Crystal Lies

"A Son's Addiction.
A Mother's Heartbreak.
A Family's Crisis."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Glennis had the perfect life. An attorney husband, a daughter with a full ride through college, a loving son, a house in a nice neighbourhood, and an expensive car. Then her son, Jacob, starts using drugs. As she tries to help him, her marriage falls apart and she is blamed not only for her divorce but accused of enabling her son. As Glennis seeks help and adjusts to her new life in a crummy appartment, she wonders where God is in this, why it is happening, and how she can truly help her son.

Author - Melody Carson

Publisher - WaterBrook Press
Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Glennis's son uses drugs. She fights to help Jacob but has a hard time doing what needs to be done. Jacob's dad yells at him and shakes him once, later threatens to have him arrested. Glennis sticks up for herself and finds a way to heal and continue on.

Personal Opinion - The storyline was good and interesting and the characters seemed true in my opinion but it was they way the story was told that made me not like it very much. The author gave the information straight forward which kept me from fully feeling the events and emotions in the story. It also dwelt a long time on the woman's divorce in the beginning and, when we got to see her interacting with her son, I wish there had been more to it in the end. It did pull at my heart strings during the marital stuff because I know people who have been through those tough divorces or those kind of people around them. I also have an appreciation for the ending. Despite the fact I pray, I still worry and try to control things on my own, like Glennis did, so that really taught me something in the end.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble,

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - Read my other reviews of Melody Carson's books:
                         On the Runway: CIAO Review
                         The Secret of Samantha McGregor: Bad Connection Review

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God Blessed the Broken Road Series: Mariza

"What if God Could Send You 

an Angel?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Mariza wants to cheer up her brother David so plans a trip for the two of them. But, while on the way, they are stopped at a rest stop and are not allowed to leave. Shortly after, Mariza goes missing. David and the police search but hope is dwindling by the minute. Then the worst happens and David begins to slid for the worse. But God is listening.

Author - Crystal Cattabriga
Publisher - Empowered by Words
Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Mariza and David care about each other and try to do things for the other. David wants to kill himself (even attempts) because of his guilt and hopelessness. He hates who did this and wants to hurt them but starts to heal with this by the end. Hints that something really bad happened to Mariza.

Personal Opinion - A beautiful and sad story, but it is also just the beginning. It had me crying at times, I felt for the characters and there was some heavy stuff (if you are seriously depressed right now, it might not be the best book at the moment). David really goes through some intenes situations when his sister is taken and then makes some bad choices soon after. It is understood what kind of things happened to David's sister when she is taken but none of it is graphic. But, the reader is left with hope and David begins to grow. There is a beautiful spot of healing within the book but I don't want to spoil it. One thing I wish had been done differently was when David talks about all the mistakes he did in his life, it sounds like he is talking about more than just what happened with his sister so I would have liked some elaboration on that. Other than that, there were some typos and spelling/grammar problems. But, this was a good read and I would like to get the other books in this series when they come out.

A beautiful and sad story, but it is also just the beggining. It had me crying at times, I felt for the characters and there was some heavey stuff (if you are seriously depressed right now, it might not be the best book at the moment). David really goes through some intess stuff when his sister is taken and then makes some bad choices soon after, one of which is trying to kill himself. It is understood what kind of things happens to David's sister when she is taken but none

Buy - Amazon (Kindle only), Barnes and Noble (Nook only), Publisher (Paperback, Kindle, or Nook opptions),

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - Two more books in this series will be published later this year. Take a look at them here.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

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