Book Review: Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock

Shadow in Serenity is the story of Carny Sullivan who grew up in the world of a traveling carnival.  The peaceful, Mayberry-like, town of Serenity, Texas has given her a home, a life and a child.

Logan Brisco is the smoothest, most handsome man Serenity has seen.  But Carny is smart, and knows a con artist when she sees one, and see has seen plenty of them, starting with her father.  What is strange for Carny is that she seems to be the only person in the entire town to see through the Italian shoes, smooth talking and movie star smile.  Logan has the town completely under his finger.

Carny is determined to reveal Brisco's true colors before his promise to the townspeople of part ownership in an amusement park bleeds this town dry.  The problem is that as much as she hates his ways there is a man behind that facade, one who may win her heart, whether she wants him to or not.

The publishers note says this is a modern telling of Music Man, I'm unfamiliar with that story so I can't say for sure whether or not it is.  But what I can tell you is that I really enjoyed this book.  I think it's hard to find a book that tells a story you haven't heard before, or presents it in a new way.  And this book was a new take on a familiar story.  I found myself loving the town of Serenity and all of it's inhabitants.

Were there parts of the book I didn't like?  Yes, there were a few spots that seemed slow.  There was a chapter that didn't seem necessary to the plot line so I skimmed it.  There was one piece that seemed to change rather quickly in my mind, but the rest of the story made up for it (sorry, spoilers).

Originally published as a secular novel under a different title, Shadow in Serenity is a sweet story about forgiveness, God's grace, and the power of a second chance.

Zondervan provided me with a complimentary copy of the e-book for review purposes.  I was not paid for my review and am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

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