Exciting new cover!
The first book of the Juniper Sawfeather Novels
Juniper Sawfeather is a seventeen-year-old daughter of environmental activists. When she accompanies her father to document damage at a reported oil spill, she discovers three humans washed up on the beach, struggling to breathe through the oil coating their skin. At first she thinks they must be surfers, but as she gets closer, she realizes these aren't human at all.
They're mermaids!
And they aren't like mermaids she's read about in fairy tales.
Now begins a complex story of intrigue, conspiracy and manipulation as June, her parents, a marine biologist (and his handsome young intern), her best friend, the popular clique at school, and the oil company fight over the fate of the mermaids.
ISBN: 978-1-61235-786-7
SPECIAL DEAL!
Cry of the Sea is only $0.99
Amazon Kindle Nook Smashwords Kobo Apple Books GooglePlay
Lulu (print) Add it to your "to read" list on Goodreads
Cry of the Sea is only $0.99
Amazon Kindle Nook Smashwords Kobo Apple Books GooglePlay
Lulu (print) Add it to your "to read" list on Goodreads
|
Cry of the Sea is the winner of 2 literary awards!
2nd place in the 2016 Purple Dragonfly Children's Book Awards (Green/Environmental Theme) and 2nd place in the YA category of the 2015 Green Book Festival contest for environmental-themed books! |
Cry of the Sea was featured in the article “Multicultural Books for Girls” by Becky Flansburg in Her Voice Magazine. You can read the whole article here.
I have been a proud author sponsor of Multicultural Children's Book Day. for three years running with the Juniper Sawfeather Novels. |
Don't miss books 2 and 3 in this series, Whisper of the Woods and Echo of the Cliffs
Or dive in and get the whole box set for only $6.99 (Less than half the price of getting them individually) |
And for a little more of Juniper Sawfeather, you can read a prequel story about her called "Beneath the Wildflowers" in the anthology Kick Ass Girls of Fire and Ice YA Books. Available for FREE at Amazon, Nook and Smashwords. Meet Juniper half a year before she discovers the mermaids and see her first encounter with the mythical world.
|
D. G. Driver does school presentations for middle schools and high schools about the revision process that went into writing this novel and getting it published. Learn more here.
REVIEWS!!!
"This story has so much depth, it's really quite a fantastic experience to be diving into it. I loved the complex, mature and meaningful plot line, with all the difficult and relevant subjects it explored. It was an eye-opening read, at times really shocking and heart-breaking, and definitely one I won't soon forget. This is a great, mold-breaking YA for those who want more from their books than just silly romance stories and sparkling mythical creatures. It's a story of bravery, dedication, protecting all those things that are unable to protect themselves, and making a difference. An inspiring, insightful, powerful tale with great characters and interesting plot developments. I really enjoyed reading Cry of The Sea and would not hesitate to recommend it to teenagers and adults alike.
"I thought the ending, while quite unsettling and heartbreaking, was very well thought out and perfectly satisfying, but I do hope there will be a sequel. I just can't get enough of June, Carter and Driver's brilliantly engaging writing. And of course, I want to find out how it all will turn out.
"Overall, this was such a pleasant reading experience. And not only just that, because while really compelling and entertaining, it's also a book full of meaning and important messages. A story worth reading for many different reasons. For me, this is a keeper. I want my daughter to read this book one day, so she, too, can learn to be passionate about helping others and fighting for what is right." Evie Seo, Bookish
"What an amazing story! Juniper (June) is a young woman of substance and holds firm to who she is despite heavy pressure from her parents and peers at school. She's the kind of role model for girls that I love to see in YA books.
As expected, this book has a strong message about environmentalism but I'm impressed that the author was able to convey it without sounding preachy in the slightest. You're not going to get a sermon but you will see enough of the damage caused by oil spoils to be horrified by it. To be honest, I'm barely interested in the subject but I went through a whole range of emotions and I cared about what was happening. Ladies and gentlemen, that can only be credited to a writer with great talent.
The events of this story are linked back to traditional mermaid lore, which actually made them sound plausible. Unlike other mermaid stories, they aren't described here as anything remotely human. They have silvery skin, gills, no nose or hair, and are incapable of speech.
