Thicker Than Blood

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Thicker Than Blood Pub. Date: 12/17/2009 Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

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Overview

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late? A stunning debut from the latest Christian Writers Guild winner.

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature

Sisters May and Christy Williams have not spoken since their parents were killed in a car crash over twelve years ago. As often happens, each sister dealt with their grief in drastically different ways: Christy turned to alcohol, like her parents before her, and May turned to a higher power for acceptance and guidance. May began working on a ranch and found peace through hard work and religion while Christy's search for the same thing led her to follow her love of literature with employment at a used bookstore. Her emotional baggage and unstable lifestyle, coupled with the death of the aunt that took May in all those years ago catch up with her, however. When Christy's life begins to fall apart before her eyes, she finds herself on May's doorstep silently pleading for the help and forgiveness that only her sister can give. In this beautifully spun Christian novel, the tale of two estranged sisters awkwardly trying to find their way back to each other with a little help from above unfolds. Even readers who tend to shy away from the Christian genre will feel drawn to this well-crafted story of forgiveness, love and acceptance. Reviewer: Jeanna Sciarrotta

Publishers Weekly

Darlington, a debut author and winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest, enters the evangelical Christian publishing arena with a story that deals in antique bookselling and unresolved interpersonal relationships. Orphaned sisters Christy and May Williams have chosen very different paths after the sudden death of their parents 15 years earlier. Christy retreats into alcohol and abusive relationships, while younger sister May tries her hand at running a ranch. When the death of a close relative brings the two estranged sisters together, internal pain resurfaces that cannot be ignored by either one. Slowly, amid violence and false accusations, Christy moves toward May, emotionally and spiritually, as both young women discover the possibility of second chances. Darlington's setting in the fascinating world of antiquarian bookselling is clever; unfortunately much of the story is too formulaic to provide what could have been a compelling reading excursion. (Jan.)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781414334486
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date: 12/17/2009
Pages: 400
Sales rank: 896,118
Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 1.10 (d)

Read an Excerpt

THICKER than BLOOD

By C. J. DARLINGTON

TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC.

Copyright © 2009 C.J. Darlington
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3448-6

Chapter One

Christy Williams didn't see the cop until his red lights flashed in her rearview mirror. By then it was too late. He was tailing her, and she had no choice but to ease her Honda Accord onto the snowy shoulder of the freeway and let the cruiser slide in behind.

Jerking up the emergency brake, she threw herself back into her seat with a curse. She hadn't been speeding. She was sure of it. Christy forced herself to focus on the cruiser, squinting to see past its blinding headlights. She could barely make out the cop's silhouette behind the wheel. What was he doing?

At last the burly officer emerged from the patrol car, approaching slowly, his hand resting on his holster.

Christy put down her window, and a blast of frigid night air hit her face and rolled across her lap.

"Turn the car off, ma'am."

She did.

"I need your license, registration, and proof of insurance."

"What'd I do?" She fumbled for the items, then handed them to the cop. The name tag opposite his badge read T. Jones.

Jones glanced at them with a smirk. He gave one back. "License. Not grocery card."

Christy flushed as she flipped through her wallet again. Real smooth. She finally found her license and passed it to thecop. He took it with the other cards to his patrol car. What was this all about? Had she been swerving? She quickly crunched down on two fresh squares of peppermint Dentyne Ice. Deep breath now. Chew. It's just a routine stop. My taillight's probably out. No need to panic. He doesn't know.

Without the engine on, the car turned cold fast. Christy zipped up her fleece jacket and checked the cop again. After a minute his door opened, and her pulse kicked up a notch. Please. Let this be nothing. She couldn't face any more disappointment tonight.

Jones returned to her window. "Miss Williams, where you going?"

"Home."

"From where?"

"Just a late movie with some friends, Officer." She forced a smile, wishing it wasn't a lie. To celebrate with friends and family who loved her was the way it should be. But instead she'd spent her birthday alone as usual, longing for what could have been.

"How many drinks have you had?"

Adrenaline splashed across her chest, and she tried to relax her arms. Don't look nervous. Don't look guilty. "None."

"Know why I stopped you?"

"I wasn't speeding."

"You were doing 40 in a 65 zone."

"Just being careful. I don't like driving at night."

Jones rested a thick hand on her door. He looked at her with a slight grin like he'd heard it all before. "Please step out of the car."

