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The Crossfire Trilogy #2
Searching for Grace
Camp is over and Jonathan Cooper returns home—to life with his mother whose silence is worse than anything she could say, to his varsity soccer teammates at East Bay Christian Academy, to the growing rumors about what he did with a boy last summer at Bible camp.
All the important lines blur. Between truth and lies. Between friends and enemies. Between reality and illusion.
Just when Jonathan feels the most alone, help arrives from the unlikeliest of sources: Frances "Sketch” Mallory, the weird girl from his art class, and her equally eccentric friend, Mason. For a short while, thanks to Sketch and Mason, life is almost survivable. Then Ian McGuire comes to town on the night of the homecoming dance and tensions explode. Fists fly, blood flows, and Jonathan—powerless to stop it—does the only thing he believes might save them all: he prays for God’s grace.
All the important lines blur. Between truth and lies. Between friends and enemies. Between reality and illusion.
Just when Jonathan feels the most alone, help arrives from the unlikeliest of sources: Frances "Sketch” Mallory, the weird girl from his art class, and her equally eccentric friend, Mason. For a short while, thanks to Sketch and Mason, life is almost survivable. Then Ian McGuire comes to town on the night of the homecoming dance and tensions explode. Fists fly, blood flows, and Jonathan—powerless to stop it—does the only thing he believes might save them all: he prays for God’s grace.
216 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 29, 2016
Jonathan returns to East Bay Christian Academy after his summer at Spirit Lake Bible Camp, where he met Ian and came out as gay. Still not prepared to let anyone else know, Jonathan wonders what he will do if his friends find out what happened at camp. When new student Luke starts dropping veiled comments and Jonathan is finally outed in a very public way, he finds out who his real friends are. But Jonathan reaches breaking point when his mother still refuses to accept him and continues trying to "fix" him. And then his boyfriend Ian shows up. As Jonathan lies in a hospital bed trying to recall the events leading up to his current situation, he is consoled by Grace. But who is Grace? What happened to make Jonathan end up in hospital? And what will it take for his family to finally accept him for who he is?
I enjoyed this book much more than Caught in the Crossfire. The story is very cleverly constructed so as not to reveal too much at once, and we have to piece together what happened to Jonathan. Full of sarcastic humor, the author captures the tone of Jonathan, Sketch, and Mason perfectly. Searching for Grace contains a number of parallels with The Scarlet Letter, which Jonathan and his fellow students are studying in their American literature class; this adds an extra dimension to the story. Once again, the writing is very good and the editing near-flawless. I eagerly anticipate the final volume of this trilogy.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book much more than Caught in the Crossfire. The story is very cleverly constructed so as not to reveal too much at once, and we have to piece together what happened to Jonathan. Full of sarcastic humor, the author captures the tone of Jonathan, Sketch, and Mason perfectly. Searching for Grace contains a number of parallels with The Scarlet Letter, which Jonathan and his fellow students are studying in their American literature class; this adds an extra dimension to the story. Once again, the writing is very good and the editing near-flawless. I eagerly anticipate the final volume of this trilogy.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
August 23, 2014
Jonathan came back from camp changed, but once he's back in the real world he has to decide if he'll allow the world to see those changes. And what if someone makes those choices for you? Will you be who you are or will you continue to hide until there'snothing left of you?
This story switches between two times. One where Jonathan is in the hospital and one where it's the events leading up to what happened to put him there. Over the summer he accepted some of who he is, but not enough so that he's ok allowing others to know. His choices are tested from those closest to Jonathan, weather it's his mother trying to fix him, or those he once considered friends who are turning against him. Meanwhile the distance between him and Ian makes it harder for him to be at peace with himself espically when he's not only keeping secrets from Ian but he finds out Ian is keeping secrets too.
Jonathan is still growing up, and learning who he is as a person and how to accept himself for who he is no matterthose around him think. He's a scared kid, but then again he doesn't allow others to force him into something when he's not ready. He has a strength he's just learning about and I loved going on his journey to continuing to discover himself.
Ian is still a fight type character, he'll go against anyone if they come at him no matter what. He's angry about his life and still learning about how to be out in the world ok with who you are without fighting against everyone who's not. In the future I'd love to his his story fully told from his POV. (Wink wink hint hint)
There was also the seconrady characters new and old throughout who helped bring balance to Jonathans life. Simon and Dawn are there as adult characters who continue to show him that's it's ok to be who you are. And Sketch and Mason who become his new friends when his old ones abandon him. They are there to show him what true friendship really is when those he was closest to turn on him in the worst ways.
Overall you see how it is to be different and be ok with it. Being accepted by others is only one step when the more important thing is being ok with yourself. This is the type of story that makes you think, it shows you how it is from the inside when those around you are against you and you're trying to figure things out without breaking down or giving in to the pressures around you.
Jonathan still has a ways to go and I'll be keeping a sharp lokout for the next installment in this series, to seeing where his journey takes him.
This story switches between two times. One where Jonathan is in the hospital and one where it's the events leading up to what happened to put him there. Over the summer he accepted some of who he is, but not enough so that he's ok allowing others to know. His choices are tested from those closest to Jonathan, weather it's his mother trying to fix him, or those he once considered friends who are turning against him. Meanwhile the distance between him and Ian makes it harder for him to be at peace with himself espically when he's not only keeping secrets from Ian but he finds out Ian is keeping secrets too.
Jonathan is still growing up, and learning who he is as a person and how to accept himself for who he is no matterthose around him think. He's a scared kid, but then again he doesn't allow others to force him into something when he's not ready. He has a strength he's just learning about and I loved going on his journey to continuing to discover himself.
Ian is still a fight type character, he'll go against anyone if they come at him no matter what. He's angry about his life and still learning about how to be out in the world ok with who you are without fighting against everyone who's not. In the future I'd love to his his story fully told from his POV. (Wink wink hint hint)
There was also the seconrady characters new and old throughout who helped bring balance to Jonathans life. Simon and Dawn are there as adult characters who continue to show him that's it's ok to be who you are. And Sketch and Mason who become his new friends when his old ones abandon him. They are there to show him what true friendship really is when those he was closest to turn on him in the worst ways.
