Customer Reviews

Tombstone Treasures Book One: First Impressions

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4 star:		(3)
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I love Ms. Sutton's writing! Her stories dig deep into the inner soul of her characters and deal with issues and feelings and longings that are common to us all, but ones which the typical Christian novel does not deal with. Where other novels gloss over our inner urgings, Ms. Sutton faces them head on without fear. I would say this particular story deals with lust vs. love. What is the difference? What does God say about this? He created our attractions, after all. They are not inherently evil. But what do we do with them? How can we harness them in a world where no one seems to? Although there is alot of sexual innuendos in this book, there has to be in order to get the points Ms. Sutton wishes to get across. The characters are real and likeable and we really feel for them. Let's face it, all of us have been in similar situations. Some of us have fallen. Others have overcome.
Ms. Sutton's writing is crisp, simple, and clear and makes for an enjoyable, fast read. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone, even as young as 12. My reason? They are going to face these issues in school and with their peer. Why not face them in a story where the characters make the right choices and God is glorified. Bravo to Ms. Sutton!

One thing I've learned when I read Michelle Sutton's books is that I can expect the unexpected. Just when I think I know what's coming next, she sends me on a roller coaster ride. Michelle's style of writing is a very easy read with a deep point of view, which allows us to know what's going on inside the main character's head. Michelle has a way of gripping the reader with emotion and never letting go. Her characters are real people who aren't perfect and struggle with choices on a daily basis just as we do. Michelle is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

I'm a big fan of Michelle Sutton's writing. With each of her books, she grabs me by the heart and tugs like nothin' else. Now, I'm not big into western-type stuff, just a personal preference, but this book has a little twist on that genre that I wasn't expecting, which kept me reading. Oh, and the sizzling romance she twined in between the characters. Very steamy. Loved it.

I love how Michelle paints the character flaws of her hero and heroine. I mean, let's face it, we're all flawed, we're human, right? She's so good at honestly portraying the struggles of her characters. I read this book in one sitting. Yep, ONE sitting, and it kept me up past my bedtime.

Michelle is one of my favorite authors! She writes about feelings, urgings, and longings that we've been told we're not suppose to think about or talk about. What's even better, she does it without fear or trembling! Her characters are real, and honest; they're just like us, not perfect and they struggle daily with issues just like we do. Each day we have the opportunity to make a choice on whether we live for God or not. While this book is steamy with the romance between the characters, Michelle doesn't stray away from the inspirational message. This is another Home Run for Michelle, and I can't wait to read the next one!

Ms Michelle Sutton has written a wonderful poignant book about the connection of two people who faced problems and struggled daily to overcome them. It is unusual to read an inspirational story with true-to-life conflicts the characters have to face. This one was realistic. It delved into how they had to deal with their sensuality. I found this book so believable and didn't want to put it down.

Sutton explored her characters as they both wrestled with their emotional conflicts. She presented more in-depth studies of this couple than is usual. I felt as if I was living through this with them. There were several supporting individuals in the manuscript that played pivotal, although small, roles.

I am excited that this is the first in a series. I cannot wait to read the others. This is another author I plan to put on my `must-read' list. I highly recommend this book to others. It has a fabulous storyline and Sutton's writing style is great. Kudos, Ms. Sutton! - Brenda Talley

I really enjoyed Michelle's book First Impressions. It was steamy, suspenseful
and entertaining. The authenticity of her charcters was enjoyable and helped
her make a compelling statement. This was the first of her books that I've read,
but I enjoyed it so much that I'm sure I'll be reading her other titles soon.

Another great read by the master of Edgy, Michelle Sutton! The woman knows how to heat things up! First Impressions isn't as steamy as some of her other books, but you can always expect some heat. I loved how she showed the internal struggle for the characters. How conflicted they were to do what they knew was right, but how temptation was there staring them in the face. Making it all too desirable to succumb to their longings. I love how she has the spiritual thread interlaced throughout her books. Showing the importance of faith. A relationship with Jesus. All and all another wonderful read.

