I recieved an advanced copy of this book for review purposes and I recieved no monetary compensation for this review.

Have you ever read a book so fast because you wanted to find out what happens in the end that you know you are missing a lot of details of the book? I felt like that when reading The Sinners' Garden . This book is so action packed that I could not put it down. The great plot was not the only amazing part of this book though; the lessons that I learned about God while reading this book are enough to fill another book of my own. I learned more about God's love and that He loves us no matter what our faults are (or what we believe our faults are). God chooses those that are broken as leaders. Moses had a speech impediment, but God chose him to be a great leader. David was an adulterer, but He was also a Man after God's heart. God loves all people and everyone has a special role as part of the Body of Christ. I also learned about how important forgiveness is and how it can change the lives of you and the people around you. It is one of the hardest things to do, but it is also one of the most important things to do in strengthening your relationship with others and your relationship with God. I was also reminded that God is everywhere and we do not have to have a miracle to occur to be able to speak to God. All we have to do is speak and then listen for His response (and sometimes this includes having a little bit, or a lot, of patience). I cannto wait to read this book again once it is released and learn about all the other things that God put on William Sirls's heart to share with the world through this book. ( )

I recieved an advanced copy of this book for review purposes and I recieved no monetary compensation for this review.

Have you ever read a book so fast because you wanted to find out what happens in the end that you know you are missing a lot of details of the book? I felt like that when reading The Sinners' Garden . This book is so action packed that I could not put it down. The great plot was not the only amazing part of this book though; the lessons that I learned about God while reading this book are enough to fill another book of my own. I learned more about God's love and that He loves us no matter what our faults are (or what we believe our faults are). God chooses those that are broken as leaders. Moses had a speech impediment, but God chose him to be a great leader. David was an adulterer, but He was also a Man after God's heart. God loves all people and everyone has a special role as part of the Body of Christ. I also learned about how important forgiveness is and how it can change the lives of you and the people around you. It is one of the hardest things to do, but it is also one of the most important things to do in strengthening your relationship with others and your relationship with God. I was also reminded that God is everywhere and we do not have to have a miracle to occur to be able to speak to God. All we have to do is speak and then listen for His response (and sometimes this includes having a little bit, or a lot, of patience). I cannto wait to read this book again once it is released and learn about all the other things that God put on William Sirls's heart to share with the world through this book. ( )

I was sent The Sinners' Garden and didn't know what to expect. I have to say that this was a very interesting plot. The way the book starts out is not at all how it ends and there is not much you can do to guess what's coming next. I will say this book is very faith based. "Andy Kemp’s young life has been as ravaged as his scarred face. Disfigured by an abusive father, the teenager hides behind his books and an impenetrable wall of cynicism and anger". Through this book you get to know Andy and his family. He has an uncle Rip whom he is extremely close too and latches onto as he gets older and feelings of angry start to show. The author did a great job of giving the characters a life and making you feel as though you know them. As the story progresses a slue of crimes come upon the town. Nothing is taken just someone breaking in and leaving thousands of dollars to each person. It is so interesting why this person is doing this and who it turns out to be in the end. I would recommend this book to beginners.

My rating ☆★★★★. full review on: http://funcraftysavymom.blogspot.com/ ( )

This book opened up a lot of emotions for me. An entire one fourth of the book I had tissues in hand. It had amazing characters-- Judi Kemp who suffered domestic abuse for years, Heather Gerisch who was a police with the Benning Police Department and was haunted by her father's death, Judi's son Andy whose face was scarred at the age of three and carried hatred and unbelief like a cloak, Pastor Welsh whose spiritual wisdom was an integral part in all of their lives and Gerald "Rip" Ripley, and ex-con who had turned over a new leaf and given his life to God.

If I had to choose my favorite character it would be hard. I loved them each for different reasons but Andy and Rip stand out as my favorites. I could literally feel Andy's misery over the scar on his face. Every time he pulled his hair over to cover it from view, my heart went out to him. Watching his transformation from a scarred fourteen year-old who was always hiding and hating into a confident young man that finally recognized God in his life was nothing short of amazing. Rip is my hero in this book for numerous reasons that I can't go into without spoiling the book for those who haven't read it yet, but I will say I loved him for the way he loved Andy. He was more of a father to Andy than an uncle, always soothing his hurts and encouraging him to get to know God. I also loved the first five rules of the Bible he always made Andy quote.

