While I applaud Ms. Bartel's talent as a writer, I cannot give this book the review I was hoping. It was a bit of a surprise. The situations portrayed in the book were not what would be expected from a Christian publisher. I hate giving bad reviews but it was not something I feel comfortable reading or encouraging others to.
There is frequent alcohol use, drunkenness, and descriptions of sexual molestation. The latter, due to the very nature of it, while not as explicit as it could have been, cannot be made clean. The main character even has a man she has never met before stay in her cabin with her. He is there to help her translate her book into another language. That is innocent enough, and nothing happens between them, but not in keeping with godly conduct.
There are several references and descriptions of the woman's scantily clad attire, and her molester looking her over. This made me uncomfortable just reading it.
In fact there is not Christian aspect or even God mentioned in the story.
I would not have agreed to review this book had there been any indication of these things. This book was definitely not for me.
I received this book from Revell publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
There is frequent alcohol use, drunkenness, and descriptions of sexual molestation. The latter, due to the very nature of it, while not as explicit as it could have been, cannot be made clean. The main character even has a man she has never met before stay in her cabin with her. He is there to help her translate her book into another language. That is innocent enough, and nothing happens between them, but not in keeping with godly conduct.
There are several references and descriptions of the woman's scantily clad attire, and her molester looking her over. This made me uncomfortable just reading it.
In fact there is not Christian aspect or even God mentioned in the story.
I would not have agreed to review this book had there been any indication of these things. This book was definitely not for me.
I received this book from Revell publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Erin Bartels is an awesome writer. She is now on my list of authors who are automatic reads. Kendra Brennan is a novelist who is having trouble writing her 2nd book. She has received a letter from 'A Very Disappointed Reader' who claims that she did not tell the truth in her first book. She is planning to confront Tyler, the man who she wrote about, and prove that she told the truth about what happened at Hidden Lake where she spent those long-ago summers. Hopefully then she will be able to meet the deadline for her next book.
The book is written in the first person and Kendra is speaking to Cami, her friend and sister of Tyler, who has gone missing. But what Kendra discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected.
It is a book about friendship, family love, sexual abuse and forgiveness. It is a painful and emotional exploration for Kendra and Erin Bartels, the author, who has experienced sexual abuse herself. I was touched by Erin's message to her readers and hope that she has found some peace from laying her heart on her sleeve and expressing her feelings so beautifully.
If you enjoy heartfelt books, then you should definitely read this one. I would like to thank LibraryThing and Revell Publishers for giving me a free copy and the experience of reading and reviewing this book.
The book is written in the first person and Kendra is speaking to Cami, her friend and sister of Tyler, who has gone missing. But what Kendra discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected.
It is a book about friendship, family love, sexual abuse and forgiveness. It is a painful and emotional exploration for Kendra and Erin Bartels, the author, who has experienced sexual abuse herself. I was touched by Erin's message to her readers and hope that she has found some peace from laying her heart on her sleeve and expressing her feelings so beautifully.
If you enjoy heartfelt books, then you should definitely read this one. I would like to thank LibraryThing and Revell Publishers for giving me a free copy and the experience of reading and reviewing this book.
