1. Shadow in Serenity
    Terri Blackstock
    Zondervan / 2011 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$13.49 Retail Price$17.99 Save 25% ($4.50)
    4.4 out of 5 stars for Shadow in Serenity. View reviews of this product. 33 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW332312
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  1. Ruth Ann Dell
    South Africa
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    This is a roller coaster of a read
    February 28, 2012
    Ruth Ann Dell
    South Africa
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Shadow in Serenity" by Terri Blackstock is a roller coaster of a read–it twists and turns through loops as you race along the words to find out what happens next. What else would you expect from the fascinating premise of a conman trying to deceive an ex-con artist who grew up in the craziness of a traveling carnival?

    Charming Logan Brisco arrives in Serenity well prepared to relieve the unsuspecting inhabitants of their hard earned savings. He promises them an amusement park to revive their failing economy, but Carny Sullivan sees through him immediately. After all, her parents trained her to be a con artist and she knows all the tricks of the trade. The kindness of the Serenity folk has allowed her to build a happy secure life for her son, and she is determined to expose Logan and his destructive scheme in order to protect the town. But Logan endears himself to the town and no one believes her.

    I enjoyed this book and a Ferris Wheel of questions filled my mind so that I had to keep reading. Would Logan change? Would he develop a conscience? Would he believe and trust in God? How could he be sure that God believed in him? Could a person have too much baggage to change? Would he destroy Serenity?

    And what about Carny, the Harley-riding widow who flew planes for a living? Would she be able to stop Logan? Would she trust Logan? Should she trust him? Was he deceiving her?

    These questions were answered at the end of the book in a most satisfying conclusion.

    I highly recommend this well-written book. Although light hearted on the surface, it's underpinned by a strong Christian message.

    Thank you to Shelton Interactive for a free review copy. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed above are my own.
  2. mountains
    Alberta Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A smooth ride on a new carousel!
    December 3, 2011
    mountains
    Alberta Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Carny Sullivan was named aptly for the world she grew up in. Her parents worked on a travelling carnival who taught her to see the world through very different eyes than most. She was raised to trick, con and steal almost anything. Which gave her an ability to read people far deeper than most could.

    Now living in a quiet "Mayberry" types town in Texas she doesn't need to use that skill much, until Logan Brisco strolls into town. His slick and saavy ways are no match for her insight, until he finds a way past her head and into her heart. Then he has to pull off the greatest con ever in his life ... the truth.

    This story held so many great elements for me. The best part was the intriguing relationship between Logan and Carny. The back and forth banter that ignited their interest in each other was fun to read and be a part of. Ms. Blackstock did a fantastic job of getting into the head of a swindler both present and past. It is like a ex-con trying to catch a con. Fun to read!

    As for the plot, although it was not a suspenseful book it was definitely anything but predictable. For a 315 page story, I still didn't know how the author would finally unite the hero with his prize until page 310. (Don't peek if you haven't read it - you'll miss the best parts!)

    I also appreciated the spiritual arc of the characters. In particular Logan 's journey felt real and authentic to me. This is an important element for books that I enjoy.

    There were only two areas in the book that I would mention in my dislikes. (And they are quite small.) The first was in the form of dialogue. There is a young boy in the story who is age 7/8. He speaks with too much wisdom and understanding much of the time as well as seems like an informant at others (speaking info that the reader needed to know). I felt that his innocence needed to be more evident especially in light of the way his mother had chosen to raise him away from the world that taught her so much in the opposite.

    The last comment I would make is that there is a decision that Carny, the heroine makes towards the end of the book. It is crucial to the plot and helps make the ending so satisfying. By the end of the story I knew exactly why Ms. Blackstock wrote it that way but I could not reject the notion that it seemed too out of character for Carny. From the way I got to know the woman in the story she wouldn't have done it that way. However perhaps you may find as you read the story that you do not agree with me. This particular 'flaw' does not reflect negatively on the outcome or satisfaction of the story. I still give the book two thumbs up. Way up!