If you are looking for straight up romance from a Christian worldview, Michelle Sutton is the author for you. First Impressions is the first in the Tombstone Treasures Trilogy, a series of romance novels whose main characters work in the historic town of Tombstone, many as part time actors that help bring a sense of authenticity to this tourist attraction. This lends a sprinkling of old west flavor to the modern sensibility of the book. First Impression is a romance - there is no doubt about that. The central conflict is the emotional struggle the two main characters have as their passion for one another is ignited. Jimmy is a Christian, and wants to do `what's right', meaning staying sexually pure until marriage. But his attraction for Sammie is so strong, he often finds himself in compromising situations. Sammie, on the other hand, is not a believer and struggles with self esteem, compounded by the fact that they knew one another as children - a fact that Jimmy seems to have forgotten. There are lots of fairly steamy scenes in the book, which makes it rather unusual in the context of a `Christian' romance. However, this is probably the thing that makes the novel stand out. Sutton does not try to pretend that Christian couples don't struggle when it comes to pre-marital sex. She is honest about the emotional turmoil, feelings of guilt and physical desire that can easily come into play. The hero in her book is not portrayed as a saint - nor should he be. He is a normal red blooded male who is struggling with an issue that is probably becoming more and more difficult for people to contend with in today's culture. Although the treatment of the topic is frank and honest, Sutton is also able to maintain a tasteful balance. The book is in no way pornographic. It is simply a story of two people in love and the struggles they face as they come to terms with their own desires and obeying God's word. I would recommend this book to those that are looking for an unapologetic romance. There is enough `steam' to satisfy without becoming erotic, while maintaining a solid redemptive story

What about first impressions? Do you tend to jump to conclusions when you meet someone for the first time? What kind of first impression do you leave?

Sammie is a female officer in the Army, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona awaiting deployment to the Middle East. During her down time she decided to join a local acting troop in Tombstone to learn how to flirt with a man. Sammie had not had much practice in the art of attracting boys due to a strict upbringing by her mother. Sammie goes into a local shop, Shady Lady's Closet, to find a costume to wear. After she picks out something, she tries it on and although she likes what she sees, she's a bit embarrassed by how much of her is showing.

Jimmy is a counselor who likes to people watch. He says it helps in his job. He also enjoys acting with the Tombstone actors and is playing the part of the lonely stud. And with him it is an act. He has decided not to get too attached to any young woman until God directs him to "the one". When he sees Sammie, he almost can't believe his eyes. She's almost too pretty to be real. Is there something familiar about her?

I liked how Jimmy stood by his convictions. Even when it got hard, he stayed true to his faith. Not that it was always easy! When Sammie and Jimmy get together there is definitely sparks. I got a kick out of how Sammie was trying to be something she definitely was not. She had no idea what she was doing in the flirting department.

Michelle did a wonderful job of creating the characters and developing Jimmy and Sammie's relationship. It does get a little steamy but not too much. I'm looking forward to the next one in this series.

Sutton pens a gritty inspirational romance with "First Impressions." The novel takes place in present day Tombstone, Arizona. Sammie and Jimmy are haunted by their tragic pasts. Jimmy has let the Lord's word touch him and has become a Christian, but he'll need to draw on all his faith to tame his attraction to Sammie.

Sutton's writing dives the reader into her character's lives, making the story hard to put down. The plot is solid. Sutton paints very vivid descriptions bringing Tombstone to life, as well as her characters' emotions.

Sutton's characters are rich and complex. Sammie really grows throughout the novel. She wants to learn how to be more comfortable around men, but on a deeper level, she wants to be more comfortable with herself as well. It's especially rewarding to see Trinity's Gram help Sammie find the Lord. Sammie has to take the journey without Jimmy's help so she can come to him as an equal.

Jimmy also grows throughout the novel. While he's taken the Lord into his life, he has to learn to accept people for what they are and it's hard for him to accept Sammie's military career since his father died in the military. He has to reconcile this before he can firmly commit to Sammie.

The story is sensual for romance readers with several heavy kisses and caresses. "First Impressions," is a romance that embodies 1 Corinthians, Chp. 13, "Love is patient, Love is kind... it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."