Christy resisted the urge to glance at the passenger seat. Underneath it she'd carefully hidden her half-empty bottle of sherry. Knowing it would be useless to protest, she obeyed.

Outside, she shielded her eyes from the cruiser's spotlight. "Sir, I'm tired. It's my birthday. I just wanna get home."

"I need you to do some standard roadside maneuvers for me." Jones gripped her left bicep, his fingers closing almost entirely around it, and led her to stand between the two cars.

She'd seen sobriety tests on COPS enough times. This was her chance to prove herself. Christy concentrated hard on the officer's instructions. She was gonna show this guy.

"You'll stand with your heels together and your arms at your sides," he said. "Then when I tell you, lift one foot about six inches off the ground and hold it there. Don't use your arms. And no hopping or swaying. You understand?"

"Yeah."

"Now at the same time, count aloud like this: one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three. For thirty seconds, looking down at your foot."

Christy crossed her shaky arms, nodding. As much as she hated the embarrassment of being on display, she had to do it. If she refused, he'd arrest her for sure.

"I'll tell you when to put your foot down." Jones looked her right in the eyes, his breaths condensing and swirling around his head. "Understand exactly what I want here?"

"I got it."

He repeated the instructions, demonstrating the moves himself, and Christy assured him she knew what to do. If she passed this thing, would he let her go?

Jones stepped away from her. "You can start now."

She filled her lungs, then slowly let her breath out, willing herself to calm down. Uncrossing her arms, she squeezed them against her rib cage and lifted her right foot. Was that six inches? She raised it a little more. That seemed right. Her heart pounding, she made herself breathe, determined not to take her eyes off her foot. Focus. Don't sway. Then she remembered to count. She hadn't been counting. She risked a glance at the stoic cop. Had he noticed?

"One thousand and one. One thousand and two." Christy felt herself sway slightly. For a split second she tapped her toe to the ground just to right herself, but it was quick and then she was back to counting. "One thousand and three."

Half a minute. That's all we're talking about. Just to thirty.

"One thousand and four. One thousand and five."

I can do this.

"One thousand and six."

Keep my balance. Keep my cool.

"One thousand and seven."

Christy got to thirteen before she realized her arms had somehow lifted away from her body, like a trapeze artist walking the wire. She smacked them back down and kept counting. "One thousand and fourteen. One thousand and fifteen."

Her leg was made of lead. Lift it up. A little higher.

"One thousand and sixteen."

Quit shaking.

"One thousand seventeen."

Focus!

"One thousand eighteen."

"Okay, you can put your leg down."

She let out a burst of air. She must've been holding her breath. "How'd I do?"

Jones didn't answer, his face a mask of professionalism.

It was downhill from there. He put her through two more sobriety tests. She messed up four times walking that stupid line, and she had no idea what he was after when she followed his pen back and forth with her eyes.

Then the cop started grilling her again. "Honesty would go a long way here. Sure you didn't drink anything?"

That's when reality sank in. Christy knew better than to get behind the wheel, yet she'd risked innocent lives and driven anyway. The last thing she'd ever want to do was cause an accident, especially tonight.

"I ..." She blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes, desperate to keep from bawling in front of this cop who was only doing his job. After a late day at work, she'd spent the evening in her car parked by Union Reservoir, sipping sherry and reading Hercule Poirot mysteries by the dome light. All she'd wanted was to forget it was her birthday. Revel in the buzz that would abandon her by morning.

Christy let out a long breath. "There's a bottle of sherry under my seat."

Jones nodded, producing handcuffs from his belt. He pointed at the car. "Hands on the hood, please."

Christy rested her palms on the gritty, salt-stained metal, the front bumper jamming into her knees. She deserved to be locked up.

"Carryin' anything I should know about?"

"No."

After frisking her, he pulled each of her arms behind her back, clicking icy cuffs around her wrists. A semi zoomed past them, spraying cinder-filled slush against the cruiser door, and she imagined the trucker craning to see who the loser was this time.

Jones led her to the back door of the patrol car, opened it, and guided her head inside. She barely had time to glimpse a second cruiser pulling up before the door slammed shut behind her, as much like a cell door clanging as the one she knew waited for her at the police station.

Her shoulders went limp. Another truck sailed past, shaking the patrol car. The cop's garbled voice came from outside. She didn't try to comprehend what he was saying. No doubt he was reporting to his buddy about the drunk he'd caught.