Overall you see how it is to be different and be ok with it. Being accepted by others is only one step when the more important thing is being ok with yourself. This is the type of story that makes you think, it shows you how it is from the inside when those around you are against you and you're trying to figure things out without breaking down or giving in to the pressures around you.
Jonathan still has a ways to go and I'll be keeping a sharp lokout for the next installment in this series, to seeing where his journey takes him.
September 2, 2014
I loved Rich's sequel to CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE for one very specific reason: it shows that coming out is something we do over and over and over again and, as is the case in SEARCHING FOR GRACE, it doesn't always get easier.
Rich depicts a realistic world of a gay kid going to school in a conservative private Christian high school. After a summer of difficult realizations, Jonathan Cooper returns to his real home, his real school and his real friends. Or are they real friends? When Jonathan is outed at school, he loses everything: his friends, his social status, even his standing on the soccer team. Rich gives both Jonathan Cooper and readers of this story one of the greatest gifts possible in the two characters she brings into SEARCHING FOR GRACE to stand beside Jonathan: Sketch and Mason. I gotta say, I loved those two kids. They are strong and funny and so very alive. I don't know how Rich did it, but she made an artsy-funky girl on the fringe and a fashion-loving gay guy seem fresh, real, fully fleshed-out, and not stereotypical at all. My favorite passages were the ones in which these three characters take on East Bay Christian Academy and make sure everyone knows they are there and are not going back into the closet for anyone.
A word about Jonathan's love interest from the first book: Ian. While Ian's background was mentioned in CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, in SEARCHING FOR GRACE we see the fall-out of what can happen to a kid who has been thrown out by his family for being gay. Was this easy to read? No. Was it important? Absolutely. It is clear in the second book of this trilogy that Rich is not simply writing a romance, she is tackling some of the biggest challenges faced by gay teens growing up today with (dare I say it?) a whole lot of grace.
Rich delivers again. I can't wait for the last book in this trilogy!
Rich depicts a realistic world of a gay kid going to school in a conservative private Christian high school. After a summer of difficult realizations, Jonathan Cooper returns to his real home, his real school and his real friends. Or are they real friends? When Jonathan is outed at school, he loses everything: his friends, his social status, even his standing on the soccer team. Rich gives both Jonathan Cooper and readers of this story one of the greatest gifts possible in the two characters she brings into SEARCHING FOR GRACE to stand beside Jonathan: Sketch and Mason. I gotta say, I loved those two kids. They are strong and funny and so very alive. I don't know how Rich did it, but she made an artsy-funky girl on the fringe and a fashion-loving gay guy seem fresh, real, fully fleshed-out, and not stereotypical at all. My favorite passages were the ones in which these three characters take on East Bay Christian Academy and make sure everyone knows they are there and are not going back into the closet for anyone.
A word about Jonathan's love interest from the first book: Ian. While Ian's background was mentioned in CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, in SEARCHING FOR GRACE we see the fall-out of what can happen to a kid who has been thrown out by his family for being gay. Was this easy to read? No. Was it important? Absolutely. It is clear in the second book of this trilogy that Rich is not simply writing a romance, she is tackling some of the biggest challenges faced by gay teens growing up today with (dare I say it?) a whole lot of grace.
Rich delivers again. I can't wait for the last book in this trilogy!
August 13, 2014
Fantastic follow-up to a wonderful first novel.
This is a wonderful series for teen readers, especially those who are struggling to accept their sexuality. While this book tackles the difficult subjects of bullying and family rejection for LGBT teens, it does so with incredible sensitivity and with an honesty that is refreshing.
This is a wonderful series for teen readers, especially those who are struggling to accept their sexuality. While this book tackles the difficult subjects of bullying and family rejection for LGBT teens, it does so with incredible sensitivity and with an honesty that is refreshing.
September 1, 2014
More later, but I really enjoyed this.
September 3, 2014
It is rare that I enjoy a sequel as much if not more than I did the first book, but I did with Searching for Grace. While Caught in the Crossfire made me think, Searching for Grace made me feel all the big feels. In fact, the book is still with me.
It's a good thing the last book is coming out soon!
It's a good thing the last book is coming out soon!
September 11, 2014
This book really hit home for me. I review a lot of books that are fun, or sexy, or flirty, but sometimes a book just---
Well, look. I'm gonna share some "V stuff," so bear with me. I was born and raised a Christian. I went to church, church camp and youth group--faithfully--throughout my childhood. Then, I went away to college. And met the man who is my hubs, going on 23 years together. He is, BTW, Jewish.
This was a point of consternation for, uh, some of my family. It actually took quite a long time for him to be accepted. As a goy--or worse, a shiksa--I was, in fact, not an ideal daughter-in-law candidate either.
My eldest son was accused of being a "devil worshiper" and ostracized by Christian kids in his third grade class--because we celebrate both Christian and Jewish traditional holidays.
My children were not recognized at my "home church" because their father is Jewish. My minister, at a church I had been a member of for 19 years at that point, would not perform my wedding ceremony because my husband was Jewish.
Long point here is, I have felt the hellish finger of bigotry, cloaked in religious tenets, many times in my own life because of the person I loved and married.
Lots of people ask: Why do I celebrate Jewish holidays if I'm Christian? Simple: My hubs' grandparents actually survived German work camps in WWII. They were the only Holocaust survivors of their whole families. There is no way I want my kids to feel that DAD'S religion is LESS than MY religion. That's not my way. If my kids turn out Christian or Jewish or Buddhist or Pastafarian, I really do not care--so long as they are happy.
Many years ago, my hubs asked me: What would you do if one of our sons was gay?
At that time, I hadn't really considered it. When I did, my only answer could be: Love him. Gay or not. Because, for me, parenthood is unconditional love.
This week I came across this YouTube video (trigger warning!) of a grown man being beaten and disowned by his family for coming out. The reason? "God says being gay is a sin." Well, there are a lot of sins out there, people. I don't see parents beating their kids and putting them out on the street for theft. Or coveting. Or what-the-heck-ever other "sin" committed. For some reason, homosexuality has become a "GET OUT OF PARENTING FREE" card for some, and the very idea scrambles my brain.
