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N
After carrying his bride through one of the hardest times in her life, Joshua finds himself with what feels like empty hands. He must now journey through the painful process of a change he did not choose or deserve. Fighting for the well being of his two children he uncovers the value of surrendering things that feel important and grasping for the things that truly are.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2015
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Santos
29 books5 followersStephen lives in South Carolina. He has done everything from carpentry to writing music; from teaching children who did not have a stable home-life to washing the dishes at his own home; and from leading his kids on adventures in the woods to loving his neighbors, whoever they may be.
He finds great joy in sharing his own story with others; the one where he was led out of religion by Love.
He finds great joy in sharing his own story with others; the one where he was led out of religion by Love.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 13, 2017
N by Stephen Santos is a picture of grace, a story of a husband’s faithful pursuit and a wife’s unfaithful journey. It’s a tale of love, of marriage, of family, but ultimately it is a portrait of Jesus and His unshakable love for us.
As a picture of grace and Jesus – despite our faithlessness – N is a poignant reminder that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. With shades of the Biblical book of Hosea, the author weaves a story of a bride whose affections easily turn away and a husband who continues to love her in spite of her hurtful decisions. It goes against human nature … and precisely so. Because only God can have this kind of love, and only He can love somebody that way through us.
This story is written through Joshua’s point of view, in first person as though he’s writing a journal or sitting down to talk it over with us. Joshua, the husband, has helped his wife through a serious health battle and now that they’re on the other side of that struggle she tells him she’s leaving him and taking their kids. Future books in the series will tell this same story again, each from someone else’s perspective. I think this is really unique and creative!
As a novel on its own merits, however, N needs a little tightening. The writing is technically fine but overall it needed more layers, more dimension. As a result, I didn’t connect emotionally with any of the characters; most seemed one-dimensional when it came to making devastating declarations and in reacting to them.
Bottom Line: N by Stephen Santos works best as an allegory, as a representation of what Jesus does for us. It’s a bittersweet reminder that just because the grass looks greener on the other side, it usually isn’t. Yet, I felt like it was missing the needed dimensionality to really make this a powerful story. All the elements are there – it just needs to get inside the characters’ hearts and motivations and personalities a bit more. I’m still looking forward to the next book in this unique series, to see the alternate points of view as well as to watch the author continue to develop the characters.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
As a picture of grace and Jesus – despite our faithlessness – N is a poignant reminder that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. With shades of the Biblical book of Hosea, the author weaves a story of a bride whose affections easily turn away and a husband who continues to love her in spite of her hurtful decisions. It goes against human nature … and precisely so. Because only God can have this kind of love, and only He can love somebody that way through us.
This story is written through Joshua’s point of view, in first person as though he’s writing a journal or sitting down to talk it over with us. Joshua, the husband, has helped his wife through a serious health battle and now that they’re on the other side of that struggle she tells him she’s leaving him and taking their kids. Future books in the series will tell this same story again, each from someone else’s perspective. I think this is really unique and creative!
As a novel on its own merits, however, N needs a little tightening. The writing is technically fine but overall it needed more layers, more dimension. As a result, I didn’t connect emotionally with any of the characters; most seemed one-dimensional when it came to making devastating declarations and in reacting to them.
Bottom Line: N by Stephen Santos works best as an allegory, as a representation of what Jesus does for us. It’s a bittersweet reminder that just because the grass looks greener on the other side, it usually isn’t. Yet, I felt like it was missing the needed dimensionality to really make this a powerful story. All the elements are there – it just needs to get inside the characters’ hearts and motivations and personalities a bit more. I’m still looking forward to the next book in this unique series, to see the alternate points of view as well as to watch the author continue to develop the characters.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
February 24, 2020
The Compass Series Book 1 is called N, for North. To me, Jesus has always been my true North so I find the title very appropriate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though parts were hard to read. I have walked a similar journey in my life, save I wasn't the one leaving, I was the one left. I chose to stay the course and we are back together now, but the rough patches were very rough. Looking forward to the next book in the series. The next one is South. On with the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though parts were hard to read. I have walked a similar journey in my life, save I wasn't the one leaving, I was the one left. I chose to stay the course and we are back together now, but the rough patches were very rough. Looking forward to the next book in the series. The next one is South. On with the story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews