1. Home Run - eBookThis product is an eBook
    Travis Thrasher
    David C Cook / 2013 / ePub
    Our Price$9.69 Retail Price$14.99 Save 35% ($5.30)
    4.7 out of 5 stars for Home Run - eBook. View reviews of this product. 26 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW35257EB
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Displaying items 16-20 of 26
  1. jap1970
    Spartanburg, SC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Awesome book by a master storyteller
    September 4, 2012
    jap1970
    Spartanburg, SC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Home Run.
    I was one of the fortunate ones to atain an advance copy of Travis Thrahsre's latest book, Home Run. It's a novelization of a film coming to thaters in March 2013.

    Home Run is the story of Major League baseball player Cory Brand. Hero on the field, but a womanizing drunk off it.

    Finally a DUI and a team suspension leads him back to a small Oklahoma town ehere he grew. Part of his probation is coaching the local Little League. Without giving too much away, let's just say God has a reason for that. A really powerful one!

    He also has to enter a twelve-step program called Celebrate Recovery. With the help of that program, he is finally able to face his past, a childhood of abuse. One reason for his rowdy behavior.

    As a victim of abuse this story hit home. It reminded me of my own healing, the kind that only God can provide.

    If you're a baseball fan, or just a fan of excellent storytelling, I urge you to buy this book. Then maybe you'll want to try Thrasher's other novels. I assure you they are all as well written and hard to put down as this one!

    Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pull out my old Gerry Rafferty CD. Maybe some Journey. You'll understand when you read this book.
  2. psfaux
    Yucaipa, CA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    An excellent novelization of the film
    August 21, 2012
    psfaux
    Yucaipa, CA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Home Run.
    I was able to get a preview copy of this book and see a screening of the movie. I was pleasantly surprised by both! This book is well-written, engaging, and offers the behind-the-scenes thoughts of the characters that don't come out in a movie. The story is touching, the testimonies are real, and as an avid reader I enjoyed the details and crafting of the story.
  3. i blog 4 books
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Beautiful Story
    January 29, 2015
    i blog 4 books
    This review was written for Home Run.
    What a beautiful story! I don't think I've ever read (er, listened to) a novelization before (movie turned into a book), but I really enjoyed Home Run and am going to have to track down the movie now. This is a wonderful story of forgiveness, hope, healing, and redemption. People are definitely used by God in this story, but God is the real hero. And isn't that how it should be?

    There were two things about this audio book that I had trouble adjusting to. One, the names of four of the main characters all began with the same hard C/K sound---Cory, Carlos, Karen, and Clay. I had trouble keeping the male names straight for about 1/4 of the book. Two, the book switches back and forth between the present and the past (I believe the past is at the end of each chapter). Because I was listening to the book rather than reading it, it was a little hard to tell the difference at times, which left me confused at each transition for the first half of the book. If that bothers you, stick with reading rather than listening.

    All of that aside, I really did enjoy this book and definitely recommend it! It's a great book for all readers. [4 stars]
  4. Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Hits it out of the ball park
    February 18, 2013
    Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    This review was written for Home Run.
    "Home Run" by Travis Thrasher is the novelization of a major motion picture by the same name, coming to theaters on April 19, 2013. This movie, starring Vivica A. Fox and Scott Elrod, is an inspirational story of the hope and freedom God offers each of us.

    Synopsis:

    "Baseball star Cory Brand knows how to win. But off the field, he's spiraling out of control. Haunted by old wounds and regrets, his future seems as hopeless as his past. Until one moment–one mistake–changes everything.

    "To save his career, Cory must go back to the town where it all began. His plan is simple: coach the local Little League team, complete a recovery program, and get out as fast as possible. Instead, he runs headfirst into memories he can't escape ... and the love he left behind. Faced with a second chance he never expected, Cory embarks on a journey of faith, transformation and redemption. And along the way, he discovers a powerful truth: No one is beyond the healing of God."

    My thoughts:

    Travis Thrasher did an excellent job of writing this companion book to the soon-to-be-released movie, "Home Run," and I enjoyed it very much. This book is more of a relationship drama rather than a sports-themed novel.

    The character of Cory Brand is realistically drawn with depth. Flawed - and not even likeable for most of the book - he nonetheless becomes sympathetic as Travis reveals the background that drives his self-destructive actions. Cory is naturally gifted with a baseball bat, but the opening pages reveal an ongoing abusive childhood scene that was partly responsible for his incredible skill. "Even after leaving this place, Cory felt like he had the weight of his father on him, watching him, swearing at him, scolding him. There was nothing he could have done to be acceptable in his father's eyes, even when the old man got older and more feeble and tried to get right with all of them."

    Cory's younger brother, Clay, never gave up on Cory, even when hurt and rejected - and always in Cory's shadow when it came to athletic ability. One particular scene stood out to me, where Clay was trying to stop Cory from driving too fast: "Clay shouted something, but Cory didn't hear the words. He was just thinking about when the levee might break and the past would come gushing out over him like a Gatorade bucket full of hurt and disappointment. "

    In an effort to rebuild his professional image, Cory is required to attend eight weeks in Celebrate Recovery. I wasn't familiar with this program and found it very interesting. Celebrate Recovery is for any type of addiction. It was started 20 years ago in the Saddleback Church where Rick Warren preaches, and has grown into a successful nation-wide program. Cory's mentor, J. T., was a particularly likeable character and built a good relationship with Cory. "Cory watched J. T. and knew the faith this man had was real. He didn't wear it like a logo on a hat or a shirt. He wore it like a belt buckle, hidden away but necessary 'cause it held him up."

    Spiritual themes of confession, forgiveness, and relinquishing control to God play a big part in this story. "Cory knew he no longer needed to bat off all the hurtful objects coming his way. He wasn't batting to protect himself and his little brother. He wasn't batting for his life. I'm here to do the thing God gifted me to do."

    The ending was upbeat, yet realistic. I would recommend Home Run to all who enjoy Christian fiction that is character driven and relationship based.

    For more information, visit Travis Thrasher's website at travisthrasher.com, and also Celebrate Recovery at celebraterecovery.com.

    This book was provided by David C. Cook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
  5. Punta Prima
    Torrevieja Spain
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A good read....
    July 12, 2013
    Punta Prima
    Torrevieja Spain
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    This review was written for Home Run.
    Home Run by Travis Thrasher.

    As Home Run suggests this is a novel centered around Base Ball, but don't be put off as it is a lovely, comforting tale of God's redemptive power in hard, long lived, desperate situations.

    Cory is an alcoholic, out of control, base ball player who is fighting his own demons as he struggles to make sense of the memories of his father's menacing behaviour which was fueled by alcohol and is now being played out in his own life.

    'Good old Dad stood there looking at him in horror, his drunken eyes suddenly sobering up and realizing. Then he spoke Cory's name but it was all done.'

    The sadness and despair as Cory tries to block out any feelings for his father are captured so well by the author as he describes how Cory repeats the same behaviour like a loop constantly repeated as he plunges into a drunken haze day after day.

    This isn't about a sudden light bulb moment as Cory realizes his need for Jesus but cleverly introduces a very successful recovery programme...

    Celebrate Recovery.

    I found the details of this 12 step programme intriguing and anything that can help other tortured souls overcome addictions, obsessions and disorders has to be looked into and I intend to find out more.

    This was an easy read, no surprises or catching of the breath moments but its simplicity and gentle approach was a gentle balm in the hectic, frenetic world we live in.

    Disclaimer: I got a free galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

    This Review first featured in my Blog: Refreshed, Restored & Redeemed.
Displaying items 16-20 of 26