Cheryl Colwell

Drawing from both fable and fact, Cheryl Colwell has created a political thriller that seems chillingly real. The America she envisions is a country divided along two lines — recent Chinese immigrants and their families and the rest of us. With a failing economy highlighted by foreclosures and bankruptcies, the nation faces a future of domination by China. Factions outside and within the government work clandestinely to affect a showdown that promises devastation for both the US and China.

The Land Lord is a a high-stakes, plot-driven novel.The action is fast-paced and the reader is kept off balance, never knowing just whom to trust. I found the many references to the Cultural Revolution in China interesting and informative, as were the legends of heroes and villains from Chinese history. The Land Lord offers the reader a number of starting points to explore — political and cultural. There are a couple of things I wished the author had expanded upon, namely the backstories of the characters and the economic/political climate of the US that led up to the crisis in the book. Although some things were mentioned, I felt that a bit more time spent setting the stage would have helped this reader have a point of reference for the story.

With a what-if premise that strikes close to home, The Land Lord is a suspense novel for those who like conspiracies and political intrigue.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to BookCrash for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine.)… (más)

Cheryl Colwell's novel has multiple elements that make it a fascinating book to read. There is the time-honored foundation of historical fiction based on intrigue and fact in real history; there is the element of mystery--an unknown artifact has been referred to in freshly discovered ancient documents, something revered by early Christians, sought for by old and modern organizations for monetary reasons and fabled powers. The tale contains letters of ancient quests and trusts, a family in danger, murder, double-cross, and even a little romance. The suspense is thick, emotions run high among dysfunctional family members. Once you begin to read it, you won't want to put the book down.

Gabriel Dolcini's world was tightly focused on himself. The only family he had left was his mother and an unknown eccentric grandfather. Gabe had dedicated the past decade to perfecting his skills as an artist. He spared no expense to learn from the greatest masters. But in one fell swoop his house of cards collapsed. He became destitute and his mother's home was in jeopardy. A few months ago he'd received an invitation from his grandfather to visit him at his palazzo in Siena, Italy. He had no choice but to go and accept charity at his paternal grandparent's hand in spite of his mother's vehement objections.

One in Italy, Gabe saw that his grandfather was wealthier than he'd realized. He allowed the man to sponsor an exhibit of his art work in the palatial family home. From Gabe's point of view, things were beginning to improve markedly for him as an artist. Many patrons viewed his worked and claimed it to be brilliant. But then, shortly after the show, he learned of his relative's true motive for the invitation. His grandfather wanted Gabe to join him in some kind of ancient quest that most believed was just a myth. Louis Dolcini told him how a 12th century ancestor had been entrusted to carry an artifact from the first century to Seborga where monks would protect it. The quest had never been completed. The ancestral Dolcini had been killed by hired assassins. Louis wanted Gabe to help him finish the task. He had found a map, but had not found the artifact called Il Testimento. Gabe was not interested, but eventually got swept up in the intrigue as matters became complicated, their lives were threatened, and factions began coming out of the woodwork. It became difficult for the men to know who to trust. Even other members of the family seemed part of the deceptions around them. Gabe's safe, secure world seemed to blow up around him and he was unwillingly caught up in international intrigue completely out of his experience.

The reader gets drawn indirectly into the history of the Crusaders and the Knights Templar, secret Christian societies, powerful men's grab for more power by attempting to control gullible people through superstitions and secret rites, and modern day societies with the same end in mind. After awhile, it was difficult for me to tell the difference between the bad guys and the good guys. The author keeps us guessing who is trustworthy and not right up to the end. Complete revelation was often withheld to ramp up the suspense. Sometimes I found the large numbers of factions in competition with each other confusing. Violent deaths occurred frequently. At one point, the two main characters, Gabe and Livia, were thrown into a cistern and left to drown. The pace was hard-hitting and fast, especially in the second half of the book.

It seemed to me that there were two components of the spiritual element in this story: religious organizations and their influence on politics, and a more personal aspect of spirituality. I'm not overly enthralled with organized religion and its sub-culture, the in-fighting and its influence on groups of people, but I enjoyed reading about the personal spiritual journeys of the main characters in this book. I would have enjoyed more development and depth in the romance developing between Gabe and Livia. The moment most meaningful for me was when Gabe finally admitted to his grandfather that he no longer needed any proof to believe that God was real.

One of The Proof's greatest assets is the personal growth we witness in Gabe's life as the story progresses. The book introduces us to a Gabe who is insecure, self-focused, and intent on gaining self-approbation through his art work. Many of his inadequacies were laid at his feet by his cruel and embittered father. It took the full scope of the book to understand why and how his father became that way in the first place. But once Gabe grasped the whole story of this father's and grandfather's relationship, he was faced with decisions of his own. Would he reach out in forgiveness, or continue on the family legacy of anger, bitterness, and vengeance? Would his new found personal faith in God help him with this struggle?

I have to admit that at one point I set the book down and left it awhile. The complexity of the external issues was not nearly as compelling for me as the internal issues. But I'm glad I finally returned to the book and finished it. I gained a renewed enthusiasm and was swept up by the family dynamics, especially those between Gabe and Louis. It was gratifying to see the love develop between the two. I think this book will be especially appealing to those who enjoy religious politico thrillers and suspense.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Book Crash on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (más)

If you want an amazing, suspenseful, good read you must pick up and read The Proof by Cheryl Colwell.

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book. I was afraid that it would be a let down to read but boy oh boy was I wrong. Cheryl Colwell knows how to spin a story and make you want to go along with her on that roller coaster ride. She has a way of painting a picture with her words that makes you feel like you could step right into the palazzo or library right along with Gabe and Louis, or the cave when they are looking for the relic. You feel Gabe's hurt when he has been betrayed by those he thought he could trust as well as Louis' pain when he thinks Gabe has rejected God. One plus to this book is how Cheryl Colwell takes you back to when the relic is first given to the Dolcini ancestor to take back and to protect. It adds an extra depth to the story that makes you understand how important the quest and relic are.This book keeps you intrigued and captivated to the very end and the twists in the plot and then the ending is a surprise and one that you will not see coming. I loved the book and would recommend it to all who love a good thriller and mystery.

That is not all this book is though. Yes it is a mystery thriller but it is also a book of Faith, forgiveness, redemption and love. Gabe is fighting the demons and hate from his past. He has made some really wrong decisions and now self doubt, self loathing and hatred for how his father abused him and treated him has driven him to Italy and his Grandfather. Gabe finds a Grandfather that loves him but also wants him to help him on the family quest to find the relic that the family was entrusted to keep safe centuries ago. Gabe gets caught in the middle of this quest and all the danger that goes with it. He is also taken back when his Grandfather shows him forgiveness and love, he can't really comprehend this until he lets go of his anger and hate. It is also about Gabe's quest to end his anger, hate and let go of the hurt so he can truly love and accept God's forgiveness and love.

This is definitely a book you won't want to miss reading. I highly recommend it and give it 5 Stars. People who like a thriller that involves the Templar's, Dead Knights, the Soci and true Believers in God mixed with a quest, love, Faith and mystery then you have to read this book. One plus to this book is how Cheryl Colwell takes you back to when the relic is first given to the Dolcini ancestor to take back and protect. I adds an extra depth to the story that makes you understand how important the quest and relic are.

If you would like more information on the book or author check out these sites.

cherylcolwell.com
inspiredfictionbooks.com

I was provided this book by Inspired Fiction Books through BookCrash.com for my honest opinion and review.… (más)