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Clarksonville #6
Tools of the Devil
Seventeen-year-old Lisa Brown loved going to church. Oh sure, sometimes she'd rather sleep in, but she liked the calming and empowering strength of her faith. Sundays revitalized her spirit when she thanked God for the wonderful things in her life like her loving family and her amazing girlfriend, Samantha Rose. One day she hoped to marry Sam, have a house and yard, and have babies together. One day.
But then it happened. That fateful Sunday when the guest preacher stepped behind the pulpit and spoke four words that would change Lisa's world forever.
"Homosexuality is a sin," he said.
Had she heard him right? When her mother put a hand on her forearm, she knew she had. Every muscle in her body tensed, and she forgot to breathe.
What was happening?
The church she'd been baptized in, grown up in, and wanted to get married in had, in one instant, turned against her.
Still not quite believing what she'd heard, she mumbled, "Ignorance is a sin, Reverend." Never one to back down from a challenge, she scanned the congregation but didn't find a single soul who looked upset by his statement. Many were even nodding in agreement. She muttered under her breath, "Game on, people. Game on."
But then it happened. That fateful Sunday when the guest preacher stepped behind the pulpit and spoke four words that would change Lisa's world forever.
"Homosexuality is a sin," he said.
Had she heard him right? When her mother put a hand on her forearm, she knew she had. Every muscle in her body tensed, and she forgot to breathe.
What was happening?
The church she'd been baptized in, grown up in, and wanted to get married in had, in one instant, turned against her.
Still not quite believing what she'd heard, she mumbled, "Ignorance is a sin, Reverend." Never one to back down from a challenge, she scanned the congregation but didn't find a single soul who looked upset by his statement. Many were even nodding in agreement. She muttered under her breath, "Game on, people. Game on."
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2015
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Barbara L. Clanton
14 books21 followersBarbara L. Clanton writes young adult lesbian fiction because she wants girls and young women to experience positive lesbian coming out stories. Clanton hopes her books will be safe harbors for young people coming out to themselves, their friends, family, and society.
From the author's website: Barbara L. Clanton is
- a writer of Young Adult Fiction
- a writer of Children's Fiction
- a New York Mets fan
- a New York Jets fan
- a Florida resident
- a native-born New Yawker
- a softball pitcher
- ASANA Hall of Fame inductee
- a bass player in her band
- the proud "mama" to several cats
- proudly in a long-term relationship
- a Buffy fan
- a Xena & Gabrielle fan
- a mathematics teacher
- wishing she were a snow-bird
- wishing she were at a Mets game
- happy that you read her bio! ;)
From the author's website: Barbara L. Clanton is
- a writer of Young Adult Fiction
- a writer of Children's Fiction
- a New York Mets fan
- a New York Jets fan
- a Florida resident
- a native-born New Yawker
- a softball pitcher
- ASANA Hall of Fame inductee
- a bass player in her band
- the proud "mama" to several cats
- proudly in a long-term relationship
- a Buffy fan
- a Xena & Gabrielle fan
- a mathematics teacher
- wishing she were a snow-bird
- wishing she were at a Mets game
- happy that you read her bio! ;)
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 28, 2015
Love this series
This book is the second of the six books to focus the story on Lisa. Like the fifth book (which was the second story for Marlee) the story was driven more by individual character development rather than softball, being gay or the characters relationship. Unlike Marlee's second book this story was more serious (not to say there aren't light hearted moments abound) which given the subject matter, melding being gay and religion makes perfect sense. Now speaking as someone whose dealings with religion constitutes watching vicar of dibley while on the couch with their girlfriend, I felt that the story did an awesome job of not only portraying the internal conflict but also resolving it in a believable and satisfactory way. I think for someone who is going through this conflict themselves this book would help or at least provide points for further thought. Overall I found the story both enjoyable and educational. Going forward I eagerly await second novels for Susie and Sam and hope for thirds if not more for each.
This book is the second of the six books to focus the story on Lisa. Like the fifth book (which was the second story for Marlee) the story was driven more by individual character development rather than softball, being gay or the characters relationship. Unlike Marlee's second book this story was more serious (not to say there aren't light hearted moments abound) which given the subject matter, melding being gay and religion makes perfect sense. Now speaking as someone whose dealings with religion constitutes watching vicar of dibley while on the couch with their girlfriend, I felt that the story did an awesome job of not only portraying the internal conflict but also resolving it in a believable and satisfactory way. I think for someone who is going through this conflict themselves this book would help or at least provide points for further thought. Overall I found the story both enjoyable and educational. Going forward I eagerly await second novels for Susie and Sam and hope for thirds if not more for each.
March 4, 2016
Love this series! I think most of us with a strong church/religious background all go through this debate as we are coming to terms with being gay. I love my church, but does my church still love me? I searched the bible for answers too. This book does a wonderful job of telling this type of story and finding a way for young adults to work through some of those tough questions.
May 6, 2015
This sixth book in this wonderful young-adult series deals with religion and homosexuality. I think it provides help to wrestle with tough questions about being gay and Christian.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews