Thursday, September 27, 2012

Pain's Joke by Chuck Hunter


Published  April 16, 2012

Jonas Pike is a twelve year old boy who was born with a facial disfigurement. He befriends an old, fallen-from-grace preacher, but their friendship is threatened when the boy's mother finds out he is the same preacher who swindled her parents out of their life savings. Matters are complicated even further when the boy's drunken step-father, suspects her of having an affair with the old man, and he vows revenge. A tragedy about forgiveness and faith, accusation and doubt, the mundane and the miraculous, Pain's Joke examines the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. (Goodreads)


Rating:  3 stars


The reader can not help but fall in love with Jonas. A product of a traumatic experience and raised by a mother that is only trying to do right, despite her drunk of a husband. 

Rev. Chambers, the only known friend to Jonas was a character that I would like to have seen developed further. There is a secret of distrust that the reader is left wondering about. 

I foresee a sequel to this novella, unfolding the secrets, deceptions and lies that are held by the Reverend and upheld by Jonas' mother.

I think Mr. Hunter did a great job introducing the characters. My only want was to see more of an unveiling in this edition. I was left wanting more...which does work to his advantage for a sequel. 

Mr. Hunter...don't leave me waiting long. I can't wait to see what happens with Jonas, Delores and Paul, the drunk. 

Swoon Thursday

 

Swoon Thursday is a weekly event hosted by YA Bound.

Here are the rules:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.
Try to make the Swoon 140 characters so you can tweet it. Add the #YABOUND hashtag when you tweet.

 

 Here is our pick this week:


Love Unrehearsed (Love, #2) 


"God, the things I want to do to you right now," he breathed out on my lips.  "What do you say we get out of here?  I need to lay you down on a bed."