Moonlight on the Nantahala

by Micheal Rivers

Moonlight on the Nantahala is set in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. An interesting hint of the supernatural world and domestic partner abuse is intertwined into this fictional family relationship novel. An inspirational book about true love, family, friendship and the good that comes from experiencing life as it should be. This tale of Edward Caulfield stands as a testament of the love he held in his heart for a woman he was never allowed to grow old with. Fate took Celia from Edward early in their marriage. On her deathbed Celia vowed they would be together again, not even death would separate them. In his twilight years he moves closer to town yet keeps the old home by the river that he and his beloved Celia shared. He maintains the old home as a shrine to her to cope with his grief. Betty, his strong-willed housekeeper and friend keeps the widower on his toes with her humorous criticisms. Lena, a young woman, often trespasses on the old man's property to sit by the river in deep thought. They exchange their secrets and stories eventually. Lena's emotionally abusive husband and crumbling marriage weighs heavily on Edward. He sees her like the daughter he never had and wants to protect her. Loneliness and learning to trust again forges a critically needed friendship for them. On the Nantahala River's edge under an aging oak tree could the legacy of "The Perfect Rose" forever change a troubled heart? "...I loved this tale of undying love and dedicated friendship ... evocative and extraordinary modern fiction. Trust me, once you start putting it down will be one of the hardest things you will have to do." -- Tracy Riva "...a wonderfully funny surprise ending that makes the lives of all involved just fit in a way that can do nothing but give us all a little hope for the future." -- Reviewer MoonShineArtSpot

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Fiction, Ebooks

212 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2011

About the author

BESTSELLING SUPERNATURAL THRILLER AUTHOR

I write under my real name Micheal Baugham and use the pen name of Micheal Rivers for my fiction and non-fictional tales of the paranormal. My Cherokee heritage brings me to the spiritual nature of the world around us. Thirty years of experience investigating the paranormal has brought me to the conclusion that there is another world we do not fully understand. I weave many of the experiences into each of my supernatural stories.

Travel Channel asked me to appear as a guest on Mysteries of the Outdoors, Season 2 that originally aired in July 2017.

I'm currently working on a series detailing the lives of people involved with the side of government few have the privilege to witness. First Strike, the first in the series was released in 2018 and written under my real name, Micheal Baugham.
https://www.amazon.com/First-Strike-D...

Authors that have influenced my writing are Edgar Allen Poe, Alexandre Dumas, Henry David Thoreau, W. K. Mashburn, Jr. and Don Pendleton.

My life has been well spent growing up on the inner banks of North Carolina with extensive travel. I am the lead investigator for the Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackers. The passions in my life are my wife, family, Boxer Delilah affectionately known as DeeDee, and the great outdoors. I am a USMC veteran and served during Vietnam.

Contact me to be a guest for your book club, blog, or radio/TV show at mdbaugham@yahoo.com


Visit Micheal's website http://michealrivers.com

Follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/micheal_rivers

Chat with him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MichealRiver...

Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackers https://www.facebook.com/SmokeyMtnGho...



What others are saying about Micheal's books:

"...Like Gilman, Hodgson, and Lovecraft, the richness of dialog is not lacking in Rivers's prose...Rivers does not so much stand upon the shoulders of these giants as he rubs elbows with them."
- Amy K. Marshall, Staff Reviewer, Dark River Press

"...well written, completely engrossing..." - Michael Juvinall, Horror Society


"...I couldn't put the story aside..." - Mallory Heart Reviews


"...I loved this tale of undying love and dedicated friendship ... " - Tracy Riva


“Be the host to your ghost” – quote by Micheal Rivers

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story, I just loved every second of it. This was one of the greatest love stories I have even read and it was not your typical love story. This is not a sappy kinda of love story but a love story all the same. I think you need to be a true believed in love in order to truly enjoy.

[Cheryl (Collier) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually more apt to opt for a mystery thriller but was given the opportunity to read this book at no cost. Totally unfamiliar with this author I began reading this book with little expectation other than hope for a pleasant read. I got so much more in this book which takes place on the Nantahala River in North Carolina. Because it would be too difficult to explain the book without including spoilers let me just say that I found it to be a three-tiered love story with enough emotion, beautiful descriptions of place, and quirks including a bit of the paranormal to hold my interest and suggest that others also take the time to experience it.

[Celiaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read! Not one that keeps your attention riveted to what is happening however. It took me longer to read than most....But it was sweet.d

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonlight on the Nantahala, by Michael Rivers is the story of Edward Caulfield and three women who have been very important in his life. His love for his wife, Celia, whom he lost after a few short years together, lasted his whole life. There was never another for him and he lived out his life in remembrance of her.

Now as he is in the twilight of his life, he meets a young woman, Lena, who has has seen off and on for the last several years walking on his property. They strike up a tentative friendship that develops over time. While Edward senses something troubling the Lena, he is content to just sit and talk, until he sees that maybe he can offer her something that she obviously doesn't have, security in a relationship where she is free to reveal her troubles. Their conversations reveal Edward's life story and Lena's struggles in dealing with her controlling mother, absent father and abusive husband.

Betty is Edward's housekeeper and friend of many years. She is sassy and not afraid to tell Edward like it is. Edward is grateful for her companionship and for being there when he has needed her. In return for her staying with him all these many years, he has taken care of financially and given her a home after the loss of her husband.

While I was somewhat apprehensive about reading another book outside of my usual comfort zone, I was instantly drawn to the characters and the idea that friendship and love has no boundary, least of all age, gender or death. I understand why Edward is drawn to Lena because he sees so much of Celia in her. Lena, on the other hand is troubled over her family and husband and doesn't know what to do about her life. I love the fact that Lena becomes stronger and more in control the longer she spends time and talks with Edward.

Love comes in many different forms. Edward loved Celia, but also showed his love for Lena just by being there for her during her time of need. And Betty, she showed her love for Edward by taking care of him during his golden years and looking out for him as he forged his friendship with Lena. And Celia, while gone for many, many years, showed her loved for all three by making herself known at many crucial moments in the story. She was as real as you could possibly imagine.

Each has lost something from their lives, yet they've gained something far greater than any could ever imagine - love and friendship, transcending all else, and standing the test of time.

While this book can be read in an afternoon, I found the characters to be real and believable, and the story compelling enough to want to read it again and take a bit more time to absorb all the nuances of feelings that leaped from the pages. Find a quiet place to read this and if it happens to be on a rainy Saturday afternoon, then you won't be disappointed.

[Moon Shine Art Spot ~ Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thought about Moonlight on the Nantahala by Michael Rivers for a few days, and I know I can not offer a review good enough to do this beautiful, heart warming, hilarious story justice. The characters feel so real and alive, and the friends are so genuinely good and true to each other. The story is about true love, family, & friendship and the good that comes from experiencing life as it should be.

The story begins with Edward who walks to his old house place daily to revisit memories of his younger, happy, yet short life with his deceased wife Celia. Edward has observed Lena for a few years, walking along the river on his property where his beloved Celia used to walk. Once Edward and Lena meet, despite the many years that separate them in age, they become close friends comparable to father and daughter. Edward senses Lena’s troubles instantly, but being the wise man he is, lets her story unfold slowly as Lena becomes comfortable telling it.

The vivid descriptions of the beautiful scenery make you feel as if you are sitting on the grass watching Lena and Edward talk. During their talks, Edward’s story of his undying love for his late wife Celia unfolds as Edward relives memories he and Celia shared during the 3 short years they were married. Lena’s story of a horrible marriage to a horrible man and her emotionally unsupportive family is then revealed to Edward. Lena feels she has nobody to turn to and has no way out of her current situation. Edward is determined to help Lena without interfering in her life. A bit of supernatural must intervene (as well as an occasional appearance by Celia) to make this story a true winner.

Edward and Betty, his strong willed house keeper and long time friend, add many laughs to the story along the way with their good humored teasing and wise remarks to each other. Edward, Betty, Lena, and Celia become what a true family should be. Yes, even Celia has her part to play in this story that brings together lost souls that need each other, and proves love can go on forever. The story has a wonderfully funny surprise ending that makes the lives of all involved just fit in a way that can do nothing but give us all a little hope for the future.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes Edward a while to get to sleep at night and a long time to get his body to co-operate with itself to get out of bed in the mornings. With help of a cane and his live-in companion/caregiver Betty, he manages to get through his daily activities. One of his favorite activities is walking to the home by the river he and his late wife, Celia had shared. There he will sit under his tree and think back on the happy life he had shared with his wife. She visits him sometimes and talks with him but he is not allowed to see her.

