Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Journey to Forgiveness by Laurean Brooks ~ 4 stars

Journey to Forgiveness
Laurean Brooks
White Rose Publishing
About the book:
When Jenny Hinson's abusive father deserts the family, the responsibility of the family's Tennessee farm falls to Jenny and her mother. Four years later, in 1938, boll weevils infest the cotton crop, plunging the Hinsons into dire financial straits. At the invitation of a Chicago aunt, Jenny takes the train north to find work to support her family.

Electricity has yet to reach Chicory Valley. But not only is Jenny introduced to it in its tapped form in Chicago, but encounters a few jolts along the way when she challenges the infuriating Austin Grant over a luggage mishap. Sparks fly outside the Kankakee train station when Jenny discovers her missing vanity case under Austin's arm, and labels him a thief. Then, after Austin coaxes money from her aunt's congregation to “supposedly” rebuild a tornado-stricken town, Jenny determines to find enough evidence to expose him and his nefarious deeds.

Why did Austin pull money from the mission strongbox and stuff a large roll into his pocket? Wasn't this the proof Jenny needed to convict him? Then why was she reluctant to report the theft? And why did her heart somersault at every encounter with the notorious Austin? Surely, she wasn't in love with him! Jenny's personal convictions would never allow a relationship where trust is blatantly missing.

Can Jenny muster the courage to ask Austin the tough question that will ultimately make or break their relationship? And how will she handle the strained relationship with her father? Can Jenny forgive his brutality? Will she relinquish love for a life of bitterness? Find out as you follow Jenny's struggles in Journey to Forgiveness.

My review:
Laurean definitely has a fun writing style. The main character, Jenny, is always getting herself into trouble and funny situations with her overactive imagination and lack of control over her tongue. In some places, I thought the phrasing or dialogue could be tweaked a little to make it more smooth or realistic, but for the most part I really enjoyed it.

I loved that they went on a mission trip to help people right in their own area! That really impressed me, and I loved that Austin wanted to do that with his life. The whole theme of forgiveness was good, and I liked the way Laurean portrayed the need for it through the character’s situations. At times, it seemed like the characters where “discovering” something, or saying that they “hadn’t thought of something that way” when they already had, so that area could have been improved.

But, all in all I thought the author did a very good job, and it is a good book with an important message that was fun to read. Lots of potential in this author, in my opinion.

30 comments:

Diane said...

Sounds like a good read. :O)

Miss Mae said...

I read Journey to Forgiveness and love the way Ms. Brooks was able to capture the time and setting of the era pre-World War II.

The comical situations were written well, and one can't help but fall in love with Austin. :)

Linda Swift said...

Congratulation, Laurie, on this review and very interesting story. I wish you much success.
Linda

Rebecca J Vickery said...

HI Laurie and Carman,
Congrats on the review, Laurie, and thanks for your honest view of the book, Carman.
Journey to Forgiveness is the very next book on my very long list of TBRs and this definitely encourages me to hurry and get to it. I have the print version right on my night stand and I can't wait to have time to savor it.

Sherry Gloag said...

That's a great review, and tweaks my interest enough to put it on my wish list.

Diane Craver said...

I'm sure that Journey to Forgiveness will be a wonderful read. I've read several of Laurean's short stories and loved each one. She writes great inspirational, uplifting and realistic stories.

Thanks for sharing your review, Carman.

Laurean Brooks said...

Diane,

Thank you for your vote of confidence. Coming from someone so talented...well that could give me the bighead. LOL

Laurean Brooks said...

Diane,

Thank you for your vote of confidence. Coming from someone so talented...well that could give me the bighead. LOL

Laurean Brooks said...

Ah-h, Miss Mae. Glad you enjoyed the storyline and characters. So sorry...but you'll have to stand in line for Austin. LOL.

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Linda. Journey To Forgiveness was a joy to write. I wish you much success, too.

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Rebecca. Can't wait until you get to it. I'd love to hear your take on JTF.

Laurean Brooks said...

Diane, you say the nicest things. I'm glad you enjoyed my short stories. From a gifted writer like you...well I just don't know what to say except, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Carman said...

Thank you so much for commenting everyone!!! :D

Laurean Brooks said...

Carman, thank you for taking time to review JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS. I appreciate your honesty, and I am glad you enjoyed it.

God bless you.

Carman said...

Laurean~ Thanks for sending it to me! Me too! :D Thanks again!

Redameter said...

I haven't read this one yet. What ma I saying, I haven't read much of anything lately, just too busy writing. But I have this on my list to get.

Lauareen you just keep writing more of them. I can vouch that every book gets a little easire to write.

Love and blessings
Rita

apple blossom said...

the cover is unique. Thanks for the review.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Amanda said...

Thanks for the review - it's going on my reading list!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com

Casey said...

I had never heard of this book before, but I love the cover. Thanks for the honest review, Carman!

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Rita. I needed to hear that it gets easier. And hearing it from you...well I know it's true.

Thank you for commenting. I think you will enjoy the book when you do have time to get to it.

Laurean Brooks said...

Thanks for dropping by, Apple Blossom and Casey. The cover was my idea. At White Rose Publishing they allow the author's input on the cover, unlike other publishers. I got almost exactly what I asked for.

Since the story is based on my mother's life, it's a historical. And my heroine, Jenny had to take a train to Chicago. Because her first encounter with hero, Austin happened outside the train station, I thought this would be a great way to portray it.

Laurean Brooks said...

Amanda, Thank you for saying that. I'd love to hear your take on the book. I put my heart and soul into writing JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS, because it was my mother's story. So it means a lot to hear you say that.

My email is landtbeth@yahoo.com if you'd like to contact me.

justpeachy36 said...

I like the way this book sounds as well. I'm always getting myself into hot water, so I can relate LOL...

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Sherry. I hope you do, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Laurean Brooks said...

Just Peachy, Jenny's character is a lot like me, too. I also have "foot in mouth" disease.

So do many of my heroines. My tagline to advertise my writing includes the line..."and sassy heroines who are familiar with the taste of their own shoe leather."

Lady DragonKeeper said...

I think it's great that you're reviewing books from "smaller" publishing companies . . . I would never have heard of this book if not. Good job!

--Lady DragonKeeper

Carole said...

I like the cover and am drawn to Journey to Forgiveness. I've found that White Rose Publishing has some very good books and I just downloaded the first chapter on my Kindle.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Laurean Brooks said...

Carole, I think White Rose Publishing has great, editors, authors and talented book cover designers.

Thank you for your support. I hope you enjoy JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.

Laurean Brooks said...

Carole, I think White Rose Publishing has great, editors, authors and talented book cover designers.

Thank you for your support. I hope you enjoy JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.

Carman said...

Thanks for commenting everyone! I read and appreciate each of them!