea with them while the drama at home was just
as gripping. With the finish of each chapter I wanted to read the next
to see how Albert, Sarah or Sammy were doing. It really is more than a
historical novel or a book about sailing. It is a story about life, love
and destiny and how young people evolve and shape themselves and their
purpose. It made for an exciting and heart warming book and one I'd
recommend to readers of all kinds. " ...
Casey, Rockland, Maine
"I don't even like stories about life at sea!!!
I read this book because I know the author. I loved the story!! I
enjoyed every chapter; felt like I was a friend or family with the
characters; and I worried and thought about them when I wasn't reading
the story. Kevin's descriptions make the reader experience life at sea. I
felt compassion for the families at home. I sincerely loved every word
of this book. I wish there would be a sequel, please?" ... Jeanne, Searsport, Maine
"With my own
heritage steeped along the coast of Maine I could understand the deep
love for the ocean and the way of life depicted in this book. Mills has
certainly caught the essence of coastal Maine life, and weaves an
excellent tale chronicling the intertwining lives of the main
characters. Whether you love the sea or not, this book is well worth the
reading. " ... Jerry, Georgia
"I found this a great book to
read. It was written from the viewpoint of 3 different characters. You
can tell just by reading the chapter which character is doing the
writing. If you enjoy the sea, history, sailing or just a book about
families on the Maine Coast, you'll love this book. " ... Cheryl, Rockland, Maine
"Thank
you. Thank you - for sending your book to me. I WAS reading Clive
Cussler but got into your book and I find it a great read. I am very
grateful to have the opportunity to have your book and look forward to
future works. Keep up the writing. You've got a great gift." ... Marcia, Scotia, New York
"I enjoyed your book very much
and liked the style it was written in. Writing in the first person gives
one a better perpective in knowing the character. I liked your vivid
description of the wind, waves and rain of the heavy weather. I read
that part of the book in my kitchen with a hot cup of tea to keep me
warm and comfortable. " ... Leonard, Clark, New Jersey
"I
recently completed a new novel by Kevin C. Mills, and yes, he is a
relative. Now let's be clear, I didn't just read the book because Kevin
wrote it, although that would be reason enough. I read the book because I
already knew that it chronicled the lives of our ancestors in the late
1800's. In the words of the author, Sons and Daughters of the Ocean ...
“ is a historical look back at a small coastal village – Brooks Harbor, Maine.
A close proximity to the ocean creates an environment in which the
shipping industry is the lifeblood of the town. The community is filled
with merchant mariners, shipbuilders and crew. Those that don't earn
their keep directly from the sea-faring life either profit or benefit
from the shipping industry.
Sammy Jones, Albert Miller and Sarah Dyer are products of that
environment. Their families have rich maritime histories and all three
characters are about to embark on a distinctive course in their lives
that will change them forever. They are not only products of their
environment but also have their fortunes shaped by the ocean's impact.”
The
story would have been interesting enough, and certainly stands on it’s
own with out the rudiments of family history wound all through it, but
the added excitement of tracing family history and heritage through the
lives of Albert Miller (my great grand father Albert R. Mills) and Sarah
Dyer (my great grandmother, Sarah Douglass Mills) made it a book hard
to put down. The story is set in Brooks Harbor, Maine, which is actually
Brooksville, Maine roots are wound around most everything. You can pick up the history on the book itself from the author at www.kevincmills.com.
If
you love history, especially of life along the coast of Maine, this is a
must read. Amazon has it, but Kev makes more money if you order it from
his web site. ... Paul, Georgia
- from the blog http://apps.millspf.com/Blog/