Then he started seeing a young woman sitting by the river at the same spot his wife use to like to sit. Her name was Lena and Edward could tell she had troubles. After some time of just seeing each other in passing Lena decided to stop and say hello to Edward. He and Celia had never had children. Lena reminded him of the child he a Lena never had. He wanted to help her with what ever was torturing her soul. So they met and talked for long hours at a time. He telling her of his life and her telling him of hers.

This is a sweet but sad story. It made me laugh and cry. The author brought these two people from, totally different worlds, together at a time in their lives when they needed someone to share their secrets and their pain. But is it really what it appears to be? I feel in love with the character Edward he reminded me of my grandfather. It is surprising how sharp some minds can be when the person is in their 90s. The author created a beautiful story about Edward, as the author said, in the autumn of his life.

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5

Disclosure:
I was given a copy of this book from the author for review via Smashwords. I was in no way compensated for this review.

[Kathleen Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonlight is a book that draws you into a beautiful sanctuary, snuggled up against the Nantahala River. Close enough to hear the waterfalls. You will relax as you settle into the slow pace of life in this scenic mountainside haven. You might take a short walk to the falls- if you dare. The spirits will tell you things you may not want to hear.
Edward will bring you back to simpler times, simple joy. Although he carries a deep loss in his heart, he lives his life lovingly with those he encounters. But his greatest love is one that has transcended death. His beloved wife, Cecelia, is gone, but her spirit remains. She is alive in the house that was built with love and has been unchanged since she died- so long ago.
Fate brings about an unexpected friendship between the elderly Edward and the young, troubled Lena. Their relationship shows us the value of friendship and how one person can change your life. Everything seems to happen for a reason.
Destiny.
It’s what keeps Edward clinging to life, even though he feels the draw to join his beloved wife. He will not leave until he is sure that Lena will be safe and happy.
And when the time is right, and Edward joins his beloved Cecilia, he leaves a legacy of love. Friendship is precious and if your heart is open, the universe brings people together to fill emptiness and make their lives complete.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Moonlight' is a story of love found, love lost, old friendships, new friendships. Edward Caulfield is from the "old days"... you know when times were tough but were also simpler. Life is passing him by and his long time friends are passing away. Mentally he is ready to be with his beloved Cecilia once again but his old body just doesn't seem to be ready for the grave just yet. He has seen many changes in his little town over the years but the one thing that hasn't changed is the house he built as a surprise for Cecilia before they were married. Edward has kept it just the way it was when she passed away. Spending his days walking to the old house to sit under the old Oak tree he meets Lena, a young woman with troubles of her own. Quickly becoming fast friends, Lena becomes the daughter he never had and they both end up gaining something from each other that they were lacking, despite the age difference.

Micheal Rivers has done an excellent job with 'Moonlight'. His descriptions are so wonderful, making you feel like you are right there in the story. I love the feeling of nostalgia for those simpler times he recreates. The characters are well developed. With just a touch of paranormal, Moonlight on the Nantahala is highly recommended!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEYOND TRUE LOVE

The first novel I read by Micheal Rivers was The Black Witch, a very fast paced book. Mr. Rivers told me to expect a much slower pace when reading this one. I have been reading one fast paced book after another and it was so nice to read this one where I could relax and enjoy the characters and Mr. Rivers’ beautiful style of writing.

Edward Caulfield truly did live his life as a shrine to his deceased wife, Celia. I especially liked Edward’s live-in companion/caregiver, Betty. The way he liked to tease her was humorous. Betty cared about Edward very much and at times she seemed to know more about him than he knew about himself.

Although Edward wanted to die and join Celia, he continued to be a caring man. He becomes friends with a younger woman, Lena and the stories they shared were both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Lena was very troubled and thankful to have Edward to talk to.

This story proved to me Mr. Rivers can write a love story and does it well.

I love ghost stories; therefore the paranormal element of this novel was especially pleasing.

I highly recommend you read this story that goes beyond true love.

Rebecca Scarberry with The Kindle Book Review

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction: As a rule, I don't read paranormal books. As with any rule, there are a few exceptions. This is one of them. If you are looking for something that will scare the pants off of you, this one isn't it. This book is more of a gentle paranormal romance with a touch of intrigue.

