Downfall by Terri Blackstock

This newly released Intervention Novel by New York Times bestselling author Terri Blackstock kept me glued within the pages of Downfall. I easily was pulled into the fictional lives of Emily Covington, her mother and brother and later Kent. Without being a spoiler, the storyline easily unfolds and I find myself relating to Emily's fleshly struggles, as well as her need for redemption and deliverance from her past.

I enjoyed the quick-paced action and the concise manner in which Ms. Blackstock structures her chapters. The chapters were short, however the short chapters allowed me closure quickly, and a new scene to enter.

There was nothing offensive to me as a Christian, and I appreciated the lessons and the relationships that resulted. I cheered for the underdog and I was sad that some chose sin over success.

One picayune detail I will mention (because I am a book reviewer who reads every chapter in every book I review) which was a bit skewed was on page 262. The scene basically was Emily and her mother running across the road. I quote, "He looked toward the MARTA station and saw her and Emily running across the highway." The problem with this scene was that Emily was on crutches, her leg in a cast and the scene prior was her awkwardly trying to get off the bed and hide under a bed. Possibly she was hobbling with her crutches with her mother helping her across the highway, but I cannot imagine someone on crutches making it alive across a busy highway (yikes.)

If you are like me, and like all the ends tied, and happy endings then this book is your perfect read for spring, summer, winter or fall.  Order your copy today. Visit Zondervan.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock

Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock can be described in one word. Amazing! Usually I do not end up speechless when describing a book.

As I was introduced and the characters became familiar to me, I felt like I was watching a movie. A sign of a really good read is forgetting you are holding a book in your living room. In this book, I was literally transformed into the town of Serenity. I admired Carny and appreciated her spunkiness. Her story inspired me and I saw her as the "good guy" amongst a sea of naive residents.

I related to the author's weaving the gullible characters and their reasoning against the wisdom and streets smarts that Carny had learned in her childhood. Her son was precious and I admired her faithfulness to giving her son a godly upbringing.

This love story was told in such a way that was not preachy to the reader. I do believe this book  would appeal to a nonbeliever as well. The salvation message was presented in a gentle way. Carny stuck to the Bible in the way she handled each situation. I was allowed many glimpses into her human frailty. The contrast of her hardness combined with her vulnerability to love was a pleasure to behold!

I would do cartwheels if  a sequel to this wonderfully woven story was made. I recommend Shadow in Serenity unreservedly to anyone seeking to escape for awhile while going nowhere but your living room. You will experience serenity in a whole new way!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christna@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.