The Edge of Grace

Found the main character whiny~!

The Edge of Grace is a Christian fictional drama.

On the day that Caryn Becker receives a phone call from her brother, David, her world and all she knew about it, comes crashing down. David has just told Caryn that he is gay and will be heading off to Mexico with his new lover.

Caryn is shocked, David had been planning his wedding to his long-time girlfriend, Lori, and this announcement leaves Caryn with feelings of disgust and revulsion.

Caryn is a single, widowed mother of a seven year old boy. Her husband, Harrison, died when their son, Ben, was only a toddler. Caryn's best friends and neighbours, Julie and Trey, help Caryn through life's difficulties and offer her advice and wisdom.

Caryn ignores her brothers messages and her friends advice, she is angry, hurt and feels like she never knew her brother. Her friends think Caryn is over-reacting and cannot understand her feelings. She believes there is nothing that will mend the hurt that she is now experiencing.

On the day that David is beaten and left for dead, Caryn has to adjust her thoughts and remind herself that love can conquer all. Caryn begins to heal from the betrayal she feels was bestowed upon her and tries to understand her brothers life choices.

I thought the story started out great. The introduction of Caryn and her brother began right from the beginning and the reader is immersed in Caryn's thoughts and feelings. The feelings and questions are real and her reactions are not uncommon to the situation before her. However, not knowing David before this phone call, one cannot feel for David and his plight.

I thought the editorial issues were more than common, at times Lori, David's finance is called Lauren and I had to reread the passages a few times to make sure who it was being discussed in the chapter. Mayhaps Lori is being used as a short form version of Lauren, but it isn't explained as such and from her first introduction, we meet her as Lori.

I didn't like the missing quotations around dialogue, you are left wondering if the characters are talking to someone or are they in thought mode, it was very confusing at times. I found that most of the book played out like a commercial, there were too many product placements throughout and just came across as the author looking for anything to fill the pages.

The first half of the book is meandering thoughts and confusion about David's homosexuality and is rather ho-hum, however, after you get past that portion, the book does pick up and you are left with a read that is rife with human emotions and actions.

I would give this book two and a half stars out of five. The editorial issues were annoying as was Caryn, she came across as a spoiled rotten brat in which the world should revolve around her. I enjoyed Julie and her open minded, level-headed character brought much to the book.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Not your average Christian fiction...

But definitely a well written book on a very controversial issue. I thought that the author did a very good job with this story and the title is fitting. While not an easy subject for most Christians, I believe the author presents it in a way that is loving and non-judgemental. You may or may not agree with the subject, but I can bet you will not look at it quite the same way after reading this book. The perspective from that of a family member I thought was brilliant.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Will Make You Think

Author Christa Allan isn't one to avoid the tough subjects. In her first novel, Walking On Broken Glass, she dealt with the heart-breaking problem of alcoholism. In her sophomore effort, Edge Of Grace, we find a widow, struggling to make ends meet while raising a small son, whose life is turned upside down when she finds that her brother is gay.
This novel of Christian fiction is a worthwhile read, one that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Whatever your beliefs about homosexuality, you'll find yourself re-examining them as Christa leads us through the turmoil that follows that opening scene.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully written - a 5-star read!!

Christa Allan's sophomore book, The Edge of Grace, is a powerful work of art, delving into waters not often stirred in fiction. It made me squirm and it challenged me to consider how I offered grace. The only thing it did not do was leave me unchanged. Novel Journey and I give The Edge of Grace our highest recommendation: a 5-star must read.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Fumbling towards grace

Caryn Becker has a busy life. Following the sudden death of her husband, she has to balance being a single mother to her son Ben with running her own catering business on a daily basis. Then one day she gets a call from her brother David, telling her he is gay. Caryn already has a hard time accepting this announcement, but then comes the even more disturbing news that David is the victim of a hate crime. Now Caryn will need to do some deep soul-searching in order to reconnect with the ones she loves.

This is the second book I have read by Christa Allan, and I was not nearly as impressed as I was with Walking On Broken Glass. For one, the plot was not quite my cup of tea. I felt incredibly trapped in Caryn's unforgiving, small head. She seemed very out of place in today's tolerant world, but I am sure there are still many people out there who struggle the same as Caryn does. Still, I think I would have enjoyed seeing the point of view from others, like her friend Julie, or even David. And I liked Ben, who performed like a true little kid would speak and act. This book carried the same easy and powerful writing style that I came to love from Walking On Broken Glass. Allan's dialog really packs a punch when conveying the conflicting emotions of her characters. I will definitely pick up Allan's next book, but I am hoping for a tough issue that's more relevant to today's lifestyle.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Disappointed

I was very disappointed in this book. It did show the importance of loving and accepting others no matter what as well as talking about how we all have issues. However, the Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin and this book made it seem like there is nothing wrong with being gay. None of us are perfect but sin is sin.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Characters Who Might Live Next Door

Not one to dance around tough issues, Christa Allan's sophomore novel dives into the debris of the homosexuality-Christianity train wreck with grit and humor. Heart fills the conspicuous hole easy answers might have plugged. Allan awakens compassion for the gay Christian as well as his loved ones whose paradigm he wrenches. She draws characters who feel more like family than fiction with her effortless prose. A book worth reading.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great, Sensitive Storey - I would rate this 4-1/2 stars. The st

Great, Sensitive Storey - I would rate this 4-1/2 stars. The story made me laugh, cry and do some serious thinking on the subject of gays. The story begins with a young woman with an infant son who was widowed too early and the many challenges and conflicts she had to face. One day she receives a phone call from her brother informing her, he has broken his engagement and is gay.
The story continues as she struggles with this news and worries how it will affect her and her young son.
Not until a horrific incident does she begin to understand it is not about her; rather it’s about her sibling.
This is a Christian book; but, it does not preach. The author’s writing does make one stop and examine one’s own pre-judgments and prejudices. I don't agree with everthing written, but I do agree God does want us to love each other.

This was a good read and not overly religious

Caryn reacted as many of us might on learning her brothers news. Many of us might have had a similar reaction-how is it going to affect me
and how did I not recognize this before.

It held my attention!

I really enjoyed reading this book!

A really heart warmimg story.

This is a good read for anyone who needs a pick me up. :)

NICE CHRISTIAN READ

It was a little slow but it came out ok but it felt like a christian version of the upside down of anger.

Too slow

I can't finish this book. It's a bit boring, and it reads as if someone is just rambling. There are also confusing flashbacks and unclear dialogue. I don't think it was carefully thought through. If I finish and it gets better, I'll be surprised. Might look at it again if I have insomnia.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Makes u think

Great read

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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