Story line as I see it: The main character, Edward, is an elder gentleman, who we initially see pining for the love of his life, wife, and all around best friend. We soon discover, she is an ethereal being that he can no longer see. Enter Lena, a much younger woman, who captivates Edward's thoughts. At first, he wonders why she visits his property year after year without so much as 'by your leave'. A short time later, the two meet and become instant friends. Soon Edward and Lena share their stories and their secrets.

Review: I think Mr. Rivers does an excellent job of revealing the characters stories while interspersing some whimsical moments. The relationship among them is highly believable. The paranormal elements are very subtly done. The characters are so well done that you feel as though you’d know them if you met them on the street.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delight! The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was that at 200 pages, it seemed as if it could have been "fleshed out" a bit more. That said, there's very little else I would criticize about this lovely little delight. The main characters all have some great sadness in their lives but they are not victims. They still have a determination to make life a positive experience not only for themselves but also for those about whom they care deeply. Almost immediately, I felt as if I personally knew the characters and also felt transported to the beautiful Eastern mountains where the story took place. This was a free download that turned out to be worth much more than the "price." I will look for more stories penned by this author as I enjoyed this one immensely.

[Lora Cumbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new favorite author!

This is a very emotional story of an elderly man's memories of the love of his life, who died unexpectedly just 3 years into their marriage. The author does a beautiful job of capturing the emotions involved in aging and experiencing the loss of others through the process.

Edward lives in his long-gone wife's memory, with the home they shared existing as a shrine to her. The main characters are Betty, his devoted housekeeper and caretaker, and his new friend, Lena, who is a troubled young woman who frequently visits the beautiful property where Edward's house is located.

The story had me laughing at times, and crying at others.

I will be reading others by Michael Rivers.

I felt the story is appropriate for all my teenagers.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

How sad I was to turn the last page on this sumptious tale of mysticism and enduring bonds set amidst the mountain beauty of the Carolinas. Rivers draws the reader into the unforgettable life of Edward Cauldfield, who dwells on the cusp of a life here and now, and a life beyond. Edward is so authentically created, a character who touches the lives of all around him, he will stay with you long after the last sunset on the Nantahala. I look forward to more from this author!

[Robert Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I'm a guy, which means my reading is normally limited to paranormal, fantasy and the like, but from the opening paragraph of the prologue, this story had me hooked. It was filled with normal, forgettable characters, but Edward is an honorable & loyal character I will not soon forget. I say again... Wow.

[Tina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Reading This 5 Years Later For The 2nd Time Around

Within a couple of days of starting this, barely past 10% of it read, I added an updated note to my GoodReads progress notes:
"It would appear that 5 years ago, I marked this book as read, & gave it 5 stars.
I have no recollection of reading this whatsoever, & I’ve taken down the rating for now. I wish it were possible, on GoodReads, to rate a book each time you read it. So much can change in a person’s reading experience, especially in a 5 year span of time…

For the majority of us, our maturity changes drastically over time; our intelligence, our sense of what affects us and how, either through motivation, enthusiasm, stimulates our mind, what can arouse us, cause us intense fear, what humors us, what we find entertaining, and that’s just to name a few.

I realized, I was already beginning to see why I rated this so highly back then. By the end, I had fallen back in love with the story and characters.

There’s a good solid message in this, and it doesn’t sugarcoat the ugliness that can and does exist in humanity. More importantly though, it also allows the "goodness" of "humanity" to shine through as well.

This book can teach us many valuable lessons about who we surround ourselves with, regardless of our circumstances, beliefs, upbringing, and even age.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for something different, especially those emlike myself.

[Tracy Riva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonlight on the Nantahala
by Michael Rivers
ISBN-13: 978-1466345980, softcover $11.95: Kindle ASIN B005MLXUP4, $2.99

Michael Rivers does an extraordinary job with his modern fiction Moonlight on the Nantahala. It is evocative and it captures so thoroughly the spirit of this part of the Appalachians that I found it easy to picture the setting the around me. I may have an advantage some readers don’t have; I am from outside of Asheville and so the areas Rivers speaks of are in my proverbial expanded back yard. In fact, this is part of what drew me to the book, but it was the storyline that made me stay.

Edward is elderly man, still very independent and living on his own with the help of a live-in housekeeper. He lives in a bungalow in town, but walks every day to the house he once shared with his wife Celia on the banks of the Nantahala. One day there is a young woman along the banks. For a time, three years in fact, she and Edward share the space along the bank, each in their own little area, until one day she finds out the property belongs to Edward, and belatedly asks his permission to be on his land.

