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This is the second novel I have read by this author but I read them in the wrong order. I loved Bound by Guilt the second in this series. I also enjoyed this book, although not quite as much. The author's style has progressed and developed as she writes more books.

Thicker than Blood is the story of two sisters who become separated after a family tragedy. Their lives follow very different paths--May goes to live with an older relative and eventually achieves her dream of working on a beautiful ranch in the middle of nowhere. She also comes to faith. Christie, on the other hand, blames herself for the family tragedy and plunges into a world of crime, alcohol and abusive relationships. Will the sisters ever re-unite and can the damage to their fractured relationship be healed?

This is a story of the consequences of sin in the life of a person far from God and the alternatives available to them. It kept me reading and there were a fair number of twists and turns. I particularly liked the way the author has woven faith into the lives of some of the characters. It isn't just tagged on and doesn't feel awkward--it is the central aspect to their lives. The author clearly explains the Gospel through some of the dialogue. I would question one minor detail in that she says that it is not possible for God to save us unless we take that first step towards Him. I suggest that it is the other way around due to the Bible stating that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws Him (John 6 vs 44.) However, in context it was not a big issue.

I hope that this book would encourage people that no matter how broken their lives or how far they have fallen, God can forgive them and restore them at any point. It is the story of the prodigal son.

The narrative deals with drink driving and alcoholism, fraud/crime, serious domestic violence and the far-reaching consequences of abortion. For this reason I would not recommend it for children. It deals with the issues in a sensitive manner and the struggles are realistic. I felt the violence in places was a bit too graphic and may bother some readers but again it was not gratuitous and did not glorify sin. There was no sexual content although it is clear that two characters are sleeping together. There was no bad language.

I recommend this book to all Christian readers. ( )

Title: Thicker than Blood
Author: C. J. Darlington
Pages: 400
Year: 2013
Publisher: Mountainview Books
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Thicker-than-Blood-C-Darlington/dp/098916215X/ref=tmm_pap_...
The novel opens up with action from the first sentence until the very end, increasing intensity along the way with twists and turns in the plot! May is raised by her Aunt Edna after the death of her parents. Her older sister Christy hasn’t been around for years, and May has no clue where she lives or works. Christy works for a bookstore that sells rare and collectible books they usually get through estate auctions. May works on a ranch, which suits her to a tee. The ranch is in danger of foreclosure, which May prays about often believing God will act but not knowing how. Christy is struggling with the same addiction that cost her parents their lives. May wonders about Christy’s whereabouts and what she ever did to make Christy angry. Christy thinks May would never want to know her or see her as she feels May would be greatly ashamed at the choices Christy has made in her life. Neither sister is right.
While May’s ranch and home are heading into foreclosure, Christy is fired from the bookstore when her controlling boyfriend talks to the owner’s father. One sister has become a Christian while the other has discounted religion as a whole. These are just a couple of snapshots of the tale that will tantalize readers in the novel. There is action, adventure, revenge, redemption, life and death along with finding out truth from lies.
I have read another C. J. Darlington novel called, Jupiter Winds, which received a five-star rating from me. I am reading her series that actually began her fictional journey! The other tales in the series are Bound by Guilt & Ties that Bind, which I will be reading and reviewing next. Thicker than Blood brings to the forefront issues like alcoholism, abuse, and the estrangement in the relationship between the two sisters. However, the bigger picture is how the Lord can touch the heart of those who seek Him and totally change the life of one who has lost everything and seems to have nothing.
I cannot wait to start the next novel in the series to share with you, as I am sure they are just as breathtaking as Thicker than Blood. With the holidays around the corner for the booklover in the family, wrap these up for under the tree as the reader will thoroughly love them!
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

Read from April 23 to 24, 2013

Debut? a.maz.ing!
This book reads like a well seasoned author at the wheel. Pacing is steady. No details left out or leaving me questioning. Conflicts all round are believable and consistent with the protagonist's life choices and situations. No frustration with maturity of the characters' responses as they were accurate to their ages in today's culture and society. A good depiction of faith lived rather than told. Can be a pet peeve for inspy reads; not an issue here.

The story itself captured my interest from the get go and the pressure didn't let up til it was time for the ending to let go.. Contemporary, relatable issues - no I won't spoil it for you! - that have probably impacted most readers to some degree, bringing this into one's own livingroom so to speak.

Info on used booktrade was absolutely fascinating to me. Lots of inside tips on 1st edition recognition and valuing, methods of stocking and purchasing - all added unique interest to the story. As did the ranch life scenarios. Calving season, birth intervention, none of this is usual fiction fare; but definitely realistic and knowledgeably described.

A dynamic read. Well delivered and entirely enjoyed.
Thank you , CJ, for sharing your talent and wisdom with us readers! ( )

Things I liked about this book: 1. I loved the look and even the feel of the cover of this book. 2. I loved the story line of the book and how books themselves and the love of them were captured by some of the characters in this story. 3) The author did a great job of telling this story and making you understand and feel what these characters were going through in their life.

Christy and May are two sisters who lost their Dad and Mom when they were teenagers. Christy ended up leaving her younger sister May on the doorstep of her Aunt after the funeral and taking off never to come back, until 15 years later. May has grown up and is helping run a ranch that is about to be foreclosed on. She has also yearned to know where her sister is and what she is doing with her life. Christy made some bad decisions in her growing up years and hasn't exactly turned out the way she had hoped. She holds a job she loves working at the "Book Barn" and working with books all day long. But that job is about to end and her life is spiraling out of control. Her last hope is looking up her long lost sister, May.

This was a very well written drama of a story. My only negative comment is that it was a somber story, full of heartache and sorrow. It was a clear picture of how the Lord changed one sister and how His presence in her life helped her to face the hardships and still have a peace. That had a deep impact on her sister. which is a good lesson for us all to live our life in such a way that others can see the difference the Lord can make in ones life. There was also the element of forgiveness to be dealt with and a love that looks beyond being wronged. This was a story of God's love and long-suffering, a story of hope, but also a story that brings out the sorrow and grief of a person's life. I look forward to reading more from this author. There are three books that I know of in this series, this is book one, and "Bound by Guilt" is book two, which I am reading now. ( )