My Review
As the "owner" of a book review blog, I often get contacted by authors asking to review their books. I love getting these requests, but sometimes I have to turn them down for various reasons. Boy, am I glad I didn't turn this book down! Cathy Bryant is a wonderful writer. The story came alive on the pages and I couldn't put it down. The small town setting and the friendly, supporting community made me feel right at home.
I will admit I had a hard time liking Carter and Mara sometimes. Their attitudes and "pig-headedness" left a bad taste in my mouth. Overall, though, I really got to connect with them and their feelings. I could understand the emotions they were going through because they were so well written. I really enjoyed sweet Ashton's presence and Chloe's typical teenage attitude.
While the author focuses a lot on the budding romance between Carter and Mara, the romance kind of takes a back seat to the message. This book battles some very, very tough topics for Christians and non-Christians alike. Bulimia, childhood Leukemia, Depression, and PTSD play a prominent roll in the book. Despite the heavy topics, there is a lightness and sense of hope weaved expertly throughout the story. Even though "we live in enemy-occupied territory" with the devil trying to stir up all the trouble he can, God is with us and will never leave us.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a ray of hope in the midst of a battle.
*Thank you, Cathy, for providing me with a copy of your book in exchange for my honest review.*
GIVEAWAY TIME
Cathy has graciously provided me with a DIGITAL copy of "Crossroads" to give away.
Please answer the following question in a comment on THIS post for a chance to win: Mara struggles with accepting that God is real throughout the book.
At what point in your life did you know God was real?
Giveaway ends April 30. Please leave your email in non-spam format.
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About the Book
CROSSROADS
a Miller's Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance
A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal...
After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?
An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?
Buy a copy: Amazon
========================================================================About Cathy Bryant
Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller's Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth's front porch beckons. All the Miller's Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller list and are rated at 4.5 stars or higher on Amazon. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Since then five other stand-alone novels have been added to the series, one of which was a reader-nominated 2013 Grace Award nominee (PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE). Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks. A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She's written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors, and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors, and mini-farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books, visit her website at www.CatBryant.com or make contact with her in these places:
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CROSSROADS Facebook Launch Party & Kindle Fire HD6 Giveaway!
YOU'RE INVITED!
What: CROSSROADS Book Launch Party
Where: Facebook (from the comfort & convenience of your own home)
When: April 30, 2015 ~ 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Central time)
Why: To celebrate the book launch of CROSSROADS (a Miller's Creek novel and Christian Romance by Cathy Bryant)
LOTS of Fun, Games and Prizes!
Prizes Include: Miller's Creek pens, tote bags, t-shirts, mugs, digital books, autographed print books, Amazon gift cards, and
an Amazon Kindle Fire HD6!
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Shannah, thank you so much for taking the time to read and review Crossroads. So glad you enjoyed the story. :) Thanks also for hosting the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours,
Cathy
I wasn't raised in a Christian home or environment but I always believed in God. However, it wasn't until I was 30 that I truly came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and having a relationship with God. Would love a copy of Cathy's new book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful testimony, Robin. I find it so fascinating how the Lord moves in each of our lives to bring us to Himself. Thanks so much for sharing! :)
Deleterebunting(at)yahoo(dot)com sorry, forgot to add this
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a Christian home and I always knew God was real.
ReplyDeleteWould love a copy of this book to share with my sister in love.
Cathy is a fantastic author and she brings God's message home in every book.
What a tremendous blessing, Linda, to be raised in a Christian environment where God was as real (or even more so!) than all your eyes could see. Thank you for the kind and encouraging words, and for dropping by! :)
DeleteI was raised in church and I can't remember a time when I didn't know that God was real. I strayed for awhile in my late teens and early 20's, but thankfully I got my life back on track; and I know that even during the time I turned my back on God, He never turned his back on me. He protected me and watched over me, just like He's still doing today.
ReplyDeletemyfacebookemail23 at yahoo dot com
DeleteKim, what a beautiful testimony of God's love, concern, and protection. And thank you for sharing that you wandered, but found your way back home. That gives me hope for some prodigals in my life. Blessings, sister in Christ!
DeleteI was raised in a Christian household and can't remember a time I didn't know God was real, but I truly realized the need for a personal relationship with Jesus when I was in middle school.
ReplyDeletemo1202007ATyahooDOTcom
What a blessing to have that Christian background, Melissa. My story is similar. Thanks for stopping by! :)
ReplyDeleteI knew God was real at a young age because of my mom telling me so at home we studied about the Lord our God. I always feel God around me. mommystuck1(at)optonline(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI came to know God at the age of 13 by a Sunday school teacher. I did not grow up in a truly Christian home although my parents were and are kind. I was picked up by a friend each week to go to church!!! So glad that they did! God has been there for me through so much...don't know what I would have done without!
ReplyDelete