Over time Lena, Edward and Edward’s housekeeper, and friend, Betty Curtis all begin a wonderful friendship, which includes in a strange fourth, Celia, Edward’s long departed wife who he mourns every day and who occupies a place of honor in his daily conversation. The love Edward felt, and still feels for his beloved wife comes across clearly on the page as does his respect and affection for his housekeeper Betty. Also, the relationship between Edward and Lena grows and he sees her like the daughter he and Celia never had.

Lena is married to a philandering no-good man who could care less about her. He is more interested in the power she brings him through her family and the way she looks on his arm. To him it is all about control, control of Lena, control of the family business and unquestioning loyalty, even in the face of dire circumstances, from those around him. Needless to say, his actions hurt Lena and that hurts Edward who has a desire to shelter and protect her from the cruelty of the world, especially when that cruelty comes in the form of her husband.

I loved everything about this story. The characters are interesting and are typical of small towns. They may seem stereotypical to some, but most of the people, especially of the older generation and the generation behind them all know each other, and who is sick, who needs help, and how to reach out to their neighbors in love and friendship. It is a dying tradition, but it is still alive here and there in small communities throughout the area, and it made me want to go searching for the real town Rivers based his fictional town on, even though I live in a relatively small town myself.

Edward is not what most of us picture when thinking of an elderly person, walking four miles a day, round trip to go to his old house and sit on the bank of the Nantahala River. He longs for a glimpse of Celia, whose ghost others have seen, but it is not to be for Edward. Instead of a view of his deceased wife’s ghost, he finds a warm friendship that adds to the lives of all who are part of it. I highly recommend this work of modern literature. It is well worth the time it takes to read it and it is not overly long. It can be read in three or four short sittings, or two long ones. Trust me, once you start putting it down will be one of the harder things you will have to do.

[J.T. Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

The magic and power of great writers is their ability to draw the reader into their imagined world by making the reading experience seamless. Yes, if we stop to consider, we know the creation is not real, but a good writer makes the whole thing hyper-real. However, not everyone can be a great writer, but even a good writer draws us out from ourselves for a while. Unfortunately, Micheal Rivers is not a great, nor even a good, writer.

I am reluctant to write a poor review for a fellow writer, for I know how long and hard the job is to write and craft a novel, but in this instance I am confused. I found Moonlight on the Nantahala so awkward, so stilted, and in places so difficult to read that I looked it up on Amazon to discover what others thought. This confused as it has received a large number of 5 star reviews (as well as a number of 1 star which appear to agree with my opinion). The general consensus was this was a great book, which confused me even more.

Moonlight on the Nantahala is the story of Edward, an octogenarian who lost his true love many years ago. The tale involves him meeting and befriending a troubled young woman, Lena. There are major elements of a ghost story threaded through the novel. In the story it takes Edward three years before he speaks to Lena, who has been sitting at the bottom of the garden to his old house all that time. When he does speak, for me, things get even worse.

Starting the book, I was intrigued and attracted by the first page. The writing was clean and drew me in, but things went downhill from there.

The dialogue is hard to read, as no-one is able to just say something, they always have to laugh heartily or whisper quietly. And this happens not on the odd occasion, but pretty much every single dialogue point.

And then there are the switches in point of view. Early on in the book this begins to stand out. In one paragraph we are inside Edward’s head, the next inside Lena’s, and the next inside that of his housekeeper, Betty. In some paragraphs the viewpoint is switched from sentence to sentence. I found myself constantly interrupted trying to work out who I was seeing this world from.

I’m confused by this book, and reluctant to post what is a negative review, but feel I need to express my true feelings after reading it. Strangely, in parts, the writing is very good. Micheal Rivers can be excellent at setting and descriptions, can be concise and relevant, but then the swirling head-switching distracts from what is being built.

I see on Amazon the book claims a high selling rank. However, when I look at the Product Details I see it is classified as #72 in Kindle Store  > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Advice & How-to > Parenting & Families > Aging Parents > Aging. The book is neither Nonfiction nor about Aging Parents. I will concede it is about Aging.

So I have a dilemma. I really disliked this book. I can see it has some redeeming features, hence the 2 stars and not 1. However, in light of other reviews, I am willing to concede I may be simply missing something here. But this is my review and not that of anyone else, so I can only offer my honest opinion. Sorry.

[Rolando Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lush forests surrounding the Nantahala River in North Carolina serve as the backdrop for this sweet and multifaceted tale. This book is many things. It is a ghost story, a romance, a tale of friendship, an examination of the ways in which we deal with adversity, a chronicle of how the world you know slowly disappears with the passage of time, and a celebration of the things that never change (and should never change).

I loved the complexity of the character of Edward Caulfield. Sitting on the porch of his home, Edward is often swept away by whirlwinds of memories that take him back to happier times. He has many things to think about, and one of them is why he is the only one who cannot see the Lady of Nantahala; the specter of a woman waltzing alone over the dark waters of the river under the moonlight. Edward in his old age is assisted by his trusty house help Betty, who is quick with her wit and doesn't think twice about speaking her mind. They have a relationship where both support each other, but Edward’s and Betty’s world is changed when Lena, a young woman with a troubled life, walks into their midst.

There are other things I liked about the book such as the way the author presents the wisdom of both a people and a generation through the comments and thoughts of Edward, and the superb descriptions of the landscape both natural and man-made. The only thing I didn't like was the villain who was a bit too perfect for my taste. But this detail did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. The heart and soul of the narrative is the interaction between Edward and Lena and how it affects each other, because ultimately Moonlight on the Nantahala is a story about finding the perfect rose, but you are going to have to read the book to figure that one out!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonlight on the Nantahala follows a wise old widower in his waning years as he befriends a lonely young woman by the Nantahala river. Edward has moved out of the house he built for his wife, but love and memories draw him back and lead him to ponder how much we lose when we seek convenience. Michael Rivers’ novel lets the reader listen in on thoughts and conversations, watching the play of light on water, the touch of love in an unseen hand placing chair and meal in just the right location, the sharp conversation of old friends (so much like my beloved Gran and Granddad arguing), and the gradual change in the weather, as slow as the aging of Edward’s old bones.

Sentences are long and languid, old-fashioned and curiously formed. Love wears many guises, from Edward’s fierce determination to let nothing change, to Lena’s wounded recognition of a marriage gone wrong. Edward’s not afraid to express his opinions, of people, politics, housebuilding and more. Betty’s not afraid to care for him and boss him around. Meanwhile Lena slowly learns to confide in him.

The exchange of confidences between Edward and Lena is nicely done, a short happy marriage contrasting fiercely with a miserably haunted one. Slowly Edward learns to delight in what he’s lost, while Lena learns how to lose what she never possessed. The house is redeemed. The husband is worn down. And love wins.

I found this a slow read, comfortable but occasionally frustrating, best enjoyed on a long and lazy summer’s day.



Disclosure: I enjoyed other people’s reviews of this book and decided to get it as soon as it was offered free.

[Kerry Reis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Caulfield lost his love and soulmate, Celia, early in his life; however, he is sure that the womanly spirit that many have seen over the Nantahala River next to their house is Celia, looking over him from the beyond. As he has aged into his eighties, he has moved into a bungalow in town near his doctor and hired a housekeeper to take care of it and him, but he has kept the original house as somewhat of a memorial to Celia which he visits regularly. When a young woman, Lena, begins to spend time meditating on the yard of the old house, looking out over the river, and finally decides to strike up a conversation with Edward, the budding friendship reenergizes Edward, and he begins to look upon her as the daughter he never had. The woman, Lena, has lived a life of privileged dysfunctionality that is falling apart around her, but her discussions with Edward becomes the inspiration and path out of the social prison she has found herself in. Although this is not a Christmas story, having read this a week before Christmas, I found this wonderfully inspiring, romantic, and well-written novel touching nearly all of the holiday themes of love, giving and redemption. My one reservation in the story was the subtle, yet unnecessary act of vengeful witchcraft that pushed the paranormal element from plausible to fantasy. However, it did not detract from the tone of the tale and will be acceptable to many readers.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book to give an honest review.



This was actually a really good read. It did take me a while to get into it, as it seemed to start of really slow. But as the story progressed so did me getting into it. I am going to give this book 4 1/2 stars.

This story was very heartwarming, the characters were funny and well-written, the storyline even though it started off slow it was well-written and came together perfectly.

With that being said. Edward Caulfield is an elderly man who had this misfortune of losing his wife too soon. He has loved her more than anything and has kept their home even though he does not live there.

He then meets a young woman and they both share their stories of love and heartache, and they become good friends. Along the way they will share heart ache, laughter, and the most important thing friendship. Edward sees Lena as a daughter that he and Celia never had a chance to have.



The ending was just perfect for this story and really went well with the whole story overall. I will be keeping my eye on more from this author.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was more of a tender reminiscence, but the second half of the book really was what caught my attention and hooked me. Edward Caulfield is a special man, the likes of which are hard to find. His wife, who died years ago was the love of his life and his memories of her are cherished and beautiful. When Lena enters Edward's life she is a breath of fresh air and becomes his close friend. Lena has her own memories but hers are the opposite of Edwards's. She is still married and her husband is not the best person to know. As Lena deals with her husband and spends more and more time with Edward the two become like father and daughter. The end of this book was fun as Lena and Edward find ways to deal with Lena's husband and it is that second half which earned this book a five star. readers, give this a chance and read it clear through to know the whole story.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonlight on the Nantahala
by Micheal Rivers


I have to confess: this book was really difficult for me, not because of the book itself but because I read it around the first anniversary of the death of my nephew, and all those emotions, Edward’s loss of his wife – our family’s loss of a delightful young boy – became intertwined. It made it hard for me to separate the story from my own head, at times.

That said, Rivers has created a really lovely mood with Moonlight on the Nanatahala, and the slower pace of a simpler time really brings the reader into his space. The story was compelling, and not so much sad as poignant, and ending on a hopeful note. The level of detail was amazing, and the characters all seemed three dimensional.

Lovely work, well crafted, and I want to see more from this author.

Goes well with a mug of herbal tea and a perfect sunset.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delight! The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was that at 200 pages, it seemed as if it could have been "fleshed out" a bit more. That said, there's very little else I would criticize about this lovely little delight. The main characters all have some great sadness in their lives but they are not victims. They still have a determination to make life a positive experience not only for themselves but also for those about whom they care deeply. Almost immediately, I felt as if I personally knew the characters and also felt transported to the beautiful Eastern mountains where the story took place. This was a free download that turned out to be worth much more than the "price." I will look for more stories penned by this author as I enjoyed this one immensely.

[James Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonlight on the Nantahala is a sweet experience to undertake and I am glad that I took it. This should please fans of both romance and paranormal genres because it has elements of both. I wasn't sure how they fit, but Rivers does a very good job of weaving them together.
As a reader of horror and thrillers, I love to go outside of those aisles every once in a while to have something pull on my heartstrings. Moonlight was perfect in that regard because it does exactly that. The story of Edward and his beloved Celia was magic, as was his budding relationship with Lena - the troubled young woman that Edward befriends.
I wasn't sure where we were going with revenge elements in the storyline, but overall the ride was so worthwhile that I think you'll enjoy your time on the Nantahala.

[OrchardBookClub · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of Edward who lost his true love Celia many years ago.

Edward befriends a troubled young woman called Lena and after years of Lena sitting at the bottom of the garden to his old house they eventually speak and by eventually I mean 3 years!

The story is sweet, it’s about true love, friendship and family but I found the characters were slightly boring. Also I found the paranormal thread a little weak.

Other reviews have given this book more stars and I am willing to say I may be missing something within the book but this is my review so I can only offer my honest opinion.
All I can say it read it for yourself as we all read a different story in each book.

~Rachel~

[Mary]

Edward Caulfield was not a simple man. Losing his wife early in their marriage he continued to live his life as a shrine to her. In his twilight years he encountered a troubled young woman. There were lessons to be learned from each other. With the spirit of his deceased wife by his side Edward Caulfield left behind a legacy in his words to ease a troubled heart.

[Pirate Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable read that includes my beloved mountains and river where I've made so many memories as the backdrop. i personally didnt need the paranormal aspects of the story and thought it would've been fine without it.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. Kind of a sweet story and the descriptive writing was very vivid. However, the characters were a little on the boring side and a bit 'unreal'. Also, I found the paranormal elements to be a little unnecessary.

[Mldgross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot understand how this book has four stars on Goodreads. I gave two stars only because there were a couple of scenes in the book that I enjoyed. Otherwise I did not like this book. I kept thinking it must get better, but this was a hard book to finish.