A Slow Burn: A Novel 2

by Mary E. DeMuth

Book Overview

"Beautifully and sensitively written, her characters realistic and well-developed. Mary DeMuth has a true gift for showing how God's light can penetrate even the darkest of situations." - Chuck Colson... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310278376
• ISBN13: 9780310278375
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A voice in the wilderness

Our journey here on earth is not a fairytale filled with perfect people and happy-ever-after, syrupy endings. Few authors dare to touch on the subjects of child abuse, drugs, alcohol, mental disorders, and family dysfunction. The time is now for the church to realize that one in three women sitting on the pews experienced some form of abuse. Dysfunction is everywhere and in most households "normal" is only found on the dishwasher selection cycle. Bravo to Mary DeMuth, one of the finest fiction authors within the Christian marketplace, for stepping out in faith to awake the church to truth: The measure of a person's life is not how well they cover up their flaws. Rather, the measure of a person's life is measured by how far they have come by the grace of God. DeMuth's fresh, vulnerable, from-the-heart writing is a much-needed voice from the wilderness of truth. She reminds readers that Jesus did not come to make the perfect more perfect. He came to set the captives free. DeMuth's captivating lyrical style, interwoven with real-life characters, exposes the dirty little secrets tucked away in the hearts of the broken and wounded while placing the Light of Jesus on grace, forgiveness and redemption. I highly recommend both Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn. They will change the way broken people are viewed and provide hope and healing to all.

Demuth Delivers!

After I had finished reading Mary E. Demuth's first book in the Defiance Texas Trilogy, "Daisy Chain," I wasn't sure the author could meet the new standard that she herself had set for Christian fiction. I was overwhelmingly surprised as "A Slow Burn" captured my heart and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. A missing girl turns Defiance, Texas and those who love her inside out. When death finds her, all of the unanswered questions create a whirlwind of distress that no one could have ever imagined. Jed Pepper faces an enemy; he may have thought it was his father, but he learns there are greater forces at work than those that are seen. Emory believes her life is over after the loss of her daughter, but from beyond the grave God's purposes prevail; her life is only beginning. Ouisie thinks life couldn't get worse, yet when it does, God uses her anger and pain to ultimately bless her betrayer. In an effort to display God's glory, Demuth takes you to hell's doorstep. You briefly look in and get a glimpse of the pain, emptiness, and desperation that comes from being separated from God. Just when it is almost too much to bear, Demuth gently draws you back into the loving arms of God. "A Slow Burn" brings you face to face with a sovereign God who is not moved by circumstances, but by faith. Through the captive story telling of Mary E. Demuth you find yourself face to face with the God who is faithful; He truly works all things together for good. Demuth's writing is brilliant and her message vital; God takes it all...the pain, the shame, the brokenness, and He works with even a little faith. Good luck putting this one down! You'll find yourself finishing this book and begging for more. Let's all hope Mary is diligently at work on the third book! :)

A Slow Burn That Takes Off Quickly

What would you do if you were called to the morgue to identify the body of your thirteen-year-old daughter? What emotions would course through your soul as you were hit with the realization your drug and alcohol abuse may have played a part in the loss of your only child? What guilt might you attribute to her young friend, Jed, who was the last person to see her alive? Emory Chance is a mother living through such an unthinkable situation. She seeks to find out who murdered her daughter, and why. Things like this just don't happen in their small Texas town. Others deal with problems of their own: Hixon, a man who believes God has told him to marry Emory, though they have little in common, and Jed, the boy reeling under the regret of not walking his friend home after they had last played together. The lives of these three characters intersect in unusual ways, up to the last pages of the book. A Slow Burn is the sequel to Mary DeMuth's novel, Daisy Chain. It's important to read them in the correct order. Ms. DeMuth's writing is stellar--deep and flowing. The characters come alive and may remind you of people you've known in your past. Huge topics of forgiveness, regret, guilt, and blame are dealt with. This book will grab your emotions and give them a hard twist before leaving you with a satisfying ending. The two books would make a wonderful Christmas present. I give A Slow Burn one of my rare five-star ratings!

Raw Dedemption and SO much more. . . .

A Slow Burn Book Two Mary DeMuth Zondervan Copyright © by Mary E. DeMuth This is the second in a trilogy about 13 - year old Daisy, who was murdered in the first book, Daisy Chain. This book takes you through angry, un-swept, tear wet pathways of redemption. Forgiveness and life change are definite themes throughout the book. Emory, Daisy's mother is the main focus and a much greater understanding of who she is gets explained. For me, she went from a distant neighbor to more of a woman needing a friend stronger than her sins. She battles drug addiction, guilt and her fair share of anger and she also relives a lot of memories of growing up. Hixon, a favorite of mine from the start really shines in this book. The way he loves, his devotion to God even when no one was looking and the fruit of the Lord's Spirit in his life was wonderful. Many others are seen more clearly this time around and Jed Pepper's mother Ouisie shows more power than the first time around. Speaking of Jed, I welcomed him with "open arms" when he shows up. One thing I noticed in all of those who made up this story is how not one of them are all good guys or all bad guys. They all do good and bad . . . just like those of us who walk outside the pages of a book. The book is fiction but there is truth found nestled in places. Like a place where Hixon reflects on a time God gave him words for a troubled teen he took in and loved. "He's an orphan. He is wounded. All he knows is self- protection. All he knows how to do is push back. He cannot trust on his own. Your love must come longer and stronger than his resistance." Dealing with hurting souls myself (and haven't we all experienced pain within?) and being connected with others who do the same makes counsel like this stand out. Shine through. My favorite part of the book is when Ouisie comes over to help Emory clean. There was something comforting about the scrubbing, creating order and making the rented house more a home. I will be glad to finally have things revealed in the last book and look forward to reading it and finding out who the main characters will be! Sandy W. [...]

A Slow Burn holds keys to life's greatest struggles

Author Mary DeMuth captures the essence of living with guilt and addictions against the pleasures of God's grace and love. In her second book in the series Mary allows the reader to experience the pain of a mother losing her only child and her struggle to let go of the guilt she feels at how poorly she fared as a mother when her child was living. In the story the reader is taken on a journey through the grasps of death and the breaths of life. This book will cause you to stop what you're doing and take time every day to enjoy what you are already have. It will give you a fresh perspective on happiness and a desire to do the best with every moment of every day. I highly recommend this series to those looking to be entertained by a good mystery and challenged by life's worst tragedies.