Christy hung her head as the cuffs dug into her flesh. Thirty-three years old.

Happy birthday.

* * *

Hours later Christy perched on the edge of the jail cell's plastic bed, her hands covering her face. The Breathalyzer test she'd taken a few minutes ago had confirmed to the cops what she already knew. Her blood alcohol level was well over the legal limit. And they'd booked her for it. Her mug shot and fingerprints were probably already scanned into some offender database, marking her for what she was-a criminal. They'd left her with nothing but her grubby jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers. Not even one cigarette, which she'd do a lot for about now.

Her gaze wandered to the ceiling, where a video camera glared downward, scrutinizing her every move. They could probably hear her too.

Earlier, the cops had offered her the phone, but she didn't know who to call. The only lawyer she knew was Harvey Kurtz, but she hadn't talked to him in over two years.

She'd thought of Hunter Dawson, the owner's son and manager of Dawson's Book Barn, Longmont, Colorado's largest used bookstore and where she worked. Although she had a feeling he'd jump at the chance to help her, he was her boss, and she didn't want any problems there. Things were going so well. She'd finally found a job she loved, and she couldn't lose it now.

Christy rested her elbows on her knees. Who could she possibly call? Even if she did have friends, she'd be too ashamed to drag them into this. And family? They were hours away and probably wanted nothing to do with her. Not that she'd blame them. She was the one who broke the family ties and left without even a good-bye. What May must think of her after all these years ...

That left Vince. She still flinched when she thought about him, but what other choice did she have? It was either him or spend the night in this creepy place where the stench of old urine hung in the air.

A few minutes later a balding cop with a gut hanging over his belt showed up to check on her, and she decided to make the call she dreaded.

When she was sitting in front of the phone, the cop picked up a pen. "Name?"

"Vince Dubois."

"Relation?"

Two weeks ago she would have responded boyfriend. Now she didn't know how to answer. "Coworker," she finally said, and it was the truth. Vince also worked at Dawson's Book Barn, overseeing online sales.

She held the receiver, the dial tone humming in her ear as she contemplated one last time what she was about to do. Then with a sigh she punched in his number.

It rang twice, and a deep male voice answered with a crisp "Hello?"

"It's me. Christy."

"A little late, isn't it?"

"I ... need your help," she said, hating to admit it.

"So you're finally coming around."

"I'm in trouble."

The line was silent for a moment. "What kind of trouble?"

She told him what happened, lowering her voice. "I don't want to stay here."

"Give me thirty minutes," he said without hesitation. "And don't worry, darling. It'll be all right. I promise." It felt good to hear someone say it, even if it was Vince.

"He'll be here in half an hour," she told the cop.

And he was. When they released her into the waiting area, Vince stopped pacing, and his quick survey up and down her figure made her wish they'd let her clean up a little. She ran trembling fingers through her stringy blonde hair, regretting she hadn't taken the time this week to cover the dark roots. She must've looked as awful as she felt.

Vince, on the other hand, looked the same as always. Even at this hour he was meticulously dressed in crisp jeans and a ribbed gray sweater, his wavy black hair full of mousse.

She got back her purse and was given an arraignment date. She'd be in court for this at the end of the month.

"Let's get out of here," Vince said, wrapping an arm around her waist, shepherding her toward the parking lot. He kept his arm there until they got outside, then cloaked her shoulders with his leather jacket. A few wet snowflakes drifted from the sky as he helped her into his white Lexus. She breathed in the air, redolent with Vince's imported cigars.

"I'll pick up your car tomorrow," he said, buckling up and starting the engine.

Christy already had a Winston lit. She took several drags before speaking. "Thanks for coming."

"You don't belong in a place like that."

She pulled in another drag and exhaled, relief flowing through her limbs. Closing Vince's jacket tighter around herself, she sat silent, waiting for the heater to work.

"You did the right thing calling me."

"Please take me to my apartment."

The car's turn signal ticked off and on. Vince drove out of the parking lot in the wrong direction.

"My apartment."

"I heard you."

"I want to go home."

"Home?" He laughed and patted her leg. "Seems to me my place is your real home. Come on, Christy. Let me take care of you."

She was tempted to allow it. She didn't want to be alone, but she'd be giving in by agreeing. She'd be going back to him. At least that's the way he would see it. "I don't wanna fight."

"Good."

