Blog Tour Stop & Review: The Weight of Shadows by Alison Strobel

The Weight of Shadows by Alison Strobel


Book Description:

After a difficult childhood, Kim has built a successful life for herself, but she'd leave it all if it meant being rid of the guilt she harbors over a tragic mistake she made years ago. When she meets Rick, she finds everything she needs—including a way to pay for her sins every time he hits her. Kim and Rick’s new neighbor, Joshua, knows more than Kim realizes about Rick’s abusive behavior, but Joshua has battles of his own to fight. Soon to intersect Kim’s and Rick’s lives is Debbie, who has saved countless women from abuse through the shelter she runs but might be as desperate for love as the women she serves. Meanwhile, as Rick’s wrath extends to their baby, Kim must decide if her penance is more important than protecting that innocent life—and if she should dare leave Rick when he has the power to bring her hidden crime to light. A gripping, gritty novel, The Weight of Shadows explores how the risks we take for those we love can touch the lives of others forever.

About the Author:

Alison inherited the writing gene from her father, Lee, and grew up composing stories on everything from napkins to typewriters. Her talent earned her awards throughout school, a two page spread featuring her work in her senior yearbook, and even saved her from failing college chemistry. But it wasn't until she moved to California after college that she wrote her first full-length novel, and that's when God made Alison's oldest dream come true.


Waterbrook Press (now Waterbrook Multnomah) picked up Worlds Collide and published it in 2005. Violette Between followed it in 2006 and earned Alison a nomination for the prestigious Rita Award from the Romance Writers of America--a shock, since she hadn't realized she was writing romances. After taking a break to become a mom to Abigail and Penelope Jane, she landed two contracts, with David C. Cook and Zondervan, to write a total of four more novels that will release in 2010 and '11.
Parenthood turned Alison's head (as well as her husband Daniel's) to children's books, and together they penned That's Where God Is, the first in a series of children's books on spiritual formation, which will also release in 2010.
Alison and her family now live in Colorado. When she's not writing, she's reading, obsessively stalking her favorite online parenting forum, playing trains (or hide and seek, or school) with her daughters, or out with the whole gang exploring their new home state

Learn more about Alison at http://www.alisonstrobel.com/ or follow her blog at http://alisonstrobel.com/alison-blog/2010/6/12/let-the-tour-begin.html

Here's What I Think:

This book grabbed me in the first chapter. There is a very realistic and interesting mix of characters in this story. And they all need each other, or at least think they do, no matter how wrong the reasons, to survive. It really comes down to what does it truly mean to love someone else. I was gripped by the plot right away and the book did not disappoint. Although the story is at time heart-wrenching, it is very well written. The characters are very well developed, to the point that you can sympathize with their bad choices. Over all this book was a great read. I would strongly suggest it for a book club read, as there is lots to discuss!

What's super cool is that Alison is offering a free download of the ebook version of The Weight of Shadows being offered for free for Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, and Apple iPad through June 19th.

Disclaimer: Although I did receive a copy of this book from Alison Strobel, I was in no other way compensated to write this review.