So... if you're looking for a book with a strong heroine and something fresh and unique to offer, this is for you."
Rachel Poole, Cullen House Reviews
“Cry of the Sea by D. G. Driver was a very interesting book about the mystery behind mermaids. It was structured differently than any other mermaid book I have read for the young adult audience… I would recommend it to people if they wanted to read about a mermaid story that was more realistic.” Wanderlust for Books
"Cry of the Sea takes a look at mermaids from a brand new perspective, retelling the classic fairy tale with a fresh new twist. A great story for readers of all ages, I think this one will resonate especially strongly with its intended young adult audience." The Wordweaver
"Cry of the Sea was unlike any mermaid story I've ever read. It was full of intrigue, passion, activism with a great message and it had a satisfying end… June is a beautiful young woman who knows what she wants in life. And she isn't bothered by her image or what the other kids at school think of her and her crazy parents. She has many enviable qualities. Carter is the dream guy that makes you swoon. He's smart, funny and caring. The chemistry between these two is instant and June's reactions brought back fond memories of my teenage years!...
"I really enjoyed the different take on mermaids. I'd love to see a drawing of what the author describes, just so the picture could be clearer in my mind, although Ms. Driver's description was excellent. What really blows my mind is that this could quite possibly be a reality. An extremely exciting prospect! The tragedy of the oil spill is reality that is very disturbing. The author clearly has a great knowledge or experience in this field. I really enjoyed this story and the seriousness of the topic. It made me realize that oil spills probably happen a lot more often than we realize."
Tome Tender
“I really like Juniper's character from the beginning. She shows strength and bravery and it thrilled me to see... D.G Driver created a wonderful story filled with magical creatures and strong well thought out characters. I recommend this book to everyone especially younger readers looking for a good easy read.” Undeniably Addicted to Books
"LOVED this book! Super well written, captivating, engaging. It's one of those books that, once you start reading, you can't put it down. I am anxious for my tween to read this because it offers a great example of a female hero that also happens to be a Native American teenager. Excellent book for middle readers or YA readers who are looking for a captivating story with multicultural characters. Two thumbs up!"
Rebecca Flansburg, Frantic Mommy Reviews
"Cry of the Sea has the most capturing protagonist in Juniper Sawfeather... She is the sort of character that is instantly likeable and seems real. She seems so real that I had to stop reading and remind myself it was fiction every so often. There is something about this book that is so absorbing, that you do not want to put it down. Juniper is the sort of fictional character I want to invite around for tea, and have a chat with.
By the time the fantasy elements came into play I was so hooked that they seemed believable, although to be fair there is part of me that REALLY does want to believe mermaids are real. The story is good, and very interesting. It is a brilliant concept.
If there was any criticism of this book I would have to say I felt it ended in the wrong place. It is not a major criticism by any means, and I would love to read a follow-up to Cry of the Sea.
For me this is a must read book."
Samantha Grayson Reviews
“D.G Driver gave the reader a more mythical look at mermaids. Sucking the reader in with out the Hollywood mermaid look. While managing to expose us to real life problems that June had to face and constantly deal with. The writing style was spot on with what I love and the story had a long easy flow to it keeping my attention.” – Kolleen’s Book Obsession
"This story has so much depth, it's really quite a fantastic experience to be diving into it. I loved the complex, mature and meaningful plot line, with all the difficult and relevant subjects it explored. It was an eye-opening read, at times really shocking and heart-breaking, and definitely one I won't soon forget. This is a great, mold-breaking YA for those who want more from their books than just silly romance stories and sparkling mythical creatures. It's a story of bravery, dedication, protecting all those things that are unable to protect themselves, and making a difference. An inspiring, insightful, powerful tale with great characters and interesting plot developments. I really enjoyed reading Cry of The Sea and would not hesitate to recommend it to teenagers and adults alike.
"I thought the ending, while quite unsettling and heartbreaking, was very well thought out and perfectly satisfying, but I do hope there will be a sequel. I just can't get enough of June, Carter and Driver's brilliantly engaging writing. And of course, I want to find out how it all will turn out.
