{Review} RIGHTEOUS RELEASE by Richard Gardner

ISBN #: 978-1501076633

Page Count: 418

Copyright: December 4, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

David Chambers was born into a strictly religious family. As members of the Eternal Fellowship, they have chosen to reject the ways of the world and have separated themselves from the rest of humanity.

As his arranged marriage to another follower - a woman he has come to dislike - looms ever closer, David decides to break off the engagement. This comes as a shock to his betrothed, his family and the wider Fellowship community.

When the beautiful Alison Johnson, a non-believer and former classmate re-enters his life, David makes a series of decisions that will change his life forever.

Righteous Release will captivate the mind of the reader as David begins a life that is beyond his comfort zone. There are a number
of difficulties to overcome as he adapts to his new existence.

Has David jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire? Will he return to what he knows or embrace his new-found freedom?

Charlene's Review:

David Chambers grew up in a secluded religious sect that forbade contact with the outside world. When he unwittingly finds himself engaged to a demanding woman, and comes face to face with a girl from his past, David decides its time to move out into the world and make a new start. Unfortunately, this leaves him shunned by his family and the only life he has even known. As he struggles to navigate a world of "sin", David soon learns that the easy way out is not always the road best traveled.

I was quickly involved in this novel, as poor, innocent David, while not exactly a moral and upright man, has endearing qualities that kept my attention. I would have enjoyed more details of his acclimation to the "wordlies" but it was fascinating to see the him change as he became more accustomed to his new life. I enjoyed the characters, both quirky and down-to-earth.

Mr. Gardner threw in about as many topics into this story as he possibly could : religion, politics, murder, and love. Ultimately, it all comes down to love and the search for self.

A big majority of the book, however, focused on political elections and the war in Iraq. While it all tied together, I got a bit of the hum-drums while reading about the Torys and Labour Party and protesting the American invasion of Iraq. It almost seemed as if it should have been a separate book all together.

4 out of 5 stars


*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.