____________________Book Quote____________________

"Love God with all your heart and soul," Andy spit out quickly, as if the words were choking him.
Rip held his thumb up and waited the kid out.
"Two," Andy said quietly, "is love your neighbor."
Rip smiled. "Lay number three on me."
Andy tilted his head. "Rule number three...help God make His house bigger."
"You got it!" Rip yelled. "Number four?"
Andy crossed his arms. "Don't mess with people who handle your food."
"Finish it with number five, bro!"
Andy lifted an arm and held up three fingers. "Number five. Only the first three rules count."

____________________End Quote____________________

Besides the characters, which I truly loved, the plot was simply amazing. It was nothing like I have ever read before. The flower garden, or "Little piece of Heaven" as Rip called it, The Summer Santa and a fourteen year-old kid hearing God through an IPod was genius as a story line. It was a very strong plot and I loved watching the characters develop as the story progressed. It spoke of believing and forgiveness and giving your life to God completely with no doubts. This story had the most spiritual wisdom I have ever seen imparted in a book. One particular lesson really opened my eyes and made me see exactly one area I continue to fail in daily. For the rest of my life when I am complaining about the things I don't have I'll think about the following quote from Pastor Welsh that Heather imparted to Judi.

____________________Book Quote____________________

"Remember what Welsh has always told us about a hundred times...about how things we take for granted, someone else is praying for?"

____________________End Quote____________________

How much more truth can be in a simple statement. This book is full of eye-opening wisdom but you will have to read it yourself to get the full effect and I highly encourage you to do so. It is a story that will keep you riveted and turning the pages at a rapid pace. But just a small warning from one reader to another, if you have never read a book by William Sirls, and I can say this from personal experience, you WILL be hooked. This is his second book and I fully plan to go back and read his debut novel, The Reason. Keep in mind that you will need tissues because there are some very heart-wrenching moments. This is easily one of my favorite books EVER and I recommend it to ANYONE that likes a story full of spiritual insight, intrigue and amazing plot and characters. Sheer genius!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. If I recommend a book it is simply because I enjoyed it. I received no monetary compensation for this review. ( )

There are some novels I walk away from totally overwhelmed by the message contained in the pages and not sure how in the world I would write the review. William Sirls’ other novel, The Reason, was read and thoroughly enjoyed by a friend of mine. I was hoping that the newest novel from the author would be as captivating as the first one was for my friend. Well, let me tell you this is a novel that will reach out from the pages and grab your heart as well as your mind.
When you are done with this novel, I wonder if you will walk away with a deeper understanding of God or something else. The story has a multitude of characters who reflect, I believe, real people and societies of today. More than one character in the novel thinks they understand God and His ways. They therefore drew conclusions based on that knowledge. Others have to learn to let go of what holds their soul, mind and emotions in the past.
Another characteristic of the tale is how some in the novel draw together as they are seeking answers to questions their hearts are asking. The author clearly shows how sometimes we think we know a person, what they do or don’t do in their daily life only to learn that God is the only One who truly knows every detail. An encouraging aspect shown in the novel is how even in deep pain God is able to make His presence known if those seeking Him will really listen.
There are many different threads that run in the book such as mystery, romance, faith, and spiritual growth. One character features an ex-con who looks to God while in prison and still realizes he has much growing to do in the Lord. Now that might sound like growing through knowledge, but here it is growing by surrendering and listening. Also, some learn to choose to forgive not waiting for feelings or a sign before actively doing so.
Two women are trying to come to terms with understanding their pasts, but is that what God wants them to focus on? In reality, we all ask at one time or another the age old question of “why” when something happens beyond our understanding. In the novel, one woman tries to carry a load of guilt that is not hers to carry. The other woman just wants to understand who would do the unthinkable act of murdering two men. That only starts other questions like, “Is her Dad in heaven”? To me this shows how the author is trying to reach out to others who sometimes struggle to understand God in daily life. What makes the novel easy to read is the shortness of the chapters so that the reader can easily follow the tale as it develops and deepens. For me, this novel is not one I will soon forget, and if I should happen to, it will be right there in my personal library to grab and read again. ( )