Get Carried Away: "Catch The Wind"

"Catch The Wind" is a book that welcomes you to the deep south. It reminds me of a tale written by the legendary Mark Twain-a classic tale of boys and their childhood adventures. I instantly found comfort in this book and I could envision a friendship blooming beneath the moss covered oaks and on the rockers and swings of a southern front porch. The southern charm and dialect is dead on. The innocence of childhood, their curiosity, and their longing for an adventure-they all play a part in making this book real. I could connect with characters so well written, I could see (and hear)them when I closed my eyes. Tomas Trujillo, the author of "Catch The Wind," captures the spirit of youth so well.
River and William met along the riverbank with a large, rod bending fish on the line. I can't imagine a better start! With the large fish caught and cleaned, William began telling his tale of a giant alligator to a wide-eyed River. River's father confirmed the story, and told him about the large bounty on the gator's head, and then added a few words of warning. As a mom of two boys, I know that warning probably fell on deaf ears. Having River's grandpa add to the tale only increased his fascination and excitement!
River and William grew to be close friends. They spent their days together and fished together. That old gator tale was never forgotten. No, it lingered just beneath the surface of their thoughts, waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity to awaken their adventurous spirits.
The boys were close to their parents. Like the good children they were, River and William were protective of their families and longed to ease their burden when the mill closed and their dads lost their jobs. They began thinking of the bounty on the gator's head. That old gator was wanted dead or alive. If they managed to capture it alive, they would be rewarded with even more money and the gator would find a home at the zoo. After seeing the tears in his mother's eyes, River gave his dad the newspaper clipping that held the information on the gator and the bounty. Unable to resist, River's dad asked William's dad to help him hunt the gator. They could each use the money since they both lost their jobs at the mill. They set off to catch the alligator.
Little did they know, River and William had made the decision to set off on their own journey. In doing so, they left a little of their childhood innocence behind as they took their first leap into manhood and a world of unknowns. They felt an obligation to their families and wanted to protect them in any way.
From there, their adventure moves swiftly like the mighty Mississippi after a hurricane. I won't spoil the ending for you, or tell you what happens on the river and once their feet hit dry land. I'll just warn you. You need to hang on to your seat because it's a wild ride! You can read all about the adventures of River and William in "Catch The Wind." I hope this isn't the end of their tale. I'd love to catch up with them in a few years! This is a great book to read on a lazy afternoon. Be sure to pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea and grab a few pillows for the swing. If you don't have one, a chair will be just fine. After a few pages, it won't matter where you're sitting. You'll find yourself deep in the heart of Mississippi. You'll hear the crickets in the distance and the unmistakable sound of the river rushing towards the sea. This book carries you there and then safely returns you home. Thanks for the trip! Get your copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or download it on your Nook or Kindle!

Disclosure: I was given a copy for this review. A favorable mention was not required.