Julie Cantrell

I learned a very good lesson from my father when he lost his sight and became an audio listener of books. I would ask him, "Dad, what are you reading?" he would often shrug as if he didn't know. I would then say, "What's it about?" and he would often reply, "Well, I don't know." To this, exasperated, I would say, "Is it good?" and he would always answer, "Why, yes. All books are good." What my dad was trying to tell me was simple, don't judge a book by its cover (or backflap).

I have once show more again become a voracious reader, listening and reading an average of two books per week as well as reading all day for my job. I have long since stopped reading backflaps or snippets from promoters, there's no time to cull through the one million plus titles published each year (true!). So, I just pick a book because it's next in line on a shelf, or in the queue of the Audible lineup, or I found it in a stack from the local thrift store. And, like my father, I am hard pressed to find a book where I don't learn something (even if it's meaningless), or don't enjoy some part of it. Books are good.

That all being said, and back to the book at hand, Perennials - I had no idea when I picked it up that it was published by a Christian house. I likely wouldn't have taken it on had I known, I would have judge the book before I picked it up. To my good fortune, I didn't know this until after I had finished listening (I did audio for this book).

What a wonderful, moral-rich, non-preachy, feel-good, tapped several of the big societal issues (adultery, death, divorce, pride, bullying, regret, work vs. family; you get the point), without ever once making me squirm with too much religious overtones, or want to run off to confess my improprieties. As a flower child at heart, I loved the continual nuances of people and growth compared to good soil and water, seasons, and blooms. This book was beautifully done.

Without a foul word one, a raunchy or explicit scene moving beyond butterflies or hand holding, I was intrigued, captivated, and anxious to read more. I strongly recommend Perennials on a day when you need a lift, need to know you are not alone in your struggles, and don't want to hear morality shoved down your throat.

Well done, Julie Cantrell! show less

Into the Free was an intense story, but I loved it and was pulled into the story and the characters' lives. The portrayal of their hardship was very realistic in that many abused children feel exactly the same way that Millie did. I appreciated that because so often people don't understand that abused children get a bit freaked out by loving families. Having worked with foster children for almost two decades, I saw this scenario often. Those same children are also very loyal to their own show more families, twisted as they might be. They are always waiting for the other ball to drop and to be hurt again. Too often that is exactly what happens. And they are drawn to the dark, dangerous types of boys. Many of those men start out amazing but once a girl is in a relationship with them, they are trapped. I felt really bad for the gypsy boy, River, because I do believe he sincerely loved Millie, but one never knows where that intense emotional stuff will lead, good or bad. In fact, her life often reflected the savagery of the dog that ate her own pups. I loved that metaphor and many of the other metaphors used in the story.

At any rate, I adored this author's voice, and the way she wasn't afraid to show the ugliness of life in all of it's authenticity, including how people perceive things who have been wounded. Faith isn't about dressing up on Sunday and sitting nicely in a pew. Not all Christians are white, though southern preachers in those days very well may have tried to present it that way. I agreed with Millie when it came to the hypocrisy she saw. I don't think God cares about that. What He wants is our hearts and He will use everything and anything to bring us to Him. This story showed that well. It also showed strength and determination from a girl only used to seeing passivity, weakness, and neglect. Unfortunately, many women think they must stay and bear the brunt of the man's abuse. The strongest thing Millie's mom ever did was not to take him back after that last time where he nearly killed her. I understood the rage Millie felt toward her mom's depression. So well done!

The Sloth character was great, but I also found it a bit disconcerting how she "saw" him even after she died. Then again, I can see a wounded child like Millie looking for comfort and security anywhere, even if she imagines it and believes it is real. When Sloth passed, she lost her best friend and the one person who seemed to care about her. The story was sad, but empowering at the same time. I like deep reads like this because they make me think about life, faith, and real love. I find survivor stories empowering. I didn't feel like anything was over-the-top. In real life, God doesn't always intervene. Most of the time, He doesn't. But He holds us when we hurt and carries us through. This story shows how anyone can survive and change the direction of their life. Even the most wounded people can still find God. There were many nuggets of truth in this novel that were an integral part of Millie's coming of age and her faith journey. I can see this book as a classic and I think it would make a great movie! Anyway, it's making my favorites list. It's fantastic! show less

Eva is running from the past. She has created a new life for herself as an ad executive in Arizona. She is about to sign a huge account and then she is going to retire to the mountains. But, her parents have called her home for their anniversary celebration. She is not ready to face her past or her family, especially her sister.
I adore this book!! The story, the location, the family traditions, it all hits home! There were spots I had to put the book down and just sigh. I live an hour show more outside of Oxford and I graduated from Ole Miss so of course, this book became special the first time Oxford is mentioned.
Even though I gave this book a 5 star rating, it is not without problems. Eva, to me, came off as a little whiney and she doesn't stand up for herself when she should. There were places I wanted to GIBBS SLAP her. She is an ad executive and she didn't get there by being mousey. So when her sister treats her like crap and she takes it, that grates on my nerves.
Outside of that one minor flaw, this is a just an all around great tale about family and life's ups and downs. This story is full of southern charm. Julie Cantrell nailed Oxford, the south and it's traditions. She is a masterful storyteller and creates a true world which everyone should experience.
"There's no point in telling her the truth-that my hometown is a literary mecca filled with poet laureates and Pulitzer winners, a university community more diverse and well-read than any she's probably visited, much less called home" (quote about Oxford,MS.) show less

After reading this gripping novel I can only sit and stare at the wall. The emotional turmoil this book took me through was so powerful that I wanted to scream. Few authors can capture the essence of a feeling and have the reader feel it in their soul. I can say without a doubt this author took me into the depths of hell and showed me ugliness I never want to see again. It is such a powerful story that I could not stop reading it. The caliber of writing is far superior than well seasoned show more authors on the best sellers list today.

The book centers around a field trip where something very tragic happens. It is every parents worse nightmare. The consequences of that day will set a course for depression , domestic violence, suicide , trafficking and many more unthinkable horrors that is faced by children everyday. The author handles the different subjects with grace, but gives a believable look into a gritty underworld of abuse that only be survived by the grace of God. I loved how the author always focused on hope for the characters and gave a glimpse into the power of faith and determination.

I will without hesitation say this has to be at the top of my list of best books ever written. The author took characters and gave them a face with words that scattered across the pages as they came to life. There were tears shed as I finished the book. It has changed be forever and I won't forget the story of survival and torture that seeps through the pages of a book worthy of the best of the best in fiction.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review. show less