Tuesday, November 23, 2010

‘Broken’ by Travis Thrasher – Book Review and Giveaway

Buzz this

‘Christian’ novels come in all different flavors. ‘Broken,’ by Travis Thrasher, shows that we live in a broken world, and the only way for us to get through this life in a satisfying manner is to follow the Lord, and to follow His precepts.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

The Tormented Tale of a Woman on the Run from Her Past, and A Stranger Who Knows Her Darkest Secret. Laila had it all – love, family, wealth, and faith. But when her world fell apart, Laila escaped New York to pursue a career as a model. Her new world of glamour turned out to be an illusion, however, full of danger that eventually led to murder.
Now, reinventing herself once again, Laila has managed to create an unassuming life in Greenville, South Carolina. Though she avoids personal connections, she can’t resist a male colleague’s persistent attempts at friendship that could lead to something more.
But even as Laila struggles to move forward, she can’t seem to forget the crimes of her past. When a stranger approaches her and says he knows what she did, Laila runs, pursued by mysterious men in dark shadows and haunted by visions of the man she killed. Little does she know she’s being hounded by something not of this world, something that knows her deepest, darkest secret that will follow wherever she goes.

Here is the biography of this author:

The author of eleven works of fiction, Travis Thrasher creates flawed characters and takes them on harrowing journeys of redemption. He and his wife, Sharon, live with their daughter in Chicago, IL.

Each chapter opens with a journal entry from Laila; they really help us to get a glimpse into the mind of this beautiful, yet troubled, woman. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 8:

What good is living in the moment when the past always inevitably overshadows it?
Sometimes I tell myself I need to find a good shrink, someone different than the ones in New York and Chicago that needed more help than they could prescribe. Sometimes I tell myself I need to find someone, anyone, that will accept and love me for who I am. But I can’t imagine – I can’t begin to imagine the layers I’d have to go through to get to the core.
And then – yes, when I hear those words “accept” and “love” and “who I am,” I think that what I need is the faith of my father. But every time I think about praying, think about going to church, think about any of that, I go back to the mess I left behind.
My problem is not wondering why God could allow bad things to happen. My problem is believing that God can do wondrous things. Yes, the Garden of Eden might have been real, and Moses parting the Red Sea and all the prophets of the Old Testament doing their miracles, and yes, even Jesus coming and dying on the cross next to a couple of criminals and surrounded by masses who mocked him. That might all be real, but to me right now, it seems like a fairy tale. Just like in all the stories of old, the stories from youth, when things worked out happily ever after. Those stories sell because people are looking for happily ever afters, and that includes people going oto see a shrink or people living their whole lives in their own bubbles of a family, or people sitting down in church and getting saved.
What are they saved from? That’s what I want to know. (pp. 44-45)

Obviously, Laila has left the faith of her family. Her younger brother, Lex, still clings to that faith. Here is an exchange between Lex and his wife, Dena, who is not happy that he is trying to track down Laila:

         “She’s missing because she wants to be,” Dena says.
         “I’m going to find her.”
         “Probably shacking up with the devil himself.”
         “Stop it.”
“That girl doesn’t deserve to be found. What’re you gonna do? Bring her home? Save her soul?”
“I can try.”
“She needs to stay away. She’s no good.”
“So was I.”
“God shined his face down on you.”
“Yeah, I know,” Lex says. “And I’m hoping He’s got some more mercy to spare. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m going to find her.”
“Heartache is all you’re gonna find. Heartache and death.” (p. 111)  

Another character in the book that has strong faith is Laila’s coworker, Kyle. Here is a conversation between the cynical Laila and the steadfast Kyle on the subject of confession of sins. Kyle begins:

         “Telling me won’t. But you can tell them to God.”
         “If He’s there He already knows about them.”
         “But you can put them before Him and ask for forgiveness.”
 “What’s that going to get me? A golden ticket to the heavenly spa up there? A get-out-of-jail card where I won’t have to worry about it anymore?”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Kyle says.
“So how does it work?”
“I don’t know, but I know what I believe. I know that I believe in God and I believe in His son, and I know this is going to sound like preaching 101 but I believe there is a way Jesus takes my mistakes. I have to believe this because if I don’t I’m hopeless.”
“What mistakes have you made? You’re a good guy.”
“We all make mistakes. All of us.” (p. 201)

I have read one other book by Mr. Thrasher – ‘Solitary’ (you can read my review here). That book is in the Juvenile Fiction category; this book decidedly is not. This book brings to the forefront the truth that this world is ruled by the enemy of our souls. Mr. Thrasher does not sugar coat life on this planet. You don’t want to read a book like this too far away from a loved one; it is chilling and not for the faint of heart. That said, Mr. Thrasher is gifted in his writing style, and puts you into the hearts and minds of his characters (cold and calculated as they may be). Fortunately, and thankfully, Laila finally sees what is truly important in this world; for that, I am grateful – and there will be no spoilers coming from me!  

You can order this book here.

This book was published by FaithWorks and provided by them for review and giveaway purposes.
_________________________________________

I have three copies of this book to pass along to three of you; thanks to Val at FaithWorks for generously providing these copies! 

There are several ways to gain entry:           

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me how God has redeemed your life! Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com. 

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back! If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter! Please limit one entry per option, and please include your email address, or, sad to say, the Random Number Generator will have to choose a different winner.

This giveaway is for U.S. and Canadian residents only. The deadline for entry is Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator (www.random.org) on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 and will be contacted via email. The best to all of you!

57 comments:

Linda said...