"Overall, this was such a pleasant reading experience. And not only just that, because while really compelling and entertaining, it's also a book full of meaning and important messages. A story worth reading for many different reasons. For me, this is a keeper. I want my daughter to read this book one day, so she, too, can learn to be passionate about helping others and fighting for what is right." Evie Seo, Bookish
"What an amazing story! Juniper (June) is a young woman of substance and holds firm to who she is despite heavy pressure from her parents and peers at school. She's the kind of role model for girls that I love to see in YA books.
As expected, this book has a strong message about environmentalism but I'm impressed that the author was able to convey it without sounding preachy in the slightest. You're not going to get a sermon but you will see enough of the damage caused by oil spoils to be horrified by it. To be honest, I'm barely interested in the subject but I went through a whole range of emotions and I cared about what was happening. Ladies and gentlemen, that can only be credited to a writer with great talent.
The events of this story are linked back to traditional mermaid lore, which actually made them sound plausible. Unlike other mermaid stories, they aren't described here as anything remotely human. They have silvery skin, gills, no nose or hair, and are incapable of speech.
So... if you're looking for a book with a strong heroine and something fresh and unique to offer, this is for you."
Rachel Poole, Cullen House Reviews
“Cry of the Sea by D. G. Driver was a very interesting book about the mystery behind mermaids. It was structured differently than any other mermaid book I have read for the young adult audience… I would recommend it to people if they wanted to read about a mermaid story that was more realistic.” Wanderlust for Books
"Cry of the Sea takes a look at mermaids from a brand new perspective, retelling the classic fairy tale with a fresh new twist. A great story for readers of all ages, I think this one will resonate especially strongly with its intended young adult audience." The Wordweaver
"Cry of the Sea was unlike any mermaid story I've ever read. It was full of intrigue, passion, activism with a great message and it had a satisfying end… June is a beautiful young woman who knows what she wants in life. And she isn't bothered by her image or what the other kids at school think of her and her crazy parents. She has many enviable qualities. Carter is the dream guy that makes you swoon. He's smart, funny and caring. The chemistry between these two is instant and June's reactions brought back fond memories of my teenage years!...
"I really enjoyed the different take on mermaids. I'd love to see a drawing of what the author describes, just so the picture could be clearer in my mind, although Ms. Driver's description was excellent. What really blows my mind is that this could quite possibly be a reality. An extremely exciting prospect! The tragedy of the oil spill is reality that is very disturbing. The author clearly has a great knowledge or experience in this field. I really enjoyed this story and the seriousness of the topic. It made me realize that oil spills probably happen a lot more often than we realize."
Tome Tender
“I really like Juniper's character from the beginning. She shows strength and bravery and it thrilled me to see... D.G Driver created a wonderful story filled with magical creatures and strong well thought out characters. I recommend this book to everyone especially younger readers looking for a good easy read.” Undeniably Addicted to Books
"LOVED this book! Super well written, captivating, engaging. It's one of those books that, once you start reading, you can't put it down. I am anxious for my tween to read this because it offers a great example of a female hero that also happens to be a Native American teenager. Excellent book for middle readers or YA readers who are looking for a captivating story with multicultural characters. Two thumbs up!"
Rebecca Flansburg, Frantic Mommy Reviews
"Cry of the Sea has the most capturing protagonist in Juniper Sawfeather... She is the sort of character that is instantly likeable and seems real. She seems so real that I had to stop reading and remind myself it was fiction every so often. There is something about this book that is so absorbing, that you do not want to put it down. Juniper is the sort of fictional character I want to invite around for tea, and have a chat with.
By the time the fantasy elements came into play I was so hooked that they seemed believable, although to be fair there is part of me that REALLY does want to believe mermaids are real. The story is good, and very interesting. It is a brilliant concept.
If there was any criticism of this book I would have to say I felt it ended in the wrong place. It is not a major criticism by any means, and I would love to read a follow-up to Cry of the Sea.
For me this is a must read book."
