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Every Ocean Has a Shore
“One thing Alice knew for sure—she needed to leave right now and take the child with her. Though the literal rain had stopped sometime during the night, she felt a flood rising.”
Is there any truth to C.S. Lewis’s belief that a “Secret Master of Ceremonies” is at work in our friendships? In this book you will meet an aging grandmother, a middle-aged widower, and a college dropout. . . three seemingly random players who share the small stage of a downtown Chicago deli during a brief opening scene of intense drama. Can a friendship be forged in a single moment of terror? Can it be sustained after the three players leave the stage for destinations many miles apart in the Deep South and New England? Step into the lives of Alice, Gary, and Fawna as their stories interweave and they discover paths to hope, healing, and faith amid the trials of life, finding courage along the way to open their hearts to others. Reader, author, poet, and book reviewer Sheila Petre “Turner’s books come bearing gifts, and they change us, make us laugh or cry, gently sympathize or rebuke.”
Is there any truth to C.S. Lewis’s belief that a “Secret Master of Ceremonies” is at work in our friendships? In this book you will meet an aging grandmother, a middle-aged widower, and a college dropout. . . three seemingly random players who share the small stage of a downtown Chicago deli during a brief opening scene of intense drama. Can a friendship be forged in a single moment of terror? Can it be sustained after the three players leave the stage for destinations many miles apart in the Deep South and New England? Step into the lives of Alice, Gary, and Fawna as their stories interweave and they discover paths to hope, healing, and faith amid the trials of life, finding courage along the way to open their hearts to others. Reader, author, poet, and book reviewer Sheila Petre “Turner’s books come bearing gifts, and they change us, make us laugh or cry, gently sympathize or rebuke.”
- GenresChristian FictionFiction
522 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2023
12 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Langston Turner
12 books136 followersJamie Langston Turner is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Sometimes a Light Surprises, Winter Birds, and Some Wildflower in my Heart, and has been a teacher for more than forty years. She is currently a professor of poetry and creative writing at Bob Jones University. Jamie lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 26, 2023
Perhaps because this book was self-published, it is thicker and a bit more circuitous than the other books through which a Certain Eldeen lumbers.
For every fan of Jamie Langston Turner, this is good news. We enjoy her books less for galloping plot and more for her quiet, relentlessly artful turns of phrase. We love her characters, and see ourselves in many of them, so we welcome the prospect of walking in their world for more pages than usual.
I’ll get the negative out of the way first: Mrs. Turner’s characters have little concept of body mass. I’m invariably bugged when two hundred pounds equals Enormous Person. I’d love to weigh two hundred pounds. ‘Nuff said.
Now the positive, of which there is more: As a believer in the philosophy that everyone enters our lives for some integral reason, and that every person we meet has a story worth sharing and a spirit worth admiring, I appreciated how Every Ocean follows a handful of characters whose lives intersect in the most unlikely way.
Each of Turner’s books features some genre of art, whether music, poetry, or paintings. Many times, multiple forms are featured. As I began this book, I was looking for the genre she would choose this time. And, oh joy! It’s the personal letter. Letters weave a quiet golden thread through the narration of this story.
One reason to read: To learn how to listen a little better to the strangers near you.
For every fan of Jamie Langston Turner, this is good news. We enjoy her books less for galloping plot and more for her quiet, relentlessly artful turns of phrase. We love her characters, and see ourselves in many of them, so we welcome the prospect of walking in their world for more pages than usual.
I’ll get the negative out of the way first: Mrs. Turner’s characters have little concept of body mass. I’m invariably bugged when two hundred pounds equals Enormous Person. I’d love to weigh two hundred pounds. ‘Nuff said.
Now the positive, of which there is more: As a believer in the philosophy that everyone enters our lives for some integral reason, and that every person we meet has a story worth sharing and a spirit worth admiring, I appreciated how Every Ocean follows a handful of characters whose lives intersect in the most unlikely way.
Each of Turner’s books features some genre of art, whether music, poetry, or paintings. Many times, multiple forms are featured. As I began this book, I was looking for the genre she would choose this time. And, oh joy! It’s the personal letter. Letters weave a quiet golden thread through the narration of this story.
