33 ratings | 1 review | avg rating:4.00

Tony Cleaver’s Followers (17)

Tony’s Bookshelves

to-read (21)
currently-reading (1)
read (33)

Tony’s Friends (266)

James Collins

540 books | 1,744 friends

Renee

6,073 books | 4,957 friends

James Jr.

700 books | 1,024 friends

Heather Gilbert

1,009 books | 1,127 friends

Joan

4,305 books | 207 friends

Johnnie Alexander

944 books | 554 friends

Heidi

227 books | 431 friends

E.A.

2,191 books | 2,169 friends

More friends…

Tony Cleaver

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://www.tonycleaver.com

Twitter

tonycleaver

Genre

Christian, Fiction, Contemporary

Influences

New English Translation The Holy Bible, Charles F. Stanley, George Orw ...more

Member Since

July 2013

edit data

Tony describes himself as a 'refugee' from the city of Flint, Michigan. In the 1970's, his hometown was considered to be the Mecca of America's blue collar workforce. All of that changed in the latter part of that decade when the automobile industry began laying off workers by the Tens of Thousands. An American way of life was changed forever and Tony was there to witness it firsthand.

In the 1980's, as a young man, Tony found himself in Oklahoma City, where he held the dubious honor of being the 'highest earning bartender' in 3 states. So his employers would tolerate his propensity for witnessing to customers, co-workers and on one occasion, a professed Satan worshiper, from across the bar. Tony would tell these people he would encounter ab Tony describes himself as a 'refugee' from the city of Flint, Michigan. In the 1970's, his hometown was considered to be the Mecca of America's blue collar workforce. All of that changed in the latter part of that decade when the automobile industry began laying off workers by the Tens of Thousands. An American way of life was changed forever and Tony was there to witness it firsthand.

In the 1980's, as a young man, Tony found himself in Oklahoma City, where he held the dubious honor of being the 'highest earning bartender' in 3 states. So his employers would tolerate his propensity for witnessing to customers, co-workers and on one occasion, a professed Satan worshiper, from across the bar. Tony would tell these people he would encounter about how 'Jesus could change their lives,' and many listened. For this, however, he was denied membership at a local church. The reason? He 'fraternized with sinners.'

In the mid 1990′s, Tony was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There he broke traditional 'fry-bread' with a very old Native American couple in their modest pueblo home on the reservation. They talked about religions, about 'hospitality,' and about the priceless thousand year old clay pots that lined on their mantle.

In the 2000's Tony was living in Indianapolis, Indiana. He and wife Karen went there knowing that they had no jobs lined up, no house to live in, and no family or friends there to help them. They were about $40,000.00 in debt and they had two small kids in tow... but they also believed that God had sent them. Within less than four years, God not only allowed them to get completely out of debt and buy a house of their own, but they bought several - some for rental properties, and some to fix-up and resell. In both 'paying it back' while 'paying it forward,' Tony continued in his witnessing efforts, speaking to tenants and to those whom he would help to purchase their very own first homes.

In the 2010's Tony and Karen moved to NW Arkansas where they currently live and where they continue to seek God's guidance every day.

Tony Cleaver's debut novel, A Chain Of Flames, is a story about how different people - some on the front of society and some on the fringe - are able to find their way to God . . . or how God leads them, despite their disasters, their difficulties or their levels of malcontent. In creating uniquely rich characters, with intricately interwoven story lines, Tony draws from the extraordinary events of his own personal experiences. ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Tony Cleaver questions, please sign up.

Combine Editions
Tony Cleaver’s books

Average rating: 4.32 · 31 ratings · 13 reviews · 1 distinct work

A Chain of Flames

4.32 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 2013 — 4 editions

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

13 posts
Tony Cleaver's Blog

Editing…

Greetings! if you’ve found this site then I am REALLY surprised.

So what is this? I am working on creating my Author page – sort of a ‘Landing Page” where all of my work can be viewed in one place. Also, all of my social media links, blog posts (maybe) and such as that.

This is VERY MUCH a work-in-progress, which I have not shared with anyone yet, so – again – the fact that you are even here is pret

Tony is Currently Reading

Tony Cleaver is currently reading

The Science of God

by Gerald Schroeder

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Aug 14, 2013 08:13PM

Quotes by Tony Cleaver (?)

“Where I am at, is not actually where I am at. Where I am at is merely a point on the path to where I am going.”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: inspirational, looking-forward, patience

8 likes

“When in doubt as to what you should do, err on the side of 'giving.”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: charity, giving, selflessness, service

8 likes

“Me Tarz-tosterone; You Estro-Jane”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: battle-of-the-sexes, funny-quotes, humor, humor-relationships, men-versus-women, men-vs-women, sexism

7 likes

See all Tony Cleaver's quotes »

Tony’s Quotes

“When in doubt as to what you should do, err on the side of 'giving.”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: charity, giving, selflessness, service

8 likes

“Where I am at, is not actually where I am at. Where I am at is merely a point on the path to where I am going.”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: inspirational, looking-forward, patience

8 likes

“Where you are is merely a point along the path to where you are going.”
― Tony Cleaver

tags: goal-setting, goals, goals-in-life, inspiration, inspirational-quote, journey, journey-of-life, life-lessons, life-quotes

3 likes

“You can coddle your rage, or you can fully engage.”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: activism, activist, holding-it-in, making-a-difference, participation, pent-up-rage, stress

3 likes

“Me Tarz-tosterone; You Estro-Jane”
― Tony Cleaver, A Chain of Flames

tags: battle-of-the-sexes, funny-quotes, humor, humor-relationships, men-versus-women, men-vs-women, sexism

7 likes

More of Tony’s quotes…

recent posts
Tony’s Groups

Goodreads Librarians Group — 295668 members — last activity 10 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more

Basically Books! — 1747 members — last activity Jan 28, 2024 12:43PM
Run by 4 GR friends, Basically Books is a place for booklovers who like to read, write and chat about anything. Read, Review, Relish

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 55061 members — last activity 48 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers — 313 members — last activity Sep 29, 2025 04:42PM
This group is for Christians who love to read edgy fiction by Christian authors, all genres.

The Christian Authors Group — 357 members — last activity 1 hour, 8 min ago
For Self Published Christian Authors. A great place to share your Christian book, authors website, authors blog and interact with others.

Christian Men — 41 members — last activity Dec 16, 2013 10:09PM
A group for Christian men to share what books and tools have helped them in their walk, their life, their relationships and their struggles.

Indie Book Collective — 2958 members — last activity Sep 26, 2025 11:41AM
A group of indie authors, helping each other out and bringing new books to the world

Virtual Writers — 2342 members — last activity Aug 27, 2025 09:10AM
Helping readers and writers connect. Virtual Writers is a popular online writers’ community committed to showcasing established and emerging writers ...more

Connecting Readers and Writers — 3926 members — last activity Sep 22, 2025 03:59AM
We connect adventurous readers with Indie Authors. This group is about connecting writers with readers in a way that has not been done on Goodreads b ...more

How to Promote YOUR book on Amazon — 8678 members — last activity Sep 30, 2025 02:05PM
Are YOU an author? If so I am sure you are aware of how hard it can be to market your book successfully. There is so much you can do on Amazon.com to ...more

More of Tony’s groups…

Tony’s Friend Comments

No comments have been added yet.