Thursday, May 7, 2009

"According to Their Deeds" Book Review and Giveaway!


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

According To Their Deeds

Bethany House (March 1, 2009)

by

Paul Robertson




MY REVIEW:

I have heard really good stuff about Paul's first two books and looked forward to reading his newest venture. Here we have a really good premise... Charles is the owner of a bookstore specializing in rare books goes to an auction to buy back some books he had sold previously to a friend that was just murdered. He gets more than he bargains for when he examines the books and finds some papers hidden in one of them. These papers are incriminating to some high profile people and now he has to decide what to do with the information. The story passes between what is currently going on from Charles' perspective and past conversations that Charles had with his murdered friend.

I have to be honest here when I say that as much as I really wanted to like this book, the writing style really threw me for a loop. Many of the conversations that Charles had, especially with another antiquities dealer - Norman, seemed to go in circles... short, stacatto, circles that left me unsettled and wondering if I was reading it wrong. The progress of the story was good and the resolution was everything it should have been. I might not have been in the right frame of mind for it or maybe it was written to a different target audience. Charles and his wife Dorothy have the cutest relationship and I loved seeing that, but they are older and that may explain the whole conversational style. Aside from that, it was a good book. And that is just my personal opinion.

SPECIAL REVIEW NOTE:

My mother-in-law just finished this book and can't stop talking about what a "fun read" this is. She loved everything about it - the characters, the story, the writing style and especially the conversations (the part I didn't like). She is hoping that Paul will actually write more stories with these same characters because she just loved it! So I just wanted to clarify that just because I didn't love this style doesn't mean that you won't :-)

*****************************

If you would like a chance to win this book and check it out for yourself then leave me a comment telling me, "If you could own the first edition of any book that is special to you, which book would you want?" Make sure you leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win - good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and the author of The Heir. He is also a former Christian bookstore owner (for 15 years), who lives with his family in Blacksburg, Virginia.



ABOUT THE BOOK

A Deadly Game of Justice Versus Mercy Charles Beale lives outside the shadow of Washington, D.C. Politics and power matter only when a client crosses the Potomac to visit his Alexandria Rare Books shop.

But that all changes when a former client--a man deeply connected in the Justice Department--is found murdered after a break-in gone bad. When Charles reclaims at auction the books he'd once sold, he quickly discovers he's bought more trouble than he could have ever imagined.

Inside one volume are secrets. A collection of sins that, if revealed, could destroy reputations, careers--even lives. Charles soon learns he isn't the only who knows. Going to the police means ruining a multitude of lives. But staying silent puts a target on his shop, his wife--and himself. Charles must decide: Should one mistake really cost you everything?

If you would like to read the first chapter of According To Their Deeds, go HERE

26 comments:

Sally Bradley said...

I already have According to Their Deeds, but I liked your question. If I could own the first edition of any book, it'd be The Great Gatsby.

Gin said...

I would love to own the first edition of any Laura Ingalls Wilder book.

le15307@msn.com

KR said...

Gone With the Wind.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

A Reader said...

I would like to win a First Edition of Jane Eyre.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

cstironkat said...

I would love a first edition of The Christmas Carol. I'm a big fan of all things Christmas.

hippmom said...

Well, a first edition of the Bible would be nice! Other than that the next things that can to mind was the Little House on the Prairie series (I read them over and over when I was young). Anything by Jane Austen!!!! Mila 18 is another book that jumps to mind. So let me know if you see any of these. Until then please enter my name in this drawing.

windycindy said...

I would love to own the first edition copy of To Kill a Mockingbird!" Please enter me in your delightful book giveaway drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Belinda said...

"Call of the Wild" since that was one the first hardcover, adult book that I had.
Thanks!
1bmore @ gmail . com

Mary Jo said...

I would love a first edition of Anne of Green Gables.

Please enter me in your drawing.

Mary Jo Robertson

rcmjrobertson at sbcglobal dot net

The Giveaway Diva said...

the first edition of gone with the wind, its my favorite!! =)

thanks
nicolemarielum @gmail.com

Suzana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I would choose Tolkien’s Hobbit

Teresa said...

Anne of Green gables for me as well

teresa.fav@gmail.com

Suzana said...

I've already posted, but forgot to add the email...
It was "Pride and Prejudice"

suzana.c7@gmail.com

Anita Yancey said...

It would have to be a first edition of Gone With The Wind, one of the best books I've ever read.

ayancey(at)dishmail.net

Teresa said...

Oh, I forgot to include email, too, so I'll repeat.
"Anne of Green Gables"

teresa.fav@gmail.com

Belinda M said...

I would love a first edition of Pride and Prejudice

"Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca"

Lora Lease said...

If I could have any first edition book, I would love to have "Grimm's Fairy Tales" (it recently sold for $11,388... imagine all that I could do with that!). I must admit, it would quickly be sold, and I'd then buy any ol' copy of the book. :)

Suzana said...

LOL Lora Lease! That's a great idea. (Have you actually read it?... It's a nightmare!)

Cheryl said...

I would love to win this book. Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

peachykath said...

I think if I could own the first edition of any book it would be Gone With the Wind. I loved the book and have read it many many times as well as seen the movie more than a few times. Please enter me in the book drawing it sounds very interesting.
Thanks,
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Pam said...

I'd like to try this book out - I've never heard of it but it sounds interesting in spite of your not liking the conversations.

I have a first edition of Anne of Green Gables and I love it. I found it in my Grandpa's house. I would alos love to have a first edition of "A Christmas Carol"

melacan at hotmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I would love to have a first edition of one of Mark Twains's books - probably Huckleberry Finn
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

JJ said...

Gone With the Wind would probably be one of my top 3 picks. lol

gahome2mom at gmail dot com

Jolene said...

I love old books-have a couple 1st editions-found one in a thrift store in the free box!! Would love anything by Mark Twain. Please enter me in the drawing.

Jolene

Janna said...

And the winner is...

Jolene!

Congratulations~