One reason to read: To learn how to listen a little better to the strangers near you.
April 22, 2023
Worth waiting for!
I had been eagerly anticipating the release of any new writing by Jamie Langston Turner and would check periodically to see if a book had been released. Such excitement when this one appeared on Amazon! It is a lovely length.....nice and long....and it was so enjoyable when some old acquaintances from her previous books made their appearances. This is a book to savor and to allow to soak in. Highly recommended!
I had been eagerly anticipating the release of any new writing by Jamie Langston Turner and would check periodically to see if a book had been released. Such excitement when this one appeared on Amazon! It is a lovely length.....nice and long....and it was so enjoyable when some old acquaintances from her previous books made their appearances. This is a book to savor and to allow to soak in. Highly recommended!
June 3, 2025
3.5-4 stars.
I enjoyed the meandering pace of this novel, and the development of these three very different characters- Fawna, Gary and Alice - as their lives unexpectedly intersect, and continue to intersect over a year.
Some of the quotes were beautiful, especially those by CS Lewis. And I loved reading the letters exchanged between Alice and Fawna. I also was impressed with the authenticity of the relationship between Alice and her unexpected little grandson, Ian.
I have high regard for Jamie Langston Turner for many things in her writing: the slow, careful beauty of her words and phrases and sentences. The reality of her characters - suffering, trauma, unexpected joys, courage. The credible character development. It is a joy to read her stories, even though if I could tell you the plotline, it would only take a couple of sentences. It’s so much more about people and relationships than fast-paced events and plot.
(Negatives: The faith element felt a little awkward to me, which is not typical of most of her novels. It seemed to pop up quickly toward the end of the book, instead of growing slowly throughout. I also felt like I wanted more of Gary’s story toward the end. And I didn’t understand the ending!)
Recommended reading for those who like this author, and for those who enjoy carefully wrought, believable characters.
I enjoyed the meandering pace of this novel, and the development of these three very different characters- Fawna, Gary and Alice - as their lives unexpectedly intersect, and continue to intersect over a year.
Some of the quotes were beautiful, especially those by CS Lewis. And I loved reading the letters exchanged between Alice and Fawna. I also was impressed with the authenticity of the relationship between Alice and her unexpected little grandson, Ian.
I have high regard for Jamie Langston Turner for many things in her writing: the slow, careful beauty of her words and phrases and sentences. The reality of her characters - suffering, trauma, unexpected joys, courage. The credible character development. It is a joy to read her stories, even though if I could tell you the plotline, it would only take a couple of sentences. It’s so much more about people and relationships than fast-paced events and plot.
(Negatives: The faith element felt a little awkward to me, which is not typical of most of her novels. It seemed to pop up quickly toward the end of the book, instead of growing slowly throughout. I also felt like I wanted more of Gary’s story toward the end. And I didn’t understand the ending!)
Recommended reading for those who like this author, and for those who enjoy carefully wrought, believable characters.
June 7, 2024
Love it!
Another immensely satisfying book from Jamie Langston Turner. All of her books are wonderfully deep, real, and delightful. I absolutely love the thread of how each character’s life touches others in such profound ways. Definitely thought provoking. This book, along with Mrs. Turner’s other books, makes me want to be a better person, to look beyond my own struggles and reach out with kindness and generosity and share the love that has touched and changed me.
I love all of Mrs. Turner’s books, but I think this one is my favorite. I just finished it, but I think I may just go back and read it again for the pleasure of it.
Another immensely satisfying book from Jamie Langston Turner. All of her books are wonderfully deep, real, and delightful. I absolutely love the thread of how each character’s life touches others in such profound ways. Definitely thought provoking. This book, along with Mrs. Turner’s other books, makes me want to be a better person, to look beyond my own struggles and reach out with kindness and generosity and share the love that has touched and changed me.
I love all of Mrs. Turner’s books, but I think this one is my favorite. I just finished it, but I think I may just go back and read it again for the pleasure of it.
June 9, 2023
I have great admiration for someone who can tell a wonderful story which is full of quirky, fun characters that you soon care much about, and not a single one is memorable for their physical beauty. Jamie Turner's characters unfold into real people, ones that you wish you could actually meet . And this story, Every Ocean Has a Shore, is inspirational, displaying God at work, revealing His sovereign hand in drawing people together. I love it when a lead character is my age, Alice ( age 73) is hit with drama and mystery and brief encounters with others that are gradually revealed to be God ordained to touch each other's life. Gary is a quiet, middle-aged, grieving widower, and owner of a small Deli in Chicago. Fawna is a scruffy late 20's newly hired worker at the deli, that is full of strange bits of knowledge, and she, too, has her own rough past. But their lives briefly intersect and then move on to three separate locations. Watching their gradual awareness of God at work shows the author's talent for making a story inspirational, moving, relational and even funny. I enjoy the way Jamie Turner often includes people reading and discovering such authors as CS Lewis. What a delight to see two of my favorite characters from other Jamie Turner novels pop-in to remind me just how much I loved them in her other stories. I can hardly wait to see what her next book will be. I have read them all and this is Turner's best yet! I have been asked who is a must-buy author for me. I enjoy so many authors, but these days there are few I can say, "Yep, I have a birthday coming make this my gift!"
If you want to delight in a non-romance contemporary tale this should be on your list. In fact I liked it so well as a kindle I just might ask for the paperback for my birthday, so that I can share. Well done Mrs. Turner - out of the ballpark. 5 star!
If you want to delight in a non-romance contemporary tale this should be on your list. In fact I liked it so well as a kindle I just might ask for the paperback for my birthday, so that I can share. Well done Mrs. Turner - out of the ballpark. 5 star!
May 16, 2025
I’ve read all the author’s books. I love all her characters and how she weaves everyone’s story together with a hopeful message. My absolute favorite of the author’s books is Some Wildflower in My Heart which had a profound impact on my Christian walk and still does to this day when I think about Birdie. My only complaint about this new one is it is way too long. It took me forever to read.
August 2, 2024
Jaime Langston Turner does not write fast paced books. What she does write is amazing characters that welcome you into their lives and make you one of the family. There is something very special about her books that are just magically. Every one I have read I have completely fallen in love with the characters so much I truly hated to see the book end.
You need to pull up a chair with a cup of coffee, because when you read this one you are in for a good long chat with some of your best friends.
You need to pull up a chair with a cup of coffee, because when you read this one you are in for a good long chat with some of your best friends.
January 9, 2024
Every Ocean Has a Shore by Jamie Langston Turner
This book is one of the few on my blog that I haven’t received in return for an honest review. Jamie Langston Turner is one of my favorite authors and I just had to purchase this book and include it on my blog.
True to form, this book moves at a leisurely pace so that the reader becomes very invested in the lives of each of the characters. Gary, Fawna, and Alice are bound together by a near tragedy and despite going their separate ways, they maintain a friendship in which they each grow and develop as people.
Jamie has developed a wonderful cast of characters in her many novels and I was pleased to meet Eldeen, Jewel and Willard again. It was like visiting old friends after years of absence. And now I consider Gary, Fawna and Alice friends, too, and hope to meet them again in another book.
Jamie’s books stimulate the interest of the reader in the personalities and quirks of fellow humans. She can make a character reading a National Geographic magazine seem fascinating. I could also identify with the inner thoughts of the characters because they were so well expressed. And at the risk of giving away a spoiler, I was truly sad with Eldeen’s death. I was looking forward to seeing her in another book.
Although her books don’t beat the reader over the head with a Bible, the message of salvation and faith is quietly present as the characters make their way to God. The love that they show to each other, and their families is a testament to their faith. These elements make reading her books an uplifting experience that many readers would enjoy. I enthusiastically recommend this book and her former ones as well.
This book is one of the few on my blog that I haven’t received in return for an honest review. Jamie Langston Turner is one of my favorite authors and I just had to purchase this book and include it on my blog.
True to form, this book moves at a leisurely pace so that the reader becomes very invested in the lives of each of the characters. Gary, Fawna, and Alice are bound together by a near tragedy and despite going their separate ways, they maintain a friendship in which they each grow and develop as people.
Jamie has developed a wonderful cast of characters in her many novels and I was pleased to meet Eldeen, Jewel and Willard again. It was like visiting old friends after years of absence. And now I consider Gary, Fawna and Alice friends, too, and hope to meet them again in another book.
