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Coldwater
Having forfeited his youth to the state prison system, Michael moved back to the only home he'd ever known. An empty shell of a man who now lived--if it could be called living--in the still vacant house of his parents in a town with one stoplight. A town that hated him. Had always hated him. And was ready to pick up where the prison system had let off.Now he's on the run from men who've tried to kill him once; but Michael is more than an ex-con. A powerful, sinister force creeps inside him, threatening and destructive. Who--and what--it will destroy next is the only real question. From the bold voice that brought readers down Purgatory Road comes a new pulse-pounding, spine-rattling tale of vengeance and justice that will have them up all night.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
83 people are currently reading
1190 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Parker
4 books107 followersSamuel Parker was born in the Michigan boondocks but was raised on a never-ending road trip through the U.S. Besides writing, he is a process junkie and the ex-guitarist for several metal bands you've never heard of. He lives in West Michigan with his wife and twin sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 9, 2018
After enjoying Purgatory Road, Cold Water was a miss for me. The beginning was good. The writing strong. The plot and characters didn’t capture my interest though.
December 1, 2017
4.5 stars
From the very first chapter—even the first few sentences—Samuel Parker had me hooked. The beginning of this book has some of the most compelling and heart-stopping opening scenes that I've read in a very long time. I won't go into too much detail so as not to spoil anything (even if it is the first chapter) but suffice it to say that I could feel my chest tighten and my breathing quicken as I felt the claustrophobia that the main character, Michael, had to be experiencing. Rarely do I have such a visceral and involuntary reaction to a book and I credit Parker's ability to paint a vivid word picture for it happening this time.
And the action just continues from the outset and never stops. As more and more of Michael's story is unfolded for the reader, both in the present and via the glimpses into his past, the more curious I became to know just exactly who this guy was and what on earth was going on with him. He is a very compelling character and a complex one too. So much so that I'm not sure if I can say that I really cared for him or even liked him, but I could empathize with him. The rest of the characters were equally well-developed and very believable to me.
The pacing of the novel is perfect for a book of the suspense/thriller genre. The chapters are short (some only a couple of pages) and the story moves quickly. The tension continues to build throughout the entire book until everything comes to a culmination in the final pages. The climax does not disappoint. A couple of the plot elements were predictable, but for the most part, it was awesome. There were sufficient twists to keep me guessing and the way in which Parker slowly "dripped out" Michael's backstory kept the pages turning. And I must not neglect to mention that epilogue! What a way to cap off the story!
As for content to be aware of, there is a significant amount of violence in this book. There is one particular accident which has a very gruesome and bloody scene. There is a lot of death as well as an attempted violation of a child. There are also some supernatural elements which are not fully explained and are a bit on the nightmarish side. There is no strong language or sexual content. And lastly, although the book is from a Christian publisher there are very few references to God. There is a thin theme of mercy towards the end, but it is a small thread in the overall tapestry of the story.
All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed _Coldwater_ and highly recommend it to fans of the suspense/thriller genre. It is a tale of the folly of vengeance and a warning of the cancerous nature of bitterness and revenge. I will be keeping an eye out for future releases from Mr. Parker.
Thanks to Revell (via LT's Early Reviewers) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
From the very first chapter—even the first few sentences—Samuel Parker had me hooked. The beginning of this book has some of the most compelling and heart-stopping opening scenes that I've read in a very long time. I won't go into too much detail so as not to spoil anything (even if it is the first chapter) but suffice it to say that I could feel my chest tighten and my breathing quicken as I felt the claustrophobia that the main character, Michael, had to be experiencing. Rarely do I have such a visceral and involuntary reaction to a book and I credit Parker's ability to paint a vivid word picture for it happening this time.
And the action just continues from the outset and never stops. As more and more of Michael's story is unfolded for the reader, both in the present and via the glimpses into his past, the more curious I became to know just exactly who this guy was and what on earth was going on with him. He is a very compelling character and a complex one too. So much so that I'm not sure if I can say that I really cared for him or even liked him, but I could empathize with him. The rest of the characters were equally well-developed and very believable to me.
The pacing of the novel is perfect for a book of the suspense/thriller genre. The chapters are short (some only a couple of pages) and the story moves quickly. The tension continues to build throughout the entire book until everything comes to a culmination in the final pages. The climax does not disappoint. A couple of the plot elements were predictable, but for the most part, it was awesome. There were sufficient twists to keep me guessing and the way in which Parker slowly "dripped out" Michael's backstory kept the pages turning. And I must not neglect to mention that epilogue! What a way to cap off the story!
As for content to be aware of, there is a significant amount of violence in this book. There is one particular accident which has a very gruesome and bloody scene. There is a lot of death as well as an attempted violation of a child. There are also some supernatural elements which are not fully explained and are a bit on the nightmarish side. There is no strong language or sexual content. And lastly, although the book is from a Christian publisher there are very few references to God. There is a thin theme of mercy towards the end, but it is a small thread in the overall tapestry of the story.
All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed _Coldwater_ and highly recommend it to fans of the suspense/thriller genre. It is a tale of the folly of vengeance and a warning of the cancerous nature of bitterness and revenge. I will be keeping an eye out for future releases from Mr. Parker.
Thanks to Revell (via LT's Early Reviewers) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 6, 2018
(Note: I listened to the audiobook). I thought the audiobook narrator was ok, very good at acting out the various characters, but using a reading tone a little too flat for the narrating voice.
As with Purgatory Road, this is not only a very gripping and compelling thriller (if it can be called that), but also a reflection on the burden of sin, in particular the sin of fratricide, with many biblical references of which I caught only a few (the story of Cain and Abel was one). I really enjoyed the fast pace and the tightness of the writing. Look forward to Sam’s next work.
As with Purgatory Road, this is not only a very gripping and compelling thriller (if it can be called that), but also a reflection on the burden of sin, in particular the sin of fratricide, with many biblical references of which I caught only a few (the story of Cain and Abel was one). I really enjoyed the fast pace and the tightness of the writing. Look forward to Sam’s next work.
January 21, 2018
When I first started this book, I felt compelled to keep page turning, the author is a gifted writer and although I was grasping for what the story was about, I had to keep at it.
Now I knew this was a Christian book, but there are no bible verses and we do not go to church, but I could quickly sense the undertones, and it wasn’t too far in that I began to understand, and it was so real.
This is a very different read, and yet it brought the justice system to light, a ten-year-old in prison, a man buried alive [how do these people sleep at night, they don’t], and then the mysterious deaths.
The ending was so awesome, once you read this, I felt justice was done, but then the evil continues, and I believe it does. So, scary, and yet so real!
I received this book through the Publisher Revell and their Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
Now I knew this was a Christian book, but there are no bible verses and we do not go to church, but I could quickly sense the undertones, and it wasn’t too far in that I began to understand, and it was so real.
This is a very different read, and yet it brought the justice system to light, a ten-year-old in prison, a man buried alive [how do these people sleep at night, they don’t], and then the mysterious deaths.
The ending was so awesome, once you read this, I felt justice was done, but then the evil continues, and I believe it does. So, scary, and yet so real!
I received this book through the Publisher Revell and their Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 11, 2018
Offering up another unique addition to the world of Christian fiction, Samuel Parker has crafted a thrilling, brilliantly written novel that plumbs the depths of human evil. From the first opening scenes to the unexpected conclusion, "Coldwater" held me in its grip and did not let go for a moment. The novel simply races along with short, action-packed chapters that breathe with supernatural tension that made me want to start sleeping with the lights on! The author carefully unpacks the complex plot chapter by chapter, and he has created one of those characters in Michael that you both feel sorry for and are shocked by at the same time.
I was intrigued by the lack of any clear reference to God in this novel, as at first this made me question why it has been offered by a Christian based publisher. But then I considered the book of Esther from the Bible, which makes no reference to God at all and in so doing highlights how God is working behind the scenes, and causes you to consider God's presence all the more. In Coldwater, evil is clearly embodied in the actions of the characters and the chilling events that occur, while God's greater power is displayed in the choices for good that characters make and the power of forgiveness. My hope is that people who don't yet know Jesus will read this book and then be drawn to the Bible to consider Him who has power over evil, Jesus. I, for one, am left with much food for thought in regards to justice versus vengeance, and for the way that sin can be so insidious that we can think we are on the side of righteousness when we are not fighting for good at all. Parker has done an amazing job at crafting a truly suspenseful novel that will have me thinking over its message for days to come.
Supernatural suspense doesn't get better for this, and while this type of novel may not appeal to all, I encourage you to give it a try. I loved it and rate it as 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
I was intrigued by the lack of any clear reference to God in this novel, as at first this made me question why it has been offered by a Christian based publisher. But then I considered the book of Esther from the Bible, which makes no reference to God at all and in so doing highlights how God is working behind the scenes, and causes you to consider God's presence all the more. In Coldwater, evil is clearly embodied in the actions of the characters and the chilling events that occur, while God's greater power is displayed in the choices for good that characters make and the power of forgiveness. My hope is that people who don't yet know Jesus will read this book and then be drawn to the Bible to consider Him who has power over evil, Jesus. I, for one, am left with much food for thought in regards to justice versus vengeance, and for the way that sin can be so insidious that we can think we are on the side of righteousness when we are not fighting for good at all. Parker has done an amazing job at crafting a truly suspenseful novel that will have me thinking over its message for days to come.
Supernatural suspense doesn't get better for this, and while this type of novel may not appeal to all, I encourage you to give it a try. I loved it and rate it as 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
January 24, 2018
Reader, when I give this book review you will understand why on the back of the book someone says of it, "Not for the faint-hearted." Samuel Parker's latest book is one heart rending thrill of a suspense ride. My overall assessment of Parker's Coldwater is simply this: Parker is the Christian version of Stephen King for Christian books. I didn't think I would have nightmares considering the overall arch of the book is bent toward the Christian mindset of redemption and mercy, but don't let that fool you.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great book. Parker does a masterful and wonderful job of telling the story. The characters are robust, the feelings they feel are well written, and the beliefs they each have helped shape them to move in the ways that they do. Sometimes each of the character's aims are at odds with each other. More often than not, however, they are part of the bigger puzzle of the narrative Parker has in mind for the characters of Coldwater.
While I don't wish to tell any of the story of Coldwater to give anything away, what I can say is the actual main character of the book is Haywood. Something within Haywood is haywire. In my opinion the book should have solely focused on Haywood. Yet all the participants of the book take place in a very small, backwoods place called Coldwater.
Coldwater is one of those places that when read from start to finish will make your heart pound. You will end up having greater emotional ties to Michael, who is the protagonist of the story. It ends up making Haywood the antagonist, seeking to destroy Michael. Again, you must read the book to fully understand. This book is truly not for the faint of heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell as all opinions of the book are honest and unbiased.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great book. Parker does a masterful and wonderful job of telling the story. The characters are robust, the feelings they feel are well written, and the beliefs they each have helped shape them to move in the ways that they do. Sometimes each of the character's aims are at odds with each other. More often than not, however, they are part of the bigger puzzle of the narrative Parker has in mind for the characters of Coldwater.
While I don't wish to tell any of the story of Coldwater to give anything away, what I can say is the actual main character of the book is Haywood. Something within Haywood is haywire. In my opinion the book should have solely focused on Haywood. Yet all the participants of the book take place in a very small, backwoods place called Coldwater.
Coldwater is one of those places that when read from start to finish will make your heart pound. You will end up having greater emotional ties to Michael, who is the protagonist of the story. It ends up making Haywood the antagonist, seeking to destroy Michael. Again, you must read the book to fully understand. This book is truly not for the faint of heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell as all opinions of the book are honest and unbiased.
January 10, 2019
Im speechless…..
I did not read the back of the book when I chose this book to read so I had NO idea what I was in for. “So Ashley, how then did you pick this book? Did you judge it by its cover?” No, in fact I didn’t which Im famous for. Fact is that I’m waiting on books to come out from some of my very favorite authors and so I did as I do when lost for what to read next, I checked out the Christy Award winners.
I have read 2 of the 3 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. The WINNER being “The House on Foster Hill” by Jamie Jo Wright which was SO good….like SO good and you can check my review out here. “Coldwater” being the second.
Spectacularly descriptive and gloriously chilling. Each word chosen to describe each character and their surroundings makes it simple and slightly unnerving to find yourself right in the middle of each page.
Michael Sullivan commits a terrible crime at a very young age and as a result is sent off to spend the rest of his childhood in prison. When he gets out he returns to the only place he knows. Coldwater. And the residents are not happy about it. As bits and pieces of Michaels past are revealed we also learn of a darkness that lurks with in him.
What is this darkness? Where did it come from? These and questions like them are what we spend almost all of the 315 pages trying to answer.
The battle between darkness and hope battles until the very end where, just like in our daily lives, mercy wins.
Mercy
Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
When someone who could harm you makes the choice to show love instead. Mercy, just like in this book seemingly comes from no where out of the woods and above all else saves.
I did not read the back of the book when I chose this book to read so I had NO idea what I was in for. “So Ashley, how then did you pick this book? Did you judge it by its cover?” No, in fact I didn’t which Im famous for. Fact is that I’m waiting on books to come out from some of my very favorite authors and so I did as I do when lost for what to read next, I checked out the Christy Award winners.
I have read 2 of the 3 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. The WINNER being “The House on Foster Hill” by Jamie Jo Wright which was SO good….like SO good and you can check my review out here. “Coldwater” being the second.
Spectacularly descriptive and gloriously chilling. Each word chosen to describe each character and their surroundings makes it simple and slightly unnerving to find yourself right in the middle of each page.
Michael Sullivan commits a terrible crime at a very young age and as a result is sent off to spend the rest of his childhood in prison. When he gets out he returns to the only place he knows. Coldwater. And the residents are not happy about it. As bits and pieces of Michaels past are revealed we also learn of a darkness that lurks with in him.
What is this darkness? Where did it come from? These and questions like them are what we spend almost all of the 315 pages trying to answer.
The battle between darkness and hope battles until the very end where, just like in our daily lives, mercy wins.
Mercy
Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
When someone who could harm you makes the choice to show love instead. Mercy, just like in this book seemingly comes from no where out of the woods and above all else saves.
January 29, 2018
-Written by my 16 year old son who is a reluctant reader but did enjoy this creepy read for the Christian market-
I’m not normally a reader of this genre but I was deeply interested in this book. It is a very invigorating read. The chapters are skillfully written to keep the reader from putting it down. It’s slightly haunting narrative gave the story a particularly hair-raising supernatural effect. The mystery and the plot points I will leave for the next reader to enjoy. As I said reading this genre is not normally my forte but I extremely enjoyed this book and it engaged my interest.
This book does not have a hopeful theme. The first page starts off dark and continues that thread throughout. Michael, the main character is not a good guy or town hero. He has a dark past and there is an evil always present with him. I did find the learning about his past intriguing. The town, which seemed to consider him the boogey man, was very complex themselves. None of them stood out as heroes and they had their own sins to contend with.
There is some descriptive violence and the story overall was chilling. Not for those who scare easily. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
I’m not normally a reader of this genre but I was deeply interested in this book. It is a very invigorating read. The chapters are skillfully written to keep the reader from putting it down. It’s slightly haunting narrative gave the story a particularly hair-raising supernatural effect. The mystery and the plot points I will leave for the next reader to enjoy. As I said reading this genre is not normally my forte but I extremely enjoyed this book and it engaged my interest.
This book does not have a hopeful theme. The first page starts off dark and continues that thread throughout. Michael, the main character is not a good guy or town hero. He has a dark past and there is an evil always present with him. I did find the learning about his past intriguing. The town, which seemed to consider him the boogey man, was very complex themselves. None of them stood out as heroes and they had their own sins to contend with.
There is some descriptive violence and the story overall was chilling. Not for those who scare easily. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
May 11, 2018
If you are a fan of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, or Alton Gansky this book is going to be right up your alley. The opening scene has the main character being buried alive. Yes . . . buried alive! Everyone's worst nightmare.
That opening scene was so intense that I just couldn't put the book down. And the intensity continued throughout the entire novel. The classification that the publisher gave it is suspense and it does contain that but there are also aspects of supernatural and thriller mixed in. I'm going to be honest and say that supernatural just isn't my thing but this story was so well written I couldn't help but keep going.
Have you ever wondered if redemption is possible for someone that has committed a heinous act? What does it look like in a practical sense? How does one go on after serving their time? Mr. Parker takes us on a journey that explores this. I found myself having an inner dialog while I was reading the story. How would I react? Where does my faith come in? This isn't a novel to make you comfortable but I guarantee it will make you think.
If you like a book that pushes the boundaries and leaves you a little uncomfortable while making you think then this book is for you. It does have intense themes so I would recommend it for older teens and up.
That opening scene was so intense that I just couldn't put the book down. And the intensity continued throughout the entire novel. The classification that the publisher gave it is suspense and it does contain that but there are also aspects of supernatural and thriller mixed in. I'm going to be honest and say that supernatural just isn't my thing but this story was so well written I couldn't help but keep going.
Have you ever wondered if redemption is possible for someone that has committed a heinous act? What does it look like in a practical sense? How does one go on after serving their time? Mr. Parker takes us on a journey that explores this. I found myself having an inner dialog while I was reading the story. How would I react? Where does my faith come in? This isn't a novel to make you comfortable but I guarantee it will make you think.
If you like a book that pushes the boundaries and leaves you a little uncomfortable while making you think then this book is for you. It does have intense themes so I would recommend it for older teens and up.
February 1, 2018
Coldwater, written by Samuel Parker, is a very intense dark thriller. The story starts out very slow and I kept wondering what was going on, but once I got into it, I found it hard to put down.
With the addition of twins in his family, Michael finds his parents to busy and to tired to give him the attention he needs. At just 10 years of age his parents leave him to watch his younger siblings and he orchestrates his brother's death. He is put in a high security prison with adults. His father dies, his mother loses touch with reality and his aunt takes his sister away to never talk about what happened.
Now Michael is back home and a group of men, lead by Haywood, take it upon themselves to get rid of Michael. When the attempt on his life fails, they find themselves on a search through the backwoods trying to find him before he brings harm to them. After days of searching for him and many different bad things happen, the men helping Haywood decide they don't want any more to do with the situation. They feel they should not have attempted to kill Michael in the beginning.
The story is not what I would have chosen to read had a little more information of the story been available. Once I got in to it, I found it very hard to put down. Being published by a Christian publishing company, I was expecting a story with a little inspirational. While this story does have a Christian message of redemption, the story is so intense, it may be overlooked.
This is a very dark violent, story. It is fast moving, well written story, with a lot of characters. The author leaves questions unanswered, leaving me to wonder if there will be a sequel. While this story is very well written, I would only recommend it to those who enjoy dark stories full of danger.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, this is my honest review.
With the addition of twins in his family, Michael finds his parents to busy and to tired to give him the attention he needs. At just 10 years of age his parents leave him to watch his younger siblings and he orchestrates his brother's death. He is put in a high security prison with adults. His father dies, his mother loses touch with reality and his aunt takes his sister away to never talk about what happened.
Now Michael is back home and a group of men, lead by Haywood, take it upon themselves to get rid of Michael. When the attempt on his life fails, they find themselves on a search through the backwoods trying to find him before he brings harm to them. After days of searching for him and many different bad things happen, the men helping Haywood decide they don't want any more to do with the situation. They feel they should not have attempted to kill Michael in the beginning.
The story is not what I would have chosen to read had a little more information of the story been available. Once I got in to it, I found it very hard to put down. Being published by a Christian publishing company, I was expecting a story with a little inspirational. While this story does have a Christian message of redemption, the story is so intense, it may be overlooked.
This is a very dark violent, story. It is fast moving, well written story, with a lot of characters. The author leaves questions unanswered, leaving me to wonder if there will be a sequel. While this story is very well written, I would only recommend it to those who enjoy dark stories full of danger.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, this is my honest review.
June 27, 2018
I loved this book. It grabbed me at the very beginning and had my attention til the very end. I couldn't get enough! It captivated me through my fears and ended with salvation and freedom. In between, isn't that what life is all about? Running our path in life whether it be towards or away from something or things; struggling to find our way through to acceptance, salvation, freedom? This book was very relatable and quite often I felt myself reacting to situations like the characters in the book did. I nearly lost my breath in the beginning, felt disgust and anger towards the main character, felt the revenge running through the sister's veins, the changed feelings of forgiveness, understanding, and softening of hearts towards the main character. The main character's simple yet emotional apology. This book was so descriptive and well written that emotions of characters could be felt. That's an amazingly difficult accomplishment! I can't wait for this author's next masterpiece!!
November 29, 2017
I received a complimentary copy of “Coldwater” to review from a Christian standpoint. I finished reading Coldwater three days ago and I have yet to fully decide if this book deserves to be on the Christian bookshelf. I liked the book and it would have easily scored a 5 star if I removed the low rating I gave it for the Christian message category. Michael is a very intriguing character. He carries a living sin within him that mysteriously kills living things near him. He is on the run from a lynch mob that faults Michael for every evil thing that happens in their town. Throughout the book there is no mention of salvation, faith or trust in God. When the “evil” finally leaves Michael there is no sense of his own redemption from a Christian standpoint. But overall, a very interesting and intriguing read – just not Christian.
October 6, 2018
This novel immediately drew me in... it started with a man buried alive trying to dig his way out of a coffin... what a great way to start a novel! I didn't know whether he was the protagonist or the antagonist, actually I didn't know all the way until the end the suspense was so real... the best part of the book was that it was a supernatural thriller, but it wasn't overdone like most books, it stayed almost biblical... it was very reigned in and that is what led me to give it a 5 on the rating scale. It was definitely a page-turner I finished it in two days, and if I hadn't had other things that I HAD to do, I would have read it through in one sitting... there was nothing so unbelievable that made me want to put the book down and say it was ridiculous. Very Good!