Books like the one I'm sharing today, SEARCHING FOR GRACE by Juliann Rich, are important--because this is REALLY happening behind closed doors by closed-hearted parents/friends all across our country, and world. If you, or someone you know, is in a bad spot due to homophobia, in the home or outside of it, please seek help. The Trevor Project (866-488-7368) and the GLBT Helpline (888-843-4564) are available for counseling and crisis intervention. Please, call for help. It is available.
My Review:
I can say, I was stunned reading this book. It's not a blow-you-away-with-plot-twists story. Instead it relates what I believe is an achingly real experience for many LGBTQ teens out there.
Jonathan is gay. He hasn't told many people, but he did tell his counselor at Bible camp. And, of course, his fellow camp-goers knew about his boyfriend. He's home from camp now, and his mother is determined that Jonathan re-think his "choice." See, Jonathan is only 16. Clearly, he's "just confused" and she schedules him for therapy with their minister, and an intake appointment for an Ex-Gay therapy clinic. She can't handle her son's sexuality.
Meanwhile, Jonathan's childhood friends are turning on him. They refuse to interact with him on the soccer field, even though he was a star player. His boyfriend, Ian, has been kicked out of his family home, and is living in foster care on a farm in Wisconsin. For Jonathan, it feels as if his life is unraveling. He steadfastly refuses to acknowledge publicly that he is gay, but does agree to starting a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance), albeit reluctantly.
Biggest problem with that plan is the school is only paying lip service to opening such a club. No teachers will stick their necks out to sponsor the group--knowing it would likely lead to termination. So, Jonathan reaches out to his camp counselor. This plan is unhappily accepted by their school, and the student involvement is more than Jonathan and his two new buds--Mason and Sketch--could have dreamed. Jonathan is no longer a pariah, but he's still in danger. He's attacked, verbally and physically, by some of his homophobic classmates.
Meanwhile, Ian is pressuring Jonathan to run away with him. A stolen rendezvous leads to critical injury, and Jonathan must decide how to move forward in a life where his parents are not accepting his sexuality.
There's this point where Jonathan finally tells his friends:
I'm not going to reveal how this was received, but the whole book kept me riveted. Ideas like tolerance and homophobia are tackled head-on. I really appreciated the sensitivity with which these aspects were handled, actually. The evangelicals were not demonized, but they were portrayed to be stalwart, if misguided and anti-gay. That is not the case for all religious persons in this book, praise God.
Jonathan's camp counselor was very understanding, and helped introduce Jonathan to a new, progressive church where at-risk gay teens were welcomed and allowed to worship in a safe space. I found this to be especially poignant because there are such places as these, and it's often helpful for LGBTQ persons to have a church family that supports them in their sexuality. In fact, in mt town we have such a house of God where gay persons are welcomed. (This is likely not the only gay-friendly church in my town, it was simply the closest one I could bike to.)
The end was a good stopping point, but it was clear there is more to the story--I only hope that Jonathan continues in his growth, and in finding a suitable partner with whom to express his love. I really enjoyed Jonathan's character and found myself so in his head I kept wanting to reach through his hands and shake his mom. She isn't a bad mom, but she is terribly blinded--I was glad to see that she gained some insight in the course of this story.
Well, look. I'm gonna share some "V stuff," so bear with me. I was born and raised a Christian. I went to church, church camp and youth group--faithfully--throughout my childhood. Then, I went away to college. And met the man who is my hubs, going on 23 years together. He is, BTW, Jewish.
This was a point of consternation for, uh, some of my family. It actually took quite a long time for him to be accepted. As a goy--or worse, a shiksa--I was, in fact, not an ideal daughter-in-law candidate either.
My eldest son was accused of being a "devil worshiper" and ostracized by Christian kids in his third grade class--because we celebrate both Christian and Jewish traditional holidays.
My children were not recognized at my "home church" because their father is Jewish. My minister, at a church I had been a member of for 19 years at that point, would not perform my wedding ceremony because my husband was Jewish.
Long point here is, I have felt the hellish finger of bigotry, cloaked in religious tenets, many times in my own life because of the person I loved and married.
Lots of people ask: Why do I celebrate Jewish holidays if I'm Christian? Simple: My hubs' grandparents actually survived German work camps in WWII. They were the only Holocaust survivors of their whole families. There is no way I want my kids to feel that DAD'S religion is LESS than MY religion. That's not my way. If my kids turn out Christian or Jewish or Buddhist or Pastafarian, I really do not care--so long as they are happy.
Many years ago, my hubs asked me: What would you do if one of our sons was gay?
At that time, I hadn't really considered it. When I did, my only answer could be: Love him. Gay or not. Because, for me, parenthood is unconditional love.
This week I came across this YouTube video (trigger warning!) of a grown man being beaten and disowned by his family for coming out. The reason? "God says being gay is a sin." Well, there are a lot of sins out there, people. I don't see parents beating their kids and putting them out on the street for theft. Or coveting. Or what-the-heck-ever other "sin" committed. For some reason, homosexuality has become a "GET OUT OF PARENTING FREE" card for some, and the very idea scrambles my brain.
Books like the one I'm sharing today, SEARCHING FOR GRACE by Juliann Rich, are important--because this is REALLY happening behind closed doors by closed-hearted parents/friends all across our country, and world. If you, or someone you know, is in a bad spot due to homophobia, in the home or outside of it, please seek help. The Trevor Project (866-488-7368) and the GLBT Helpline (888-843-4564) are available for counseling and crisis intervention. Please, call for help. It is available.
My Review:
I can say, I was stunned reading this book. It's not a blow-you-away-with-plot-twists story. Instead it relates what I believe is an achingly real experience for many LGBTQ teens out there.
Jonathan is gay. He hasn't told many people, but he did tell his counselor at Bible camp. And, of course, his fellow camp-goers knew about his boyfriend. He's home from camp now, and his mother is determined that Jonathan re-think his "choice." See, Jonathan is only 16. Clearly, he's "just confused" and she schedules him for therapy with their minister, and an intake appointment for an Ex-Gay therapy clinic. She can't handle her son's sexuality.
Meanwhile, Jonathan's childhood friends are turning on him. They refuse to interact with him on the soccer field, even though he was a star player. His boyfriend, Ian, has been kicked out of his family home, and is living in foster care on a farm in Wisconsin. For Jonathan, it feels as if his life is unraveling. He steadfastly refuses to acknowledge publicly that he is gay, but does agree to starting a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance), albeit reluctantly.
