Feast For Thieves – Book Review
Truth is embedded in the narrative in fiction,
And sometimes,
Since the truth in fiction comes wrapped around a story
That captures your attention,
The truth will be presented so powerfully
That it hits you with more impact
Than if you read the same truth in a non-fiction book.
Marcus Brotherton
What happens when a professional writer and internationally renown journalist digs into the past, uncovers a story about a real but relatively unknown World War II paratrooper, and begins imagining what type of person he was and what his life might have been like based on certain details he uncovered about the man’s life?
Well, if you’re Marcus Brotherton, you write a debut smash novel that’s filled with a humorous storyline and some of the most memorable characters you’ll meet in what best-selling author Julie Cantrell calls an exhilarating neo-Western!
Feast For Thieves by Marcus Brotherton is a powerful story that’s written for everyman. The book is about larger-than-life character Rowdy Slater – a man who’s infamous for being the most incorrigible paratrooper in Dog Company during World War II.
But, it’s 1946 – the war is over – and Rowdy is down on his luck. The skills that earned him a Bronze Star for valor during the war aren’t exactly employable skills back in the civilized U-S-of-A – not even in Texas!
So, he and Crazy Ake do what any two down-on-their luck guys do to put a few bucks in their pockets. They brazenly march into the Cat Eye, Texas bank – the one that sits squarely across from the sheriff’s office and the town jail on Main Street – and rob it blind.
The problem is, Rowdy and Crazy Ake aren’t the smartest of bank robbers. They didn’t plan the robbery or their escape quite as well as they should have. In the aftermath of the robbery, the two bank robbers get separated and Rowdy barely escapes with his life. Soon, Rowdy discovers that life on the run is not for him as his belly rumbles and he finds it hard to feed himself. Poor Rowdy even manages to bungle getting a free church meal! So, a change of heart leads him right back to the office of Sherriff Halligan Barker and his poetry-writing secretary with a bag full of stolen money. Rowdy is ready to confess his crime and do his time!
Now, you’d think the Sherriff would be happy to have a bank robber walk into his office with a bag full of stolen money so that he could close the crime, right? Especially a crime that took place right under his nose! But, he isn’t. In fact, all the Sherriff can think of is the political trouble and votes the solved crime is going to cause him. After all, it’s an election year, and the way he sees it – a solved crime with a confession is going to make someone unhappy, costing him votes, the election, and his job.
So, the Sherriff calls Rowdy’s military commander to learn more about him and learns that there may be more to Rowdy’s character than his checkered past indicates on the surface.
So, he comes up with an unusual proposition that he feels will benefit everyone involved – Rowdy – himself – even the town of Cat Eye.
For the next year – if Rowdy truly is the “changed man” he claims to be – Rowdy will serve as the town’s new preacher.
Of course, this is Texas. He doesn’t offer Rowdy much of a choice.
“You take this job and you do it right.
Or else you die.”
God speaks to each of us in strange and mysterious ways. With these words, Rowdy begins his new career as a man of the cloth!
As you might imagine, Rowdy’s new job is quite a stretch for a man who is used to solving his problems with a rifle and his fists. Rowdy has a lot of growing to do in his new role – and, he’s faced with some truly tough decisions when his past catches up with him and Crazy Ake shows up, looking for his share of the money.
If you’re looking for a great story that stands out in a day when so many books are written by formula, than Feast For Thieves is your book!
Feast For Thieves is a book full of riches – a story you can truly sink your teeth into and feast upon. You will remember Rowdy long after you put down this book – and, you will appreciate the redemptive message that Marcus works into the storyline without ever coming across as sentimental or preachy.
I look forward to reading more fiction from Marcus Brotherton and encourage you to visit Marcus’ website, where you’ll find the story about the man who actually inspired this book and have a chance to read the first several chapters of Feast For Thieves!
I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars.
Feast For Thieves – Book Trailer
About Marcus Brotherton
Marcus Brotherton is a journalist and professional writer who is known internationally for his collaborations with high-profile public figures, humanitarians, inspirational leaders, and military personnel. During his career, he has written or co-authored more than 25 best-selling books. Feast For Thieves is Marcus’ first novel. You can learn more about Marcus on his website, Men Who Lead Well, where he helps men to leave lives of excellence.
For More Information
- Visit Marcus’s Website.
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- Visit Amazon.
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Feast For Thieves – Book Giveaway!
Create With Joy is very excited to join Marcus Brotherton in celebrating the release of his debut novel, Feast For Thieves. To help spread the word about this wonderful book, we’d like to offer one of our US/Canadian readers the chance to win a copy of their very own!
To enter this Giveaway, please Follow Create With Joy, LEAVE A COMMENT and submit your enter your entries as instructed on the Rafflecopter Form.
This giveaway is open to Create With Joy readers who reside in the US/Canada and are 18 years and older, now through Friday, November 7, 2014 at Midnight PST.
Additional Information
The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. The sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. The winner releases Create With Joy from all liability associated with this product/contest. All decisions by Create With Joy are final. The complete Terms and Conditions are listed on the Rafflecopter form. By submitting an entry, you are indicating that you have read and agree to these Official Rules.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers / River North for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Copyright © 2014 by Create With Joy. All Rights Reserved.
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I’ve heard about this book before so I’m very pleased to see it here. All the previous reviews I heard were very positive and judging by the overwhelming number of 5-star reviews on Amazon a lot of others share the same opinion. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
My mailing address is in Arizona.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
Hi Carl,
So glad you’ve entered our giveaway – this book is SO much fun! I was sharing it with my husband today and have added it to his TBR pile as well! While a lot of the books that come across my desk tend to be written with women in mind, Marcus definitely writes more with a male audience in mind (although, good writing is good writing and I definitely loved the book!) Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for spreading the word!
I just think that I would like the whole story. I haven’t read anything like it 72aledol at gmail dot com
Thanks for joining us for this fun giveaway Alesha! This is a very unique story – I’m sure you would enjoy it too! 🙂
I have become really into reading World War II stories lately. This one sounds like one I need to read.
I really enjoyed this one Amy – it’s written from a different perspective!
This is an interesting story line.. I have a brother named Rowdy & my Dad was a County Sheriff for many years. Would love to read it 🙂 dkstevensne at outlook dotcom
This would be a perfect book for you to read DK!