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    Thicker than Blood: Thicker than Blood, #1
    Thicker than Blood: Thicker than Blood, #1
    Thicker than Blood: Thicker than Blood, #1
    Ebook343 pages4 hours

    Thicker than Blood: Thicker than Blood, #1

    By C. J. Darlington

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She's putting her past behind her and working hard to build her career as a buyer for a large used bookstore. So far she's been able to keep her drinking problem at bay, but everything changes when she lands a DUI on her thirty-third birthday.

     

    When she's accused of a crime she didn't commit at work, she has nowhere to turn. She yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May whom she hasn't seen for fifteen years. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch in Elk Valley, Colorado, May couldn't possibly want a relationship with the big sister who didn't even say good-bye all those years ago, could she?

     

    Soon Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her abusive ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she's searching for, or will May's new-found faith give her even more reason to reject Christy?

     

    Thicker than Blood is Book #1 in the Thicker than Blood series. All books stand alone entirely and can be read independently of each other, but for the best reading experience, we suggest reading them in order:

     

    Book #1: Thicker than Blood
    Book #2: Bound by Guilt
    Book #3: Ties that Bind
    Book #4: Running on Empty

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMountainview Books, LLC
    Release dateSep 3, 2013
    ISBN9780989162166
    Thicker than Blood: Thicker than Blood, #1

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    Reviews for Thicker than Blood

    4/5

    44 ratings8 reviews

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    • 5/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      Being an only child I can't relate too well with the characters in this book, but the author does a WONDERFUL job at writing a compelling story about two sisters who are not close, but find their way back to each other. I was completely captured by this dramatic story from the start. The author's talent is amazing. The detail and research that was put into this story was absolutely fantastic. She went from one sister's story of struggling with life problems straight in the other sister's story of also struggling with life problems, however, in a different way. She switched from each sister's story with wonderful ease, and didn't make it jumpy like a lot of stories can do. C.J. Darlington adds mysterious twists to the plot making it a thrilling book that you don't want to put down! A powerful story of forgiveness and family and page turning events. Add God to the mix and WOW! You have a wonderful book that is sure to make it's way to number 1 on the best seller's list and the kind of book that would make a box office hit if it was turned into a movie. I definitely will give this debut novel and it's author a 5 star rating. Anything less than 5 stars would just not cut it! I highly recommend this read, especially if you want a book that is filled not only with faith and trusting in God, but also with forgiveness, twists, compelling characters that make their way into your hearts to stay. A book that is perfect for those cold days by the fire place,so grab your copy now!*A special thanks goes to the author for providing me with a review copy*
    • 5/5
      Thicker Than Blood is the debut novel by C. J. Darlington, but you sure wouldn’t know it. Darlington’s book is complex and riveting; it had me turning the pages as fast as I could. And while it has hints of the Prodigal Son, the story is original and fresh. I really liked Thicker Than Blood and am betting you will too.Christy Williams has been running since the age of eighteen when her parents were killed in an auto accident. She has made some terrible choices and she believes the lies that she is trash, worthless. Her sister, May, felt abandoned when Christy left. But she has made a life for herself — with ranching and her church family. When Christy again runs, she seeks out May. Each sister has some decisions to make — to give and receive forgiveness.Being a huge book nerd, I loved the used and rare books aspect of Thicker Than Blood. I am also a big fan of suspense novels, and Darlington’s book supplied that in abundance. But it was the story of reconciliation and redemption, forgiveness given and accepted, that spoke to my heart. This is a beautifully written novel with complex and realistic characters. I never once felt a false note. And a big plus is that Darlington has two more books for me to read!A good choice for book clubs, I recommend Thicker Than Blood!Highly Recommended.Great for Book Clubs.
    • 5/5
      Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington is a story about God's grace and forgiveness between two sisters. This novel is also Darlington's first published writing. Her writing style is so smooth. The setting is in an antique bookstore and later at a ranch. The writing suspense and emotions are beautiful and real. I so did not want to put this novel down. Darlington was able to accurately give details of the antique book world, due to antiquarian book selling business. The story of the sisters is the storyof tenderness and acceptance. I related to the main character, Christy. I think many who read this will relate to the characters. We all want to be loved and to feel needed. I am so looking forward to reading her next book. I love a good suspense novel with a beautiful story of love and forgiveness.
    • 4/5
      This is the second novel I have read by this author but I read them in the wrong order. I loved Bound by Guilt the second in this series. I also enjoyed this book, although not quite as much. The author's style has progressed and developed as she writes more books.

