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Rubbing Stones
“Burkey balances her well-written storyline by combining...literary tools with plenty of twists and turns”—5 Stars, Pacific Book Review
"“What makes this beautifully written novel superb is the unique way Dr. Burkey brilliantly combines her expertise as an esteemed psychiatrist who handles some of the most difficult cases across the US and her background as a person who has had a lifelong love of traveling the world. Dr. Burkey uses that as her framework to create fascinating characters who draw you into their minds and lives and take you on a remarkable journey that you never want to end.”— Sue Breding, multiple Emmy Award winning TV news reporter
Dr. Jane O’Neil, an American psychiatry professor, books her family on a rafting trip down the Zambezi River, seeking redirection and reconnection with her troubled son. Katura Masaku, a smart but impulsive teenager in Botswana, sneaks across the border to Victoria Falls, naively confident she can rescue her wrongfully-arrested older brother. Her optimism is crushed by a corrupt police department that’s willing to punish the innocent. And Jane’s river trip ends violently with a hijacking that turns into an extended hostage situation. Zimbabwe’s political chaos, not to mention the jungle itself, puts both Jane and Katura in danger. Will they succumb to their desperation, or find the courage to make it home? Rubbing Stones is an emotionally-charged debut novel about two families from opposite corners of the world, thrown together in a place where political and personal currents are more dangerous than the Zambezi that threatens to drown them. How far will they go to save the ones they love?
"“What makes this beautifully written novel superb is the unique way Dr. Burkey brilliantly combines her expertise as an esteemed psychiatrist who handles some of the most difficult cases across the US and her background as a person who has had a lifelong love of traveling the world. Dr. Burkey uses that as her framework to create fascinating characters who draw you into their minds and lives and take you on a remarkable journey that you never want to end.”— Sue Breding, multiple Emmy Award winning TV news reporter
Dr. Jane O’Neil, an American psychiatry professor, books her family on a rafting trip down the Zambezi River, seeking redirection and reconnection with her troubled son. Katura Masaku, a smart but impulsive teenager in Botswana, sneaks across the border to Victoria Falls, naively confident she can rescue her wrongfully-arrested older brother. Her optimism is crushed by a corrupt police department that’s willing to punish the innocent. And Jane’s river trip ends violently with a hijacking that turns into an extended hostage situation. Zimbabwe’s political chaos, not to mention the jungle itself, puts both Jane and Katura in danger. Will they succumb to their desperation, or find the courage to make it home? Rubbing Stones is an emotionally-charged debut novel about two families from opposite corners of the world, thrown together in a place where political and personal currents are more dangerous than the Zambezi that threatens to drown them. How far will they go to save the ones they love?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2016
242 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Burkey
1 book29 followersAfter practicing psychiatry for many years, reading and writing fiction became the perfect escape from spending much of her time inside the minds of very real people.
Over the years, her travels have led her to Asia, South and Central America, Antarctica, Europe, and Africa, and allowed her imagination to wander into areas of adventure and mystery. Disastrous world events led her to darker thoughts about the world she loves to explore and to wonder about acts of desperation, as well as one’s ability to discover hidden courage, in the face of despair. She wrote Rubbing Stones, her debut novel, and is currently working on a second novel, a murder mystery on a psychiatric unit.
Over the years, her travels have led her to Asia, South and Central America, Antarctica, Europe, and Africa, and allowed her imagination to wander into areas of adventure and mystery. Disastrous world events led her to darker thoughts about the world she loves to explore and to wonder about acts of desperation, as well as one’s ability to discover hidden courage, in the face of despair. She wrote Rubbing Stones, her debut novel, and is currently working on a second novel, a murder mystery on a psychiatric unit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 15, 2017
This was a terrific debut novel that I found very hard to put down. Dr. Jane O'Neil a psychiatry professor in the US has been having difficulties with her teenaged son, Michael, who seems to be going off the rails a bit. Desperate to connect with her son and help him she books the family in for a trip to Africa to help at a medical clinic. The two boys, Michael and Jake, talk her into taking them on a rafting trip for a few days before they begin at the clinic. They set off to enjoy their adventure.
Meanwhile in Botswana, another family finds themselves in problems when their oldest son is falsely arrested in Zimbabwe. The younger brother and sister decide that they must go and help their brother.
