The River Way Home: The Adventures of the Cowboy, the Indian, & the Amazon Queen

ALLIGATORS, OUTLAWS AND TOURISTS!
Best Florida Fiction of 2013*
Best Florida Young Adult Book of 2013*
John J. Horgan Award Winner**A Disneyesque classic for for young adults and adults who are young at heart!



It's 1914 on Florida's last frontier. A young Cracker fisherman's son who yearns to become a Florida cow hunter, a Seminole boy who sees his way of life dying, and an educated African-American girl from Baltimore who longs to have adventures lose their boat in a Lake Okeechobee storm.



Alone in the mysterious Florida Jungle between Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic Ocean and armed with only the skills of their cultures, they fight off the denizens of the swamp only to discover outlaws blocking the only road back. So, they embark on a quest down the river to find a new way back. How will they survive and who will they be when they get Home?

"The River Way Home" is a tale of pre-bulldozer Florida Full of action, humor, exotic animals, and conflicts that remain contemporary today. It is a classic tale of friendship and coming-of-age that will take you back in time to your childhood favorites.

Immerse yourself in the unique environment of the vanishing Florida Jungle. Face off against the notorious John Ashley and his gang of bank robbers. Learn about Cracker cowboys, Okeechobee fishermen, Seminole Indians and the Florida swamps of yore.


*Florida Authors and Publisher's Association.
**Florida Historical Society

#Florida panther, #alligator, #rattlesnake, #dugout canoe, #Indian River, #House of Refuge, #lightning, #chickee, Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW
"...This book hits the bull's-eye ... more than just an adolescent thrill ride ora 'coming of age' story. I almost feltas if at times I was there amidst the characters, soaking up the lushsurroundings. By far, one of the besthistory lessons I have ever had the privilege of taking. - Glen Marcus for MBR

"...an adventure of epicproportions sure to ignite the imaginations of readers old or young!" --tometenderblogspot.com

"Some might compare this story to Mark Twain's 'Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn', and rightly so. ... But I found it to be more of a history lesson, with endearing and well-written characters to carry us on a wonderful journey. ... I would recommend this story to be used as a textbook in all Florida history classes."- Magnolia Blossom Review"...the ending arrives much too quickly." --Gary Stout Garywstout.com

"A nostalgic novel with anenvironmental message that illuminates the book without distracting in any wayfrom the fun." --Blogcritics blogcritics.org

"This is a remarkably well-told tale that brings the past to life.The characters are incredibly real and it is easy to join in their joys,sorrows, fear, and excitement." --Melinda Hills for Readers' Favoritereadersfavorite.com


"Filled with a strong story, wonderful imagery, and well developedcharacters, the book paints a vivid picture of the time with a solid mix ofhistory, the clash of different cultures, the still prevalent issues ofinequality across race, gender, and mindset..."--GaryStout Garywstout.com FROM THE AUTHOR
Fall in love with the Florida that used to be.

One of the reasons I wrote"The River Way Home" was to let people experience what the St. Lucie Riverand Indian River Lagoon were like before human beings dredged the canals thatconnect them and the Caloosahatchee River to Lake Okeechobee.

Florida'snatural systems of wetlands and lakes originally cleansed the runoff fromCentral Florida by draining it slowly down the Kissimmee Valley throughLake Okeechobee to the Everglades. Today, that water flushes through theSt. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico,polluting them all, while the Everglades starve.

It's my hope that everyone who reads "The River Way Home" will get toknow the rivers that used to be, fall in love with them as I have, and join thefight to save them and the Everglades. There has to be a better answer. FROM THE BACK COVER
2014 James J. Horgan Award Winner*2013 Best Florida Fiction**2013 Best Florida Young Adult Book**2012Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Second PrizeWinner!
2012 Discovering the Undiscovered AwardFinalist!

"Seamless storytelling..."
2012 Amazon BreakthroughNovel Award
Amazon Expert Reviewer

"Great historical background, exotic locations ...
insightful observations...
2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
Publisher's Weekly Reviewer***


*Florida Historical Society **Florida Authors & Publishers Association
***Publisher's Weekly is an independent publication which reviewedthe manuscript version of this book as part of the Amazon Breakthrough NovelAward process. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MaryE. Dawson is the author of the award-winning* Florida historical adventure,"The River Way Home: The Adventures of the Cowboy, the Indian, and theAmazon Queen."

"TheRiver Way Home" is a tale of old Florida for young readers and readers whoare young at heart. Rich in historical detail, it draws you deep into thebeauty and mystery of Florida's unique environment to experience hercharacters' coming of age as they explore of friendship, loss, and possibilityin addition to a wild and fantastic land.

Aformer professional photographer, editor for NASA, community activist, electedofficial, and attorney, Mary searched from New Orleans, to Seattle, to Houston,and Miami, before she found the place she calls home - a small remnant ofFlorida's last frontier, which she shares with friends, family, and ablack-and-tan hound that wandered in out of the Allapattah Flats one sunnyafternoon.

AddedBonus: Dawson has included a section of vintage photographs and shorthistorical essays introducing the places, people, and events that inspired thestory at the end.

Youcan contact Mary for presentations and book signings at MaryEDawson.com or viaemail at [email protected].