Biggest problem with that plan is the school is only paying lip service to opening such a club. No teachers will stick their necks out to sponsor the group--knowing it would likely lead to termination. So, Jonathan reaches out to his camp counselor. This plan is unhappily accepted by their school, and the student involvement is more than Jonathan and his two new buds--Mason and Sketch--could have dreamed. Jonathan is no longer a pariah, but he's still in danger. He's attacked, verbally and physically, by some of his homophobic classmates.
Meanwhile, Ian is pressuring Jonathan to run away with him. A stolen rendezvous leads to critical injury, and Jonathan must decide how to move forward in a life where his parents are not accepting his sexuality.
There's this point where Jonathan finally tells his friends:
I haven’t planned this, but if I had I sure as hell wouldn’t have picked the middle of a crowded cafeteria. But I guess coming out is a lot like falling in love, only you’re falling in love with yourself. The minute you realize it, you need to say the words.
“I’m gay,” I say and wait for their shocked and indignant responses.
I'm not going to reveal how this was received, but the whole book kept me riveted. Ideas like tolerance and homophobia are tackled head-on. I really appreciated the sensitivity with which these aspects were handled, actually. The evangelicals were not demonized, but they were portrayed to be stalwart, if misguided and anti-gay. That is not the case for all religious persons in this book, praise God.
Jonathan's camp counselor was very understanding, and helped introduce Jonathan to a new, progressive church where at-risk gay teens were welcomed and allowed to worship in a safe space. I found this to be especially poignant because there are such places as these, and it's often helpful for LGBTQ persons to have a church family that supports them in their sexuality. In fact, in mt town we have such a house of God where gay persons are welcomed. (This is likely not the only gay-friendly church in my town, it was simply the closest one I could bike to.)
The end was a good stopping point, but it was clear there is more to the story--I only hope that Jonathan continues in his growth, and in finding a suitable partner with whom to express his love. I really enjoyed Jonathan's character and found myself so in his head I kept wanting to reach through his hands and shake his mom. She isn't a bad mom, but she is terribly blinded--I was glad to see that she gained some insight in the course of this story.
September 4, 2014
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.
"You have to be strong and face your fears, Jon. Courage is endurance for one moment more!"
It was great having Jonathan's story continue almost from the very point it stopped in Caught in the Crossfire. Jonathan is coming to terms with his sexuality, while being ostracized by his peers who feel that homosexuality is not only a choice but a disgusting one. As the world evolves, as does our thinking and the way we see things. Unfortunately, there are numerous people and levels of society who feel that we are creatures who should have all the nice things of the present but keep our mindset in the dark ages.
I felt for Jonathan. He's in high school, it should be the time of his life, but he's too worried about everyone finding out his "secret." In love with another boy, he's trying hard to find his identity in life. Every off colored comment, he takes to heart, thinking his secret is out. Suddenly, there's open talk. He's somehow gotten on the bad side of a kids who starts rumors. In high school, rumors become sworn to God fact in about .2 seconds and unfortunately for Jonathan, those facts he's been hiding come out of nowhere. Luckily, he also finds some allies through everything.
The story itself is wrapped within another story that gradually comes to fruition and gives the reader some answers. There is pain; physical, mental and emotional along with the feeling that things will work out, no more like, things have to work out. I wanted nothing more than to block the suffering that Jonathan went through, but I also know that some of this suffering also brought him to the realization of how life can be when surrounded by those that accept you. Though everything, Jonathan never seemed to lose his faith. There were times he wondered why, but what Christian hasn't stumbled along the way. It's the whys that bring us the answers that make our faith that much stronger.
If there was any one thing that I would have changed about this story, it would have been the pictures and certain texts from Ian. I felt it was a bit out of place for Jonathan and didn't feel quite right. I feel that I've gotten to know Jonathan enough, that he would have made it known to Ian early on that those things weren't appreciated. That right there is one reason this book did not have a 5 star impact on me.
Honestly, this book is so much stronger than the first one. The story is complex but much more put together and really holds the interest of the reader. This is the story of a person finding the strength, courage and bravery to not let the naysayers bring him down. This is a story that everyone needs to read, it's really opens ones eyes to the hate that is being flung at people for choosing to love a person of the same gender. Sexual orientation does not define a person, a person is defined by their actions and reactions.
"To believe that God sent His grace to watch over me in my darkest hour. And to know that someday, maybe not today, but someday, I'll even dance again." ~ Jonathan
"You have to be strong and face your fears, Jon. Courage is endurance for one moment more!"
It was great having Jonathan's story continue almost from the very point it stopped in Caught in the Crossfire. Jonathan is coming to terms with his sexuality, while being ostracized by his peers who feel that homosexuality is not only a choice but a disgusting one. As the world evolves, as does our thinking and the way we see things. Unfortunately, there are numerous people and levels of society who feel that we are creatures who should have all the nice things of the present but keep our mindset in the dark ages.
I felt for Jonathan. He's in high school, it should be the time of his life, but he's too worried about everyone finding out his "secret." In love with another boy, he's trying hard to find his identity in life. Every off colored comment, he takes to heart, thinking his secret is out. Suddenly, there's open talk. He's somehow gotten on the bad side of a kids who starts rumors. In high school, rumors become sworn to God fact in about .2 seconds and unfortunately for Jonathan, those facts he's been hiding come out of nowhere. Luckily, he also finds some allies through everything.
The story itself is wrapped within another story that gradually comes to fruition and gives the reader some answers. There is pain; physical, mental and emotional along with the feeling that things will work out, no more like, things have to work out. I wanted nothing more than to block the suffering that Jonathan went through, but I also know that some of this suffering also brought him to the realization of how life can be when surrounded by those that accept you. Though everything, Jonathan never seemed to lose his faith. There were times he wondered why, but what Christian hasn't stumbled along the way. It's the whys that bring us the answers that make our faith that much stronger.
If there was any one thing that I would have changed about this story, it would have been the pictures and certain texts from Ian. I felt it was a bit out of place for Jonathan and didn't feel quite right. I feel that I've gotten to know Jonathan enough, that he would have made it known to Ian early on that those things weren't appreciated. That right there is one reason this book did not have a 5 star impact on me.