These two unlikely families come together in an unpredictable way.
I will not ruin the story by giving it away here in this review. If you like adventure with a few crocodiles thrown in, you will love this book.
An excellent read.
ARC from Netgalley
Meanwhile in Botswana, another family finds themselves in problems when their oldest son is falsely arrested in Zimbabwe. The younger brother and sister decide that they must go and help their brother.
These two unlikely families come together in an unpredictable way.
I will not ruin the story by giving it away here in this review. If you like adventure with a few crocodiles thrown in, you will love this book.
An excellent read.
ARC from Netgalley
January 26, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley and For the novel Rubbing Stones by Nancy Burkey. This story is about two families from different parts of the world, coming together in unlikely events, which spiral into dangerous circumstances. A family from America, who's trying to get a grip on values for their children, as well as a family from Zimbabwe, whom a brother is in serious trouble with the law, all travel to Victoria Falls, in Botswana where their lives and missions intertwine. A very interesting read about desperation and politics in Africa, as well as family and human bonds formed in unfortunate circumstances.
December 30, 2016
I have to admit, the first few pages did not hook me. But that's because I have a short attention span. I probed because I was curious, and then BAM! Burkey had me all in! The tempered beginning, I later surmised, was simply to frame the contrast from where we were to where we were going. And where we were going was a delicious thrill ride, with relatable characters. For me to love a story, I MUST be able to relate to the characters. Nancy Burkey compels you to relate to all of them. Even the ones you don't like. That is what makes fiction real. I"m all in for whatever she writes next.
January 11, 2017
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free kindle copy. Overall an ok read. I think the characters could of been explored more.
Want to read
October 9, 2017Free on kindle today.
February 4, 2017
(Some Spoilers)
Good thrillers make readers eager to keep turning pages to see which characters are going to survive, how the good guys are going to get out of each life threatening predicament, and how all of the mysteries will reveal themselves. In Ms. Burkey’s new novel Rubbing Stones, an American psychiatrist and her family take a humanitarian trip to Botswana to give Michael, age 15, a break from the trouble he has gotten himself into. But first, so that the family can acclimate and have a bit of fun, they go on a white water river trip that leads to hostage-taking, guns, and death. One of the best parts about this novel is that the kidnappers are committing their crime for a right reason. They are trying to save a family member who has been unjustly accused of killing a police officer. What lengths should members of a family go to to save each other? The novel suggests that violence seems to beget violence and that put in a position of life and death a “good” person can and will become a murderer. In Rubbing Stones, the reader isn’t sure what each character is going to do next. And because of this uncertainty, readers will turn pages late into the night to see what will occur next.
Good thrillers make readers eager to keep turning pages to see which characters are going to survive, how the good guys are going to get out of each life threatening predicament, and how all of the mysteries will reveal themselves. In Ms. Burkey’s new novel Rubbing Stones, an American psychiatrist and her family take a humanitarian trip to Botswana to give Michael, age 15, a break from the trouble he has gotten himself into. But first, so that the family can acclimate and have a bit of fun, they go on a white water river trip that leads to hostage-taking, guns, and death. One of the best parts about this novel is that the kidnappers are committing their crime for a right reason. They are trying to save a family member who has been unjustly accused of killing a police officer. What lengths should members of a family go to to save each other? The novel suggests that violence seems to beget violence and that put in a position of life and death a “good” person can and will become a murderer. In Rubbing Stones, the reader isn’t sure what each character is going to do next. And because of this uncertainty, readers will turn pages late into the night to see what will occur next.
November 30, 2016
“Sometimes loyalty and honesty are the same. Sometimes not.”
I love it when I come across an author I have never heard of and their work blows me away. Better yet, when it’s their debut novel and I end up loving every bit of it. Nancy Burkey did just that for me.
I was in the middle of a different book when this gem appeared in my Kindle. Since I had been struggling with the other book for some days, I decided to check the first chapter of Rubbing Stones and see what it was all about. Shock on me when I found myself within the last few pages of the book. I read it all in one sitting and I have to say, she made it so easy for me. Her writing was impeccably smooth and the storyline was well thought out. The rubbing stones make an appearance at the beginning of the adventure and reappear at the end when they play a part in ending the whole ordeal thus tying everything together.
