Fishing boats along Apalachicola waterfront
Advanced Praise
The Receding Tide
“You will not want to put this book down, even when you've finished it. Chambers is a remarkably skilled, evocative writer with deep Southern roots. We feel the heat of this tiny coastal town as we join her characters at a summer reunion of old friends. At first, everyone feels comfortable and secure. But then things start to change. Slowly, Chambers unearths deep emotions and secrets long buried under the hot Florida sun. We learn at a gut level that things are rarely what they seem to be.”
—Carol Costello, author of Chasing Grace: A Novel of Odd Redemption
“Crafted with purpose, this seductive saga is smart, witty and thoughtful. With a rich cast of characters including Anna Lee Owens from a previous novel, the plot is filled with intrigue. Gripping your imagination with notable etiquette, you will not put this book down until the final outcome is reached. Will Anna Lee survive it all?”
—H.R. Maly, author of The 70,000 Adventures of Minnesota Dan series
“Chambers captures the beauty and bewilderment of mid-life, as two women, childhood friends, consider the choices that could cast their futures. This haunting, insightful picture of life, full of magic and disappointment, will have you packing a bag for Bay Harbor. The Receding Tide is for anyone who ever yearned for the embrace of home.”
—Belinda Hulin, author of Roux Memories: A Cajun-Creole Love Story with Recipes
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING . . .
Loved every thing about this book | This is a beautifully written book about friendship that will tug at your heartstrings while making you want to look back on your own friendships. The characters in this book are lovely and complicated, which makes learning about their unique stories and their relationship such a wonderful experience. I’d highly recommend this book, especially if you love to read about human connection.
—Chelsey McQuitty
American drama | The year is 1973 and America is bitterly divided between the pro-war and anti-war factions. … I found this novel to be extremely interesting because of the fact that most novels and stories that deal with this time frame are all about the military men, but nobody talks about the women who are left behind.
—J Armstrong
Tides of Change | [A] poignant exploration of friendship, love, and resilience set against the backdrop of the 1970s. Chambers portrays the complexities of rekindling a friendship that has weathered decades of life’s challenges. Her characters are richly developed, offering readers a profound sense of their struggles and triumphs. The narrative is infused with emotional depth and a keen insight into the human condition, particularly the ways in which individuals cope with grief and change.
—KMB13
Good contemporary fiction | [A]n intriguing, slow-burn contemporary novel. The characters and settings are built up with care, creating a believable setting. That is not to say that the book is “slow,” however. From damaged protagonists trying to pull themselves together after the Vietnam War to a potential murder, this book explores the lives of various characters as they grapple with the past and try to face the future with some semblance of hope and normality. At the same time, the skeletons of the past threaten to overturn everything they have worked towards… I highly recommend this novel for contemporary fiction and historical fiction lovers, with a dash of romance and suspense thrown in.
—SA_ostrich
Interesting | [A] book that explores the concepts of friendship, love, and resilience in the 70s. I enjoyed this book, reading the complexity of these 2 characters was interesting and I liked how the book evolved with the backdrop murder situation as well giving a bit of suspense and intriguing the reader as the narrative got deeper. A short but sweet kind of novel.
—Ivan
House on the Forgotten Coast
“I couldn’t put this book down. What a read! If I’m ever in the market for an old house in the South, I’ll be sure to check out its past first.”
—Adair Lara, author of Naked, Drunk and Writing
“In House, Ruth Coe Chambers explores love in all its guises, including the possibility that it is eternal and exists beyond the grave. This psychological mystery is a must read for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking look at people caught in a web of deception beyond their understanding.”
—Carol Costello, author of Chasing Grace: A Novel of Odd Redemption
“We southerners embrace history and romance, especially if they’re set in a mysterious old house. Chambers’ novel provides these ingredients, which left me in awe—of the well-crafted mystery and of the setting, a house filled with history and passion.”
—Belinda Hulin, author of Roux Memories: A Cajun-Creole Love Story with Recipes
Reviews &
Interviews
“The beauty and heritage of the panhandle live in the heart of Ruth Coe Chambers and pour out as she builds the setting in her work. Growing up on the coast gave her memories and impressions she uses to create a true sense of place. Her novel, House on the Forgotten Coast, set in Apalachicola won First Place for Published Mainstream Fiction in the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Ruth discusses the importance of motivation, weaving a realistic setting, and the importance of reading in this week’s RPLA showcase.”
First Coast Connect, 89.9 WJCT: Author Ruth Coe Chambers discussed her award-winning novel, House on the Forgotten Coast, and the rich history of the hurricane-devastated Panhandle with host and producer Melissa Ross, November 6, 2018. Download the podcast of the program or listen online. The conversation begins at 32:32.
Jane Nixon White, author of The Taming of Corky and The Colonel's Lady: A World War II Memoir, Book I reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, November 3, 2018
“Very few writers today can successfully capture the essence of Southern atmosphere as did those such as Harper Lee or Margaret Mitchell. However, Ruth Coe Chambers joins their ranks in House on the Forgotten Coast, as she skillfully weaves a tale set in the sleepy fishing village of Apalachicola, Florida, renowned for its succulent oysters, and less well known secrets.”
