The Solid Rock by Faith Blum
Rating: PG-13 (crimes involving kidnapping women to sell them into prostitution and a recovering rape victim, all very cleanly handled, didn't make me at all uncomfortable, which is hard to do, but it's still there)
Recommended for: Ages 15 to Adult
Joshua woke with a quiet
groan. As his senses woke up one at a time, he cracked his eyelids open. Sure
enough, there was a silhouetted form standing at the foot of the bed. From the
smell, the person was either from the brothel down the street or had recently
left one.
He forced himself to breathe evenly and reached for the knife in his thigh holster. With as tough and evil a voice as he could imitate, he spoke, “State your intentions.”
He forced himself to breathe evenly and reached for the knife in his thigh holster. With as tough and evil a voice as he could imitate, he spoke, “State your intentions.”
Pinkerton detective, Joshua Brookings, is sent on a job that
seems simple on the surface. His fellow detective has been kidnapped and his
boss, William Pinkerton senses foul play. Joshua is sent to investigate
Edward's case in hopes of finding the kidnapped detective and helping solve the
case that has taken over ten years to investigate.
Arriving in Cheyenne, Joshua finds much more than a simple
kidnapping. Yet again, he must go undercover, something he made his boss
promise never to make him do again. The only Christian in the outlaw group,
Joshua falters and almost loses faith in God’s providence. Will he stand on the
solid Rock or drown in the sinking sand?
I really need to fill in the gaps of this series. I've read books 3 and 5 now, and greatly enjoyed them, but I can tell I have gaps missing. This book can be read and enjoyed independently, I'm sure it would make a lot more sense in the context of the whole series. It's a very good book, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Writing: 4.5/5
A few extra commas and a couple words in the dialogue that felt a bit modern are the only complaints I have about the writing. It pulled me into the story and kept me there, giving me a full sense of the story and settings, the struggles the characters were going through, their hopes and dreams and fears.
Setting: 5/5
The setting felt authentically western. It felt much like many other stories of the same era and setting. I love historical fiction, and I have a childhood love for pioneers caused by the Little House books, so the setting really suited my interests. Faith did her research, too, and it shows. The old west was a harsh place, and Faith doesn't shy away from the harsh side, but it was a good place too, and that also is plain.
Plot: 5/5
I really enjoyed the story. While there are some tough situations (see rating), none of it was out of place and everything was handled in a clean, Christian manner. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue. Also, this book made me really think about what it would really be like to be an undercover detective. You always think that it would be so exciting and thrilling, but how hard would it be to hold onto who you really are when trying to pass yourself off as a criminal to get information? The Solid Rock centers around detective work, but also around leaning on God as the solid Rock. While some of the Christian elements of the story do feel a bit Elsie Dinsmore-ish, I didn't think it really detracted from the book.
Character Development: 4.5/5
I didn't feel like the character development was quite top notch, but it was close. And it could be that I'm just missing things from not having read all the books. I do feel like I got to know Elizabeth and Joshua pretty well, and Priscilla too. They have their own fears and struggles, their own hardships and temptations, and they felt very human. I'd love to read more about them.
Because of some of the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone younger than their teens, but for mid teens and older, I would definitely recommend it. It was a very good book.
Faith is giving away a full set of paperback books! Fill out this form to earn entries to the giveaway. Each entry gives you one point, plus there are opportunities for bonus entries.
I really need to fill in the gaps of this series. I've read books 3 and 5 now, and greatly enjoyed them, but I can tell I have gaps missing. This book can be read and enjoyed independently, I'm sure it would make a lot more sense in the context of the whole series. It's a very good book, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Writing: 4.5/5
A few extra commas and a couple words in the dialogue that felt a bit modern are the only complaints I have about the writing. It pulled me into the story and kept me there, giving me a full sense of the story and settings, the struggles the characters were going through, their hopes and dreams and fears.
Setting: 5/5
The setting felt authentically western. It felt much like many other stories of the same era and setting. I love historical fiction, and I have a childhood love for pioneers caused by the Little House books, so the setting really suited my interests. Faith did her research, too, and it shows. The old west was a harsh place, and Faith doesn't shy away from the harsh side, but it was a good place too, and that also is plain.
Plot: 5/5
I really enjoyed the story. While there are some tough situations (see rating), none of it was out of place and everything was handled in a clean, Christian manner. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue. Also, this book made me really think about what it would really be like to be an undercover detective. You always think that it would be so exciting and thrilling, but how hard would it be to hold onto who you really are when trying to pass yourself off as a criminal to get information? The Solid Rock centers around detective work, but also around leaning on God as the solid Rock. While some of the Christian elements of the story do feel a bit Elsie Dinsmore-ish, I didn't think it really detracted from the book.
Character Development: 4.5/5
I didn't feel like the character development was quite top notch, but it was close. And it could be that I'm just missing things from not having read all the books. I do feel like I got to know Elizabeth and Joshua pretty well, and Priscilla too. They have their own fears and struggles, their own hardships and temptations, and they felt very human. I'd love to read more about them.
Because of some of the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone younger than their teens, but for mid teens and older, I would definitely recommend it. It was a very good book.
Faith is giving away a full set of paperback books! Fill out this form to earn entries to the giveaway. Each entry gives you one point, plus there are opportunities for bonus entries.
To celebrate her release, Faith is holding a Facebook party on March 31st
from 2-4 Central time. You can join her and 3 other authors here.
There will be fun, games, giveaways, excerpts, and more. Some of the giveaways
will stay open through Friday evening, April 1st. Fun fact: the other three
authors are all homeschool moms.
Faith Blum started writing at an early age. She started even
before she could read! She even thought she could write better than Dr. Seuss.
Now that she's grown up a little more, she knows she will probably never reach
the success of Dr. Seuss, but that doesn't stop her from trying.
When she isn't writing, Faith enjoys doing many
right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, writing, playing piano, and
playing games with her family. One of her dreams is to visit Castle City,
Montana someday to see the ghost town she chose for her characters to live in.
She currently lives on a hobby farm with her family in Wisconsin.
Tour Schedule
March
26
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour
Introduction
Writing Dreams-Excerpt and Spotlight
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Spotlight
Tee Garner-Excerpt, Spotlight,
Interview
March
28
George's Shorts-Spotlight, Review
Karan Eleni-Excerpt, Spotlight, Review
BlondeRJ-Excerpt
Rebekah Lyn Books-Excerpt
Zerina Blossom's Books-Excerpt,
Spotlight
Life is a Four-Letter Word-Spotlight
March
29
In the Bookcase-Excerpt, Review
Ruth's Real Life-Excerpt
Kelsey's Notebook-Review,
Interview
Shire Reviews-Review
With a Joyful Noise-Excerpt,
Spotlight
Melanie D. Snitker, Author-Excerpt,
Spotlight
Wildflower Acres-Spotlight
March
30
Clean Indie Reads-Spotlight
Jaye L. Knight-Excerpt,
Spotlight
Stories by Firefly-Excerpt,
Spotlight, Interview
Chess Desalls-Excerpt
Kendra’s Thoughts-Excerpt,
Interview
Frances Hoelsma-Excerpt,
Spotlight
March
31
Prairie Dust Trail-Review
David Todd-Interview
The Overactive Imagination-Excerpt
Reading in June-Excerpt, Spotlight
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Excerpt,
Spotlight
Trust and Obey-Guest Post,
Spotlight
April
1
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour
Wrap-up, giveaway announcement
Thank you for being part of my tour!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I enjoyed it.
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