When he got like this, it was like trying to have a conversation with an oncoming freight train. Jump out of the way or get flattened. She didn't have the will for either.

A few minutes later they pulled into the garage of the two-story country house Vince rented from his uncle.

Vince was immediately by her side to guide her to the door. "You're still unsteady."

"I'm fine." She tried to push his arm away.

But he held on. "I can see that."

At the door, she obediently slipped off her shoes, as Vince required of everyone, and he led her inside. The ubiquitous classical music station she remembered so well played faintly through the whole house over the speakers Vince had wired and installed himself.

Leaving the lights off except for the one over the kitchen sink, he pointed her to the living room and sat her on the pin-striped damask sofa. He knelt in front of her, holding her hands between his. "Hungry?"

"No."

"I can fix you something."

"I'm tired."

"Then let me get you a drink." Without waiting for a response, he rose and went to the bar in the corner of the dark room. A cabinet opened and glasses clinked. She could picture the scrupulously arranged rows of wineglasses, tumblers, and cordial glasses she'd watched him hand-buff countless times.

Vince returned with a tumbler half-full of sherry. "This'll calm you down."

Christy closed her eyes and sipped at the alcohol as Vince sidled next to her, drawing her into himself. His Siamese cat, Socrates, jumped up beside them, purring and butting his head into Vince's arm. Vince petted the animal, his arm still around Christy.

She stopped resisting. It wasn't important anymore that he'd hit her. That was only a distant memory. And she had provoked him. She hadn't been thinking of his side. As usual he'd vowed it would never happen again, and Christy believed him now. He'd come to her rescue tonight, something he would only have done if he truly loved her.

"You can rest now," Vince whispered, rubbing her back in comforting circular motions. "It's all over."

"I was ... so scared. I didn't know what to do."

"Shh." He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "You don't have to think about it anymore."

Christy rested her head on Vince's chest, his Polo Sport cologne bringing back memories of other nights they'd shared together. It would be all right to fall asleep in his arms one more time.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from THICKER than BLOOD by C. J. DARLINGTON Copyright © 2009 by C.J. Darlington. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5

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DebPiccurelli

Posted January 7, 2010

A story of love, forgiveness and redemption

In Thicker than Blood, Christy Williams is a book lover. More than that, she's an antique book lover, fast becoming an expert. She works at her dream job in an antique book store, while the owner's son preps her to become a buyer at auction. Then a stolen Hemingway first edition leads her back to the younger sister she abandoned years ago, fearing for her life. Christy and May have a bittersweet reunion, but seek to discover if family ties are thicker than blood.

This is a novel that I was able to really sink my teeth into. One of those books with meat to it, if you know what I mean. The characters aren't all shiny, perfect, goody-two-shoes. On the contrary, they have messy, mixed-up lives. Christy is an alcoholic and a smoker. In fact, she nurses a bottle or lights up a cigarette pretty frequently throughout the story, especially when things get rough, as would any real person with addictions. Another thing about her is that she had been living with her unsavory boyfriend, and left him, but allows him to lure her back to his place after bailing her out of jail. See what I mean? Messier by the minute, just like real life, which makes the payoff and the takeaway all the more sweet. There's more, but I don't want to reveal too much.

Thicker than Blood is a Christian Writers Guild award winner, so you can trust its excellence. I intend to watch for more from C.J. Darlington, because I think she'll go far in the Christian publishing business.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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LovenGod

Posted December 31, 2009

more from this reviewer

Thicker than Blood...

Christy and May Williams lost their parents fifteen years earlier. They also lost touch. The death of their Aunt Edna, will bring them back together again. However much has changed in those fifteen years. They have each grown older, of course, but they each have also had their own issues and hard times to handle. Each girl has handled their own problems differently. Unfortunately Christy turned to booze to take away her pains, and now the pain of the past and the horribleness of the present is about to swallow her up.

Accused of stealing and bilking her employers out of thousands of dollars, Christy believes it really can't get worse, she is fixing to find out it can and does get worse. Her apartment is torched and Christy turns to the only person left in her life who might care, her sister May. However, the crazy man in her life who torched her apartment is determined that if he can't have her, no one, not even her family can.

A book filled with the sadness of facing problems, the dangers of being stalked by a madman and the uncertainity of how her relationship with her sister can be mended. C.J.Darlington has brought a book to keep you reading cover to cover. A definite hit for this young author. 372 pages $12.99 US Available January 2010 4 stars

For more information about this author see her website C.J. Darlington.com

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was recieved for this review

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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bantzbooks.com

Posted May 10, 2010

Unique!

