Praise And Worship Meets Rock And Roll

A Review of Unlikely Praise, By: Carla Rossi
Published by White Rose Publishing, March 2012

Cover Copy:

A tattooed rocker and an uptight music teacher-who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? Candi Canaberry has been the worship leader at Cornerstone Fellowship since the doors opened. Candi has dedicated her life to praise and worship, so when Cornerstone explodes into mega-church territory, Candi is sure she'll be the one to take her team to the next level-isn't she the obvious choice? Apparently not. Church leadership has other ideas. She's given a partner to share her duties. But a one-time rocker with zero praise and worship experience? Recently saved Samuel "Shade" Blackledge is new to Cornerstone Fellowship. He's convinced a strong church family is what will help keep his head above water as he turns from things of the past and builds a new life. The Ex-Dead Lizard rock guitarist is shocked when the pastor suggests he might be just what the worship team needs. But could God really want a tattooed veteran of the club scene? And what about his less-than-Godly lifestyle to this point-not the least of which is a baby girl he's never seen? Worship practice has never been this interesting as Candi and Shade work their way towards each other-and Unlikely Praise.

This book really struck a chord with me. Ha! You get it? It struck a chord! But seriously, I found that I could relate to one of the characters in the book. No, it wasn’t Candi it was Shade. Like him, I had a rather sordid past and had a hard time understanding the workings of a church and “church people” when I first turned my life over to The Lord.

The characterization in Unlikely Praise is so well done. Carla makes you feel as though Candi and Shade could be a couple people you might actually meet at church. They have real life problems like Candi, who judges those she doesn’t understand or Shade, who doesn’t think he’s good enough to be used by God.

I really loved this book. The great story line and amazing characters allow me to heartily recommend it to anyone. Author Mary Manners says: Carla Rossi is a gifted writer who draws the reader in with talent and grace. I absolutely love her work.

I met Carla Rossi at a meeting of our local writer’s group. I’d seen her there a time or two and thought she was just another pre-published author like myself, trying to learn another morsel of information I can use to catapult myself toward publication. It wasn’t until Carla came and spoke to our group that I realized she’s a real, multi-published author. It’s still hard for me to understand how these people can seem so down to earth after being published. When I get a contract, I’m relatively sure I’ll drop all my old friends. After all, I’ll be much too good for them. ALL KIDDING ASIDE…it’s so nice to be able to talk to other authors and find out the common issues all authors deal with.

Carla Rossi is a multi-published, award-winning author as well as a cancer survivor, life-long music minister, and speaker. She has been writing inspirational romance for Pelican Book Group since 2007. Carla lives north of Houston with her husband. She has three grown children and two grandchildren.

"Last Light" Book Review

I’ve never done a book review before. Recently I’ve noticed most up and coming authors post book reviews on their sites. Since I fall into that category…here goes nothin.

What would happen to the world as we know it if all electronic devices including automobiles ceased to work because of an unknown catastrophic event. Is it a terrorist attack? Or is it something far worse?

I can’t remember having read a page turner as compelling as “Last Light” by Terri Blackstock. No disrespect intended towards Ms. Blackstock, but I’m not sure if the truly captivating lure of this book had anything to do with her excellent writing ability. It’s the subject matter that makes this book so intriguing.

The reader follows the Branning family’s struggle, adjusting to a world without power, transportation, running water, sewage, or heaven forbid, an operational Wal-Mart. It’s difficult to keep from imagining yourself in the same situation. As you read the book it’s all I could do to stop myself from rushing to Wal-Mart, and hoarding “hurricane supplies.” No one needs to know I’m actually stocking up in the event of the “outage.”

The book makes you think how you would react in the same situation. I also found a lacking in my own faith. How easy it is to depend on our own devices in the cushy world we live in. Take away our cars, cell phones, Wal-Mart, and we would quickly turn to God for provision.

“Last Light” also points out how people these days don’t even know how to live in a world without modern day conveniences. I thought about what I would do, and I came up with an idea. I would pack up my family’s belongings and somehow move to a large body of water. I prefer the beach, but there is the sand, and no fresh water issues.

My husband and I read the book at the same time so we could discuss it. Here is his comment:

“God’s judgment or God’s love? How do you react when difficulties in your life arise? The author leads the reader to examine both sides of this coin.” Dan O’Hare

Besides dealing with the daily struggle of sustaining life, the Brannings must deal with people forced into survival mode as well as a murderer who kills for self gain. In closing, I would highly recommend “Last Light” to anyone who loves suspense novels. The book whetted my appetite for the sequel, “Night Light.”