Author: Carole Brown
Published: October
21st, 2013
Publisher: Lighthouse
Publishing of the Carolinas
Word Count: 90,000
Genre: Women’s
Fiction – Christian Suspense, Romance
Content Warning: Contains
adult subject matter such as abuse within cults
Recommended Age: 16+
Synopsis: How far would YOU go to avenge the murder of a
daughter?
Caralynne
Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year-old
daughter from the hands of her religious group, The Children of Righteous Cain.
When her husband suffers a sudden heart attack, she does nothing to help him.
In her eyes someone needs to pay, and if that means all of the men in the
group, then so be it.Dayne MacFarland is sent away to college by the senior elder of the group to learn ministry. When he returns after finding salvation, determined to bring the truth to the people he’s known all his life, he rediscovers Cara and realizes the love he once felt for her is still deeply embedded within his heart.
Dayne faces men unwilling to turn their backs on the cult
training he despises. Cara faces men who follow their leader in abuse toward
their wives and the young girls of the group. Cara is considered rebellious and
inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he
takes a stand against their teachings.
Can Cara overcome the feelings that have governed her most of her life? Can she learn to trust Dayne, and most of all a God whom she sees as uncaring—if he’s really there at all? Only Dayne’s prayers and love can reach Cara and show her the way to redemption, and Cara must recognize and accept God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far.
Can Cara overcome the feelings that have governed her most of her life? Can she learn to trust Dayne, and most of all a God whom she sees as uncaring—if he’s really there at all? Only Dayne’s prayers and love can reach Cara and show her the way to redemption, and Cara must recognize and accept God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far.
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About the Author:
Besides
being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown
enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics
into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the
lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in
SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally.
Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the
simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
*******
If you enjoy reading Christian fiction, you will enjoy this book. I've posted an excerpt below (I had permission. The excerpt cam in the media kit) so that you don't have to take my word the writing is wonderful. Read it for yourself. The characters are believable, with faults and weaknesses. The plot is expertly layered and full of surprises. The writing is vivid and concise. I loved the story and I hope you will too! Click the above links to purchase your own copy.
And below, you can enter to receive several gifts. There's a give away at the bottom, so -please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post. This is a 5 star book, so you'll want to grab a chance to win one. Enjoy~
Excerpt:
*******
If you enjoy reading Christian fiction, you will enjoy this book. I've posted an excerpt below (I had permission. The excerpt cam in the media kit) so that you don't have to take my word the writing is wonderful. Read it for yourself. The characters are believable, with faults and weaknesses. The plot is expertly layered and full of surprises. The writing is vivid and concise. I loved the story and I hope you will too! Click the above links to purchase your own copy.
And below, you can enter to receive several gifts. There's a give away at the bottom, so -please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post. This is a 5 star book, so you'll want to grab a chance to win one. Enjoy~
Excerpt:
Excerpt
from The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman
by Carole Brown:
The midnight air cooled,
and Dayne pressed the button to roll up both windows in his car. Cara shivered
and snuggled deeper into the plush seat.
“Are you asleep?”
Dayne’s soft whisper
rolled over her like a silk blanket. “No. Thinking.”
“A penny for them.”
The urge to share almost
overwhelmed her. How wonderful to place some of this depressing burden on
Dayne’s wide, strong shoulders. She let the wish—the weakness—drift away.
“Worrying about Abby.
Wondering if she’ll be okay.”
“You’re a friend anyone
would be glad to have, Cara. I see the caring, loyal, and responsible person
you are, the one you show everyone.” Dayne steered around a slower-moving car.
“But sometimes I’d like a glimpse of the part you keep hidden.”
The heaviness in her
heart lifted, and for a moment, she envisioned herself as a carefree young
person experiencing life to the full.
“I don’t know what that
would be.” She closed her eyes. “I’m a foolish romantic.”
“A romantic is foolish?”
“Dreaming impossible
dreams, wishing for fables, is unrealistic and foolish. I’ve always had a
tendency to imagine what could be, what could happen. I suppose because I like
beautiful things.” She chuckled. “See the moon and the star-studded sky?
Instead of ignoring its beauty, I get the shivers. I wonder if a different
world lives in another universe. A colony of people who know only goodness and
peace and happiness.”