Christy Williams has cut herself off from her family, and can't seem to find her way back. Too many bad decisions. Too many disastrous relationships. The one bright spot in her solitary life is her job at the used-book barn where she has learned to value rare first editions found at auctions and estate sales.

Christy's life spirals downward when her former boyfriend/co-worker, frames her as a thief, and she finds herself without a job. Out of necessity, she finds refuge with her sister May at the ranch, but the rift between sisters is not easily repaired. And her rejected boyfriend is seeking deadly revenge.

An intricately woven story of rejection and restoration, misunderstandings and forgiveness, THICKER THAN BLOOD is a truly satisfying read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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twinsbur

Posted January 25, 2010

Great Debut Novel

In the book Thicker Than Blood by C.J. Darlington there are two sisters Christy and May that are split apart after a tragic event that effects both their lives. Christy has many problems in her life and she turns to booze and cigarettes to help them all go away. When she is arrested for drunk driving she calls a coworker Vince and that is when her worst problems begin. She has to make a decision quickly in order to turn her life around. Christy has a secret that has haunted her for many years.

Christy's sister May works on a ranch and has been wondering what has happened to her sister. She has tried to contact her many times and has had no luck. Christy shows up one day and brings her problems with her. Christy learns the lessons of compassion and forgiveness that May teaches her. There is a lot of excitement that happens on the ranch especially when Vince starts coming around.

The book was well written. There were many different elements included in the book such as humor, suspense, mystery, emotions and Christian values. This was the author's debut novel that was written when she was fifteen years old and I am very impressed. I hope that she continues to write, and I look forward to reading her next novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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cherryblossommj

Posted January 21, 2010

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Under your skin

Nitty gritty honest truth under your skin, but you have to turn to the page and find out what happens next.

I have been anticipating this book as C.J. Darlington is such a great influence in the online book blogging and publication world. I was not disappointed. Especially as I am not a contemporary Christian fiction fan and yet I enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up future titles from C.J. Full of suspense and easily a page turner, this one goes on the keeper shelf.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Cathi

Posted January 20, 2010

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I Also Recommend:

Tale of Two Sisters

In her debut novel, C. J. Darlington writes as if she's been a best-seller for years. No doubt her experience as a book seller/broker and book lover have aided her, but so have many years of honing her skills in other writing opportunities. It has all come together nicely with Thicker Than Blood, winner of the 2008 Christian Writers' Guild 'Operation First Novel' Contest.

There are heroes/heroines and villains, chase scenes, fire, threats, gunshots, injuries, internal and external conflict, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, hatred, moments of enlightenment, moments of despair. All the elements are here to make a great story, and C. J. combines them deftly. Her timing is well-paced and the build-up to the climax is maddening! The beginning seems to lag a bit, but that really is normal in setting up the story and the characters. Before long, though, it picks up amd moves quickly.

I found myself thinking about the story while was doing other things (when I wanted to get to the end but had to do the mundane stuff); I was even imagining possible ways for it all to work out. Some of my ideas were right, but others were really off in left field, out in the cow pasture. Now that I've finished, I want to go back and revisit a few places. For me, this means it's a good book.

This is not your run-of-the-mill average Christian romance novel, and I'm relieved to pass that on because there are so many romance novels following a set, predictable fomula. I kept looking for romances that didn't happen. I think the romance-gone-bad with Vince help set me up for that. And yet...Not going to spoil it any further. Let's just say it is an excellent Christian fiction novel that doesn't really fit into one of the normal genre cubbyholes, at least as far as I can see.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Wyn0

Posted January 17, 2010

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Interesting First Novel

It was a good book for a first novel. I did have difficulty getting involved in the story. It seemed to move slowly but about half-way through it picked up and by the end I was definitely involved with the characters. The author has shown a familiarity with both bookstores, book antiquities, and ranchland living at the edge of the Western mountains, two very diverse cultures. The characters are believable and their reactions to their circumstances understandable within the context of the story. The raw emotions and flashbacks of the one sister contrasted nicely with the peaceful but frustrated emotions of the other sister who was trying to learn who her sister really was under the walled layers. I look forward to C.J.'s second novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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MichelleSutton

Posted January 12, 2010

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I Also Recommend:

Great debut!

