'Crossing Values' by 'Carrie Daws' ~ Book review

Crossing Values is Carrie Daws debut novel.  This 160 page book is a quick read.  The cover is very attractive and caught my attention immediately.  The back of the book sounded like a great story and I started reading with high expectations. The author stated that when she first started thinking of writing professionally, she wanted to write books that would be acceptable in the Christian home and the reader would not be embarrassed for the book to be seen by any age group.  She has mastered that goal with her first book. 

 I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I could not connect with the writers style.  It was too slow placed for me.  It was written in a style that bored me and did not capture my attention even once. I was about one third of the way through the book before I ever found out how old the female character was and I kept wondering because of the choices she made. The story unfolded slowly and not with much action. The characters were too guarded to really get a glimpse into their personality.   One whole chapter was table talk and idle chit chat at most. It played no part in the storyline at all.  I felt like it was added just to make the book longer. I felt like I was not really a part of the story and if it was being told around the campfire, I would have walked away before the third chapter was over.   I did read the entire book. I kept thinking it would get better but it never did.  I thought maybe it would appeal to the YA group of readers.  However when I showed it to my 17 year old niece, she leafed through it and  was not interested either.  I am going to pass this book on to my 9 year old grand-daughter to see if it appeals to that age group.  The story seemed to be simple enough that I think she may enjoy it. 

I rate this book a 3 star.  I know that sounds harsh but I would not recommend this book to any of my friends. 

 The author offers some great additional perks to readers on her website such as the following:

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:

For years, Amber traipsed around the northwest avoiding the skeletons in her closet. Job-hopping every few weeks, she refused to let anyone get close to her.

As winter plants itself firmly across the Rockies, she takes a chance on a job at a logging company with a family different from any she’s ever known.

Watching the family interact creates more questions than answers for Amber. Feeling like she’s entered the happily-ever-after written at the end of fairytales, she watches for cracks in the façade.

Surely as the days pass, the play-acting will cease and the real family will emerge.
Or could she be wrong? Could they truly be genuine?

Could Faye understand the trauma from her past or Peter think of her as more than just the winter office help? Could this family really hold the key to what she’s seeking?

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, God rewrote Carrie’s dreams to include being a stay-at-home mom and a writer. Originally writing weekly devotions as a way to share what she learned with women from various military bases, Carrie decided to enroll in the Christian Writer’s Guild. While there, seeds were planted and cultivated.

After almost ten years in the military, Carrie’s husband medically retired and they now live in central North Carolina with their three children. Besides writing fiction novels, she stays busy with homeschooling, working part time, and volunteering within two military ministries.

More than anything, Carrie strives to write clean fiction, happily-ever-after stories that gently advocate Biblical values and truths. She says, “I didn't want to be embarrassed for my young daughter to pick up any of my books. I also didn't want to be mortified if her life began to echo the activities of the lead character within my story. I believe the end result is books that not only provide some spiritual insight, but ones that reinforce accountability among unmarried men and women, healing from past hurts and families uniting in difficult circumstances.”

 

• Carrie Daws Main site
• Carrie Daws on Twitter
• Carrie Daws on Facebook
• Purchase Book on Amazon

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

• Perfect Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Ambassador International (January 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935507923
• ISBN-13: 978-1935507925

 

Crossing Values is available at the following online stores and your local bookstore.

• Barnes & Noble
• Christian Book
• Amazon 

DISCLAIMER:

I received a free copy of this book from the author through the Christian Woman Affiliates (CWA) program in exchange for a review.  This fact, in no way influences my review.  I give honest reviews.