“I think this side of you
is beautiful, and I love it.”
“You don’t love all sides
of me?”
“I love—now you’re
fishing.” He cleared his throat and his hand slid across the space between them
and touched hers. “You’re beautiful.”
Cara pulled her hand from
his. Too much danger for her. “Tell me about some of the things you experienced
while you were gone. Were your studies hard? Did you like living in the city?”
“In some ways, but I
missed the country. When I arrived home, I think I took the first deep breath
I’d had in six years.”
“Did you meet many
girls?”
She felt his quick
glance. Felt the question hover in the air between them. What have I done?
He’s not under obligation to answer my nosy questions. And what difference does
it make anyhow?
“Do you mean did I date
while away?”
At his words, the tension
lessened. “You don’t have to answer the question. It’s none of my business.”
But I want to know.
Dayne pulled into her
driveway and shut off the car. He slipped his arm on the back of the seat.
“When is your meeting?”
Cara blinked but
answered, “Tomorrow afternoon.”
“Want me to pick you up?”
“Thanks, but I’ll walk.
It’ll give me time to reflect on how to behave while in the presence of such an
august figure.” A hand flew up to cover her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be
so flip.”
“No problem. The fact is
I came home carrying a bunch of my own questions.”
“You?”
“Me. More questions than
answers.”
“How do we find the
answers, Dayne? You graduated with honors in ministry, so if you don’t know the
answers, how is someone like me who’s uneducated supposed to get answers?”
He gripped her hand again
as if he would never let go. She heard his long drawn intake of breath.
“What would you have done
if you’d had the chance to choose something else?”
“Are you serious? I’ve
never taken time to think about could-be’s and would-be’s. As I said, there’s
not much sense in wishing for what will never happen.”
“But if you could have …”
“I don’t know. I’d
mountain climb. Probably fly. Own my own private plane. Do rescue work.”
“What else?” His interest
spurred her on. How long had it been since she’d had someone to share nonsense
with?
“I’d learn to parachute
and hang glide for fun and anything else to get me off the ground and into the
air.”
“You crazy girl. Mind if
I join you?”
Cara rested her head
against the back of the seat.
His hand stirred beside
her.
“I am crazy, aren’t I?”
He slipped his arm around
her and tugged lightly until she gave in and rested her head on his shoulder.
“You know it’s not too
late to experience your dreams.”
“What do you mean? Elder
Simmons would never allow me to do that.”
A pause. Dayne stroked
her hand with one finger. “Do it anyway.”
“Don’t encourage me,
Dayne. Please. You don’t know—” With a sob, she straightened and flung open the
door.
Dayne ran from his side
of the car and grabbed her shoulders. “Cara. Cara, don’t cry. I’m doing my best
to work on the elders. Trust me.” He cupped her chin, tilted it, and stared
into her eyes.
She gave a shaky nod. “I
do.”
Mostly.
With a thumb he wiped
away the tears from her cheeks. “I wish—”
For me?
“What do you wish?” Cara
held her breath.
He took her shoulders for
a moment, his grip tight, and then let his hands drop. “Nothing. Go on.”
She moved as if in a daze
toward the lighted porch. She’d barely reached the steps when Dayne’s voice
stopped her again.
“Cara?”
She stopped moving, her
back still toward him.
“You asked me if I met
any girls while away. I did. Several. But every time I tried to get romantic or
think about girlfriends, all I could see were the beautiful blue-green eyes of
someone back home. A very effective deterrent for romance.”
Was she hearing him
correctly? Interpreting his words the way he meant them? Her body warmed, the
frozenness melting as surely as if the sun was ridding the earth of a winter
avalanche. Slowly she turned.
He lifted a hand and
returned to his car.
She stared after him,
depression gone.
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
- If the winner is in the US, they will receive the following: Copy of The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, Copy of West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, $15 Amazon Gift Card, Handmade Table Runner, Handmade Apron, and Hand decorated recipe box.
- If the winner is INT, they will receive the following: eBook copy of The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, eBook copy of West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, an eBook copy of Hog Insane, and a $15 Amazon Gift Card.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a powerful and emotional read.