January 9, 2018
I have conflicting thoughts about Coldwater. It is an intriguing read, but yet confusing at times for me. There are some thrilling action scenes with hang on to your seat adventure and at times suspense filled mystery. I just do not believe it was completely my kind of read. I was hoping for a more spiritual type message, but that was not to be.
I do believe many will love Coldwater. However, it was just not for me.
I give this book 3 stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.
I do believe many will love Coldwater. However, it was just not for me.
I give this book 3 stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.
January 27, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot. Although, what held me back from fully committing 100% was the fact that I found myself not committed to the characters all the way. Which in turn was easy for my attention to be diverted by other things while reading. Yet, this was really the only factor for me.
The story was good. Michael was the only strong lead in my opinion. I was on his side all the way. He was not only smart but resilient as well. It was like he could not be killed. No matter how many times the bad guys tried, Michael popped back up. He came back stronger.
There is one thing that you can't accuse this book of lacking...action. From the beginning to the end, there was lots of movement. This made me very happy. While, this book did not fully hit the mark for me, I would read another book from this author.
The story was good. Michael was the only strong lead in my opinion. I was on his side all the way. He was not only smart but resilient as well. It was like he could not be killed. No matter how many times the bad guys tried, Michael popped back up. He came back stronger.
There is one thing that you can't accuse this book of lacking...action. From the beginning to the end, there was lots of movement. This made me very happy. While, this book did not fully hit the mark for me, I would read another book from this author.
February 11, 2018
This story was so very unique, and yet so powerful. A boy born with something residing in him that he can't remove, and it will not allow harm to come to him. One horrible act as a young boy begins a span of years being incarcerated for killing his brother, and then being ostracized and tormented by the town's residents when he is released and returns to the only home he knows. I especially loved the unexplained supernatural aspect that left us guessing what it is and where it comes from. Great book if you like KING or KOONTZ
August 6, 2020
A Thriller from Page One
I was hooked from the very beginning. It was written well. Loved the message. Good stand alone story! Worth the quick reading time.
I was hooked from the very beginning. It was written well. Loved the message. Good stand alone story! Worth the quick reading time.
October 12, 2025
Excellent book. A must read.
November 12, 2017
At first, I wasn't sure about this book, but the character of Michael was very gripping and I found myself compelled to keep turning the pages.
All Michael wanted was to be left alone to live out his life--but his past had at least one townsperson worked up enough to convince others to go along with him in "taking care of" the problem.
The book opens with Michael having to dig himself out of a grave. We soon learn that several men from the town are behind it--leaving me wondering what Michael had done to incur the townspeople's hatred even so many years later. (The author does answer this question within the book, but it is one of the plot twists so I won't reveal it here.)
At the same time, a woman comes to town, also intent on killing Michael for reasons of her own.
Finding out that others are hunting Michael forces her to examine her own motives. Meeting Michael brings out some of her compassion.
We also learn that Michael has an odd power by which everything around him slowly dies off (or in some cases quickly dies off). This left me wondering what the source of this power was--hereditary, supernatural, god given gift, demonic etc. The author also answers this question within the book, but again, it is a plot twist, so I won't reveal the answer here.
All in all it was a very satisfying read and I would read more by this author.
I received a copy of this book via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review.
All Michael wanted was to be left alone to live out his life--but his past had at least one townsperson worked up enough to convince others to go along with him in "taking care of" the problem.
The book opens with Michael having to dig himself out of a grave. We soon learn that several men from the town are behind it--leaving me wondering what Michael had done to incur the townspeople's hatred even so many years later. (The author does answer this question within the book, but it is one of the plot twists so I won't reveal it here.)
At the same time, a woman comes to town, also intent on killing Michael for reasons of her own.
Finding out that others are hunting Michael forces her to examine her own motives. Meeting Michael brings out some of her compassion.
We also learn that Michael has an odd power by which everything around him slowly dies off (or in some cases quickly dies off). This left me wondering what the source of this power was--hereditary, supernatural, god given gift, demonic etc. The author also answers this question within the book, but again, it is a plot twist, so I won't reveal the answer here.
All in all it was a very satisfying read and I would read more by this author.
I received a copy of this book via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2018
I liked the story in "Coldwater" and its underlining parallels to reality, but I was not a fan of the writing.
Full review on Janepedia.
Full review on Janepedia.
January 5, 2018
A pulse-pounding thrill ride that will haunt you past the last page and well into the night.
When Michael wakes up after being buried alive, he just wants to give up at first. He has spent half his life behind bars since before he was a teenager. Now, he has gone back to his home town hoping to live a quiet life and be left alone. The people of Coldwater have other ideas, set on seeking the punishment they feel the prison system lacked. Michael is trying to keep himself alive and figure out the dark powerful forces that are creeping inside him and destroying everything he comes in contact with. The only question now is whether or not he be able to stop it before it is too late.
From the extraordinary mind that brought us Purgatory Road comes the next dark and chilling tale that will be sure to keep readers up well past their bedtime. I was once again mesmerized by the work of Samuel Parker. His writing is so real and chilling that I find the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I turn each page. For a supernatural thriller to be this chilling and realistic is a feat not many can accomplish. After Purgatory Road, I knew I had to read what Samuel Parker wrote next and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. There are several aspects to this story: the darkness within us all, how we deal with said darkness, and also how our darkness can affect those around us in ways we may never know or understand. This is not a book for the faint of heart, readers need to be aware that it is dark and just might keep you up at night. With that being said, it is also a good look into the soul of man and a way to see just what we all need to see and be aware of about ourselves. I recommend this to readers wanting a look inside and willing to take what they see and use it for good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
When Michael wakes up after being buried alive, he just wants to give up at first. He has spent half his life behind bars since before he was a teenager. Now, he has gone back to his home town hoping to live a quiet life and be left alone. The people of Coldwater have other ideas, set on seeking the punishment they feel the prison system lacked. Michael is trying to keep himself alive and figure out the dark powerful forces that are creeping inside him and destroying everything he comes in contact with. The only question now is whether or not he be able to stop it before it is too late.
From the extraordinary mind that brought us Purgatory Road comes the next dark and chilling tale that will be sure to keep readers up well past their bedtime. I was once again mesmerized by the work of Samuel Parker. His writing is so real and chilling that I find the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I turn each page. For a supernatural thriller to be this chilling and realistic is a feat not many can accomplish. After Purgatory Road, I knew I had to read what Samuel Parker wrote next and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. There are several aspects to this story: the darkness within us all, how we deal with said darkness, and also how our darkness can affect those around us in ways we may never know or understand. This is not a book for the faint of heart, readers need to be aware that it is dark and just might keep you up at night. With that being said, it is also a good look into the soul of man and a way to see just what we all need to see and be aware of about ourselves. I recommend this to readers wanting a look inside and willing to take what they see and use it for good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
January 27, 2018
I received a free copy of the book as part of the blog tour. Opinions shared are mine.
Coldwater was all kinds of creepy. Perfect for fans of X-Files, Stranger Things, and Supernatural, the rich descriptions in this story set it apart from similar paranormal tales. As I read, I had alternating feelings of pity and compassion for Michael, while still wanting his ordeal to be over — which, obviously, would basically require his demise. What kind of quality of life did he enjoy, though? How can a man safely live completely separate from all society while being hunted like a wild animal?
