The Sinner's Garden by William Sirls, Book review and GIVEAWAY

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• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 17, 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687380

SYNOPSIS:

In the small Lake Erie township of Benning, someone is at work cultivating a supernatural garden …

Andy Kemp’s young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger.

As Andy’s mother struggles to reconnect with him, his Uncle Rip returns transformed from a stint in prison and wants to be a mentor to the reclusive boy, doing everything he can to help end Andy’s pain. When Andy begins hearing strange music through his iPod and making near-prophetic announcements, Rip is convinced that what Andy is hearing is the voice of God.

Elsewhere, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering in one of the poorest homes in town. She soon realizes that the masked prowler has left thousands of dollars in gift cards from a local grocery store.

As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy and Rip discover an enormous and well-kept garden of wildflowers that seems to have grown overnight at an abandoned steel mill.

Soon, they realize who the gardener is, and a spree of miracles transfigures this small town from a place of hopelessness into a place of healing and beauty.

Here are my thoughts:

From the beginning the book's synopsis intrigued me! There is a wealth of possibilities in it and it definitively engaged my imagination. No spoilers here, discover the story behind the title for yourselves!

Adversity is something most of us face in life, Faith is what carries us through the rough patches. I for one cannot for a single moment even envision what my life would be without faith!

The Sinner's Garden reminds us vividly God has a plan for each of us no matter the circumstances with its staunch lessons about love, hate and finally victory over the evil caused by misunderstandings and lies.

What shines throughout William Sirls' tale is that God is in control and if we only take the time to listen, we can hear him speak to us directly!

With its unforgettable cast of broken lives, The Sinner's Garden is a powerful reflection of God's love for each of us as we discover and identify with one or the other character. 

A great inspirational novel to share with anyone in the family (especially teens!) and a good addition to any pastoral library!

5 stars!

Note to Readers: Scroll down for Giveaway information!

Meet the Author:

Over the course of his life, William Sirls has experienced both great highs and tremendous lows— some born of chance, some born of choice. Years before the publication of his first novel, he worked 60 hour weeks as a senior vice president at one of the nation’s largest investment firms, somehow finding time to read three to four books per week and to rough out ideas for different stories of his own.

In early 2004, while visiting his oldest daughter at a Detroit hospital, he came across a young cancer patient that was being pulled in a little red wagon by his parents. At the time, Sirls had no idea that he was looking at three characters that would appear more than eight years later in his first novel, The Reason.

More on his website (HERE).

GIVEAWAY

Good news Folks!

I have an extra copy of 'THE SINNER'S GARDEN' TO GIVE AWAY just waiting for one lucky reader.

Interested? Well here is your opportunity to win it:

Giveaway opened to all (International readers included!) from 20 January 2014 to Midnight on 28 January 2014. 

Just place a comment on this post and tell me if you are interested in the novel and your name will be entered in the drawing (Random.org).

Be sure to include a way to contact you of course for mailing!

All the best,

I received a copy of this title from BOOKSNEEZE to review and one for a giveaway. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.