      Thicker than Blood is the story of two sisters who become separated after a family tragedy. Their lives follow very different paths--May goes to live with an older relative and eventually achieves her dream of working on a beautiful ranch in the middle of nowhere. She also comes to faith. Christie, on the other hand, blames herself for the family tragedy and plunges into a world of crime, alcohol and abusive relationships. Will the sisters ever re-unite and can the damage to their fractured relationship be healed?

      This is a story of the consequences of sin in the life of a person far from God and the alternatives available to them. It kept me reading and there were a fair number of twists and turns. I particularly liked the way the author has woven faith into the lives of some of the characters. It isn't just tagged on and doesn't feel awkward--it is the central aspect to their lives. The author clearly explains the Gospel through some of the dialogue. I would question one minor detail in that she says that it is not possible for God to save us unless we take that first step towards Him. I suggest that it is the other way around due to the Bible stating that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws Him (John 6 vs 44.) However, in context it was not a big issue.

      I hope that this book would encourage people that no matter how broken their lives or how far they have fallen, God can forgive them and restore them at any point. It is the story of the prodigal son.

      The narrative deals with drink driving and alcoholism, fraud/crime, serious domestic violence and the far-reaching consequences of abortion. For this reason I would not recommend it for children. It deals with the issues in a sensitive manner and the struggles are realistic. I felt the violence in places was a bit too graphic and may bother some readers but again it was not gratuitous and did not glorify sin. There was no sexual content although it is clear that two characters are sleeping together. There was no bad language.

      I recommend this book to all Christian readers.
    • 4/5
      A suspenseful, thoughtful, and uplifting story from beginning to end. This book makes you wonder who you should be forgiving, instead of harboring a grudge. The message in the book was so inspiring, I found it next to impossible to put down.A very entertaining read, that I recommend to all!
    • 4/5
      Things I liked about this book: 1. I loved the look and even the feel of the cover of this book. 2. I loved the story line of the book and how books themselves and the love of them were captured by some of the characters in this story. 3) The author did a great job of telling this story and making you understand and feel what these characters were going through in their life.Christy and May are two sisters who lost their Dad and Mom when they were teenagers. Christy ended up leaving her younger sister May on the doorstep of her Aunt after the funeral and taking off never to come back, until 15 years later. May has grown up and is helping run a ranch that is about to be foreclosed on. She has also yearned to know where her sister is and what she is doing with her life. Christy made some bad decisions in her growing up years and hasn't exactly turned out the way she had hoped. She holds a job she loves working at the "Book Barn" and working with books all day long. But that job is about to end and her life is spiraling out of control. Her last hope is looking up her long lost sister, May.This was a very well written drama of a story. My only negative comment is that it was a somber story, full of heartache and sorrow. It was a clear picture of how the Lord changed one sister and how His presence in her life helped her to face the hardships and still have a peace. That had a deep impact on her sister. which is a good lesson for us all to live our life in such a way that others can see the difference the Lord can make in ones life. There was also the element of forgiveness to be dealt with and a love that looks beyond being wronged. This was a story of God's love and long-suffering, a story of hope, but also a story that brings out the sorrow and grief of a person's life. I look forward to reading more from this author. There are three books that I know of in this series, this is book one, and "Bound by Guilt" is book two, which I am reading now.
    • 4/5
      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.

    Book preview

    Thicker than Blood - C. J. Darlington

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