Honestly, this book is so much stronger than the first one. The story is complex but much more put together and really holds the interest of the reader. This is the story of a person finding the strength, courage and bravery to not let the naysayers bring him down. This is a story that everyone needs to read, it's really opens ones eyes to the hate that is being flung at people for choosing to love a person of the same gender. Sexual orientation does not define a person, a person is defined by their actions and reactions.
"To believe that God sent His grace to watch over me in my darkest hour. And to know that someday, maybe not today, but someday, I'll even dance again." ~ Jonathan
June 10, 2015
He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18:24 American Standard Version (ASV)
summer is over. Ian McGuire returns to his foster parents' farm and Jonathan Cooper goes back to school at East Bay Christian Academy. rumors of what transpired at Spirit Lake Bible Camp wends its way inside the private school. Jonathan faces the scorn and disgust of his soccer teammates. if that was not enough, he must contend with his mother who retreats into silence more and more whenever the subject of being gay is raised. Jonathan also worries about his father who is on tour of duty in Afghanistan; what to do and how to face him when he returns home. with Ian miles away from him, Jonathan feels so alone. Frances "Sketch" Mallory and Mason Kellerman from art class enter the picture and provide support and friendship. on the night of the homecoming dance, Ian is in town and Jonathan brings him to the event. things turn for the worse and blood is spilled...
this is the second book in the Crossfire Trilogy and things get more intense not only for Jonathan but for everyone within his circle. author Juliann Rich further explores and expands the issues and events that took place after Jonathan's coming out. the reader is also introduced to new characters and would be pleased to know the return of a few good ones - Simon, Dawn and Bear, her Great Pyrenees.
again, the writing is perfect. the characterization and dialogs are spot on. the emotions are as raw and honest as ever. Ms. Rich also employs flashbacks and she handles them very well. i think only a few writers could manage that. the transition from past to present or present to past is so smooth that readers will not get confused - only enlightened as the story unfolds.
the struggle between the emotional and the spiritual is still addressed and the author continues to present different views on homosexuality via realistic situations and through her characters.
if i loved the first book Caught in the Crossfire, i loved this second part even more because it demonstrated Juliann Rich's consistency in her writing and her adeptness in storytelling.
*received a copy for review from the publisher
summer is over. Ian McGuire returns to his foster parents' farm and Jonathan Cooper goes back to school at East Bay Christian Academy. rumors of what transpired at Spirit Lake Bible Camp wends its way inside the private school. Jonathan faces the scorn and disgust of his soccer teammates. if that was not enough, he must contend with his mother who retreats into silence more and more whenever the subject of being gay is raised. Jonathan also worries about his father who is on tour of duty in Afghanistan; what to do and how to face him when he returns home. with Ian miles away from him, Jonathan feels so alone. Frances "Sketch" Mallory and Mason Kellerman from art class enter the picture and provide support and friendship. on the night of the homecoming dance, Ian is in town and Jonathan brings him to the event. things turn for the worse and blood is spilled...
this is the second book in the Crossfire Trilogy and things get more intense not only for Jonathan but for everyone within his circle. author Juliann Rich further explores and expands the issues and events that took place after Jonathan's coming out. the reader is also introduced to new characters and would be pleased to know the return of a few good ones - Simon, Dawn and Bear, her Great Pyrenees.
again, the writing is perfect. the characterization and dialogs are spot on. the emotions are as raw and honest as ever. Ms. Rich also employs flashbacks and she handles them very well. i think only a few writers could manage that. the transition from past to present or present to past is so smooth that readers will not get confused - only enlightened as the story unfolds.
the struggle between the emotional and the spiritual is still addressed and the author continues to present different views on homosexuality via realistic situations and through her characters.
if i loved the first book Caught in the Crossfire, i loved this second part even more because it demonstrated Juliann Rich's consistency in her writing and her adeptness in storytelling.
*received a copy for review from the publisher
September 18, 2014
Recently I've read three books from the publisher of Searching for Grace and it is by far the best of the three. While there is a clear anti-homophobic agenda on the part of the publisher that isn't the end all and be all of the novel - Searching for Grace is a multi-layered story. And as an added bonus it is the second book in a trilogy but it can be easily read as a stand alone novel.
Prior to the start of the novel, Jonathan met and fell in love with Ian while at a church camp. He dealt with the conflicted feelings this brought up and has started revealing his true nature to his family. The revealing process is taken out of his hands when a person who is supposed to be his friend decides to start bullying Jonathan and outs him to the school. Luckily Jonathan is able to find new friends who accept him for who he is. Jonathan is slowly adjusting to his new life until Ian shows up in town and disastrous consequences ensue. These consequences are foretold from the very beginning of the book in flash-foward-type chapters.
Hopefully more books like Searching for Grace are published in the future as we need more books like it on our shelves.
Prior to the start of the novel, Jonathan met and fell in love with Ian while at a church camp. He dealt with the conflicted feelings this brought up and has started revealing his true nature to his family. The revealing process is taken out of his hands when a person who is supposed to be his friend decides to start bullying Jonathan and outs him to the school. Luckily Jonathan is able to find new friends who accept him for who he is. Jonathan is slowly adjusting to his new life until Ian shows up in town and disastrous consequences ensue. These consequences are foretold from the very beginning of the book in flash-foward-type chapters.
Hopefully more books like Searching for Grace are published in the future as we need more books like it on our shelves.
September 25, 2015
At the end of Caught in the Crossfire I was convinced I would not last until Searching for Grace… and the end of Searching for Grace has left me in the exact same state. I believe the email I sent Juliann said something along the lines of “I NEED TAKING THE STAND LIKE YESTERDAY.”
Like the first book in the Crossfire Trilogy, Caught in the Crossfire, Searching for Grace is an amazingly unique and honest portrayal of a teen walking the line between his sexuality and his faith. As some of you know, I have walked a similar path. The experience is not much talked about in queer literature. It was very validating to read Caught in the Crossfire, and I hoped that the quality of representation would not decrease in the second book: I was not disappointed. Most books where religion and sexuality collide, the queer character turns their back on religion and their religious community. Which is am important thing to have represented to be sure— but not everyone goes down that path. I admit, I was worried that this book would start taking Jonathon down that road. I was looking for a book that went even more into the complexity of this situation: and that’s what I got.
At the end of Caught in the Crossfire, we leave Jonathon determined to come out to everyone back home. But when he gets home, he finds his resolve wavering. The bubble of camp has been severed, his mother refuses to acknowledge his identity, and homophobia runs rampant in his school. He remains silent, and closeted. But soon, rumors start spreading about what happened at Bible Camp.
Searching for Grace is a much harder book than Caught in the Crossfire. For me, the second book always cements my love for the characters, and this time was no exception. So when you add that love to them going through harder things… well.
Dawn and Simon, my favorite characters from the last book return, and the equally enchanting characters of Mason and Sketch are introduced. Nerdy and artsy and funny (sooo many Dr Who references…), I found myself grinning almost whenever they appeared on the page. Jonathon’s character grows, and the way he reacts to every situation seems completely honest and realistic.
The book was a balance between light and dark, humor and horror. Throughout the book, scenes are weaved in in which you have no idea what is happening, only that it’s something terrible, and Jonathon is in a hospital. Throughout the book I found myself unhappy with that, as I thought I knew what it was that had happened, and I really didn’t like it. But it wasn’t what I expected at all. And unlike most books that reveal a “twist” near the end, this one does not depend on it to make the rest of the story good.
Overall, Juliann Rich’s writing continues to ring with honesty in a difficult subject matter that has not been explored before. Readers of Caught in the Crossfire will not be disappointed with Searching for Grace.
Like the first book in the Crossfire Trilogy, Caught in the Crossfire, Searching for Grace is an amazingly unique and honest portrayal of a teen walking the line between his sexuality and his faith. As some of you know, I have walked a similar path. The experience is not much talked about in queer literature. It was very validating to read Caught in the Crossfire, and I hoped that the quality of representation would not decrease in the second book: I was not disappointed. Most books where religion and sexuality collide, the queer character turns their back on religion and their religious community. Which is am important thing to have represented to be sure— but not everyone goes down that path. I admit, I was worried that this book would start taking Jonathon down that road. I was looking for a book that went even more into the complexity of this situation: and that’s what I got.
At the end of Caught in the Crossfire, we leave Jonathon determined to come out to everyone back home. But when he gets home, he finds his resolve wavering. The bubble of camp has been severed, his mother refuses to acknowledge his identity, and homophobia runs rampant in his school. He remains silent, and closeted. But soon, rumors start spreading about what happened at Bible Camp.
Searching for Grace is a much harder book than Caught in the Crossfire. For me, the second book always cements my love for the characters, and this time was no exception. So when you add that love to them going through harder things… well.
Dawn and Simon, my favorite characters from the last book return, and the equally enchanting characters of Mason and Sketch are introduced. Nerdy and artsy and funny (sooo many Dr Who references…), I found myself grinning almost whenever they appeared on the page. Jonathon’s character grows, and the way he reacts to every situation seems completely honest and realistic.
The book was a balance between light and dark, humor and horror. Throughout the book, scenes are weaved in in which you have no idea what is happening, only that it’s something terrible, and Jonathon is in a hospital. Throughout the book I found myself unhappy with that, as I thought I knew what it was that had happened, and I really didn’t like it. But it wasn’t what I expected at all. And unlike most books that reveal a “twist” near the end, this one does not depend on it to make the rest of the story good.
Overall, Juliann Rich’s writing continues to ring with honesty in a difficult subject matter that has not been explored before. Readers of Caught in the Crossfire will not be disappointed with Searching for Grace.
September 2, 2014
Review Copy Provided By Author
When I finished Caught in the Crossfire a couple of months ago, I was intrigued to see how Ms Rich was going to continue Jonathan's story and with Searching for Grace, she didn't disappoint. Searching for Grace picks up almost immediately following the conclusion of Caught in the Crossfire, when Jonathan returns home from summer camp, away from Ian and struggling with thoughts and feelings in direct conflict with how he was raised in his chuch (as a note, I'm not acknowledging that it is right or wrong, but that is how it is presented).
I will admit that I was a little bit confused at the beginning with how the story was being told because it appeared to be in a flashback format but it wasn't easy to identify. And it was weird/ hard for me in trying to figure out who Grace was, but about halfway through, it clicked for me and I liked how the author continued to address the conflict between religion and feelings/love.
The cast of secondary characters in Searching for Grace were much more well-developed to me than the ones in Caught in the Crossfire (not saying that they were bad but I just enjoyed the SfG ones more). I loved that the author worked Simon from CitC into this story because I felt like he was one of the stronger characters in the first one, along with Jonathan. But for me, the duo of Sketch and Mason were the top. They kind of reminded me of Janis and Damien from Mean Girls (if you haven't seen it, they are the duo that take Cady under their collective wing before she becomes entangled with the mean girls). I loved how they lived their lives and didn't really seem to care how they were the odd-balls (for lack of a better word).
There was much more conflict within this book than the previous one, but I don't feel like it was overly done - it felt like it would feel, if this went down in a small town - the people talking behind backs, the rumors, the feeling that everyone is talking about you and that was just the beginning. That being said, I kind of felt the Ian storyline was bordering a bit too much on the angst storyline, I know why everything went how it did, but I don't know - it just felt a bit too forced for me - but then as a character he just felt too different from how he appeared in the first book that it felt weird. I will be interested to see where the author goes in the last book in the trilogy as she ties up all the threads.
Overall I gave Searching for Grace 3.5 stars, although it was very nearly a 4 star read for me - there were just a few things that niggled me enough that I went down half a star. I'm looking forwarding to reading the third book when it comes out.
When I finished Caught in the Crossfire a couple of months ago, I was intrigued to see how Ms Rich was going to continue Jonathan's story and with Searching for Grace, she didn't disappoint. Searching for Grace picks up almost immediately following the conclusion of Caught in the Crossfire, when Jonathan returns home from summer camp, away from Ian and struggling with thoughts and feelings in direct conflict with how he was raised in his chuch (as a note, I'm not acknowledging that it is right or wrong, but that is how it is presented).
