My Thoughts

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by author Carole Brown is a gritty tale of cult activity.  It is 342 pages long and classified as contemporary Religious Fiction.  Notice the “Religious” and not “Christian” classification.

Author Brown has written a novel about the gruesome things that are done to women and girls in cults.  Not much is said about boys in this book as her focus is on females and their mistreatment.  Brainwashing, abuse, sexual violence, suffering, and extreme male dominance made this a very rough story.

The characters were all over the spectrum which I would guess is typical in a cult.  It was hard to relate to them.  The author’s writing style left me wanting something more.  At times the story lagged and I quickly lost interest.  Dialog sounded stiff and unrealistic, but I have never been in a cult.  I could not find the inspirational element, but maybe I just skimmed over it during a rough part.

It is such a heart wrenching tale of loss and heartache that I could not finish reading it.  Please not this is just my personal opinion.  I have heard that many others enjoyed it.  This book was just too hard for my soft heart to take.  I rated it a 3 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.

About the Book

How far would YOU go to avenge the murder of a daughter?
Caralynne Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year-old daughter from the hands of her religious group, The Children of Righteous Cain. When her husband suffers a sudden heart attack, she does nothing to help him. In her eyes someone needs to pay, and if that means all of the men in the group, then so be it.
Dayne MacFarland is sent away to college by the senior elder of the group to learn ministry. When he returns after finding salvation, determined to bring the truth to the people he’s known all his life, he rediscovers Cara and realizes the love he once felt for her is still deeply embedded within his heart.
Dayne faces men unwilling to turn their backs on the cult training he despises. Cara faces men who follow their leader in abuse toward their wives and the young girls of the group. Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings.

Can Dayne’s love for Caralynne bridge the gulf of anger and bitterness that divides the
community? Or will Caralynne’s deadly secrets prove too high a price for her redemption?

Purchase link:
https://amzn.to/2IQk3i2

About the Author

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?