Initially, I expected Coldwater to be a book brimming with Christian overtones. It wasn’t. In fact, those who didn’t expect this to be a religious book would have no idea that it’s even published by a faith-based publishing firm. Instead, Coldwater reaches beyond theology and religion; its message is about universal truths and ethics. The short chapters don’t allow the reader to get too absorbed in any of the characters. Instead, it’s a plot-driven story, one that left me unsettled and anxious with each turning page.
Spend a few moments in Coldwater. See if you’re up for the scare!
Coldwater was all kinds of creepy. Perfect for fans of X-Files, Stranger Things, and Supernatural, the rich descriptions in this story set it apart from similar paranormal tales. As I read, I had alternating feelings of pity and compassion for Michael, while still wanting his ordeal to be over — which, obviously, would basically require his demise. What kind of quality of life did he enjoy, though? How can a man safely live completely separate from all society while being hunted like a wild animal?
Initially, I expected Coldwater to be a book brimming with Christian overtones. It wasn’t. In fact, those who didn’t expect this to be a religious book would have no idea that it’s even published by a faith-based publishing firm. Instead, Coldwater reaches beyond theology and religion; its message is about universal truths and ethics. The short chapters don’t allow the reader to get too absorbed in any of the characters. Instead, it’s a plot-driven story, one that left me unsettled and anxious with each turning page.
Spend a few moments in Coldwater. See if you’re up for the scare!
January 22, 2018
This book drew me in when I got the Revell email back in December and I knew I had to read it. And then I had to wait to read it longer than anticipated due to delays and warehouse issues. And then the first couple of chapters hooked me in so hard that I could have been on the edge of my seat but let’s face it most of my reading is done in the car or laying in bed. (It’s a legit thing, go with it.) And then … I got lost somewhere in the mix. In the first 10% or so of the book I was waiting for everything to pounce. Kristin’s book hadn’t come yet but I compelled her to go online and read the first chapter (even told her where to find it) I was so all in, so to speak. She didn’t compel and I didn’t hold onto that feeling. Let me tell ya why…
Michael is a man with a past. A man who committed such a great sin and paid the price for that sin, in more ways than one. Michael is a complex character with multiple motivations as he grows from a child (in prison no less) to a man trying to find a balance of normalcy in the ‘outside’. As such a complex man I really feel like I lacked in finding a balance of who he actually was. Outside of, of course, escaping from his pursuers (and there were a few) throughout the story. The ‘posse’ (for lack of a better word) that pursued him were a mixed bag that I didn’t really get a good depth of their character. Herd mentality comes to mind a bit with a strong leader who has all the wrong motivations who brings others into his twisted need to find ‘justice’. Others who aren’t quite as committed to the idea as he is. After leaving me hanging on the edge for a bit the story fell into the pattern of people running through the woods, running from something, to something, away from someone, always running.
Here’s the skinny, I was halfway through the book and still didn’t ‘get it’. I mean I get that Michael had this power, for lack of a better word. A power he didn’t control, that perhaps he didn’t quite understand, but a power that affected his entire ability to exist in the world with others and created the ‘posse’ turning on him. I began to assume maybe he was like possessed or something but it was never truly made clear. Even at the end there were so many things that I still felt in the dark about. There were some interesting twists and turns throughout the last half the book and the ending wasn’t exactly near anything I saw coming but ultimately feel like I spent 300ish pages running through the woods and beating people up and running some more. Some things came full circle, some things I don’t know that even a re-read will help me understand. I may re-read it though just to attempt to figure things out but, while I felt the thrill of this book, I also almost feel like it could be a squeaky clean horror novel more than just a thriller. I also feel like there is assuredly an audience out there that will embrace this book and love it and laud it’s amazingness. It’s hard to find truly clean thrillers (or horror). Yes there is violence but it’s not over the top or gory. I’m not all in on that audience, I am slightly a sliver in so to speak.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.com/coldwa....
Michael is a man with a past. A man who committed such a great sin and paid the price for that sin, in more ways than one. Michael is a complex character with multiple motivations as he grows from a child (in prison no less) to a man trying to find a balance of normalcy in the ‘outside’. As such a complex man I really feel like I lacked in finding a balance of who he actually was. Outside of, of course, escaping from his pursuers (and there were a few) throughout the story. The ‘posse’ (for lack of a better word) that pursued him were a mixed bag that I didn’t really get a good depth of their character. Herd mentality comes to mind a bit with a strong leader who has all the wrong motivations who brings others into his twisted need to find ‘justice’. Others who aren’t quite as committed to the idea as he is. After leaving me hanging on the edge for a bit the story fell into the pattern of people running through the woods, running from something, to something, away from someone, always running.
Here’s the skinny, I was halfway through the book and still didn’t ‘get it’. I mean I get that Michael had this power, for lack of a better word. A power he didn’t control, that perhaps he didn’t quite understand, but a power that affected his entire ability to exist in the world with others and created the ‘posse’ turning on him. I began to assume maybe he was like possessed or something but it was never truly made clear. Even at the end there were so many things that I still felt in the dark about. There were some interesting twists and turns throughout the last half the book and the ending wasn’t exactly near anything I saw coming but ultimately feel like I spent 300ish pages running through the woods and beating people up and running some more. Some things came full circle, some things I don’t know that even a re-read will help me understand. I may re-read it though just to attempt to figure things out but, while I felt the thrill of this book, I also almost feel like it could be a squeaky clean horror novel more than just a thriller. I also feel like there is assuredly an audience out there that will embrace this book and love it and laud it’s amazingness. It’s hard to find truly clean thrillers (or horror). Yes there is violence but it’s not over the top or gory. I’m not all in on that audience, I am slightly a sliver in so to speak.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.com/coldwa....
January 24, 2018
I was interested to read Coldwater, by Samuel Parker, because, to be honest, I can't remember the last time I've read a fiction book by a male author. This is Parker's second suspense novel, praised as "pulse-pounding" and "spine-rattling", and its story revolves around Michael, a man who has recently been released from prison and returns to his childhood hometown of Coldwater, where a group of men who know Michael's past have decided to take justice into their own hands and a woman from out of town has hidden motives for the same.
Coldwater is fast-paced and gripping, mostly because, at least for me, the story begs many questions and as a reader I wanted to see how it ended, hoping for answers. There are some twists and surprises that certainly held my interest, but in the end, I admit I was left feeling confused and perplexed, without satisfactory resolution or explanation, and I found the overall story too disconcerting and dark to be enjoyable. Michael has some sort of black magic/voodoo/evil force "thing" inside him that harms or kills anyone who poses a threat to him, and also kills plant life, etc., around him (he leaves a trail of "dying off", as one character puts it). Is he supposed to be demon possessed?—I still don't know. There are some other vague references to sin, death, mercy, and justice, but there is no mention of God or redemption, etc., and the few instances hope is mentioned are fleeting and vague as well. Is this story supposed to be symbolic or allegorical?—I still don't know. On another note, I also thought the story needed more explanation regarding Michael's past, as well as the motives behind the men who determined it necessary to kill him; not understanding the backstory or connections among characters left me unable to empathize with them, let alone accept their courses of action.
As I was reading Coldwater, I kept wondering if I was missing something, and having finished it, I'm wondering the same thing. So, while this book may be a "pulse-pounding, spine-rattling tale of vengeance and justice" (albeit it lacks any clear distinction between the two), it left too many questions unanswered in my mind, not to mention being dark and hopeless, for me to enjoy it. Note there is some (not too detailed) content related to violence, murder, and a car accident, as well as references to suicide and attempted murder. Also note this book may not appeal to the usual readers of Revell (which, as I double checked, publishes "books that are both inspirational and practical").