I've read only one book by Travis and that was Solitary. I know it's written for teens, but adults can reminisce and enjoy it just as much!
I would love a chance to win/read Broken. Please add me in.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Judylynn said...

God turned my hard heart into a heart that is now fully devoted to Him and His ways. I'm so glad he redeemed me and has called me His own!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

I am a Twitter follower!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

I am a Google follower!

Judylynn said...

I am a Facebook Friend!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

I am also a NetWorked Blog Follower!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda said...

God redeemed me through Billy Graham Crusade. 1973.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a FB friend.
;
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I follow by Twitter.


desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a Networked follower.


desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a GFC follower.


desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Emily said...

God turned my heart toward Him through the teachings of my awesome Pastor! (:

Horseluver120 at gmail dot com

Emily said...

Following you on Twitter! :D

Katie Marie said...

By the teachings of a wonderful father and the love of a godly mother, the Lord used them to turn my heart towards my Maker and Savior. :-D

- Katie

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

karenk said...

God had redeemed my life through family and friends.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
I've read several books by Travis Thrasher. Love his books.
I follow you with GFC.
Wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

I follow you on NetWorked Blog
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

I'm your Facebook friend.
Blessings to you
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Wonderful review! But you always do. The Lord used my mother and her fight with breast cancer to bring me back to Him. She is now with Him and one day I shall see them both.

I am a facebook friend

Carman sent me

latawniakintz [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

I follow you on Twitter

latawniakintz [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

I follow you on gfc

latawniakintz {at} gmail {dot} com

Unknown said...

I follow you on Network Blogs

latawniakintz [at] gmail [dot] com

Aik said...

God redeemed me when He let me witness the miracles that He worked through the words of a pastor.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Networked blogs follower.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Twitter follower @aikchien

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Facebook friend [Aik Chien]

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Bleah Briann//Lovely said...

I folllow you

Bleah Briann//Lovely said...

God redeemed my life by showing me how to have a more personal relationship with him over the Summer at camp. :)

And Travis Thrasher is my FAVORITE author... well... one of them. I love his work, and I would love to win.
Thanks. :)

God Bless,
Bleah Briann

Anonymous said...

God used the birth of my nephew(Jack) that has Downs to not only change my life, but everyone he comes in contact with. I praise God for the gift of him and His Majesty, that He would gift us with Jack.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I forgot to put email up :)
April
apeygirl at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

God has changed my life by letting me his word to children.
sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. Mostly because the title really gets me. So many times have I been broken by none other than my Lord who broke me for the sole reason of building me back up again in his image. And I know He will continue to break me until I reflect His image purely. Sometimes I feel like it would be better to just forget every time I have been broken, but then I would never be able to look back and see the amazing grace of God.

perhapsthatsridiculous at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower.

perhapsthatsridiculous at gmail dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

I would love to win this book! It has a deep message of redemption!
My message of redemption is the great difference Jesus Christ has made in me and my immediate family compared to the rest of my relatives who do not call Him Lord. Sin has them bound!

chakasa58 at gmail dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

I now follow you on Twitter; @CHAKASA58

Charlotte Kay said...

I follow you as a Google Friend on this blog

Charlotte Kay said...

I became your Facebook friend

Charlotte Kay said...

I now follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower

Ben said...

Thanks for a chance to win! I have been redeemed by His blood! I think one of the main helpers of that has been a solid Bible teaching Church I attend.

Thanks!

bigo.of.buckland[at]gmail[dot]com

Ben said...

Now a blog follower too!

bigo.of.buckland[at]gmail[dot]com

Ben said...

Blog follower now!

bigo.of.buckland[at]gmail[dot]com

Glenda said...

I'm a new facebook friend and I look forward to following you. I love your books!

Glenda said...

I'm a new facebook friend and I look forward to following you. I love your books!

gjac444(at)gmail(dot)com

AwesomeNiks said...

Jesus Christ has saved me from myself. He has given me eternal life and a better life on earth. I will never be alone!

Keiki Hendrix said...

Wow, what a cool blog. Entering the contest via
Facebook (we are already friends)
Twitter (we already follow ea/other)
Networked Blogs (following)
Friend Connect (got connected)

Keiki[dot]Hendrix[at]gmail[dot]com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Travis' book sounds amazing!

God redeemed my life from a highly disfunctional family who did not know Christ. I always feel like God went way out of His way to rescue me.

I'm a follower.

Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com
AnnLeeMiller.com

Karla Meachem said...

Broken...a title that ALL can relate to.

God redeemed me when I was 29 years old; I was a broken, wounded woman who knew deep in her heart that there HAD to be more to life than what I was experiencing.

God led me to an amazing Christian woman who shared the love of Jesus, little by little, until I surrendered all & became born again. It's been an incredible journey being restoring from broken to beautiful!

There is MORE to life ~ His name is JESUS!!!

Debbie F said...

God has redeemed me by helping me everyday to get thru the difficulties of live. Without Him I can do nothing. I thank Him everyday for loving me!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow thur GFC

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow thru networked blogs.

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Andrea Schultz said...

Wow - thanks for sharing your stories! God is indeed good all the time!

Blessings -

Andrea

MaureenT said...

The Lord used my sister's to bring me to my knees and allow him into my heart. He has been my rock ever since.

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I follow you on Twitter. Timmy1966

MaureenT said...

I follow you on GFC.

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I follow you on Facebook.



alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I am a member of your NetWorked Blog.


alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Martha A. said...

God has redeemed my life in so many ways! It is hard to think of just one, but one way is by showing me that He actually loved me...not just the whole world, he thought of me personally and loved me and wanted to forgive me for the wrong I had done. martha(at)lclink(dot)com

 
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