Rating: 
Summary: Unique, Moving and Uplifting
Review: Toiling over how to put my thoughts into letters to make cognizant words, I'm finally here at the point to try to recap one of the most moving books I've ever read. Can you imagine something that may seem to be very small when initially looking at it, but yet once you've been able to inspect it closer you realize that it has had an impact on your life? This is the easiest way for me to start off telling about MISDEMEANOR by Tanya Marie Lewis. In only 134 pages, her words managed to pick me up, turn me around, and place me smack dab in the middle of a life-size mirror, that allowed me a glimpse of her characters and then a full screen view of myself. Lewis launches The Craddlerobbers Series, which will focus on older women with younger men, but her story sits at the very top of the list of Christian Fiction titles that I've read. MISDEMEANOR is not only the story of two Christians, their path to love and the detours they take to get there, but it also shows the impact that God can have in your life when you're ready to receive Him and the blessings He's prepared to bestow upon you. MISDEMEANOR opens with an introduction to eight-year-old Malena Dawson after the death of her beloved father. Unsure of what death is and waiting on her father to return, she speaks freely to God about her feelings, surroundings, and family; yet like with most children that age, she doesn't fully understand what happened. However, she does hold onto her Father's Bible, the teachings she's learned from her parents and in church, and her spirit and belief in God. The story follows Malena throughout the remainder of her childhood and on to an adult moving from the small Southern town she grew up in and placing her in the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, Georgia. It is in college that Malena rejects everything she's learned as a child, allowing herself to live in a life of sin on a search to further her career. Yet, in all her success, she finds that she's not happy with herself or the men in her life. On the surface, it appears that she has it all, yet she's not in the right place to see what God has bestowed upon her because she's turned away from Him. Grant Carpenter is introduced early on in the story as the know-it-all child in Sunday School Class. Four years younger than Malena, he ignores the age difference, and confesses his love to her, even while they are children. Though very young, he possesses an "air" of godliness and knows without a doubt what God has planned for his life. He's sensitive, loving, and patient, with both Malena and God's vision. When they are at a crucial part in establishing their relationship, something happens that topples the balance and Malena is left alone to suffer the consequences of her actions. There aren't enough adjectives out there to adequately detail Lewis's writing style and sensitive and loving approach to the story revealed in MISDEMEANOR. It is a compelling and moving story of love, patience, forgiveness, redemption, and fate. Lewis has a natural way of storytelling that takes you deep into the crevices of her characters' mind. Her writing is believable, strong, moving, and uplifting. Unlike other books I've read that showcased the protagonist growing up, I actually felt the difference in the character as she grew from a young child into an adult coming full term with her decisions in life. This story also teaches that we shouldn't allow past events to block the blessings that God has in store for us. It touched my heart, warmed my spirit, and caused days of reflection over my own life and the things I could change to be a better person. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: What an Awesome Debut!
Review: Whenever you read a debut novel, there is always some trepidation. Tanya Marie Lewis crushes that uneasiness and breaks through with a memorable first novel, Misdemeanor. This novel is first in a new series entitled The Craddlerobbers. The writing style flows easily and reads like a journal. Readers are introduced to Malena as a young child. Her father has past away suddenly leaving this little girl and her family distraught. Unable to cope directly with her father's death, young Malena holds fast to the faith her father passed onto her --- secretly looking forward to his return. As time passes on, Malena never accepts her father's death, she simply harbors the pain and moves on. During her young adult years, the innocent girl from the first part of the book is replaced with a more sophisticated, but superficial Malena. She seeks fulfilment often times in older, weathly men. The harder she works to achieve her dreams of success and security, the emptier she feels. The one constant hope in her life is Grant Carpenter. The young precocious boy from her childhood Sunday School class still loves her and strongly believes she will be his wife one day. Now a handsome, God-fearing man, Malena sees the younger man in a different light and a relationship progresses. Unfortunately, the most promising relationship in Malena's life becomes jeopardized by her lack of ability to truly love. Lewis does an outstanding job with her first novel. The book is a quick and easy read, filled with emotional intensity! Age is indeed nothing but a number as one woman comes to grips with her faith and walks in to her God-driven destiny.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet Romance
Review: Where has this book been all my life? I read all kinds of books from Z- to everything in between but this was definitely a carefully cradled story. I'm glad the reviews on this one seems to be a true reflection of that, not like the reviews of some other authors. Keep writing and I'll keep reading okay? I reccommend this book to everyone with eyes and fingers to keep turning the page.
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