I will admit that I was a little bit confused at the beginning with how the story was being told because it appeared to be in a flashback format but it wasn't easy to identify. And it was weird/ hard for me in trying to figure out who Grace was, but about halfway through, it clicked for me and I liked how the author continued to address the conflict between religion and feelings/love.
The cast of secondary characters in Searching for Grace were much more well-developed to me than the ones in Caught in the Crossfire (not saying that they were bad but I just enjoyed the SfG ones more). I loved that the author worked Simon from CitC into this story because I felt like he was one of the stronger characters in the first one, along with Jonathan. But for me, the duo of Sketch and Mason were the top. They kind of reminded me of Janis and Damien from Mean Girls (if you haven't seen it, they are the duo that take Cady under their collective wing before she becomes entangled with the mean girls). I loved how they lived their lives and didn't really seem to care how they were the odd-balls (for lack of a better word).
There was much more conflict within this book than the previous one, but I don't feel like it was overly done - it felt like it would feel, if this went down in a small town - the people talking behind backs, the rumors, the feeling that everyone is talking about you and that was just the beginning. That being said, I kind of felt the Ian storyline was bordering a bit too much on the angst storyline, I know why everything went how it did, but I don't know - it just felt a bit too forced for me - but then as a character he just felt too different from how he appeared in the first book that it felt weird. I will be interested to see where the author goes in the last book in the trilogy as she ties up all the threads.
Overall I gave Searching for Grace 3.5 stars, although it was very nearly a 4 star read for me - there were just a few things that niggled me enough that I went down half a star. I'm looking forwarding to reading the third book when it comes out.
September 12, 2014
The start of this book keeps you guessing. This young man is obviously in hospital but at the moment doesn't recognize where he is or how he got there.......
It flicks back in time before this, leading up to why and how he landed in there.
We learn that Johnathon had attending a camp before going back to school, something happened at the camp that he doesn't want come to light. Hes not ready.
We can guess pretty clearly from the start what it is, and we see him struggle. Johnathon is sort of ready to accept his sexuality, however, hes not comfortable revealing this to everyone. Hes just not quite there yet.
It seems there are rumors and we read suggestive comments from his peers. Do they know?
Quote:
Paranoia is where you think everyone is talking about you but they are not.
Hell is when you think someone is talking about you and they are"
He's scared, vulnerable and just wants to be accepted. He's also strong in other ways and won't be forced into anything he doesn't want to.
He's highly involved in his sport, this takes a big part in the storyline too.
Ian, his friend has all sorts of hang ups, he was ousted out of his parents home because of his sexuality.
This has left him quite an angry person and Johnathon is aware of this.
He is learning that being accepted is one thing, accepting himself is another.
We flip back to the hospital bed in and out too.
If you know of any young person struggling with this issue, this is a good book to read, it really delves into the mindset, thoughts and emotions of Johnathon and what he had to put up with and where you can be the other side.
I have never read a book like this before so this was an experience.
There were times when I was cringing with the inuendo's from his peers, I had to keep reminding myself this was a young boy and these were young people. Not that this was an excuse.
I gave this a 3 star because although I enjoyed it, I felt a bit lost at times in the book. I think it was when the Mother was painting the kitchen, when she hugged him he asked her something and she didn't reply, I didn't feel that was explained much.
And too with the Father.
Maybe it was me, but I felt there was underlying things there that could have been broadened on towards the beginning instead of waiting for later. But his of course is MHO and we all have our own POV.
Then again.....I haven't read book 1, so that probably is the reason.
I read this for the authors blog tour.
It flicks back in time before this, leading up to why and how he landed in there.
We learn that Johnathon had attending a camp before going back to school, something happened at the camp that he doesn't want come to light. Hes not ready.
We can guess pretty clearly from the start what it is, and we see him struggle. Johnathon is sort of ready to accept his sexuality, however, hes not comfortable revealing this to everyone. Hes just not quite there yet.
It seems there are rumors and we read suggestive comments from his peers. Do they know?
Quote:
Paranoia is where you think everyone is talking about you but they are not.
Hell is when you think someone is talking about you and they are"
He's scared, vulnerable and just wants to be accepted. He's also strong in other ways and won't be forced into anything he doesn't want to.
He's highly involved in his sport, this takes a big part in the storyline too.
Ian, his friend has all sorts of hang ups, he was ousted out of his parents home because of his sexuality.
This has left him quite an angry person and Johnathon is aware of this.
He is learning that being accepted is one thing, accepting himself is another.
We flip back to the hospital bed in and out too.
If you know of any young person struggling with this issue, this is a good book to read, it really delves into the mindset, thoughts and emotions of Johnathon and what he had to put up with and where you can be the other side.
I have never read a book like this before so this was an experience.
There were times when I was cringing with the inuendo's from his peers, I had to keep reminding myself this was a young boy and these were young people. Not that this was an excuse.
I gave this a 3 star because although I enjoyed it, I felt a bit lost at times in the book. I think it was when the Mother was painting the kitchen, when she hugged him he asked her something and she didn't reply, I didn't feel that was explained much.
And too with the Father.
Maybe it was me, but I felt there was underlying things there that could have been broadened on towards the beginning instead of waiting for later. But his of course is MHO and we all have our own POV.
Then again.....I haven't read book 1, so that probably is the reason.
I read this for the authors blog tour.
September 18, 2014
I received this book from Bold Strokes Books at Netgalley. So thank you very much!
When novels take place in a school setting, it will either be interesting or dull, as the plot can take any direction. Seeing this book take place at Jonathan's Christian school, I wasn’t sure how it would all turn out, but I was extremely shocked to find out that I enjoyed it to immense levels. This setting was the perfect place, with it allowing the reader to see more conflicts that Jonathan has to face, along side the conflict of having a long distance relationship with Ian.
I couldn’t imagine being Jonathan and having to struggle with himself as much as he did in this book. Not only does he struggle with being in a Christian school, but now someone has discovered he is homosexual and has been using this info to turn all his friends against him. This situation for anyone has to be hard on anyone, but Jonathan stayed strong and refused to fall into depression. He is also helped by his new friends, Sketch and Mason, to pull through and work everything out, but all it took was for Ian to show up for all their effort to fall apart.
