CAFE: A gathering place. A place of refreshment.

Thirsty for the latest releases in Christian fiction? Ready for a peek into the world of publishing and writing conferences? Hungry for spiritual and real-life nourishment? Pull up a seat; you're in the right place, and I'm so glad you've stopped by.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Review and Giveaway of A SLOW BURN by Mary E. DeMuth

A SLOW BURN by Mary E. DeMuth

My Review:

This second course in the Defiance Texas Trilogy was a bit of a surprise to me. Instead of continuing with Jed Pepper’s story, Mary takes us deep into the lives of Daisy Chance’s fragile, drug-addicted mother, Emory, and Jed’s warm-hearted friend, Hixon, whose own life is marked by uncertainty and grief. From the story’s opening with the discovery of Daisy’s body until the very last page, Mary paints a heart-wrenching picture of the colors of grief, the depths of regret and guilt, and the stranglehold that drugs have on Emory. There are breathlessly touching moments of grace in Emory’s life as the reader is shown her inner struggle and the desperation she lives with each day. Doubts plague Hixon as he ministers faithfully to Emory even when nothing makes sense and his efforts seem futile.

Mary endears her characters to the reader by making them real even with the quirks that set them apart from the other residents of Defiance, Texas. Redemption shines through the pages as we realize that every life is precious, that God has a plan even when we can’t see it, and our job is to trust Him. I look forward to the final installment of this trilogy to find out what happens to these characters who’ve become like friends.

It’s probably helpful if you’ve read Daisy Chain, the first book in this series to understand the background and be more invested in the characters, but no matter how you do it, this is a series of powerful, redemptive books from a very gifted author.

Visit Mary’s Website.

Visit Mary's Blog.

See what other reviewers are saying.

Watch the book trailer.

Buy the book.

AND THE BEST NEWS OF ALL – A GIVEAWAY OF A SLOW BURN: Win a copy of the book right here! Leave a comment with your contact information to be entered in a drawing to be held at noon on Friday, October 9. US Residents only. Your chance of winning depends on the number of entrants.


Blessings to you all!

12 comments:

C. S. Lakin said...

I'd love to read Mary's new book. Please enter me: sulakin@comcast.net

Cheryl Barker said...

Count me in, too, Carla! ckbarker at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I loved daisy chain!
rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Sandee61 said...

I'd love to read Slow Burn...please enter my name in your giveaway. It sounds like a really good read. Thank you!


Blessings,
Sandee

Sandee61 said...

Forgot my email address...sorry!

Sandee

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Jo said...

Oh count me in. I would really love to read this book.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

carla stewart said...

Thanks for all the entries, friends. I think you'll like this book by an amazing author. Good luck!

Myra Johnson said...

Looking forward to reading another wonderful Mary DeMuth book! Got my copy at the ACFW conference a couple of weeks ago.

Carole said...

I just got the first book in this series and look forward to some great reading, as I love Mary's style of writing. Thanks so much, Carla, for the chance to win a copy of A Slow Burn.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Mary DeMuth said...

Thanks so much, Carla, for the review. You're a blessing!

windycindy said...

What a wonderful book to read by the fireplace as the air is chilling.
Please enter my name in your delightful book drawing.....
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Bonnie Way aka the Koala Mom said...

Drat - I'd love to read this book! Daisy Chain was one of the best books I read this year, and the teaser chapter at the end hinted at what you've reviewed here. I'll have to find it here in Canada somewhere... :)