“I carry rubbing stones in my pocket.”
The story revolves around two families, one from the States and the other from Botswana. From the first chapters, it is clear that both families are facing a difficult situation. Dr. Jane O’Neil, a psychiatry professor in America, decides to take her family to Botswana with an aim to reconnect with one of her sons. But before heading there, they all agree a rafting trip down the Zambezi River would be a fun activity for all of them.
Katura and Japera are siblings from Botswana. They are in Zimbabwe to try and get their eldest brother out of prison. When they get there, they find out that the case goes deeper than they had initially imagined and it would take a lot more of their effort to get him out. They get themselves tangled in difficulties when things don’t go as they had planned.
“Are you six years old? Do you have any idea why Mom and Dad left this country? He’s got no right? Katura, we have no rights. No one around here has rights. And that guy was real clear that if we go in there acting like we’re family, we’ll never leave either.”
Their paths collide in a terrifying way when both families are in Zimbabwe and Nancy Burkey does an amazing job in bringing out the situations that drive the characters to do what they do. She does not shy away from bringing out the actions taken by people in desperate situations. They all get caught up in an unexpected adventure brought out by the arrest of one person due to political differences. The political unrest in Zimbabwe is a known fact and Nancy Burkey uses it well as a backdrop in her story.
“His right arm jerked once, maybe twice, then relaxed. Was that the way to describe a dead body? Relaxed?”
When I was done with the book, I wanted to find out more about the author as well as to see if she had any other books I would be interested in. I was extremely impressed when I found out this was her debut novel. It felt like my Homegoing experience all over again. Her background as a doctor explained why all the scenes that showed Dr. O’Neil’s expertise felt so real because of the details that went into them. All along I thought she must have shadowed a real doctor for a while not knowing she was an actual doctor. I feel like I need to add her title before her name but she is not using it in any of her platforms. (Stalker alert!)
The author clearly shows in the book how perception makes us all form different opinions. The fact that they were all from different cultures, backgrounds and upbringings made them look at certain things in a different way from each other. Michael, Dr. O’Neil’s eldest son, was sympathetic to Japera but Jake, her youngest, was not. Different things attributed to this but it was all the perspective they had. Michael having been on the wrong side of the law while trying to save someone and Jake having never experienced that.
To be honest, I did not expect it to be any good. There is this feeling many of us in African countries have about the portrayal of the situations by Westerners. Granted, I don’t know much about Zimbabwe since I am Kenyan but from the little I know I didn’t get as mad as I do when I read other publications. She made me go back to my notes on Zimbabwe and autocracy. There are so many people suffering under such power and the book served as a reminder not to only focus on Kenyan issues.
You know my policy on going in as blind as you can? It applies here. Pick it up! Take my word for it, it’s pretty good.
November 27, 2016
Although I generally avoid the suspense/action genre, Rubbing Stones by Nancy Burkey caught my attention for two reasons. First , it is a cross cultural narrative, involving a contemporary American family and a contemporary African family. Secondly, family is an important part of that narrative. Common themes of honesty, loyalty, and what it means to be part of a family emerge very quickly. After reading the opening chapters, I decided to take a chance on the genre. Rubbing Stones did not disappoint.
The story opens in Northern California with a family in crisis. From the beginning, I was quickly drawn into the narrative. The fast action of the opening chapters made me curious about this American family. Within just a few chapters, I was introduced to a likable family in Botswana but a family that was also on the edge of crisis. The action does not slow down nor did my fingers as I turned the pages. Ms Burkey does a masterful job of weaving the details together, creating a tightly constructed plot that unfolds with a variety of twists and turns. Some of these are predictable but there is enough unpredictability to keep the reader wondering. Since the story involves political unrest and hostage taking, there is a lot of action and many “how are they going to get out of this” moments but that’s what the genre is all about, right?
For me, characters are the most interesting part of any novel. Are they engaging to me? Do I care about what happens to them? In Rubbing Stones, the characters that I came to care about the most were the younger people. The teenage characters from the Botswana family are strong, attractive, and sympathetic. I had a harder time getting to know the American teenagers, especially the older brother Michael. I was, however, curious about him and wanted to see him work out the issues that were in front of him. The mother in the American family was a little less believable. I can’t imagine how a real person could be as calm and collected under crisis as this character was but, hey, it’s a novel. The least developed characters were the “bad guys”, those politically motivated hostage takers, but I knew enough to know that I wanted the characters that I cared about to get out of there safely.
In short, I recommend Rubbing Stones to anyone who is looking for a fast paced, thoughtful, and entertaining read. Five stars.
The story opens in Northern California with a family in crisis. From the beginning, I was quickly drawn into the narrative. The fast action of the opening chapters made me curious about this American family. Within just a few chapters, I was introduced to a likable family in Botswana but a family that was also on the edge of crisis. The action does not slow down nor did my fingers as I turned the pages. Ms Burkey does a masterful job of weaving the details together, creating a tightly constructed plot that unfolds with a variety of twists and turns. Some of these are predictable but there is enough unpredictability to keep the reader wondering. Since the story involves political unrest and hostage taking, there is a lot of action and many “how are they going to get out of this” moments but that’s what the genre is all about, right?
For me, characters are the most interesting part of any novel. Are they engaging to me? Do I care about what happens to them? In Rubbing Stones, the characters that I came to care about the most were the younger people. The teenage characters from the Botswana family are strong, attractive, and sympathetic. I had a harder time getting to know the American teenagers, especially the older brother Michael. I was, however, curious about him and wanted to see him work out the issues that were in front of him. The mother in the American family was a little less believable. I can’t imagine how a real person could be as calm and collected under crisis as this character was but, hey, it’s a novel. The least developed characters were the “bad guys”, those politically motivated hostage takers, but I knew enough to know that I wanted the characters that I cared about to get out of there safely.
In short, I recommend Rubbing Stones to anyone who is looking for a fast paced, thoughtful, and entertaining read. Five stars.
January 5, 2017
My Thoughts
“I carry rubbing stones in my pockets .... roll them around slowly. All your troubles will go away. It’s like you’ve got a secret and no one knows you’re worried. You can stand there calm and cool while all your fears go into those three little rocks just rolling between your fingers. It’s the power of secrets.”
An interesting short narrative surrounding a harrowing cultural experience for a contemporary American family holidaying in Africa. Family is definitely the main theme surrounding this story - what it means to be part of one with the love and commitment involved. The actions of some characters are, at times, a little unbelievable, especially given the great strain of being involved in a hostage experience, but it’s a story so you run with it.
Being a short story (less that 250 pages), meant that many characters and situations were a little underdone, lacking the necessary depth for full emergence and appreciation. For example, the plot centres around the political situation in Zimbabwe, however, not enough detail is provided to portray the tension between the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) and Robert Mugabe’s ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union). Likewise, the politically motivated hostage takers were lacking depth which was essential if we were to understand their desperation. I felt that there was not enough background information on most people and one was left with questions regarding what happened to some of the characters. I got the main gist of what the reasons were, but not in depth enough to make me feel the cause.
The story is interesting from the point of view on how people cope in a crisis - both hostages and hostage takers - how they work the situation in the camp and their schemes to find a way out. Disappointingly however, I found the conclusion not fitting to the whole premise of the story and just too much left unresolved or inconclusive for my liking.
“What happens if you change your mind? What if you realize down the road that it was just easier to lie, that it was selfish, not really in anyone’s best interest but your own?”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
“I carry rubbing stones in my pockets .... roll them around slowly. All your troubles will go away. It’s like you’ve got a secret and no one knows you’re worried. You can stand there calm and cool while all your fears go into those three little rocks just rolling between your fingers. It’s the power of secrets.”
An interesting short narrative surrounding a harrowing cultural experience for a contemporary American family holidaying in Africa. Family is definitely the main theme surrounding this story - what it means to be part of one with the love and commitment involved. The actions of some characters are, at times, a little unbelievable, especially given the great strain of being involved in a hostage experience, but it’s a story so you run with it.
Being a short story (less that 250 pages), meant that many characters and situations were a little underdone, lacking the necessary depth for full emergence and appreciation. For example, the plot centres around the political situation in Zimbabwe, however, not enough detail is provided to portray the tension between the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) and Robert Mugabe’s ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union). Likewise, the politically motivated hostage takers were lacking depth which was essential if we were to understand their desperation. I felt that there was not enough background information on most people and one was left with questions regarding what happened to some of the characters. I got the main gist of what the reasons were, but not in depth enough to make me feel the cause.
The story is interesting from the point of view on how people cope in a crisis - both hostages and hostage takers - how they work the situation in the camp and their schemes to find a way out. Disappointingly however, I found the conclusion not fitting to the whole premise of the story and just too much left unresolved or inconclusive for my liking.
“What happens if you change your mind? What if you realize down the road that it was just easier to lie, that it was selfish, not really in anyone’s best interest but your own?”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
December 31, 2016
In "Rubbing Stones," two seemingly separate stories converge, with both uplifting and tragic results. Jane is an American psychiatrist whose teenage son has gotten into trouble with the law. Meanwhile, Katura is a teenage girl from Botswana, whose older brother has also gotten into what turns out to be much more serious trouble with the law in Zimbabwe. Jane takes her family to volunteer at a clinic in Botswana as a way to expose her sons to the realities of life outside of their privileged California experience, only to find themselves held hostage in an attempt to free Katura's brother. The captives must figure out how to make it out of the situation alive, and end up gaining understanding of their captors' lives in the process.
Taking the troubled-American-family narrative and transplanting it to Africa adds another level of complexity to what could otherwise be a fairly typical story, and cutting back and forth between the two sets of characters, while occasionally chaotic, demonstrates how family dynamics are universal, regardless of race or culture. The tension ratchets up continuously as the captives make repeated plans to escape, any of which *could* work, but only one of which will. A good quick read for those looking to combine the basic elements of "women's fiction" with the travel and thriller genres.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Taking the troubled-American-family narrative and transplanting it to Africa adds another level of complexity to what could otherwise be a fairly typical story, and cutting back and forth between the two sets of characters, while occasionally chaotic, demonstrates how family dynamics are universal, regardless of race or culture. The tension ratchets up continuously as the captives make repeated plans to escape, any of which *could* work, but only one of which will. A good quick read for those looking to combine the basic elements of "women's fiction" with the travel and thriller genres.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2016
Dr. Jane O’Neil, an American psychiatry professor decides to book her family first on a rafting trip down the Zambezi river in Africa, and then on to help a colleague, Sam Mtubu who has been building a clinic in Botswana to help give back to his homeland. Jane's eldest son Michael gets into trouble and she feels this trip would be a good way for him, and his younger brother to see outside their little world of girls, soccer, friends etc. hoping that it might make Michael feel good about himself, doing for others.
Then the story is also about Katura and Japera, a brother and sister who take off from their home with their cousin Thabani, to see if they could release their brother in Zimbabwe, where he was arrested by mistake.
All of these characters end up involved in the Rafting expedition, where the clients of the trip become hostages. The story from there becomes quite interesting with a look out how they fare in the camp, who is on whose side, who can be trusted and schemes to find a way out of the situation. This part I enjoyed quite a bit.
I felt that there was not enough information on most people and one was left with what happened to some of the characters. I got the main gist of what the reasons were, but not in depth enough to make me feel the cause.
I would definitely read another book by this author.
Then the story is also about Katura and Japera, a brother and sister who take off from their home with their cousin Thabani, to see if they could release their brother in Zimbabwe, where he was arrested by mistake.
All of these characters end up involved in the Rafting expedition, where the clients of the trip become hostages. The story from there becomes quite interesting with a look out how they fare in the camp, who is on whose side, who can be trusted and schemes to find a way out of the situation. This part I enjoyed quite a bit.
I felt that there was not enough information on most people and one was left with what happened to some of the characters. I got the main gist of what the reasons were, but not in depth enough to make me feel the cause.
I would definitely read another book by this author.
November 28, 2016
Page turner. Nancy Burkey succeeds at captivating the reader in the first chapter. She manages with ease to you take on a complex and hair raising journey from California to the dusty roads of Botswana, the intrigue and danger of the Zimbabwe jungle and the river rapids of the Zambezi River.
Burkey unfolds the complex story with two strong female protagonist/heroines. Captivating characters, who are worlds, cultures and ages apart. Each on a separate mission, they soon find themselves caught up in an adventure, punctuated by arrests, hostages, political unrest, river rapids, and murder.
Nancy Burkey does not disappoint. Rubbing Stones is a strong first novel filled with several plot twists keeping the reader engaged and surprised with each turn.
I am looking forward to her next book!
Burkey unfolds the complex story with two strong female protagonist/heroines. Captivating characters, who are worlds, cultures and ages apart. Each on a separate mission, they soon find themselves caught up in an adventure, punctuated by arrests, hostages, political unrest, river rapids, and murder.
Nancy Burkey does not disappoint. Rubbing Stones is a strong first novel filled with several plot twists keeping the reader engaged and surprised with each turn.
I am looking forward to her next book!
December 1, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am always up for a new author and Nancy Burkey has achieved a spectacular first novel. With strong female characters, the journey from California to Botswana and the rafting trip down the Zambezi River is well-developed and enticing. Definitely worth reading. Recommended.
I am always up for a new author and Nancy Burkey has achieved a spectacular first novel. With strong female characters, the journey from California to Botswana and the rafting trip down the Zambezi River is well-developed and enticing. Definitely worth reading. Recommended.
January 9, 2017
Great read! The suspense drove me to finish this book quickly. Believable characters and a great setting.
Read
September 13, 2017Engaging and captivating! The story draws you in and keeps you wanting more. You would never guess this is the author's first novel. A must read.
July 7, 2017
I read a free ARC from Netgalley
Actual rating 2.5
Somewhere in the US, a teenaged boy gets enticed into trouble by his girlfriend and winds up in jail, almost hurting his younger brother in the process. Their mother, Jane, who is a psychiatry professor and married to a politician, books an African trip that will take them rafting and on to a clinic - to give her older son an opportunity to do community service and the entire family a chance to reconnect.
Somewhere in Botswana, a teenaged girl, Katura, learns that her oldest brother has also been enticed into trouble and is in jail in Zimbabwe. Together with another brother, they travel across the border to try to get him released.
What happens next is the stuff of novels - innocent people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, get kidnapped and held hostage while around them there is murder, espionage, rape, Stockholm syndrome, fear, sickness, and the list goes on. The characters are as flawed as they are many, and even the treacherous political climate of Zimbabwe appears as a strong character in the novel, influencing the people to act but also not taking responsibility for their actions.
What I Liked
I found the conversation be well written and the author's writing style to be engaging overall
I enjoyed the glimpse into the politics of the African nations
I appreciated seeing female characters being portrayed in both villain and heroic roles.
The alternating views following the different scenes where the story was playing out, provided a good timeline of events.
What I Didn't Like
In order to show the women as heroes, the author often portrayed the men as thoughtless, reactionary weaklings. In every situation, only women had the plans, which is not what I think women's fiction should be about.
It was hard to visualize the young characters because their ages weren't explicitly stated. When we first meet Katura, the African girl, she is cast in the role of annoying baby sister who can't keep a secret for a few minutes but days later, she appears as a seductress.
The long introduction confused things a little. First we meet Jane in her professorial role but none of the other characters in the entire first chapter matter to the rest of the story so those first pages felt like an unnecessary distraction.
As above, several story lines were introduced and abandoned throughout the story.
I also don't appreciate when authors kill off characters for no apparent reason. Some of the murders in the book felt unnecessary to the plot.
Overall, the author kept me interested enough to keep reading so I give it 2.5 stars even though I think the story could have been improved with some editing. My review might seem a bit harsh but I still recommend this book. It is available in Paperback and Kindle and it is worth the read.
Actual rating 2.5
Somewhere in the US, a teenaged boy gets enticed into trouble by his girlfriend and winds up in jail, almost hurting his younger brother in the process. Their mother, Jane, who is a psychiatry professor and married to a politician, books an African trip that will take them rafting and on to a clinic - to give her older son an opportunity to do community service and the entire family a chance to reconnect.
Somewhere in Botswana, a teenaged girl, Katura, learns that her oldest brother has also been enticed into trouble and is in jail in Zimbabwe. Together with another brother, they travel across the border to try to get him released.
What happens next is the stuff of novels - innocent people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, get kidnapped and held hostage while around them there is murder, espionage, rape, Stockholm syndrome, fear, sickness, and the list goes on. The characters are as flawed as they are many, and even the treacherous political climate of Zimbabwe appears as a strong character in the novel, influencing the people to act but also not taking responsibility for their actions.
What I Liked
I found the conversation be well written and the author's writing style to be engaging overall
I enjoyed the glimpse into the politics of the African nations
I appreciated seeing female characters being portrayed in both villain and heroic roles.
The alternating views following the different scenes where the story was playing out, provided a good timeline of events.
What I Didn't Like
In order to show the women as heroes, the author often portrayed the men as thoughtless, reactionary weaklings. In every situation, only women had the plans, which is not what I think women's fiction should be about.
It was hard to visualize the young characters because their ages weren't explicitly stated. When we first meet Katura, the African girl, she is cast in the role of annoying baby sister who can't keep a secret for a few minutes but days later, she appears as a seductress.
The long introduction confused things a little. First we meet Jane in her professorial role but none of the other characters in the entire first chapter matter to the rest of the story so those first pages felt like an unnecessary distraction.
As above, several story lines were introduced and abandoned throughout the story.
I also don't appreciate when authors kill off characters for no apparent reason. Some of the murders in the book felt unnecessary to the plot.
Overall, the author kept me interested enough to keep reading so I give it 2.5 stars even though I think the story could have been improved with some editing. My review might seem a bit harsh but I still recommend this book. It is available in Paperback and Kindle and it is worth the read.
April 30, 2018
Rubbing Stones is one of those books that seems to start off slow, but them picks up speed as you go along. By the time you get to the end, you really have no clue how everything is going to turn out.
There are some dark moments that I was not expecting. Not that I thought the book was going to be sunshine and rainbows, but I wasn't expecting it to be what it is. It added to the suspense, so those moments were well placed.
Katura is a great example of a strong female character in literature. Even though she is young, she is knows something is not right, and does everything in her power to try and find a way to fix it, even if her life is endangered along the way. She is a good example of doing what you feel is right, even if those around you, including your family are doing something different.
While the ending was satisfying, I still have some questions that were not answered. I really wish I knew what the big plan had been. There seemed to be something brewing, but it was never revealed what that was. The plan may have failed, but I still want to know what it was.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Nancy Burkey
Publication Date: 2016
There are some dark moments that I was not expecting. Not that I thought the book was going to be sunshine and rainbows, but I wasn't expecting it to be what it is. It added to the suspense, so those moments were well placed.
Katura is a great example of a strong female character in literature. Even though she is young, she is knows something is not right, and does everything in her power to try and find a way to fix it, even if her life is endangered along the way. She is a good example of doing what you feel is right, even if those around you, including your family are doing something different.
While the ending was satisfying, I still have some questions that were not answered. I really wish I knew what the big plan had been. There seemed to be something brewing, but it was never revealed what that was. The plan may have failed, but I still want to know what it was.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Nancy Burkey
Publication Date: 2016
October 15, 2017
Not having read any books by this author I was not sure what to expect. I had come recommended through a site, that I look at books on, so decided to give it a go. I only gave it three stars because I an not sure I actually enjoyed the book at all, it took about 6 chapters for me to get into the book and I found those chapters a little confusing as they were flitting between Africa and America with no real tie up until later in the book, where it then begins to make sense. Whilst there is violence in the book it has been described well enough for us to be able to understand it, but I found some of it unnecessary, but that could just be me. The ending just ended there was no sense of all would be ok. But i could be wrong and the author could have left the book the way it was so that another book could be written.
All in all would I recommend it, I would say yes because the story line is a good one, once you get into it.
All in all would I recommend it, I would say yes because the story line is a good one, once you get into it.
May 18, 2017
*This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review – all opinions are my own.*
This book follows two stories. The stories of African siblings who get stuck between a rock and a hard place when their brother disappears, and an American family who goes to holiday in Africa but is in the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought this book was a bit weird. So much backstory was revealed (especially for such a short book) and yet it didn't seem relevant at all in the long run. The story takes a dramatic turn and somehow gets swollen up by it. It's a bit predictable and feels a little bit stereotypical.
This book follows two stories. The stories of African siblings who get stuck between a rock and a hard place when their brother disappears, and an American family who goes to holiday in Africa but is in the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought this book was a bit weird. So much backstory was revealed (especially for such a short book) and yet it didn't seem relevant at all in the long run. The story takes a dramatic turn and somehow gets swollen up by it. It's a bit predictable and feels a little bit stereotypical.
