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Feast For Thieves by Marcus Brotherton ~ Historical Fiction Review and Giveaway

Feast For Thieves

Marcus Brotherton

Historical Fiction

PREACHING OR PRISON--

an impossible choice for a man

who usually solves his problems

with a rifle or his fists.

Sergeant Rowdy Slater was the most incorrigible paratrooper in Dog Company during World War II. But after the war, when Rowdy robs a bank with the black-hearted Crazy Ake, he vows to turn his life around. The lawman, suspicious that Rowdy's confession is a sham, gives him an ultimatum: Rowdy must serve one year as the town minister, or go straight to jail. Rowdy's choice? Preaching at the community church in Cut Eye, Texas, at the midpoint of nowhere and emptiness.

At first the job seems easy, particularly since Rowdy takes over for the willowy female missionary who held the church together while the men were at war. But when Crazy Ake shows up with a plan to make some quick cash, Rowdy becomes ensnared and is forced to make a deadly choice.

My Thoughts
If there was ever a book that should NOT be judged by its cover, this would be it. From the cover I was expecting it to be more warish . . . but it isn't. In fact it is downright humorous in spots. Which was a complete surprise.
I've enjoyed several of Marcus Brotherton's nonfiction books so I knew he was a very talented writer. But this first work of fiction really reveals that he is a master wordsmith. It is my hope that he continues to bless us with more of these tales from his imagination.
The characters in this novel are what make the whole story sing. They are quirky in a way that only small-town folks can be. There's just something about people that know each other so well that they can't stand each other yet love them at the same time. One of the elements that Marcus used in this story was area specific dialogue. I'm from a Southernish area and some of the phrases that his characters used just made me laugh out loud. That is exactly how my people sound!
Above all else that I loved about this story was the redemption theme throughout. We're never far away from falling into a pit ourselves and we should remember that when we see someone stumble. Reach out and give them a hand and help them stand up again. Sheriff Barker took a chance on Rowdy and it changed everything, for Rowdy and the entire town.
Connect With The Author

www.MarcusBrotherton.com

Facebook I Twitter I Google+

Goodreads

The Giveaway

We have partnered with River North Fiction to offer one of our readers a copy of Feast For Thieves. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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The Turning by Davis Bunn ~ A Suspense Book Review and Giveaway

The Turning

Davis Bunn

Suspense

Back of the book:

TAKE THE TURNING

AND WALK THE UNLIKELY ROAD.

A voice. And five dissimilar people knew they were summoned to obey. Against all earthly logic, it carried a divine command--and their unforeseen meeting would result in a challenge to the cultural direction of the nation and wage war against the most powerful and influential industry in North America.

A message. One that asks for a single personal response--a response that can unveil a new realm of moral responsibility and hope. The media frenzy places a spotlight on knowing--and doing--the will of God. How will the group be able to stand against the swelling powers of darkness and greed vying to crush their message of hope?

Can they really hear the voice of God?

Prepare your heart to hear from God; download devotionals and audio teaching at www.TheTurningBook.com.

My thoughts:
One of the central themes of the Gospels is that of hope. Hope that there is more to this life than what is before us. Hope that what we have done in this life can be redeemed for good. Hope that there is life after death.
But what if you were a non-believer and everything around you screamed that hope was dead? How would you feel? What would it take for you to begin to believe that hope is alive and well?
In his new book The Turning, Davis Bunn explores that very topic. Through the fast-paced style that we have all come to expect we are introduced to Trent Cooper, a virtual nobody who desires to become a somebody. Trent gets his opportunity to dazzle his boss and dazzle he does. His plan is costly but it has the potential to bring the company millions. But what will the true cost be to the company, to society, and to Trent himself?
About the same time Trent is getting his big break, five unrelated people begin to feel the urging of the Holy Spirit. They are each being asked to take an unexpected and in some cases uncomfortable turn in their lives. Each person has a separate story but eventually those separate threads begin to weave together and form a united tapestry.
Of all the Davis Bunn books that I have read, this is the one that most reminds me of an intense TV drama. The scenes change rapidly and make it where you can't help but turn the page to see what is coming next. Davis has taken the historic theme of good vs. evil and brought it into the modern digital age. His use of all forms of social media and current trends brings to the story a form of reality that is scary. You can't help but see how our world is racing towards this lack of hope. But as with all of his novels, he also provides the answer to the despair that the story encompasses. The answer is hope. Hope in the One that can set you free.
A new aspect with this novel is the follow-up 40 day online devotional and audio files that will help you prepare to hear from God. After reading this thought provoking novel, you can now immerse yourself in learning to discern the voice of God. You will be encouraged to develop a closer relationship and to take the next step of obedience.
Connect with the author:

www.TheTurningBook.com

www.DavisBunn.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @DavisBunn

Pinterest

The Giveaway:

We have partnered with River North Fiction and Davis Bunn to offer one of our readers a copy of The Turning. If you would like to enter for a chance to win a copy for yourself please use the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open to any U.S. resident age 18 and over.

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Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea and Caryn Rivadeneira ~ A Historical Fiction Review

Shades of Mercy

Anita Lustrea and Caryn Rivadeneira

Historical Fiction

Back of the book:

Someday

. . . her father will see Mercy for the young woman she has become.

. . . Mercy and Mick can move their relationship out from the shadows.

. . . Mercy will leave Maine's Northwoods for the world outside.

Although other parts of the country were changing, the Maliseets of Maine's Northwoods were still relegated to shanties on the local garbage dump. Those who found work were farmhands, not bosses. And, of course, a Maliseet boy could never date the farmer's daughter. Not ever.

All of that began to change in 1954. As racial tensions escalate, Mercy and her Maliseet boyfriend find it nearly impossible to hold on to their someday dream . . . then disaster strikes, looking surprisingly like the grace of God.

My thoughts:

This book has been described as a sweet coming-of-age story and I would wholeheartedly agree with that. The two main characters, Mercy and Mick, are young teenagers and they are in love. The problem is that society frowns upon the relationship.

The timeframe is the mid 50s during the era of Brown vs The Board of Education. While things are changing in other parts of the country, the deep seeded prejudice that grips the small town of Watsonville, Maine is alive and well. Mercy is the daughter of a well respected area farmer but Mick is from the disparaged Maliseet tribe. In the eyes of most in the town the two classes do not mix.

In a very gentle way the story of the area's history is revealed. We are allowed to see how a tiny seed of bitterness and resentment can blossom into a tree full of anger and revenge. Shades of Mercy shows the best and the worst of how we as humans treat each other. We get to cheer when a group of people begin to rally to change what is wrong even when it seems impossible.

I was completely enraptured with the characters and the scenarios that were presented in the novel. Anita and Caryn really captured the dynamics of a small town. I don't know that there will be a sequel, but I sure hope so. The story does come to a conclusion, but there are still areas that I would love to see resolved. I want to know more about these fabulous characters that have taken up residence in my heart.