Thicker than Blood was a great debut. The voice of the author is smooth-flowing and believable. There was nothing clunky or hard to understand. I loved the theme about collecting and selling old books and the story surrounding the sisters. I also loved how realistically domestic violence and alcoholism is portrayed. That was very well done.

There are some great themes in this book and it has a solid message. I had difficulty putting it down because everything progressed in the story at a good pace. Also, when it comes to torturing her characters, CJ is a master. I felt so bad for these ladies. I enjoyed watching how God worked through their difficult circumstances to make something beautiful happen that would change their lives in the end. I really enjoyed this story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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ElaineElliott

Posted December 30, 2009

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Thicker Than Blood: Review

SYNOPSIS:

Christy Williams finally has her life back on track. She's putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents' untimely deaths. Soon, Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May's Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she's searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it's too late? A stunning debut from the latest Christian Writers Guild winner. (From Tyndale Publishing website)

AUTHOR'S BRIEF BIO:
C. J. Darlington is the winner of the 2008 Jerry. B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for Thicker Than Blood, which she began writing as a 15 year-old home school student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores before cofounding her own online bookstore. She also cofounded the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com. Visit her Web site at www.cjdarlington.com.
REVIEWER'S CRITIQUE:
Thicker Than Blood is a captivating look into the lives of two sisters, Christy and May Williams, their estrangement, personal struggles, triumphs and their reunion. But it is also a book of healing and love, mercy and grace, and redemption and restoration.
Ms. Darlington incorporates her own experience as an antiquarian bookseller into Christy's life as her career. But when accusations are made against Christy by her ex-boyfriend and fellow employee of Dawson's Book Barn, her career seems to be over and she heads for May, her sister's, ranch. Upon arrival, Christy soon learns that not all is as it seems at the ranch.
Thicker Than Blood will cause the reader to reflect upon their own relationship(s) with family members and with God. This book is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read and this reviewer highly recommends it to all lovers of suspense novels.
In her unique, individualistic way, Ms. Darlington has proven that love is truly Thicker Than Blood.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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HeidiMain

Posted December 29, 2009

Masterfully written debut novel

Oh my....What a wonderful novel by debut author C.J. Darlington (and what does C.J. stand for - she's mysterious as well!). I'll start with the thing that I loved the most - the evangelistic angle. C.J. created characters that real people will connect with. And these characters find out, in normal conversation, why they need Jesus and the possibility their lives have if they accept Christ into their hearts. A very clever way to get the gospel across. But even more clever because the sticking points the characters had, you'll have to read the book to find out what they were, are very common. A strong salvation message that meet seekers where they are.

Alcoholism. Physical abuse. Stealing, Lying. Trust issues. Abandonment. These issues and more are explored in this novel. Each of the characters in Thicker Than Blood sound different. The pacing is perfect. The scenes are skillfully set (I grew up on a horse farm in Upstate New York, so I can tell you the horse and farm scenes are very realistic). And the chapter endings make this novel a page turner - one you simply can't put down.

A unique and masterfully written novel. Get it and read it - you'll be thankful you did!

C.J has posted the first chapter on her website, check it out!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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harstan

Posted December 5, 2009

more from this reviewer

strong inspirational tale

Fifteen years ago when their parents died, sisters May and Christy Williams reacted totally different though they shared in common deep grief for their loss. May became a rancher while Christy turned self destructive with alcohol and nasty relationships with a series of losers.

However, thirty-three years old Christy is now cleaning up her act working extremely hard at Dawson's Book Barn in Longmont as a rare book buyer. In spite of her efforts, her past indiscretions haunt her especially getting caught in a DUI on her recent birthday so when stolen valuable first editions including a Hemingway are found in her home, she is the only suspect for the thefts. Needing time to prove her innocence and having a desire to see May, who she failed years ago, Christy heads to Triple Cross Ranch unaware that her recent past will follow her there.

Although by the book (no pun intended towards Dawson's), this is a fascinating second chance for two estranged sisters who failed each other when each needed the other to reach out of the darkness of death. May found solace in God while Christi found hers in alcohol. Fans will enjoy this inspirational tale of the two siblings although the felonious subplot seems too obvious of a solution. Still Thicker than Blood is a deep tale of love between sisters and God.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted December 30, 2011

WOW!