    I received a free copy of this title from Shelby Sledge representing Zondervan Publishers and Terri Blackstock in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to give a positive response.
  3. Pam Burke
    Potosi, MO
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Can you con a con?
    November 29, 2011
    Pam Burke
    Potosi, MO
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Shadow in Serenity by Terry Blackstock was an enjoyable way for me to pass the hours during a long ride back home from visiting family. This was not what I would call a typical Terry Blackstock book -- not the "stay-up-all-night" suspenseful page turner like so many of her others -- but it was a story well worth my time!

    "You can't con a con" -- or can you? Logan Brisco smoothly works his way into the small town of Serenity, Texas, endearing himself to practically everyone in town as he lays the groundwork for his biggest con yet. What he doesn't expect, though, is to run into the likes of Carny Sullivan, a free-spirited woman who grew up as the daughter of carnival workers and learned the art of cheating unsuspecting marks. Carny appears to be the only one in town who can see through Logan's facade and tries to warn the friends she has made in her new hometown. Carny sees Logan as a threat to Serenity, and Logan sees Carny as a challenge to his well-honed skills. Will Carny be able to stand strong, or will Logan's scheming win her over?

    My enjoyment of this story increased as I learned the "back story" of the book. This was a rewrite of one of the last books Terri Blackstock wrote on the secular market, before she was convicted to only write stories that honor God. By removing some elements and adding others, she was able to share a story that she loved in a way that (in Terri's own words) "more closely fit my worldview and my Christian conscience." As a Christian who enjoys and appreciates the work of talented writers who hold true to their faith, I say, "Thank you, Terri Blackstock, for sharing your gift." (Terri shares more about this story at her website: http://www.terriblackstock.com/journal/.)
  4. Michelle Sutton
    Arizona
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Absolutely loved this story! It moved me to tears.
    November 21, 2011
    Michelle Sutton
    Arizona
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Shadow in Serenity is the type of story that sticks with you after you finish the book. Not only is it well-written, but it made me cry a few times. There were some precious, yet heart-wrenching scenes in this story that rang so true I forgot several times that I was reading fiction. The people in the story seemed real to me. I loved the characters' arcs as well. The theme about childhood always being with you and shaping who you are--but that didn't mean you couldn't change--was very inspirational and emotionally moving. There were a lot of things about this story that were powerful. It's hard to say much without spoiling it for the reader, but I will say that this is a beautiful and touching love story about learning to trust and discovering hope for the future.

    I have always been a believer in change, but not many books show just how difficult and scary it is for people to really do that. The ability to trust is not possible when someone is continually guarding their heart and closing themselves off to others. Then to learn that change was possible and to desire that so much that you are willing to risk everything? That was so well done and so convincing that I couldn't help but fall for Logan myself. He really did want to experience love and not be lonely anymore. The story of his childhood that he shared with Jason was so touching that it was impossible not to cry. I felt a bit panicked toward the end along with Carny. The author did a very convincing job of setting everything up. This was the perfect romantic suspense and I'll still be thinking about the story days from now. Because of that and a number of other reasons it's making my best fiction list for this year.
  5. Lisa
    Columbia, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    a Modern Day "The Music Man!"
    October 15, 2011
    Lisa
    Columbia, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Just finished "Shadow In Serenity". I have read all of Terri's police procedural novels and have never felt any sympathy for the bad guys. I never thought a crook could steal my heart but Logan Brisco did exactly that! I was so glad he came to know Jesus and gave up his criminal lifestyle. I was rooting for him and Carny throughout the entire book!

    My favorite musical is "The Music Man" and this was a PERFECT dead-on modern day update to a classic heartwarmer. The scenes with Carny and her parents had me laughing out loud! And I loved Carny's feisty lifestyle of flying and riding her Harley...as a lover of roller coasters, I can relate to the adrenaline rush! Congratulations, Terri, on writing a first class novel that shows that no one is out of the reach of God's love. I am also eagerly waiting for "Downfall", as I have been rooting for Barbara and Kent as well!
Displaying items 1-5 of 33
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