BBAW: Blog Tour, Day 1: From the Dead by John Herrick

Hello there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers as we celebrate day 2 of BBAW 2010 and day 1 of a Blog Tour with a newly published author!  After all, this week is about bloggers and the books that move them to blog so why not include a blog tour...after all, if you're going to buck the trend, may as well go all out, right?

Today we play host to the first day of a two day stop from a book blog tour currently in progress.  This book marks the first publication for this emerging author's work although it's not actually the first book that he has written (more on that story is at his website).  Shall we get started?  *waits for nod*  Here we go!  Today's book of choice and blog tour guest is....

From the Dead

by

John Herrick

Jesse Barlow is one conflicted character. From starting out life as the preacher's son, doing whatever he could to break free of that image (just like most other preacher kids), and finally running off to the shiny bright lights of L.A. Well in the words of one high achieving songstress..."This ain't no disco. It ain't no country club either. This is...L.A."  What does that mean to you or for this story?  Bright and shiny is not always all it's cracked up to be...and Jesse is about to learn that first hand.  Bouncing from audition to audition , this once upon a time dreamer of the publicity charged life of an actor lands in a place all his own, even if it is more of a hard landing where you accept the pain it brings....at least your feeling SOMETHING, right?  Reaching the proverbial end of his rope, he lashes out at life in desperation, only to be snatched away by the hands of fate (or something more) before death can settle it's cold clammy hands upon his person.

You see, despite everything that has happened (or hasn't for that matter), Jesse is not really ready to leave this world behind.  There are things to do, people to see, relations to know...all of which starts with the first step taken on his journey home.  Home is always said to be the one place you can turn to when all else fails.  The people, the places, all ring of familiarity...but what if you left on your own terms against the set plans you were to have followed?  Would you still be welcomed back with open arms?  Jesse is about to find out, and unbeknown to him there is a little something (or someone) extra to be heading home too....

Wow! This would probably qualify as one of those sleeper-but-potential-best-sellers that people are always talking about. You know, the ones that get over looked for one reason or another and then BOOM....they catch on? For me, this one started out slow...had a steady middle...and went flying at high speed during the later third. Though classified as Fiction, it could fall into the Contemporary/Christian Fiction genres as well....and although I don't make it a habit to read that particular brand of novel as they can be a tinge preachy in nature, I will say that this was a GOOD story overall. The mentions of the higher powers at work in our lives come in spurts so the less religious among us can still thoroughly enjoy the story without having their toes stepped on. 

At times I wanted to strangle Jesse myself....really!  He had this spirit for life that was suffering under the self-made burdens of his Hollywood-wannabe life and it was hard to watch as he made mistake after mistake.  When he broke down and went against his moral code, you just knew what the outcome was going to be even before it was written...and that a new beginning would be swiftly coming lest the story come to an abrupt finale.  His caring nature for others was thinly veiled by his harder exterior due to life experience and circumstance, but when the curtains were drawn back, they revealed the emotional being within; unafraid to cry, happy to share a laugh, and yet strong enough to follow through on a plan that would possibly save the life of one and end another (sorry, would get too spoiler-ish if I mentioned any more there).

The supporting cast of characters helped round out the book as well.  From his open hearted sister Eden who loves others with her heart and soul, to his father, Chuck, who is a minister with a refreshing if unorthodox approach to ministering, and everyone in-between, they all have their roles to play and play them they do.  I must say that the ending was partly anticipated on my part, but the twists inserted....nope; no way did I see them coming.  Word to the wise, you may want to keep a tissue close by for a few scenes...just in case.  Lessons to be learned about life, love, and the power of the heart...an unexpected jewel among the masses...that my friends, is what I have to say about this book.  Go ahead, give it a try!  I'd love to know what YOU think...

Review copy received courtesy of author John Herrick.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title and his other works in progress, check out his website.  Be sure to check back tomorrow as we play host to day two of this bookish tour featuring an interview with the author himself, as well as a chance for you to win!

Until next time....happy reading!