When the Rivers Rise

The Rivers #1

by Joey Jones

High school sweethearts, Niles and Eden shared a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love until an accident—and Eden’s subsequent addiction to pain medication—tore them apart. Now divorced, their son Riley is Niles’s whole world, and he’ll do anything to keep him safe.

In constant pain, chronically tired, and resentful of Riley’s relationship with his dad, Eden is a shadow of the woman she once was. When she meets Kirk, a charismatic drummer who makes her feel alive again, she’s torn between evacuating with Riley before a hurricane hits and the exciting new life that beckons.

Reese has never quite gotten over the death of her father, a cop who was shot in the line of duty. Now a detective herself and the only special operations officer on the East Ridge, Tennessee, police force without children, she volunteers to go help as a potential category five hurricane spins straight toward the North Carolina coast.

As Hurricane Florence closes in, their lives begin to intersect in ways they never imagined as each is forced to confront issues from the past that will decide the future…their own, each other’s, and Riley’s.

Emotions swell like the rivers in the approaching storm in this poignant story of guilt, second chances, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love.

280 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2020

About the author

Joey Jones’s writing style is described as a mixture of Nicholas Sparks, Richard Paul Evans, and James Patterson. New York Times Bestselling Author Kristy Woodson Harvey labels Jones’s writing as “lyrical” and proclaims, “He effortlessly pulls readers into the souls of his characters.” USA Today Bestselling Author Jeff Gunhus compares Joey Jones’s work to Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Evans, and Sparks.

The ratings and reviews of Jones’s novels A BRIDGE APART (2015), LOSING LONDON (2016), A FIELD OF FIREFLIES (2018), THE DATE NIGHT JAR (2019), WHEN THE RIVERS RISE (2020), WHERE THE RAINBOW FALLS (2022), and ALONG THE DUSTY ROAD (2023) reflect the comparison to the aforementioned New York Times bestselling authors. Readers can expect the same from THE ROOTS BENEATH US (2024).

Joey Jones fell in love with creative writing at a young age and, in his early twenties, decided to write a book. His debut novel A BRIDGE APART is a suspenseful love story that was years in the making as he tinkered with the manuscript off and on while working full-time in the marketing field. In February 2016, Jones became a full-time novelist and published his second novel LOSING LONDON later that year. The average rating of Jones’s novels is 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.

In his spare time, Joey enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, working out, reading, and embarking on new adventures. His favorite meal is a New York Style Pizza with sweet tea. He won the 8th-grade spelling bee at his school, but if you ask how many students participated, he might say, “Such minor details are not important!” He currently lives in North Carolina with his family.

Joey Jones earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College where he graduated with honors (2006). He was the owner of a full-service advertising agency and taught business and marketing courses as an adjunct college instructor.

Jones invites you to connect with him online to find out more about his upcoming novels, book signings, giveaways, exciting news, charities, and more: www.Joey-Jones.com / Facebook.com/JoeyJonesWriter / Instagram.com/JoeyJonesWriter

Reviews

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, this Joey Jones book was good. He always unfolds the characters a little at a time, just as you would learn more and more about a friend over time in real life. Since I live in New Bern and faced hurricane Florence, I understood all the references to storm planning and recognized the places the characters went which made it an interesting read for me. I loved the father/son relationship and also the fun relationship between Niles and Mickey. His ex Eden wasn’t my favorite but later it is revealed why she is in such bad shape emotionally, so I understood her motives a little better. The build up of the story was full of minute details which sometimes made this book a little slow but having lived through many days of preparation and anxiety before major hurricanes in NC and Florida, I felt that this slower pace was on purpose, to give us the feeling of waiting for a tragedy to happen. Overall a good book Overall a good book (without cussing and no over-the-top violence or weird sex scenes which is refreshing). I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.

[Ashley Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved that it took place in a county that I’m very familiar with! It was so good to not want to put it down! I can’t wait to get the end of the story in book2!

[Heather Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! I’m reading the sequel right now! Joey Jones does an awesome job keeping me entertained which is hard to do!

[Barbara Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in the area that the story takes place. And I experienced Hurricane Florence 1st-hand. Even though the book is fiction, I could visualize the locations and all the things they had to do to prepare for the storm, which sort of brought the story to life. Great story with some great plot twists. And in true Joey Jones fashion, there is that one thing that I did not see coming!!!!!! Can't wait to read the sequel to finish reliving this event that was our Storm of the Century, and see what happened to all of the characters!!!!

[Michelle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the different characters within this story. Especially Mickey even though he is not technically a main character but his humor works well throughout. I kept waiting the whole book to find out what the accident was, and the build definitely helped bring the story around. Looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series leads.

[Penny Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a local author from New Bern that I met at a meeting. He has written several books, similar to Nicholas Sparks, he said, and they do take place locally. This one was an easy read. but entertaining and I did get into the characters. I didn't know that there was no ending. You have to read the sequel, whihc I will, but wish there had been a better-written ending to this one.

[Andrew Buttery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story that engages you from the very first page. Full of the twists and surprises that keep the tale moving along to the point where you are waiting for the next. This is by FAR one of the best novels I've read this year

[Dawn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story written about North Carolina. Recommend this story. Can't wait to start Where the Rainbow Falls to see what happens. Supporting the local artist when I can! I will be reading all of his books.

[Tonya Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living on the Coast of NC my entire life, I've lived through 58 years of hurricanes. The pages in this book is captivating and familiar.
I highly recommend this 2 book series.
When The Rivers Rise #1
Where The Rainbow Falls #2

[Nanette Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. A little slow at times but picked up its pace right at the end. Excited for the next one!

[Joylynn Brigante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the books by Joey Jones, and to no avail he has written another great one yet again. I finished it in a week and I can't wait for the sequel.

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Joey Jones. I loved the characters and enjoyed this book as much as the other books by Mr. Jones. Looking forward to reading more of his books.

[Juanita Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was my least favorite book by Joey so far. It was bogged down with details and moved slowly.

[Brittany Hoult Penwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in the area and knowing the storms history I enjoy this fictional story. I couldn't wait to see the family choices and determination.

[Kimi Liles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the little reminders of home, especially all the restaurants that were mentioned. A good book to read while I was feeling a bit homesick 💛

[Candice’s Jurassic Novel’s · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book. The character I like in the book was Reese.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished and absolutely love it. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to start book 2 to see what happens next.

[Charisse Paskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was soo good! I tried to read it the fastest I could but with 4 kids it’s rough. I enjoyed going into the story and reading about good ole North Crack a lackin. New Bern where I have a few friends living as well, one who lived through this storm.

[Robin Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this author. Ready for the sequel.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with emotional conflict. Mr. Jones draws you in from the 1st page! It is very hard to put down. I love the characters in this book. This is part 1 of 2.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

got do some research have i read this author before?? not sure. name does sound familiar. great book cover. i enjoyed it. will read more soon. hope more folks will soon check it out and review it, so worth the reading time. well done!!

[Carly Tribisondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Loved it just as I love all of joeys work, but the ending has me so sad because now I have to wait for the next one!