Thicker than Blood by C. J. Darlington (Review)

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (December 3, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1414334486

About the book:
Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?

My Review:

I thought this was a good debut novel. It was well written with an interesting plot and characters. They were both fully developed. The difficult topics of abortion, alcohol, and abuse by a boyfriend were addressed without weighing it down too much. I enjoyed the parts about books and book selling. I have one sister but we are somewhat close. I could never imagine leaving the way Christy left May. This was a page turner I could not wait to see what happened next. I love the front cover too. It fits the book perfectly. I can't wait to read another book by this author. Recommended.

About the Author:

C. J. began writing the story that would become Thicker than Blood (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novel before cofounding her own online bookstore. Thicker than Blood was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel.

C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com for more info.

QUICK LINKS:
The 1st chapter of Thicker than Blood
The “Story Behind the Story” of Thicker than Blood
Interview with C.J. at TitleTrakk.com
Buy Thicker than Blood at Christianbook.com
Buy Thicker than Blood at Amazon.com

Thank you Tyndale and Titletrack for my review copy.