Jonathan had a great character development throughout the novel. His development ranged from him struggling to be himself without having to keep everything bottled and hidden in his school, but also the fact that he resumes his love for Ian; even though they are in a long distance relationship. Does it help any that you can just tell that there is something wrong with Ian?
Two things I didn't enjoy was the fact that the side characters didn't really develop and the random jump in times that the book seemed to have. Mason is my main focal point on the development aspect, since it seems he remains annoying to me for a majority of the book; it could also be the fact that the main character finds him annoying and as a result, I do to. The second fact is self-explanatory. When this happens, I ended up just skipping the section until it goes back to the present time, and as a possible result, I may have skipped a few important parts.
Overall this book series is awesome and gives you a look at the struggles of someone with a different sexual affinity than what the reader may have.
When novels take place in a school setting, it will either be interesting or dull, as the plot can take any direction. Seeing this book take place at Jonathan's Christian school, I wasn’t sure how it would all turn out, but I was extremely shocked to find out that I enjoyed it to immense levels. This setting was the perfect place, with it allowing the reader to see more conflicts that Jonathan has to face, along side the conflict of having a long distance relationship with Ian.
I couldn’t imagine being Jonathan and having to struggle with himself as much as he did in this book. Not only does he struggle with being in a Christian school, but now someone has discovered he is homosexual and has been using this info to turn all his friends against him. This situation for anyone has to be hard on anyone, but Jonathan stayed strong and refused to fall into depression. He is also helped by his new friends, Sketch and Mason, to pull through and work everything out, but all it took was for Ian to show up for all their effort to fall apart.
Jonathan had a great character development throughout the novel. His development ranged from him struggling to be himself without having to keep everything bottled and hidden in his school, but also the fact that he resumes his love for Ian; even though they are in a long distance relationship. Does it help any that you can just tell that there is something wrong with Ian?
Two things I didn't enjoy was the fact that the side characters didn't really develop and the random jump in times that the book seemed to have. Mason is my main focal point on the development aspect, since it seems he remains annoying to me for a majority of the book; it could also be the fact that the main character finds him annoying and as a result, I do to. The second fact is self-explanatory. When this happens, I ended up just skipping the section until it goes back to the present time, and as a possible result, I may have skipped a few important parts.
Overall this book series is awesome and gives you a look at the struggles of someone with a different sexual affinity than what the reader may have.
April 5, 2016
Title: Searching for Grace
Author: Juliann Rich
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
ISBN: 9781626391963B
Buy Link: http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/97816...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Crossfire Trilogy 2
Camp is over and Jonathan Cooper returns home—to life with his mother whose silence is worse than anything she could say, to his varsity soccer teammates at East Bay Christian Academy, to the growing rumors about what he did with a boy last summer at Bible camp.
All the important lines blur. Between truth and lies. Between friends and enemies. Between reality and illusion.
Just when Jonathan feels the most alone, help arrives from the unlikeliest of sources: Frances “Sketch” Mallory, the weird girl from his art class, and her equally eccentric friend, Mason. For a short while, thanks to Sketch and Mason, life is almost survivable. Then Ian McGuire comes to town on the night of the homecoming dance and tensions explode. Fists fly, blood flows, and Jonathan—powerless to stop it—does the only thing he believes might save them all: he prays for God’s grace.
Summary:
Jonathan's life finally made sense when he fell in love with Ian at Bible Camp, but returning home began a whole new set of problems. School at East Bay Christian Academy forced Jonathan to hide his true feelings until a new student began to spread rumors about him. Jonathan learns the hard way about who his real friends were as his best friend Peter turns against him. Other students step up to the plate as lines are crossed forcing Jonathan to be an outsider. What was worse was his mother's unwillingness to accept who he was. Ian was having his own issues while refusing to talk to Jonathan. The tension mounted as verbal threats turn physical forcing Jonathan and his friends fight to make the school safer for everyone. This story brought to light the plight of many of today's young people who face verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis. All it takes is one person to intervene to make a difference. I can't wait for the next book in the Crossfire Trilogy.
Author: Juliann Rich
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
ISBN: 9781626391963B
Buy Link: http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/97816...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Crossfire Trilogy 2
Camp is over and Jonathan Cooper returns home—to life with his mother whose silence is worse than anything she could say, to his varsity soccer teammates at East Bay Christian Academy, to the growing rumors about what he did with a boy last summer at Bible camp.
All the important lines blur. Between truth and lies. Between friends and enemies. Between reality and illusion.
Just when Jonathan feels the most alone, help arrives from the unlikeliest of sources: Frances “Sketch” Mallory, the weird girl from his art class, and her equally eccentric friend, Mason. For a short while, thanks to Sketch and Mason, life is almost survivable. Then Ian McGuire comes to town on the night of the homecoming dance and tensions explode. Fists fly, blood flows, and Jonathan—powerless to stop it—does the only thing he believes might save them all: he prays for God’s grace.
Summary:
Jonathan's life finally made sense when he fell in love with Ian at Bible Camp, but returning home began a whole new set of problems. School at East Bay Christian Academy forced Jonathan to hide his true feelings until a new student began to spread rumors about him. Jonathan learns the hard way about who his real friends were as his best friend Peter turns against him. Other students step up to the plate as lines are crossed forcing Jonathan to be an outsider. What was worse was his mother's unwillingness to accept who he was. Ian was having his own issues while refusing to talk to Jonathan. The tension mounted as verbal threats turn physical forcing Jonathan and his friends fight to make the school safer for everyone. This story brought to light the plight of many of today's young people who face verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis. All it takes is one person to intervene to make a difference. I can't wait for the next book in the Crossfire Trilogy.
April 7, 2015
Not quite as strong as book 1 in the Crossfire trilogy, but still well worth reading. Jonathan Cooper has come back from Bible summer camp, where he's been outed as gay, worried that the secret of his sexuality will somehow leak out at East Bay Christian Academy. At first, it appears he'll be safe in the closet. But when he becomes friends with two arty outcasts, and involved in efforts to establish a gay/straight alliance at the school, his old soccer friends know something is up. And when his summer love, Ian McGuire, visits to attend a school dance and taunts turn to violence, Jonathan has to decide how much to reveal to his family, his friends, and his God.
September 28, 2014
Review to come!
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October 28, 2014So good. How long do I have to wait for the next book?
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