Samantha Grayson Reviews
“D.G Driver gave the reader a more mythical look at mermaids. Sucking the reader in with out the Hollywood mermaid look. While managing to expose us to real life problems that June had to face and constantly deal with. The writing style was spot on with what I love and the story had a long easy flow to it keeping my attention.” – Kolleen’s Book Obsession
An Excerpt from Cry of the Sea
They must be surfers, was all I could think as I ran toward the three squirming bodies. Who else would be in the water this early in the morning? But even for surfers, this was pretty early. They’d have to have been surfing in the dark. That didn’t make any sense. Were they crazy? I knew some surfers at school, and they were definitely nuts sometimes, but surfing before the sun rose seemed extreme even for them.
Well, crazy or not, they didn’t deserve to be caught in an oil slick. I crashed down to my knees beside the bodies and dropped my gear. I started to reach out my hand to tap them and see if they were all right without even stopping to a good look at them. But before I touched any of them, my arm recoiled back to my side.
“Dad!” I screamed. “Oh my God! Dad!”
My dad rushed up behind me. “Are they alive?” he asked, trying to catch his breath.
“I… I…”
Words didn’t come. I couldn’t formulate a thought. I was too startled. These three figures lying in the sand in front of me weren’t surfers at all.
They weren’t even people.
From their facial features and upper torsos, they looked kind of like women, but all three of them had silver-colored skin. They were bald, with strange ridges marking their skulls. None of them seemed to have ears, only holes in the sides of their heads. No nose was visible, not even a bone or nostrils filled that space between their eyes and mouths. Although their mouths seemed to be moving, they were actually breathing through what looked like gills in their necks.
And if that wasn’t weird enough. Instead of legs, their upper torsos stretched out into long, scale-covered, silver fishtails. If I had to say what these things stranded in front of me, plagued with a thick coating of oil, appeared to be, I’d say mermaids. And no, they didn’t look like they’d start singing songs or granting me wishes. They looked a little bit scary – but fragile too. Most of all, they looked like they were going to die, and no handsome prince was there to kiss them and keep them from turning into sea foam.
“June,” my dad whispered. “Do you think they’re real?”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “Strange but very real.”
“You don’t think they’re costumes?” he suggested. “Maybe some costume party on a yacht last night – they fell off.”
Sometimes my dad’s brain worked even more off-kilter than mine. I shook my head. “Those are not costumes, Dad.”
Now, I can’t sew, and I don’t know anyone who does. Still, I know that those beings lying there in the sand were not wearing anything that was cut or stitched together. What I saw wasn’t material. It wasn’t a lycra suit like on Catwoman, nor was it just
make-up like that chick from X-Men. Make-up would’ve been washed away.
What I saw was real skin. Or some kind of skin, if skin could be silver. And those were real scales, not some kind of pointy sequins. I’d been around enough fish to know the difference. Besides, if these were a couple drunk, rich women in costumes, they’d be dead already. I knew these creatures weren’t dead, because the one closest to me suddenly opened its eyes and focused them right at me.
They must be surfers, was all I could think as I ran toward the three squirming bodies. Who else would be in the water this early in the morning? But even for surfers, this was pretty early. They’d have to have been surfing in the dark. That didn’t make any sense. Were they crazy? I knew some surfers at school, and they were definitely nuts sometimes, but surfing before the sun rose seemed extreme even for them.
Well, crazy or not, they didn’t deserve to be caught in an oil slick. I crashed down to my knees beside the bodies and dropped my gear. I started to reach out my hand to tap them and see if they were all right without even stopping to a good look at them. But before I touched any of them, my arm recoiled back to my side.
“Dad!” I screamed. “Oh my God! Dad!”
My dad rushed up behind me. “Are they alive?” he asked, trying to catch his breath.
“I… I…”
Words didn’t come. I couldn’t formulate a thought. I was too startled. These three figures lying in the sand in front of me weren’t surfers at all.
They weren’t even people.
From their facial features and upper torsos, they looked kind of like women, but all three of them had silver-colored skin. They were bald, with strange ridges marking their skulls. None of them seemed to have ears, only holes in the sides of their heads. No nose was visible, not even a bone or nostrils filled that space between their eyes and mouths. Although their mouths seemed to be moving, they were actually breathing through what looked like gills in their necks.
