Carole Brown (4)

‘It’s impossible,’ said Pride
‘It’s risky,’ said Experience
‘It’s pointless,’ said Reason
‘Give it a try,’ whispered the Heart
- Unkown

A most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon! Starli is the proud owner of Apple Blossoms, an upscale restaurant. She is also a survivor of domestic abuse. Learning to trust anyone, especially a man, is almost impossible. The new chef, Joel, is a Sir from England, having been knighted for his extensive volunteer work with the downtrodden. His show more experience in the kitchen brings a whole new level to the offerings. Can she learn to trust him enough to give him authority over the food?
Along with the tension in the workplace, the author has the reader wondering why the ongoing harassment cannot be stopped. From almost being run off the road, to break ins and even fire, the mystery kept me trying to figure out what was really going on!
I enjoyed observing how much Starli changed throughout the book, as she learns to give the Lord her anger, hurt and mistrust and as a result realizes what forgiveness means.
I received an ARC through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own. show less

I really enjoyed this clean romance/mystery book. The author has become a favorite of mine because she writes stories that are easy to relate to and has wonderful biblical truths scattered throughout. Her characters are always charismatic and fun to get to know.

The title is so perfect for this charming story. Starli is very driven and is determined to make her restaurant a success. I loved the name of the restaurant which is called Apple Blossoms. It is a charming place that has become very show more popular. The atmosphere is trendy and overall the food has been good. Starli suddenly finds herself in need of a top notch chef. I wonder who will walk in the door to become the chef that everybody raves about?

The bright star in this story is the dashing Sir Joel Peterman-Blair. He has come all the way from England to become Starli's chef and save the day. The banter between them is hysterical. Starli instantly is all business like around him which he finds charming. The man is a breath of fresh air and easy on the eyes. I loved how Starli kept trying to hide her true feelings about Joel. The main reason she doesn't want to get involved with him or any man is because she doesn't trust them. She had a horrible marriage that was both physically and emotionally abusive. People wonder why she never turned her husband in, but who would believe her? Her husband was a police officer and well liked. When he is killed in an accident, she can finally breathe a little. It doesn't take long for her ex- brother-in-law to start stalking her. He is a bully and blames Starli for his brothers death. It can't be fun having to look over your shoulder constantly.

The mystery in the story is good and kept me guessing who was behind sabotaging the restaurant. The obvious choice would be the ex-brother-in-law, but maybe he has someone else doing his dirty work? Joel is all about keeping Starli safe while trying to find out who is trying to destroy her livelihood. Reading hoe their relationship develops is the icing on the cake. It is a great book that really focuses on trust and letting go of past hurts. I can't wait for the author's next book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

This book is not an easy read but one with topics that need to be addressed. I cannot image the terror of a young girl seeing her mother being tortured by a man with hate in his eyes. The scars of that day will remain with her and harden her heart in ways that only God can soften. That young girl is now grown and in a marriage where abuse is an everyday occurrence . Cara makes a decision that in her mind will set her free. Can she live with herself after her decision causes a death? She has show more grieved for a child she feels could have been saved and blames her husband for the death. Will she ever be free from the pain of losing her child? It was hard to read how her daughter died and I could understand her desire to seek peace in her heart.

The author paints a picture of a woman who is hurt and wonders why God has allowed her to suffer. I could understand her desire to be rid of a husband who brought back memories of her childhood. As I continued reading I kept being reminded of the scripture, " Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." The story is riveting as we witness a group that keeps women in submission by beatings and threats. I wanted to scream at times as I read how domineering the men were in this little community. It reminded me of a cult that was on the news several years ago. They were kept in a compound and treated like animals. Women had no say and were kept in line by harsh punishment. Young girls were married off to older men and the family could not stop it.

I had a hard time reading this book only because the author has done such a good job of sharing a story of pure evil at its best. Cara comes to the aid of one of her friends and finds herself in danger. Can the new pastor help her get free from this group? Dayne knew Cara in their younger days and has always had feelings for her. What will he do when he witnesses the torture being placed on people by intimidating men?

Elder Simmons is a man to be reckoned with. He reminds me of a bully and takes his authority to the edge. How can he believe that women should be whipped almost to death? His delusion that man should rule over their wife and children with violence made me sick. I could feel how powerful he thought he was and how many feared him. I think he forgot that what the Bible tells husbands how to treat their wives. The story shows how people twist scriptures to meet their own needs and how easy power gets to their head.

The author has written a book that is hard to read at times but I found myself wanting to know if Cara will ever be set from her hate and learn to forgive. Cara is a character that has many challenges and her defiance is quickly becoming a problem for the elders. Dayne is trying to open the eyes of the men to see what true love is and how God wants them to treat their wives as helpmates, not doormats. This story was tense at times and at other times so heartbreaking I wanted to stop reading. I appreciate the author writing this story to expose how people can be deceived. It is a journey that will find Cara questioning God and allowing her heart to be softened and her faith restored.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

“Who am I? What have I become besides a mother who adores her daughters?”

Thrusting the reader immediately into the world of The Children of Righteous Cain, a radical religious cult that exists in its own self-contained world, “The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman” is both eye-opening and heartbreaking, but with a whisper of hope that beckons throughout. Skeptical as I was when I started reading this story, I am glad that I took a chance on it. With a jarring prologue that begins to show more make more sense as the novel winds down, Carole Brown establishes a steady pace interjected with occasional moments of serenity that allow the reader to catch their breath. Once I stepped into the story, I had a difficult time putting it down, and it reminded me somewhat of a Lifetime movie. There is the requisite romance, and a forbidden one at that, and plenty of drama. Exposing the cornerstone of the cult, Brown manages to evoke revulsion but also sympathy, and she does so in a non-gratuitous manner that makes readers aware of the abuse and unpalatable issues without including graphic details or profanity.

As the narrative unfolds, the characters remain the most prominent aspect, even above the situations. They are my favorite part of the book because of the complexities woven into them by the author. When writing about cults, it can be easy to fall into stereotypes and characters who are either good or evil, with no middle ground. “The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman” offers a more authentic study of human behavior by demonstrating the conflicts within the cult members themselves, and the effects of brainwashing. While there is true evil, it comes through the sin resulting from twisting or denying God’s Word, and the consequences thereof. Indoctrinated with a false religion, the followers are expected to be subservient to whatever the leader proclaims, and anyone who challenges the modus vivendi is a threat. Due to her oldest daughter’s death, Caralynne defies the status quo: “All she wanted was for her girls to have a chance at a good and happy life. Whatever it took, she would do it. Right or wrong.” Ultimately, what causes the cult’s theology to fall apart is its lack of love. 1 John 4:18 encapsulates this missing element: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Thankfully, we have a Savior who does love us with a perfect love, and as this story demonstrates, it is Him we need to listen to and follow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. show less