Seeking Tranquility

by Amy Schisler

Amy Schisler "creates a tapestry of emotional reactions, strength, and faith from her loved ones that brought me to tears at times." Writer's Digest on Island of Promise



Christy McLane and her child prodigy sister, Molly, are alone in the world. Alone, until they arrive on the island of Chincoteague, Virginia. Like the famous ponies that roam the area, Christy and Molly flee to the island to take refuge after a tragedy leaves them marooned and unanchored. To stay afloat, Christy will need to make unforeseen sacrifices as she navigates the waters of life.



Against the beautiful backdrop of the Virginia shoreline, caring islanders and shy, aerospace scientist, Jared Stevenson, help Christy find the faith and tranquility she seeks. However, just when everything seems perfect, Jared's hidden past disrupts their peaceful existence, plunging the entire island into a sea of lies and danger that will change their lives forever.

346 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2022

About the author

Amy has been writing novels, children’s books, and devotionals for almost ten years. In her novels, she brings to life characters who jump off the page with their true-to-life personalities and real world problems and concerns. Their lives center around family, friends, and faith. Her stories–though often fraught with peril–champion love, uphold community, and inspire hope. Amy’s writing has been hailed “a verbal masterpiece of art” (author Alexa Jacobs) and “Everything you want in a book” (Amazon).

A former librarian and teacher, she now lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs.

You may follow Amy online at the following places:
http://amyschislerauthor.com
http://facebook.com/amyschislerauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/amyschisler
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-s...
Twitter @AmySchislerAuth
Instagram @AmySchislerAuthor

Reviews

[Leslie Sholly]

I used to read Christian romances quite a bit and always wished there were specifically Catholic ones. In this book my wish was granted! I love the way that faith was always in the background of the lives of the characters, and also the way Jared introduced Christy to his faith. It all felt very authentic. I also enjoyed the characters, especially the precocious Molly. Best of all was the Chincoteague setting which has captivated me since I read Misty of Chincoteague as a child. The story kept me interested throughout. I will definitely want to read the rest of this series.

[Cassie Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You do what you have to do to protect the ones you love. It's not just about physical safety. It's about protecting them from the mental and emotional ghosts of your past."

This read was EXTRA special because Amy is one of my best friend's mothers. And I am not being biased in any way giving this five stars -- I was truly blown away by this story and loved every second of it!

After their parents pass away, Christy takes on guardianship of her prodigy sister Molly. The two move to Chincoteague island, where their father had a home, to begin a new life. Christy is immediately thrust into the orbit of her sister's life and is determined to do whatever possible to ensure she has what she needs for a bright future, even at her own expense.

This book has a little bit of everything -- the love between sisters, sweet romances, small town Chesapeake bay vibes, the faith needed in trying times, and even a little element of mystery. I also learned a TON about the NASA side of the area with Wallops Island. This made me want to take a trip there!

I highly, highly recommend adding this wholesome romance to your tbr before the end of the summer. It was the perfect read to park myself right by the water and enjoy!

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Seeking Tranquility” is the story of hope in the face of adversity, of finding rare minerals amid commonality, of good versus evil. Christy and Molly are sisters, learning how to navigate life now that their parents passed unexpectedly. Christy is an attractive and attentive twenty-four-year-old who had her whole life to live but chose the only option she knew – to end everything and take care of her preteen sister, Molly. The two moved from the D.C. area to an island where their parents had a home; Christy is living reminiscent of a single mom – working two jobs and having zero down time for herself. Molly, on the other hand, makes life more interesting, and at times stressful, when her above-average intellectual abilities comes to light.

Through co-workers of their father’s, Molly gets signed up for space camp, which brings Jared into both of their lives as Molly’s mentor, and Christy’s initial suspect. Being Christy’s age, she wonders about his intentions of working closely with her preteen sister, which shows Christy and Jared spending more time together for her to work on understanding him better. Jared is a semi-closed book, mostly when it comes to talking about his family. Christy has other problems to worry about – her early hours at the donut shop and her creepy boss at her second job and his intentions toward Christy. As though through divine intervention, Christy and Jared develop a sort of relationship that has its ups and downs and much confusion from both parties.

Sinister characters play their roles and certain characters come near to losing their lives in a thrilling and nearly disturbing way. Characters appear one way, but surprises and twists await the reader throughout. What makes this story different from other romance mysteries is that it includes a Christian/Catholic aspect to it; it’s not overpowering, but when it comes up, it is evident as to its role in the story overall. It is enough that non-Christians could still read the story and appreciate many aspects of it, while Christians will appreciate and understand how the spiritual parts play into the story smoothly.

The relationship with Christy and Jared is normal of one from two young-uns obsessed with each other and completely in the throes of love; it will either annoy the reader or the opposite – make you jealous or reminiscent of how a relationship used to be and goals will be set of bringing it back to that state.

“Seeking Tranquility” is a smooth and easy read – easy as in minimal mental energy, but some of the material can be squeamish toward certain readers. Each chapter begins with a news article from the local paper that has familiarity with the chapter. The ending is perfect and the story overall was super enjoyable; you’ll find out at the end that it is part of a trilogy—the Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy, and I can’t wait to read more!

There is so much to this story that I don’t feel that I am doing this review justice! After finishing the story, I heard the song “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz, and I’d say it encompasses the overall story very well.

[Francis Nantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Christian romance, there are very light touches in this novel in relation to the Catholic church, biblical verses and of course a personal encounter with Jesus to punctuate an especially tense scene.
But without these aspects, the romance between the main characters of Christy and Jared comes across as relatively bland in comparison to the supporting characters like younger sister Molly and even a doughnut shop owner Diane.
The main reason for this almost prepubescent-like attraction that slow burns into a kiss more than halfway through is the lack of any real threat to keep the potential lovers apart - apart from themselves.
Hence, when a real threat does rear its head towards the final few chapters, it comes across almost as an after-thought from a plot perspective.
Further stretching the logic underpinning the plot is how NASA supposedly ignored the main character's financial well-being at first, then suddenly is super-supportive. An easy read that won't stay after the back cover is closed.

[Anne Novey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy has another hit on her hands. As the first book in the Chincoteague Sunsets Trilogy, you will find Christy, Molly, and Jared as newcomers to the island along with some of the old familiar characters from the Chincoteague Island Trilogy.

Christy is raising Molly after the death of their parents and is working two jobs to make ends meet. Molly just happens to be smarter than the average 11 year old. Her interest is space was spurred on by her father who had worked at NASA. While Molly was signed up to go to Space Adventures Camp, but she was a little more advanced than the campers her age. She ends up getting to help Jared, Avi, and Chloe work on their summer research projects. Despite being 10 years older, they are a good match for Molly.

Despite Christy's initial misgivings and Jared's secretive past, sparks begin to fly between the two of them. All seems to be destined for happiness until Jared's past catches up with him.

[Denise Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the second Chincoteague Island series. I was blown away by the first series so I expected a good bit from this one. So far it has not disappointed me. The characters are well written and believable. I am very familiar with the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague and there are places and locations mentioned in Ms. Schisler's books that I am quite familiar with. I cannot wait to being the second in this series and pick up the third one from Sundial Books on Chincoteague when we go this year.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story, set on Chincoteague Island. Christy and Jared are 26 and 28, respectively, but they seem younger or maybe just naive. The story flows well, the character development was good, the climax was good, and the ending was satisfying, mostly. I absolutely adore Molly. I love the way her needs are met and how involved Christy is. I love that Diane and Marge are such big factors both in the story and in the characters' lives; they are a hoot.

[Amanda Showell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, well written story that keeps you turning the pages. Another great book by Amy!