And if that wasn’t weird enough. Instead of legs, their upper torsos stretched out into long, scale-covered, silver fishtails. If I had to say what these things stranded in front of me, plagued with a thick coating of oil, appeared to be, I’d say mermaids. And no, they didn’t look like they’d start singing songs or granting me wishes. They looked a little bit scary – but fragile too. Most of all, they looked like they were going to die, and no handsome prince was there to kiss them and keep them from turning into sea foam.
“June,” my dad whispered. “Do you think they’re real?”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “Strange but very real.”
“You don’t think they’re costumes?” he suggested. “Maybe some costume party on a yacht last night – they fell off.”
Sometimes my dad’s brain worked even more off-kilter than mine. I shook my head. “Those are not costumes, Dad.”
Now, I can’t sew, and I don’t know anyone who does. Still, I know that those beings lying there in the sand were not wearing anything that was cut or stitched together. What I saw wasn’t material. It wasn’t a lycra suit like on Catwoman, nor was it just
make-up like that chick from X-Men. Make-up would’ve been washed away.
What I saw was real skin. Or some kind of skin, if skin could be silver. And those were real scales, not some kind of pointy sequins. I’d been around enough fish to know the difference. Besides, if these were a couple drunk, rich women in costumes, they’d be dead already. I knew these creatures weren’t dead, because the one closest to me suddenly opened its eyes and focused them right at me.
Cry of the Sea is available in print and ebook wherever books are sold online. Click on any of these links.
Lulu (print)
Amazon Kindle
And for librarians, Cry of the Sea is available in OverDrive and through Ingram wholesalers.
Want a signed copy? Nashville bookstore Parnassus Books sells signed copies of Cry of the Sea through their online store. You don't have to be in Nashville to get an autographed copy! Just put SIGNED in the order comments. If you put PERSONALIZED, they will have me come by the store and sign it specifically to you!
Lulu (print)
Amazon Kindle
And for librarians, Cry of the Sea is available in OverDrive and through Ingram wholesalers.
Want a signed copy? Nashville bookstore Parnassus Books sells signed copies of Cry of the Sea through their online store. You don't have to be in Nashville to get an autographed copy! Just put SIGNED in the order comments. If you put PERSONALIZED, they will have me come by the store and sign it specifically to you!
And there's MORE!
Here are some fun guest blog posts I've done about Cry of the Sea that you might enjoy!
"Real Mermaids Don't Grow Legs" This was a guest blog post I did about the mermaid book trend and why Cry of the Sea is different.
This is a guest blog post I did for the Multicultural Children's Book Day blog: "Her Face on the Cover"
This is a guest interview I did for author B. A. Binns about the multicultural aspect of Cry of the Sea.
This is a guest blog post I did when I was struggling through writing Whisper of the Woods: "How to Write a Sequel to a Book that had an Ending"
And from my own Write and Rewrite Blog archives, this is a love letter I wrote from Carter to Juniper in a writing challenge I gave to myself and several other YA authors.
Also from my own blog: I challenged authors to write a synopsis of their YA novels from the mother's POV. Here's Juniper's mom telling the story of Cry of the Sea.
Here are some fun guest blog posts I've done about Cry of the Sea that you might enjoy!
"Real Mermaids Don't Grow Legs" This was a guest blog post I did about the mermaid book trend and why Cry of the Sea is different.
This is a guest blog post I did for the Multicultural Children's Book Day blog: "Her Face on the Cover"
This is a guest interview I did for author B. A. Binns about the multicultural aspect of Cry of the Sea.
This is a guest blog post I did when I was struggling through writing Whisper of the Woods: "How to Write a Sequel to a Book that had an Ending"
And from my own Write and Rewrite Blog archives, this is a love letter I wrote from Carter to Juniper in a writing challenge I gave to myself and several other YA authors.
Also from my own blog: I challenged authors to write a synopsis of their YA novels from the mother's POV. Here's Juniper's mom telling the story of Cry of the Sea.