Feast for Thieves - with a Giveaway!

Second Update Wednesday, 9/24/14 NEW WINNER

Unfortunately, our first winner never responded to my email so a second winner has been chosen:

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3
Timestamp: 2014-09-25 00:31:30 UTC
Congrats to Beckie! Send me your mailing address, Beckie, and the publicist will mail you the book. Please respond by 11:59 pm CDT Saturday (9/27/14) or another winner will be chosen.

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Update Friday 9/19/14 WINNER!

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2
Timestamp: 2014-09-19 14:28:31 UTC
Congrats to Pam K! Send me your mailing address, Pam, and the publicist will mail you the book. Please respond by 11:59 pm CDT Monday (9/22/14) or another winner will be chosen. Many thanks to everyone for entering!

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Feast for Thieves:
A Rowdy Slater Novel
Marcus Brotherton
(Moody/River North Fiction)
ISBN: 978-0802412133
September 2014/288 pages/$14.99

Sergeant Rowdy Slater is the most skilled—and most incorrigible—soldier in Dog Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, an elite group of paratroopers fighting for the world’s freedom in World War II.

Through a bizarre set of circumstances, Rowdy returns to the States after the war, turns his life around, and falls into the only job he can find—preacher at the sparsely populated community church in Cut Eye, Texas, a dusty highway town situated at the midpoint of nowhere and emptiness.

The town’s lawman, suspicious that Rowdy has changed his ways only as a cover up, gives an ultimatum: Rowdy must survive one complete year as Cut Eye’s new minister or end up in jail.

At first Rowdy thinks the job will be easy, particularly because he’s taking over for a young female missionary who’s held the church together while the men were at war. But when a dark-hearted acquaintance from Rowdy’s past shows up with an evil plan to make some quick cash, Rowdy becomes ensnared due to an irrevocable favor, and life turns decidedly difficult.

Rowdy’s a man used to solving problems one of two ways: with his rifle or with his fists. Will he be able to thwart his old friend’s evil schemes while remaining true to his new higher calling?

This is a wild ride of a book bursting with bank robbery, kidnapping, desperate prayers, and barroom brawls. Before the smoke clears, all sides just might end up getting exactly what they want.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marcus Brotherton is a journalist and professional writer known internationally for his books and literary collaborations with high-profile public figures, humanitarians, inspirational leaders, and military personnel. He has authored or coauthored more than 25 books.

Notable works include We Who Are Alive and Remain, a New York Times bestseller; A Company of Heroes, which ranked No. 1 in the country among World War II/ Western Front books; and the widely-acclaimed Shifty’s War. Marcus’ debut novel, Feast For Thieves, releases in September 2014.

Marcus’ books have been praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, Entertainment Weekly, Associated Press, Booklist, Publishers Weekly and more. Critics have called Marcus’s books “… fascinating…” “…brilliantly arranged …” “…magical…” and “… refreshingly frank….”

He has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC World Today, HuffPost Live, and The John Batchelor Show, and was featured in the documentary film A Company of Heroes, which aired on PBS stations around the country.

Collaborative works include projects with Lt. Buck Compton (one of the original Band of Brothers), apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias, NFL quarterback Colt McCoy, psychologist Dr. Nancy Heche, fashion journalist Lauren Scruggs, Austin Stone pastor Matt Carter, Bronze Star winner Colonel Susan Luz, Alabama restaurateur Martha Hawkins, humanitarian Susan Scott Krabacher, speaker Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, youth ministry expert Doug Fields, radio show host Steven Arterburn, First Place weight loss program CEO Carole Lewis, musician Tommy Walker, youth speaker Ryan Dobson, university chancellor Rev. Wayne Cordeiro, and more.

Born in Canada in 1968, Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical education and journalism from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree in practical theology and writing from Talbot Seminary at Biola University in Los Angeles, where he graduated with high honors.

Marcus lives with his wife and children in Washington State.


WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:


“This debut historical novel from Brotherton, who has written many nonfiction titles about war veterans (We Who Are Alive and Remain), was inspired by the true story of a paratrooper named Wayne ‘Skinny’ Sisk in Easy Company, featured in the book Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. An ‘incorrigible’ man, Rowdy Slater, becomes a preacher after the war. His first sermon is a disaster, but one line summarizes his insight: ‘If God could care for a ruffian like Cain, even with everywhere he’d been and with all the wrong he’d done, then I reckon God could care for someone like me.’ Rowdy’s story unfolds with satisfying unpredictability, offering plot twists that would be unbelievable if not for strong motivations that encourage suspension of disbelief. The two loves of Rowdy’s life are one of many surprises. Dialogue is colloquial and historically rooted, as in Twain’s Huck Finn. The short novel is packed with action, intrigue, and scoundrels who have Rowdy over a barrel. Readers will want to find out exactly how the unlikely hero is going to escape yet another predicament.” —Publishers Weekly


“Highly recommended! A hard-edged and well-crafted novel, with surreptitiously smart prose, confident plotting, and characters you feel you know.” —Michelle Burford, founding senior features editor of O, the Oprah Magazine


“Feast for Thieves is smart, gritty, and unforgettable. Filled with calamity and humor, this book is a hands-down winner. It’s about time veteran writer Marcus Brotherton added his powerful voice to fiction. His writing voice is superb.” —Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Book of Mortals series.


“An exhilarating story told in a neo-Western genre, of all things. Masterful and riveting, humorous yet poignant. Anyone who enjoys books by Ted Dekker, Randy Alcorn, or Leif Enger will enjoy every story woven by Marcus Brotherton. This unique and page-turning adventure will harvest a whole new fold of fans.” —Julie Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Free


“Part Band of Brothers, part True Grit, this is the rollicking tale of a wartime hero’s fight to find his place in a post-war world. Rich with action, Feast for Thieves is cinematic storytelling at its best.” —Adam Makos, New York Times bestselling author of A Higher Call


MY THOUGHTS

This is a captivating novel, and I was intrigued by the premise. Rusty's experiences as he begins pastoring the tiny church of Cut Eye, Texas are both amusing and refreshing, as he is unmitigatedly honest (about everything but his past, that is!) and down to earth. Eclectic characters bring the setting to life and Rusty's authenticity provide a fresh perspective of God's grace and forgiveness. Danger, action, and life-threatening suspense escalate the tension as the book progresses. My one disappointment came with the final scene. It was a bit too obtuse for me and didn't clearly tie up the final dangling thread. While not a deal-breaker on recommending the book, it nevertheless jarred me and left me feeling rather unsettled instead of content. (It may be that I just like things clearly spelled out; others who like things left to the imagination won't be bothered at all.) Beyond that, I am happy to recommend Feast of Thieves for an riveting read.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Moody/River North Fiction and Side Door Communications. 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.”



GIVEAWAY!!

The publicist, Side Door Communications, is offering a copy of this book to one of my readers. To enter, leave a comment on this post by 8:00 PM CDT Wednesday, 9/17/14, and I will randomly draw a winner. You must include an email address to enter. US residents only, please. Void where prohibited.