Jamie’s books stimulate the interest of the reader in the personalities and quirks of fellow humans. She can make a character reading a National Geographic magazine seem fascinating. I could also identify with the inner thoughts of the characters because they were so well expressed. And at the risk of giving away a spoiler, I was truly sad with Eldeen’s death. I was looking forward to seeing her in another book.
Although her books don’t beat the reader over the head with a Bible, the message of salvation and faith is quietly present as the characters make their way to God. The love that they show to each other, and their families is a testament to their faith. These elements make reading her books an uplifting experience that many readers would enjoy. I enthusiastically recommend this book and her former ones as well.
April 3, 2024
“The makings of a drama–that’s what you’ve got whenever people are gathered in the same place at the same time.” A widower, a grandmother, and a waitress get hijacked in a diner. Fawna, Alice and Gary are an example of trauma bonding, connected through a shared experience of survival. “Amazing to think…how a single tenuous moment in time can hold either life or death, also how it can jerk a person to her senses.”
“A mixture of contradictions and shifting emotions, this way on the outside, that way on the inside,” vicenarian Fawna Brook Inman (FBI), quinquagenarian Gary (Golden Bachelor vibes) and septuagenarian Alice (kindred spirit) have not chosen one another, but have been chosen for one another.
While I adored all of the characters, my favorite was the never present Carmen! Carmen “claimed to hate sin more than anything else and kept a Bible in her pocket. And seemed to believe it, too…Carmen squeezed her eyes shut and said, ‘I feel God telling me you’re headed his way. I’m going to pray that you hurry up and get to him so we can see each other again someday…Up there, I mean. And don’t say it’s impossible. No matter what’s happened in your life, God can always turn it around…it’s never too late to change.’”
Jamie Langston Turner’s Every Ocean Has a Shore is a reminder that He is our only hope in the maelstrom of this dark and broken world.
“A mixture of contradictions and shifting emotions, this way on the outside, that way on the inside,” vicenarian Fawna Brook Inman (FBI), quinquagenarian Gary (Golden Bachelor vibes) and septuagenarian Alice (kindred spirit) have not chosen one another, but have been chosen for one another.
While I adored all of the characters, my favorite was the never present Carmen! Carmen “claimed to hate sin more than anything else and kept a Bible in her pocket. And seemed to believe it, too…Carmen squeezed her eyes shut and said, ‘I feel God telling me you’re headed his way. I’m going to pray that you hurry up and get to him so we can see each other again someday…Up there, I mean. And don’t say it’s impossible. No matter what’s happened in your life, God can always turn it around…it’s never too late to change.’”
Jamie Langston Turner’s Every Ocean Has a Shore is a reminder that He is our only hope in the maelstrom of this dark and broken world.
May 2, 2023
I have been waiting many years for a new book from my favorite author, and this one does not disappoint! I do not read her books quickly, and I'm always disappointed when they come to an end because I have made new friends that I wish to know better. I'm happy to see old friends from very early books here - especially Eldeen, who took a long time to learn to love because I needed to get past her many eccentricities to appreciate her generous heart. Kelly Kovatch makes an appearance. She became one of my favorites from Sometimes a Light Surprises, especially with her realization that God has a specific plan for her life. In this book we get to see a little bit of that plan.
After reading, I am convinced that three people that share a moment of drama can form a connection that lasts. And I'm thankful to learn my own lessons from their journey that is leading them to God. I know that the author gets to choose when the story ends, but I sure want to know more about Ian and what he grows up to be! I want to know if Fawna ends up with Maynard. Mostly, though, I want to know if Jamie will be writing another novel again!
After reading, I am convinced that three people that share a moment of drama can form a connection that lasts. And I'm thankful to learn my own lessons from their journey that is leading them to God. I know that the author gets to choose when the story ends, but I sure want to know more about Ian and what he grows up to be! I want to know if Fawna ends up with Maynard. Mostly, though, I want to know if Jamie will be writing another novel again!
July 6, 2023
Three unrelated people are bonded together after an attempted robbery in a small Chicago diner.
