Monday, February 8, 2010

Hunter's Moon



Every family has secrets. Few will go as far as the Baxters to keep them. Bestselling novelist CJ Baxter has made a career out of writing hard-hitting stories ripped from his own life. Still there's one story from his past he's never told. One secret that's remained buried for decades. Now, seventeen years after swearing he'd never return, CJ is headed back to Adelia, NY. His life in Tennessee has fallen to pieces, his grandfather is dying, and CJ can no longer run from the past. With Graham Baxter, CJ's brother, running for Senate, a black sheep digging up old family secrets is the last thing the family and campaign can afford. CJ soon discovers that blood may be thicker than water, but it's no match for power and money. There are wounds even time cannot heal.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Hunter's Moon, go HERE

Book Description

I admit it.    I judge books by their covers.    I can't help it.    A good book cover is essential to me.    The smoking gun on the cover of this book was just -- to use my teenage son's words -- epic.      And it was because of my teenage son's need for more quality books that I wanted to read this book.     So much of the fiction market today is geared towards women that I am more and more on the lookout for books that I can put on the bookshelf for my boys.       

Adelia provided a great background for the story lines that included strained family relationships, marriages in trouble, mysterious friendships and moments of self-discovery.      One of the main flaws in this book is addressing major issues, such as domestic abuse, anger, and bitterness, while not always bringing a complete resolution to these problems.     Some of the story lines seemed to be left hanging in some parts.       I am not opposed to an author leaving parts of books up to a reader's interpretation, but writing so completely throughout the entire plotline and then inadequately wrapping up the ending is unfair to the reader.

While that seems like a negative review, I did enjoy reading this book and it will go on my shelf for my boys to enjoy when they get a little older.


This book provided for review by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishing for free in exchange for an honest review.

2 comments:

Don said...

Deanna,

Thanks for readinng and reviewing my book. I agree - I didn't address all of the issues I raised. But I think any good novel raises more questions than it amswers (he says hoping for a nod from the reviewer!)

Deanna said...

Don,

I would love to see CJ's story continued in another book. He pulls so many personality traits that I think readers recognize in themselves. Who among us doesn't drag our childhood along with us like a worn out piece of luggage into our adulthood?

I will agree with you that a good novel raises more questions than it answers.

Deanna