Disclaimer: This book was received for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review. Note as with all reviews and references, I do not necessarily agree with (or am even aware of) any or all of the beliefs, views, etc. of the author; please read my disclaimer here.
Coldwater is fast-paced and gripping, mostly because, at least for me, the story begs many questions and as a reader I wanted to see how it ended, hoping for answers. There are some twists and surprises that certainly held my interest, but in the end, I admit I was left feeling confused and perplexed, without satisfactory resolution or explanation, and I found the overall story too disconcerting and dark to be enjoyable. Michael has some sort of black magic/voodoo/evil force "thing" inside him that harms or kills anyone who poses a threat to him, and also kills plant life, etc., around him (he leaves a trail of "dying off", as one character puts it). Is he supposed to be demon possessed?—I still don't know. There are some other vague references to sin, death, mercy, and justice, but there is no mention of God or redemption, etc., and the few instances hope is mentioned are fleeting and vague as well. Is this story supposed to be symbolic or allegorical?—I still don't know. On another note, I also thought the story needed more explanation regarding Michael's past, as well as the motives behind the men who determined it necessary to kill him; not understanding the backstory or connections among characters left me unable to empathize with them, let alone accept their courses of action.
As I was reading Coldwater, I kept wondering if I was missing something, and having finished it, I'm wondering the same thing. So, while this book may be a "pulse-pounding, spine-rattling tale of vengeance and justice" (albeit it lacks any clear distinction between the two), it left too many questions unanswered in my mind, not to mention being dark and hopeless, for me to enjoy it. Note there is some (not too detailed) content related to violence, murder, and a car accident, as well as references to suicide and attempted murder. Also note this book may not appeal to the usual readers of Revell (which, as I double checked, publishes "books that are both inspirational and practical").
Disclaimer: This book was received for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review. Note as with all reviews and references, I do not necessarily agree with (or am even aware of) any or all of the beliefs, views, etc. of the author; please read my disclaimer here.
January 22, 2018
Coldwater by Samuel Parker is an intense, gritty, emotionally-charged read. It definitely ain’t your grandmother’s Christian fiction. More on the lines of Peretti, Dekker, or Dellosso, this novel will stretch your view of sin, justice, and the spiritual implications of both. It is an excellent novel, but it will not be for everyone.
Michael Sullian committed a horrible crime while just a child. The justice system didn’t really know what to do with him, so he was sentenced to a super-max jail. Now 20 years later he has been released, but not everyone believes that justice has been served.
Coldwater can be described as a supernatural thriller. There are lots of incidents that cannot be explained away by coincidence or natural phenomenon. The short chapters and Parker’s writing style create a fast-paced narrative. The main character is very complex — he wrestles with guilt of his past crime and a fragile hope of a someday redemption. The other characters in the novel vary in their complexity — some being just what you see, while others are on a journey as fraught with danger as Michael. While the novel is action-packed, Michael’s story unfolds slowly. Bits and pieces are revealed in such a way that kept this reader turning the pages to find out just what was going on. There are a number of spiritual themes in the book — justice vs. revenge, redemption vs. condemnation being just a few. There is a lot of demonic activity, yet God is never mentioned. I’m not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand the novel is a strong statement on how human choice is the opening for sin. On the other, the release Michael receives hinges on forgiveness, but forgiveness by whom is the question. There are a lot of things left unsaid in Coldwater, leaving me feeling like there should have been more. But that may have been the aim of the author all along. This book certainly left me thinking of things I haven’t thought before.
There are certain elements of Michael’s life following his crime that reminded me of Cain’s judgment by God. I don’t want to go into specifics due to spoilers, but if you read Coldwater, make sure to go back and read Genesis chapter 4 as well. On the subject of sin, there is one quote that resonated with me — We gloss over our own sins, softening their edges, while assuming the sins of other are forever razor sharp and at the ready to slash our throats. Coldwater will have you looking at sin in a new way, especially the consequences.
So should you read Coldwater? If you are not a fan of darkly intense suspense novels with supernatural elements, I would say you need to give this one a pass. I found Coldwater to be chilling, disturbing and riveting. It gets a recommended rating from me.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Michael Sullian committed a horrible crime while just a child. The justice system didn’t really know what to do with him, so he was sentenced to a super-max jail. Now 20 years later he has been released, but not everyone believes that justice has been served.
Coldwater can be described as a supernatural thriller. There are lots of incidents that cannot be explained away by coincidence or natural phenomenon. The short chapters and Parker’s writing style create a fast-paced narrative. The main character is very complex — he wrestles with guilt of his past crime and a fragile hope of a someday redemption. The other characters in the novel vary in their complexity — some being just what you see, while others are on a journey as fraught with danger as Michael. While the novel is action-packed, Michael’s story unfolds slowly. Bits and pieces are revealed in such a way that kept this reader turning the pages to find out just what was going on. There are a number of spiritual themes in the book — justice vs. revenge, redemption vs. condemnation being just a few. There is a lot of demonic activity, yet God is never mentioned. I’m not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand the novel is a strong statement on how human choice is the opening for sin. On the other, the release Michael receives hinges on forgiveness, but forgiveness by whom is the question. There are a lot of things left unsaid in Coldwater, leaving me feeling like there should have been more. But that may have been the aim of the author all along. This book certainly left me thinking of things I haven’t thought before.
There are certain elements of Michael’s life following his crime that reminded me of Cain’s judgment by God. I don’t want to go into specifics due to spoilers, but if you read Coldwater, make sure to go back and read Genesis chapter 4 as well. On the subject of sin, there is one quote that resonated with me — We gloss over our own sins, softening their edges, while assuming the sins of other are forever razor sharp and at the ready to slash our throats. Coldwater will have you looking at sin in a new way, especially the consequences.
So should you read Coldwater? If you are not a fan of darkly intense suspense novels with supernatural elements, I would say you need to give this one a pass. I found Coldwater to be chilling, disturbing and riveting. It gets a recommended rating from me.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
January 31, 2018
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Content Review:
Christian or Secular: Closer to secular with Christian undertones
Profanity: None
Sex: None
Violence: Mild
Trigger Warnings: Some readers may be disturbed by content including demon possession, attempted assault, murder, and attempted murder.
Disclosure: This book has subtle undertones that could be taken as a Christian message. However, there's no mention of God or conversion. It is my opinion that this book could be enjoyed by secular audiences and I would classify it more as a clean supernatural thriller.
My Honest Thoughts
The synopsis of this book pulled me in from the start. It's so different from anything that I normally read and I've been challenging myself to branch out and try new authors. My good friend picked the same book and she happened to read it a couple of weeks before I did. She scared me to death by proclaiming that this book was closer to "clean horror" than a Christian suspense. I'll admit it now, I'm a big scaredy cat so I didn't know whether I'd like this book or not.
But, I honestly did. It is quite a bit different from the books I normally read—even the suspense that I've picked up in the last year. Michael is a man who is haunted by his past. A man living in his own personal hell. A man who desires redemption and freedom from the darkness that possesses him.
Newly released from prison, Michael is now hunted by men who fear him. They take it upon themselves to "save" the community from the evil that they know to be in Michael.
Though it never delves into anything remotely Biblical, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the story of the Gadarene demoniac discussed in the gospels.
There is no conversion, no salvation, no mention of Christ. Yet, the story of self-sacrifice and the message of hope was there for me. It wasn't in your face but it was there. There was also an underlying message there to guard our hearts. A warning that justification of our own sins may open our own souls to darkness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have rated it five-star had it not been that I felt the story lagged a bit in Michael's flight. He was on the run—I get that—I just felt that the pace slowed down and I wanted to get back to the story. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. I would definitely read this author again and I would suggest this book to others who enjoy a clean supernatural read.
The faith content is so subtle that some Christians may desire a less covert approach. However, those who simply enjoy a clean read may appreciate the subtility.
This review was originally posted on A Simply Enchanted Life
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell Reads. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.
Content Review:
Christian or Secular: Closer to secular with Christian undertones
Profanity: None
Sex: None
Violence: Mild
Trigger Warnings: Some readers may be disturbed by content including demon possession, attempted assault, murder, and attempted murder.
Disclosure: This book has subtle undertones that could be taken as a Christian message. However, there's no mention of God or conversion. It is my opinion that this book could be enjoyed by secular audiences and I would classify it more as a clean supernatural thriller.
My Honest Thoughts
The synopsis of this book pulled me in from the start. It's so different from anything that I normally read and I've been challenging myself to branch out and try new authors. My good friend picked the same book and she happened to read it a couple of weeks before I did. She scared me to death by proclaiming that this book was closer to "clean horror" than a Christian suspense. I'll admit it now, I'm a big scaredy cat so I didn't know whether I'd like this book or not.
But, I honestly did. It is quite a bit different from the books I normally read—even the suspense that I've picked up in the last year. Michael is a man who is haunted by his past. A man living in his own personal hell. A man who desires redemption and freedom from the darkness that possesses him.
Newly released from prison, Michael is now hunted by men who fear him. They take it upon themselves to "save" the community from the evil that they know to be in Michael.
Though it never delves into anything remotely Biblical, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the story of the Gadarene demoniac discussed in the gospels.
There is no conversion, no salvation, no mention of Christ. Yet, the story of self-sacrifice and the message of hope was there for me. It wasn't in your face but it was there. There was also an underlying message there to guard our hearts. A warning that justification of our own sins may open our own souls to darkness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have rated it five-star had it not been that I felt the story lagged a bit in Michael's flight. He was on the run—I get that—I just felt that the pace slowed down and I wanted to get back to the story. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. I would definitely read this author again and I would suggest this book to others who enjoy a clean supernatural read.
The faith content is so subtle that some Christians may desire a less covert approach. However, those who simply enjoy a clean read may appreciate the subtility.
This review was originally posted on A Simply Enchanted Life
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell Reads. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.
January 12, 2018
Have you ever read a book where you are not sure where it is going? Where there seems to be no certain protagonist or antagonist? Where the plot is undetermined except to move forward in a perpetual chase? Have you ever read a book where the driving question seems to be, "What is going on?" That is what reading this book by Samuel Parker made me feel.
I'm not saying this in a negative sense. Some authors make their plots and characters easy to figure out and predict to varying degrees. That is not true with this story. There's a looming question mark hovering over the events as you read on. Yet the action drives the reader to continue if for no other reason than to try to make sense of what the characters were doing. The author is determined to show rather than tell what is occurring.
Dotted throughout the tale were rare "Ah ha!" moments of insight, motive or reasons. But for the most part, the action moves forward relentlessly without explanation or narrative. It caused me to pause once in awhile and reflect back to a writing style used in the '50's and '60's in programs where they used only words and the unknown to develop expectations without special effects. The Twilight Zone and possibly Outer Limits were examples of this. Alfred Hitchcock, writer/producer of thrillers and melodramas, could produce the same effects. The results were often unpredictable and sometimes left the viewer pondering.
I'll be the first to admit this would not be a book I would have chosen to read for myself. That is the consequences of entering a review program and trusting someone else's choices. But ultimately, it worked out well. This book stretched my tolerance for suspense since suspense is the main driving force in this story. The events are strange, creepy and dark. And there is a message, but it's subtle. And even though the book is dark, it is not a horror story, nor gruesome or filled with blood lust. There is definitely some kind of spiritual warfare going on, but the author does not comment on it.
There is a resolution of a sorts for this story. The events do come to an end. This is not a happy book, so you can't really call the ending a happily ever after (HEA). Rather, it is a serious book with suspenseful momentum. Eventually it resolves but leaves the reader in a pondering state where we are allowed to come to our own conclusions. I'd like to offer kudos to the superb writing talent of author Samuel Parker.
I'm not saying this in a negative sense. Some authors make their plots and characters easy to figure out and predict to varying degrees. That is not true with this story. There's a looming question mark hovering over the events as you read on. Yet the action drives the reader to continue if for no other reason than to try to make sense of what the characters were doing. The author is determined to show rather than tell what is occurring.
Dotted throughout the tale were rare "Ah ha!" moments of insight, motive or reasons. But for the most part, the action moves forward relentlessly without explanation or narrative. It caused me to pause once in awhile and reflect back to a writing style used in the '50's and '60's in programs where they used only words and the unknown to develop expectations without special effects. The Twilight Zone and possibly Outer Limits were examples of this. Alfred Hitchcock, writer/producer of thrillers and melodramas, could produce the same effects. The results were often unpredictable and sometimes left the viewer pondering.
I'll be the first to admit this would not be a book I would have chosen to read for myself. That is the consequences of entering a review program and trusting someone else's choices. But ultimately, it worked out well. This book stretched my tolerance for suspense since suspense is the main driving force in this story. The events are strange, creepy and dark. And there is a message, but it's subtle. And even though the book is dark, it is not a horror story, nor gruesome or filled with blood lust. There is definitely some kind of spiritual warfare going on, but the author does not comment on it.
There is a resolution of a sorts for this story. The events do come to an end. This is not a happy book, so you can't really call the ending a happily ever after (HEA). Rather, it is a serious book with suspenseful momentum. Eventually it resolves but leaves the reader in a pondering state where we are allowed to come to our own conclusions. I'd like to offer kudos to the superb writing talent of author Samuel Parker.
January 11, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Interviews and Reviews Website as well as the author (Samuel Parker) and publisher (Revell). What follows is an honest review.
It is very hard to talk about this book without giving away major plot points. The story opens with a man in a pine box struggling to get out. It is the start of many struggles that this man will go through in his life for the next few days.
Branded a murderer as a child and sent to jail, he is released as an adult and tries to live by himself at his home, venturing out to a bar once a week for a drink. This does not sit well with the locals, and they want him dead, so that is why we find him in a box in the opening.
Characters are quite well developed in this book, even the minor ones. There was no one sided character in the book. We got to see what made them tick and why they were the way they were.
The plot was excellent. When I thought that the author could not pull out a new twist to the story anymore, he still did. It was an excellent thrill ride through why these people were like they were. Nothing was out of place. Each new reveal went with the others. It was just well written. The only reason that I put it down once I started was that was bedtime, or I had work to do. It just latched on and would not let go.
One surprise to me was that the website that allowed me to request a review copy of the book is a Christian website. The books at this site are generally Christian books and Revell is a Christian publishing organization. With that I was expecting some mention of Christianity but it was just not there in the story straight out. As I thought about it, the story could seem a little allegorical. I cannot talk about why I feel that way because it would give away major plot points. But there is a big need for empathy and forgiveness in this story. The story revolves around if the main character will get them, but also the need for them from some of the minor ones.
I highly recommend this book with the understanding that there is a lot of death in it. For that reason if it was a movie (and I could see this becoming one) it would at least get a PG-13 rating. Drinking is done but not glorified. Sex is non-existent. If death bothers you this might be a book to avoid.
It is very hard to talk about this book without giving away major plot points. The story opens with a man in a pine box struggling to get out. It is the start of many struggles that this man will go through in his life for the next few days.
Branded a murderer as a child and sent to jail, he is released as an adult and tries to live by himself at his home, venturing out to a bar once a week for a drink. This does not sit well with the locals, and they want him dead, so that is why we find him in a box in the opening.
Characters are quite well developed in this book, even the minor ones. There was no one sided character in the book. We got to see what made them tick and why they were the way they were.
The plot was excellent. When I thought that the author could not pull out a new twist to the story anymore, he still did. It was an excellent thrill ride through why these people were like they were. Nothing was out of place. Each new reveal went with the others. It was just well written. The only reason that I put it down once I started was that was bedtime, or I had work to do. It just latched on and would not let go.
One surprise to me was that the website that allowed me to request a review copy of the book is a Christian website. The books at this site are generally Christian books and Revell is a Christian publishing organization. With that I was expecting some mention of Christianity but it was just not there in the story straight out. As I thought about it, the story could seem a little allegorical. I cannot talk about why I feel that way because it would give away major plot points. But there is a big need for empathy and forgiveness in this story. The story revolves around if the main character will get them, but also the need for them from some of the minor ones.
I highly recommend this book with the understanding that there is a lot of death in it. For that reason if it was a movie (and I could see this becoming one) it would at least get a PG-13 rating. Drinking is done but not glorified. Sex is non-existent. If death bothers you this might be a book to avoid.
January 23, 2018
I may be one of the few who really got the meaning of this book. I thought it was brilliant writing and I’m still shaking after reading it. I’ve read a few reviews which said they didn’t like it because it was published by a Christian Publishing company with no scripture reference through the entire book. I’m reviewing the book on the context not what I think should be in there. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you have to only read books that quote scripture or reference God. The book was an awakening to me because out there is evil. It is right beside us everyday, it sneaks into our thoughts and can consume us at anytime.
From the beginning of the book, I knew it was going to be a dark almost demonic book. I wasn’t prepared for the depth the author took readers to. I shivered as the book opened with someone realizing they have been buried alive. My heart beat faster as I imagined being that person trapped. I would be going crazy trying to get out. Michael is the one trapped and I felt every scratch he made as he tried to crawl out of what must have felt like hell.
I loved Michael because the author wrote him so well. He is a very troubled soul who all his life felt a desperate need to be wanted. The horrific crime he commits as a child is unthinkable. I did find it odd that he would be sent to a prison with adults but as I read the story, I understood the purpose. Do you believe in guardian angels? Are there demonic spirits around waiting to devour us? Michael has known nothing but what it feels like to locked away with just your thoughts for years. What happens when he returns to the town he once lived in? The book is undeniably dark, scary and delivers a message that there is good and evil in this world. Michael must fight from inside him to rid the darkness. Is he strong enough to survive? Can he control the darkness that lives deep inside, or will it destroy anytjung in its path? I must applaud the author for his upfront take on a subject very few write about. I loved his candor and thought the characters were suspenseful and strong. This is one of the best thrillers I have have ever read on this subject. I hope to find more books from this talented author.
I received a copy of this book from The Revell Blogging Program. The review is my own opinion.
From the beginning of the book, I knew it was going to be a dark almost demonic book. I wasn’t prepared for the depth the author took readers to. I shivered as the book opened with someone realizing they have been buried alive. My heart beat faster as I imagined being that person trapped. I would be going crazy trying to get out. Michael is the one trapped and I felt every scratch he made as he tried to crawl out of what must have felt like hell.
I loved Michael because the author wrote him so well. He is a very troubled soul who all his life felt a desperate need to be wanted. The horrific crime he commits as a child is unthinkable. I did find it odd that he would be sent to a prison with adults but as I read the story, I understood the purpose. Do you believe in guardian angels? Are there demonic spirits around waiting to devour us? Michael has known nothing but what it feels like to locked away with just your thoughts for years. What happens when he returns to the town he once lived in? The book is undeniably dark, scary and delivers a message that there is good and evil in this world. Michael must fight from inside him to rid the darkness. Is he strong enough to survive? Can he control the darkness that lives deep inside, or will it destroy anytjung in its path? I must applaud the author for his upfront take on a subject very few write about. I loved his candor and thought the characters were suspenseful and strong. This is one of the best thrillers I have have ever read on this subject. I hope to find more books from this talented author.
I received a copy of this book from The Revell Blogging Program. The review is my own opinion.
August 24, 2018
I was invited to join the Blog Tour Team for Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group for today's post about, Coldwater by Samuel Parker. I had never heard of Mr. Parker before, and when I read more about him, I was super excited to read this book. Unfortunately, the book was late in arriving and by the time it did arrive, it fell into my "TBR" ("to be read") stack of books. Now that I've been powering through that stack of books, I wanted to be sure and share with you about Coldwater.
Coldwater is a stand-alone novel set in a small rural town. The opening scene was so intense that I just couldn't put the book down.... and so it began:
The main character is Michael, who was sent to prison at the age of 10 years old for killing his 7 year old brother. The book starts with Michael's release from prison. Everyone in the town he grew up in is afraid of him and there's a group of men determined to kill him before anyone else is harmed. Had those townsfolk left Michael alone, I suspect the deaths and violent chaos would never have happened.
Michael is on the run, but it takes us several chapters, to learn why. Readers don't get everything all at once, but instead, the author gives us small doses of important information that could change readers' opinion of who Michael really is. This story shows readers exactly what fear can do and what it can cause people to do.
I wasn't expecting it to be all about a preacher or a church or anything, but while this book was clean and free from any bad language, there was no Christian theme or talk of God and Christianity. Nonetheless, I found Coldwater by Samuel Parker a very interesting read! The ending was so awesome. I felt justice was done, but then the evil continues. This is a tale of vengeance and justice that will have readers up all night. If you enjoy thrillers that hold you in its grasp from beginning until bitter end, pick up your copy of Coldwater.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for this, my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, but chose to since the book was a great read!
Coldwater is a stand-alone novel set in a small rural town. The opening scene was so intense that I just couldn't put the book down.... and so it began:
The main character is Michael, who was sent to prison at the age of 10 years old for killing his 7 year old brother. The book starts with Michael's release from prison. Everyone in the town he grew up in is afraid of him and there's a group of men determined to kill him before anyone else is harmed. Had those townsfolk left Michael alone, I suspect the deaths and violent chaos would never have happened.
Michael is on the run, but it takes us several chapters, to learn why. Readers don't get everything all at once, but instead, the author gives us small doses of important information that could change readers' opinion of who Michael really is. This story shows readers exactly what fear can do and what it can cause people to do.
I wasn't expecting it to be all about a preacher or a church or anything, but while this book was clean and free from any bad language, there was no Christian theme or talk of God and Christianity. Nonetheless, I found Coldwater by Samuel Parker a very interesting read! The ending was so awesome. I felt justice was done, but then the evil continues. This is a tale of vengeance and justice that will have readers up all night. If you enjoy thrillers that hold you in its grasp from beginning until bitter end, pick up your copy of Coldwater.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for this, my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, but chose to since the book was a great read!
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