June 26, 2017
I was sent an e-copy by the author for a review.
I loved it. I honestly am not sure what I expected going into this book but this book satisfied me.
I rarely give books 4☆ but this book definitely earned it.
The writing was great. I loved the plot even though this is not my go-to genre. I did have problems following the plot at the start but then once I understood what was going on I started to really like it.I would have liked to have the POVs or something of that sort
before the chapter began.
This was a great debut novel and I'm so happy that I got to read it.
I loved it. I honestly am not sure what I expected going into this book but this book satisfied me.
I rarely give books 4☆ but this book definitely earned it.
The writing was great. I loved the plot even though this is not my go-to genre. I did have problems following the plot at the start but then once I understood what was going on I started to really like it.I would have liked to have the POVs or something of that sort
before the chapter began.
This was a great debut novel and I'm so happy that I got to read it.
October 27, 2017
Hard to put down
This story was ultimately about family relationships. One family trying to save a family member from prison by making unholy alliances. Another family taking a trip together and having fun time before helping on building a clinic in Africa. The point of that mission to help the eldest teen son feel a part of something bigger than his current situation to avoid more harmful juvenile behavior. The two families lives become entwined.
Exciting and thought inspiring.
This story was ultimately about family relationships. One family trying to save a family member from prison by making unholy alliances. Another family taking a trip together and having fun time before helping on building a clinic in Africa. The point of that mission to help the eldest teen son feel a part of something bigger than his current situation to avoid more harmful juvenile behavior. The two families lives become entwined.
Exciting and thought inspiring.
October 12, 2022
When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. The tension in the story radiated from the page. No character was a caricature. Each person was well fleshed out with their own motivations & reasons. The dialogue was crisp. The author was amazing at showing the reader things rather than telling what had happened. The only thing I was disappointed in was the ending - not how it ended, but that it ended. I wanted to continue to follow these characters!
July 31, 2017
If you were considering any kind of trip to Africa, this book may just make you think twice. Every travelers nightmare comes true in this story, as this American family on vacation becomes hostage in a deadly game.
Well written, excellent character development, intense plot. Couldn't put it down!
Well written, excellent character development, intense plot. Couldn't put it down!
October 14, 2017
Have this 2 stars as it as the potential to be an ok story. Got about 20%through and found it very predictable and poorly thought out. The story line doesn’t make sense. And, I dislike predicting the action !
October 28, 2017
An Exciting Read With Relateable Characters
"Rubbing Stones" brings the fascination of culture clash to a solid thriller. The story holds plenty of surprises and loads of character development set against the backdrop of Africa. I would read more from Burkey.
"Rubbing Stones" brings the fascination of culture clash to a solid thriller. The story holds plenty of surprises and loads of character development set against the backdrop of Africa. I would read more from Burkey.
December 31, 2017
Interesting in light of the recent changes in Zimbabwe
I liked the characters in this book and was sympathetic to some of the hostage takers. I would have liked more background for the African Characters.
I liked the characters in this book and was sympathetic to some of the hostage takers. I would have liked more background for the African Characters.
August 19, 2018
Cultures Collide
Sensational character development. Strong family ties. No one left behind. Amid the corruption, narcissism,political unrest, two families are thrown together by chance and somewhat false pretenses. All for the sake of family.
Sensational character development. Strong family ties. No one left behind. Amid the corruption, narcissism,political unrest, two families are thrown together by chance and somewhat false pretenses. All for the sake of family.
October 13, 2017
DIFFERENT TYPE PLOT BUT A GOOD ONE
The author crafted this story allowing the reader to feel they are traveling thru Africa
With the the principle characters.
I liked the book.
The author crafted this story allowing the reader to feel they are traveling thru Africa
With the the principle characters.
I liked the book.
October 22, 2017
Quick paced adventure
Kept me on my toes guessing whose was afriend or foe. Good read and entertaining. Some surprising twists and turns.
Kept me on my toes guessing whose was afriend or foe. Good read and entertaining. Some surprising twists and turns.
November 30, 2017
Picked up this political murder mystery for it's Zimbabwe/Botswana setting. Disappointing.
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