“The Florida Writers Association, Inc., has announced that Ruth C. Chambers won a prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award. Chamber’s winning entry, House on the Forgotten Coast, won First Place for Literary Fiction.”
“If you love an eerie ghost story with tinges of romance and murder, you won’t want to miss this!”
—@suspensethrill
Jorie Loves a Story reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, January 13, 2018
#unputdownable
“[House on the Forgotten Coast] is everything I hoped it would be and a bit more. . . the author bewitches you with her narrative, by giving you characters you feel attached to at first meeting and with a back-story from one century into ours. . .
“The beauty of the novel is how intensive you feel connected to this story, of how your heart is submerged so wholly full into Ms Chambers’ vision of it, you cannot disconnect. . . Give yourself to this novel, don’t hold back — take the steps you need to transport yourself into a threshold of time where love and the protective arm of grace can set free all hidden secrets. You will ache to return, to re-live this story and re-see it through new eyes which understand more than you did originally.
“I was so captured by this author’s vision for this novel, I hungered to read more of her collective works. [It’s] the subtle way in which she uses the craft of writing to speak more than the words spilt onto her pages — there is a lived history of her own tugging at the edges where the ink has lost its trace. . .
“[House on the Forgotten Coast] is not merely #unputdownable, it is rememberable for how it makes you feel pulled into [Chambers’] imagination — of re-tracing her own steps to make this burst alive with possibility and the soulful aches of lost loves. . .”
Erica Robyn Reads reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, January 10, 2018
“. . . a really fun read! Definitely one that you can pick up and get totally lost in! . . .
“I would definitely recommend this one to readers [who] enjoy books that will keep them thinking long after the last page! I will be re-reading this one again soon!”
Svetlana’s Reads and Reviews reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, January 8, 2018
“Secrets, lies, and murder haunt The House on the Forgotten Coast, a magical novel set in Apalachicola, Florida, in the late 1980s. . . . From the start the tale is intriguing and I loved the interactions and hidden secrets between Elise and her family members.”
Wall-to-Wall Books reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, January 3, 2018
“Absolutely 5 Stars!!! This book was fantastic! I love ghost stories anyway but this was one of the best I have read. . . . [T]here is so much this book has to offer . . . I had trouble putting it down.”
Modern Creative Life: In her essay “A Cinderella Story” which appeared in Hope & Wonder, Issue # 8, author Ruth Coe Chambers writes about her life-long love of reading and how it has shaped her life and her writing. December 28, 2017
Broken Teepee reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, December 27, 2017
“There are many threads in this tale all weaving together to form a very enthralling tale . . . let the story happen and you will find yourself enjoying the work. . .”
“House on the Forgotten Coast pulled me in with the intense atmosphere and air of mystery . . . a mysterious and haunting story that I absolutely devoured.”
Readaholic Zone reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, December 15, 2017
“If you enjoy reading fantasy, mystery or magical realism, I think you will really like this book. . . . [T]his is the type of book you will discover new details each time it’s read."
Book Nerd Native reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, December 1, 2017
“House on the Forgotten Coast was a fun read! There was a mysterious, whimsical touch to the plot line that made for a very engaging reading experience. . . . The characters were well fleshed out, and the dialogue believable, and I found that the general easy flow of narrative made this a perfectly pleasant read. . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the small town, cozy feeling of this book.
“I enjoyed the protagonist, Elise, very much. She comes to this new town on the expectation of her own misery, and instead finds comfort in exploration and observation of this new fascinating town. It was sweet to remember my childhood through her curiosity.
“. . . this book. . . deserves more attention."”
I’d Rather Be at the Beach reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, November 20, 2017
“The author brings the story and the small town alive with her words, and makes this book very hard to put down.
“This story is not like what I usually read, but it caught my attention because it takes place in Apalachicola, Florida. The story is interesting from the start and keeps your attention through to the end with many twists and turns and a lot of mystery and secrets.”
Story Circle Book Reviews: Lee Ambrose reviews House on the Forgotten Coast, October 23, 2017
“Ruth Coe Chambers has created characters that are complex, engaging, and unforgettable. The house on the northwest coast is perhaps the most complex and unforgettable character of them all. Chambers paints vivid pictures of the sleepy fishing village of Apalachicola as it grapples with a haunting past and an uncertain future. . . .
“If you like strong characters, tension-filled story lines and a touch of mystery, then this book is for you. If you are looking for a book that is next to impossible to put down, this book is for you. If you enjoy the beauty of small towns, old homes and the stories they harbor, this book is for you.
When you finally come to the last page, I promise you that the story and its characters will remain with you.”
First Coast Living, WTLV Channel 12: Author Ruth Coe Chambers discussed her new novel, House on the Forgotten Coast, with First Coast Living host, Casey Black DeSantis, October 19, 2017.
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb: Q&A with Ruth Coe Chambers, August 26, 2017
Ruth Coe Chambers is the author of the new novel House on the Forgotten Coast. She also has written the novels The Chinaberry Album and Heat Lightning. She lives in Neptune Beach, Florida.
Events
Santa was seen reading House on the Forgotten Coast! Signed editions make wonderful gifts and are available from The BookMark, an independent bookstore in Neptune Beach, Florida.
The BookMark, located in Neptune Beach, FL, hosted a great book launch reception and reading event. Friends captured photos of the evening.