My Review
Derrick comes from a brutal background of living on the streets. He only understood committing crimes and sleeping near dumpsters as a means to survive. Then Tony Viscolli crosses paths with Derrick and gives him an offer that seems way too good to be true. Derrick is fearful of what he has to give in return, but the rules are simple. No more drugs or booze, a roof over his head, going to church with Tony, a job and a real education. Derrick never intends to fulfill his end of the bargain, but he falls in love with Tonys family and he gives his life to Christ in the process. His life is forever changed and he is blessed with a real family, a real future.
Sarah has no recollection of her childhood before she was adopted at the age of nine. Her sisters are both happily married and have been reunited to Sarahs life. Sarah has a great job, her roommate is her best friend, and she attends a church she considers home. However, whenever shes around Derrick her defenses come up and she refuses to trust him. Hes arrogant, untrustworthy, and he has a shameful past. Will she ever see his true character or will she continue closing her heart off to his kindnesses?
This book was slightly slow in taking off and I took a chance with it considering its not the first book in the series, but once I got to the heart of the story I was very satisfied at the chance to review it! I considered this book the Christian version of The Godfather because of the Italian family and Tonys influence with everyone. This man owns the most impeccable hotel in town, but there is no doubt that Christ is the center of his life and profession.
There are three things that were an absolute delight for me in this story:
The transformation of Sarah and Derricks relationship; they start off as constantly arguing, become friends and through prayer and intervening circumstances slowly evolve into something so much more precious.
Sarahs sisters and Tonys brothers; I absolutely LOOOOVED how this family sticks together through grief, tribulations, danger, and heartbreak. They laugh together, pray together, raise their kids together, work together, and stand by one another through everything. There is only one scene with kids in it, the rest of the plot they are only mentioned or referred to.
The love of God is felt in this story without preaching.
There is violence in the story, one murder, and mentions of Derricks crime filled past, but the overall message is forgiveness and family support. Its amazing how a life can be changed so radically after one decides to trust God regardless of where that person comes from. I also loved two other scenes in the story: one where Sarah attacks someone in self defense thinking them to be an intruder and one scene where she gets to tell someone who betrayed her to stay away. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. The healing and romance found in this story make the book into the treasure its titled after.
I want to thank the author for sending me a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Derrick comes from a brutal background of living on the streets. He only understood committing crimes and sleeping near dumpsters as a means to survive. Then Tony Viscolli crosses paths with Derrick and gives him an offer that seems way too good to be true. Derrick is fearful of what he has to give in return, but the rules are simple. No more drugs or booze, a roof over his head, going to church with Tony, a job and a real education. Derrick never intends to fulfill his end of the bargain, but he falls in love with Tonys family and he gives his life to Christ in the process. His life is forever changed and he is blessed with a real family, a real future.
Sarah has no recollection of her childhood before she was adopted at the age of nine. Her sisters are both happily married and have been reunited to Sarahs life. Sarah has a great job, her roommate is her best friend, and she attends a church she considers home. However, whenever shes around Derrick her defenses come up and she refuses to trust him. Hes arrogant, untrustworthy, and he has a shameful past. Will she ever see his true character or will she continue closing her heart off to his kindnesses?
This book was slightly slow in taking off and I took a chance with it considering its not the first book in the series, but once I got to the heart of the story I was very satisfied at the chance to review it! I considered this book the Christian version of The Godfather because of the Italian family and Tonys influence with everyone. This man owns the most impeccable hotel in town, but there is no doubt that Christ is the center of his life and profession.
There are three things that were an absolute delight for me in this story:
The transformation of Sarah and Derricks relationship; they start off as constantly arguing, become friends and through prayer and intervening circumstances slowly evolve into something so much more precious.
Sarahs sisters and Tonys brothers; I absolutely LOOOOVED how this family sticks together through grief, tribulations, danger, and heartbreak. They laugh together, pray together, raise their kids together, work together, and stand by one another through everything. There is only one scene with kids in it, the rest of the plot they are only mentioned or referred to.
The love of God is felt in this story without preaching.
There is violence in the story, one murder, and mentions of Derricks crime filled past, but the overall message is forgiveness and family support. Its amazing how a life can be changed so radically after one decides to trust God regardless of where that person comes from. I also loved two other scenes in the story: one where Sarah attacks someone in self defense thinking them to be an intruder and one scene where she gets to tell someone who betrayed her to stay away. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. The healing and romance found in this story make the book into the treasure its titled after.
I want to thank the author for sending me a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