Alice, age 73, flew in from South Carolina to retrieve the grandson she didn't know her estranged daughter left behind. They stopped for lunch at the diner just before the gunman came in.
Gary is the middle-aged owner of the diner, a quiet man whose wife recently died.
Fawna is a college dropout with a birthmark on her cheek and a penchant for saying weird things.
The point of view shifts between these three as they keep in touch after going their separate ways.
Jamie's novels are character-drive rather than plot-driven. In fact, the plot is a little slow in places. But I enjoyed learning more about each character.
Fans of Jamie's earlier novels will enjoy glimpses of many characters from her earlier books, but new readers can enjoy the book just as well.
Alice, age 73, flew in from South Carolina to retrieve the grandson she didn't know her estranged daughter left behind. They stopped for lunch at the diner just before the gunman came in.
Gary is the middle-aged owner of the diner, a quiet man whose wife recently died.
Fawna is a college dropout with a birthmark on her cheek and a penchant for saying weird things.
The point of view shifts between these three as they keep in touch after going their separate ways.
Jamie's novels are character-drive rather than plot-driven. In fact, the plot is a little slow in places. But I enjoyed learning more about each character.
Fans of Jamie's earlier novels will enjoy glimpses of many characters from her earlier books, but new readers can enjoy the book just as well.
January 17, 2024
I buy every single book Jamie has ever written. My favorite character is always Eldeen. I just can’t figure out why some of the other characters find her to be annoying.
I will not spoil the ending of this book but my curiosity is piqued if there will be another book, maybe continuing on with Joe Leonard and Kelly and more with Alice and Liam? Also Sharon ( Gary’s sister) seems to be of the same nature as Eldeen, so maybe some more about them? Whatever Jamie chooses I will be the first to delight in her words of creation. It’s always like saying a goodbye to a dear friend when I finish her books.
I’m trying to read one now by Sara Brunsvold that doesn’t even hold a candle to Jamie’s literature. I am probably fixing to ditch it as it’s not interesting to say the least.
I will not spoil the ending of this book but my curiosity is piqued if there will be another book, maybe continuing on with Joe Leonard and Kelly and more with Alice and Liam? Also Sharon ( Gary’s sister) seems to be of the same nature as Eldeen, so maybe some more about them? Whatever Jamie chooses I will be the first to delight in her words of creation. It’s always like saying a goodbye to a dear friend when I finish her books.
I’m trying to read one now by Sara Brunsvold that doesn’t even hold a candle to Jamie’s literature. I am probably fixing to ditch it as it’s not interesting to say the least.
February 1, 2024
I love this author's books. I've read them all and started reading them in the late 1990s.
I find myself connecting with things that happen to the characters, their attitudes and experiences. She wrote the book (I think) during the pandemic. It was funny to read what the characters were thinking about 2020, knowing what did happen.
She writes with such depth. The characters truly come alive. The author is a believer in Christ but she does not ram that down your throat. I love the way she used C. S. Lewis in the story. I also appreciated that Alice, Fawna and Gary wrote actual letters to each other.
Great beginning! She really pulled us in within pages! I think Eldeen was my favorite character or maybe little Ian.
I find myself connecting with things that happen to the characters, their attitudes and experiences. She wrote the book (I think) during the pandemic. It was funny to read what the characters were thinking about 2020, knowing what did happen.
She writes with such depth. The characters truly come alive. The author is a believer in Christ but she does not ram that down your throat. I love the way she used C. S. Lewis in the story. I also appreciated that Alice, Fawna and Gary wrote actual letters to each other.
Great beginning! She really pulled us in within pages! I think Eldeen was my favorite character or maybe little Ian.
September 7, 2023
3.5
Eldeen from Suncatchers shows up as does Margaret from my favorite book by this author Some Wildflower in My Heart—(just mentioned at the very end).
This story follows 3 “random” people who share an encounter at a deli one day. Gary is a recent middle aged widower, Fawna is a wandering twenty something and Alice just found out her estranged daughter had a child, now age five, whose parents have both died.
Each of the three moves on from that day and discovers new friends, come to terms with their past painful lives and have hope for tomorrow through newly found faith. They keep in touch through letters.