I loved this book sor much. I could not put it down. It was really great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also recommend Bound By Guilt. It's by the same author and just as good.
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babyree29

Posted August 7, 2011

Thoroughly Enjoyed

I have to say that I enjoyed the places this book took me to. The forgiveness and love between siblings that can never be forsaken. I cant imagine anyone not loving their brother/sister as much as i love mine. Mahalo for taking into account my humble opininon!
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6948549

Posted August 3, 2011

Wonderful book!

This was so far removed from my own life, their have been people who were simalair to these characters. The world of books and the ranch life are so oposite I wanted to be part of both. The Christian overtunes would not be overly offensive to non believers. GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY!
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7990616

Posted June 5, 2011

Enjoyable and easy read

Good book to read when you want something easy to relax. It is worth downloading.
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JaMHill

Posted April 23, 2011

Enjoyable Read~I would read more from this author!

I would recommend this book to others. I felt like it was a good mix of drama and suspense.
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OregonAuthor

Posted May 5, 2010

Sisters

This author knows sisters. The differences, and mistakes, that can drive them apart. The bonds that tie them together.

And apart is what the sisters in this book are. They live totally different lives, have totally different beliefs. And something one of them did fifteen years ago ended their relationship entirely. Is reconciliation possible?

This book is about people and problems you won't soon forget, with a message not only for sisters but for any broken relationship
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MAHake

Posted April 26, 2010

Touching woman's adventure story by 1st-time novelist

Thicker than Blood sweeps readers right into Christy Williams' troubled life and pulls them along on her journey of pain and discovery. Christy's mistakes and trials prompt readers to root for her all the more. Orphaned on her 18th birthday, Christy abandoned her younger sister, May, and has not had any contact for fifteen years. The death of their aunt tugs their paths back together.

Each sister thinks their estrangement was her fault, plus both their lives are in turmoil. Christy has problems with alcohol and with her ex-boyfriend, which also affects her job at the antique bookstore. It looks like May will lose the ranch in which she's invested her life. Christy seeks refuge at the ranch, but doesn't seem to be willing to be totally honest with her only living relative. Can their relationship be salvaged?

C.J. Darlington may have begun writing this as a teen, but it's a fully mature novel waiting to satisfy your reading appetite. I recommend it for older teens and adults. It contains elements to appeal to a variety of interests-books, horses, adventure, danger, and the love of God that binds thicker than blood.
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JenM7

Posted April 25, 2010

Thicker Than Blood

This is a suspenseful story of sisters Christy and May, in very different circumstances, and how they are pulled back into each other's lives. The author weaves her own interest in antiquarian book selling into the story. Though started when the author was 15, this is not a story for young readers. The struggles Christy deals with, some because of poor choices, were vividly portrayed. Her thoughts were shared as she lived through those situations and learned to hope in God.

I received this book from the author for my review.
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scentednights2002

Posted February 11, 2010

Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington

Christy has made some bad choices in her life. One of them is leaving her sister and family fifteen years ago. Now she's at the point where she feels her life falling apart and wonders if it's possible to re-unite with her sister or not. She's certain her sister will never accept her because of the poor choices she's made. She doesn't feel worthy. She discovers several thefts at the antiquarian bookstore she works at and, threatened, she heads to the sister she hasn't seen in fifteen years.

Meanwhile her sister, May, on the cattle ranch she lives on, is wondering if Christy is still alive. She worries if she can ever find Christy and if it's possible to reunite again. Christy and her sister, May, need to find out if they can work through the past and start over again.

I enjoyed reading Thicker than Blood because Christy isn't perfect. Many Christian fiction books have characters that seem too perfect to me so I have a hard time relating to their struggles. Despite all the bad choices Christy made, she has an inner character that she doesn't know she has.

I really loved that the store centered around antiquarian books and cattle ranching. Books and country living are a huge part of my life and it was really fun to read a book with those topics. This is a fast paced story with a Christian theme and should appeal to anyone who likes stories with faith, hope and suspense.
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A story of love, forgiveness and redemption

Thicker than Blood...

Unique!

Great Debut Novel

Under your skin

Tale of Two Sisters

Interesting First Novel

Great debut!

Thicker Than Blood: Review

Masterfully written debut novel

strong inspirational tale

WOW!

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Wonderful book!

Enjoyable and easy read

Enjoyable Read~I would read more from this author!

Sisters

Touching woman's adventure story by 1st-time novelist

Thicker Than Blood

Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington