Award-winning author Shelley Bates pens the story of a sheltered young woman torn between a magnetic leader and the man out to discredit him.
A Sounding Brass
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Bates (Pocketful of Pearls) sets this inspirational chick lit mystery in a small Washington town, in the middle of a sort of Christian cult. Amid myriad other strictures, the Elect only wear black and believe that only people who follow their very narrow Way will be saved. Claire Montoya grew up in the Elect, but her staid and quiet world is beginning to change, since the Shepherd (or pastor) of her church is on trial for rape. Luke Fisher, a new, dynamic (and conveniently young and single) evangelist steps in, modernizing things and raising lots of money. When Claire goes to work for Luke at a radio station, it seems things couldn't be better. But police investigator Ray Harper throws confusion into every area of Claire's life. Why is she so attracted to Ray, when he's clearly not saved or Elect? Why does he suspect someone in Hamilton Falls of committing fraud? And most importantly, why does he seem to better understand the ways of God, when Claire's been studying them all her life? Bates keeps this light story moving. The plot is somewhat predictable but enjoyable, and if there's a (compulsory) conversion, readers will appreciate that things are a little topsy-turvy, with spiritual insights coming from unexpected places. (June 14)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
AUTHORBIO: Shelley Bates lives in Southern California.
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Shelley Bates holds an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She was the winner of RWA's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2005, a finalist for that award in 2006, and, writing as Shelley Adina, was a Christy Award finalist in 2009. Three of her books have shortlisted for the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award for book of the year. Writing as Adina Senft, she is the author of the Amish Quilt trilogy from FaithWords. Of her fiction, publisher and industry blogger W. Terry Whalin has said, "Readers will be lost in the vivid world that Shelley paints with incredible detail and masterful storytelling." A transplanted Canadian, Shelley returns there annually to have her accent calibrated. Between books, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing the piano and Celtic harp, and spoiling her flock of rescued chickens.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 stars - good, but not great.,
By
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This review is from: A Sounding Brass (Elect Trilogy #3) (Paperback)
"A Sounding Brass" picks up where Bates' previous novel, "A Pocketful or Pearls" left off, switching the main character from Dinah to Dinah's friend Claire Montoya, who is still in the clutches of the "toxic" church, the Elect.
"Brass" is not nearly as captivating "Pearls" was, although it continues and concludes the story of the Elect quite nicely. The content of "A Sounding Brass" is also no where near as racy as the preceding novel... and while I am not one who thinks that edginess is necessary to make a novel good, I think "Brass" lacks that certain dark intrigue that "Pearl" captured well. The story is unique, entertaining, worth reading, and over all a good book - but considering how fantastic "Pearls" was, I was a tad disappointed with "A Sounding Brass". Grade: B-
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gotta Love It!,
By Wantz Upon A Time Reviews (Chicago) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Sounding Brass (Elect Trilogy #3) (Paperback)
Heroines. We love `em all, and the best are those with whom we identify strongly. Does she feel as I do? Would I have the strength to face her trials? Gotta love `em. Bimbos, damsels in distress, rebels, forces of nature. The main character in this third novel in Shelley Bates' "Elect" series qualifies in the last category.
We're told today's heroine should be a kicker type. But you don't need to be Angelina-with-a-semi-automatic to be strong. It takes more strength to re-think everything that forms the framework of your life; to truly turn the magnifying glass on your own soul, to find yourself wanting, to change as you must--to survive. If you like a heroine like this, who must revamp everything she has ever been taught, about love, faith, and her place in life, Claire Montoya is tailor made for you. A lifelong member of a "toxic" church, Claire lives in reluctant obedience to a set of rules whose senselessness would insult a child. After she's fired from her bank job, a newcomer--the bouncy, charismatic radio DJ who's advising her church on how to change--hires her on the spot to keep the station's books. Or is Luke Fisher all he seems? Detective Ray Harper, in town to see a rape case come to trial, smells something unsanitary in the eager-beaver Mr. Fisher, and stays to investigate. As he and Claire begin to click, he grows restive about his attraction for her. How can a man lacking faith make a match with a woman whose faith is her entire life? With an unbeliever falling for her, and Luke's increasingly puzzling deployments of donated money, both men rock Claire's regimented world on its ear. As her outlook realigns, so does that of the Elect--can they be wrong about the nature of a faith-guided life, after all? Shelley Bates tells the engaging story of a woman struggling to re-evaluate her faith. Though lacking the dark themes of the previous book, Pocketful Of Pearls, the journey is every bit as compelling. Claire's quiet, stark courage made her a winner beyond compare. Five stars in my book. Reviewed by Deb Kinnard 7/5/2006
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfying, thought-provoking read,
By Teresa Slack "Fiction Author" (http://www.teresaslack.com) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Sounding Brass (Elect Trilogy #3) (Paperback)
Unlike most of the other reviewers, I have not read the first two books in the Elect Trilogy. I had not even read anything by Shelley Bates before. That did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying this book. Many series are impossible to follow if you haven't read the previous books, or leave the reader feeling stuck on the outside of a private joke. Not the case here.
I connected right away with the heroine, Claire Montoya. Though trusting, devout, and naive, she is nobody's fool. The author approached the subject matter thoughtfully and honestly to allow the reader to empathize with characters on both sides of the table. Wonderful writing. Interesting storyline. Well-drawn characters. I will definitely look for more from Shelley Bates.
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