Eldeen from Suncatchers shows up as does Margaret from my favorite book by this author Some Wildflower in My Heart—(just mentioned at the very end).
This story follows 3 “random” people who share an encounter at a deli one day. Gary is a recent middle aged widower, Fawna is a wandering twenty something and Alice just found out her estranged daughter had a child, now age five, whose parents have both died.
Each of the three moves on from that day and discovers new friends, come to terms with their past painful lives and have hope for tomorrow through newly found faith. They keep in touch through letters.
June 20, 2024
3.5 stars
Beautifully written but….
This one took me a while to get into. Mrs. Turner likes to create quirky characters, and it took a long time for them to become endearing. Also I was astounded by the number of people mentioned who died in this book. Not main characters, but pretty much every character in this book was grieving the tragic loss of someone. It felt borderline ridiculous at one point (no spoilers, but when Fawna is describing someone’s death) . However, I have to consider that maybe that’s how it feels when you have lived to be in your 70s, and I will one day learn.
Beautifully written but….
This one took me a while to get into. Mrs. Turner likes to create quirky characters, and it took a long time for them to become endearing. Also I was astounded by the number of people mentioned who died in this book. Not main characters, but pretty much every character in this book was grieving the tragic loss of someone. It felt borderline ridiculous at one point (no spoilers, but when Fawna is describing someone’s death) . However, I have to consider that maybe that’s how it feels when you have lived to be in your 70s, and I will one day learn.
July 20, 2023
I had been waiting (im)patiently for another novel from Jamie Langston Turner. I was so excited when I heard about her newest book and ordered it immediately. It didn't disappoint! It was full of the detail I love in her stories. The characters were wonderful and I enjoyed seeing how their lives intersected in amazing ways. It was fun to see characters from her other novels (and sad that one of them will not be able to appear in future books). Loved adding this book to my collection.
January 20, 2024
Jamie is a master storyteller. I’ve read all of her books and this one didn’t disappoint. Three people meet during an attempted robbery and the story follows their lives and their continued interaction with each other. One of my favorite things is how Jamie shows the everyday witnessing that is done by the Jesus loving people in her books and how it matters and slowly changes the lives of the people they interact with.
May 21, 2023
I am so thankful that she has written another book. Although it has moments where it feels a tad slow, ultimately, it ends up being another example of a deep dive into the lives of her multi-faceted characters. It will make you think about the nature of people and relationships and God with all their complexity. I cannot recommend her highly enough!
June 2, 2024
In our family, when there's a new Jamie Turner book, we all give it to each other as gifts. And this one was no exception. I just finished it, and greatly enjoyed it. I love that she brings in characters from other novels, and weaves them into the story. A character driven book that makes you feel like you know them personally by the time you are finished.
June 2, 2023
It's been awhile since Mrs. Turner last published a book, but I'm so glad she finally did! I have loved the stories of Alice, Fawna, and Gary as well as Ian. And I love how it ties in with characters from her other books.
September 26, 2023
Three lives collide
How can a story about the every day lives of three ordinary people keeps one reading right through at one sitting? If it's written by Jamie Langston Turner it certainly can and does! This book is a good sequel to the others that she has written.
How can a story about the every day lives of three ordinary people keeps one reading right through at one sitting? If it's written by Jamie Langston Turner it certainly can and does! This book is a good sequel to the others that she has written.
February 12, 2024
from a scare at a diner
How in the world can 3 completely different peiple develop a strong bond after a scary adventure? That bond stayed strong even though they were all many miles apart. I loved seeing old friends from other books again. Well done!
How in the world can 3 completely different peiple develop a strong bond after a scary adventure? That bond stayed strong even though they were all many miles apart. I loved seeing old friends from other books again. Well done!
July 27, 2024
Jamie Langston Turner is so gifted at building characters! When I look back at the book, I realize again that there wasn't much of a "plot", but the characters are very real, and you live with them and care about what is happening in their lives.
August 22, 2023
Jamie's books always earn 5 stars.
December 12, 2023
Loved this book .Took awhile to read it but made it thru.
May 15, 2025
Jaime Langston Turner hit it out of the ball park again. She is so good at character development! And each character is so different yet believable.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews