Dark Rose – A
Classic Christian Novel
By Justin Bennett
It started out innocently enough. NewsMax pundit Steve Farrell was
invited by his ailing mother to branch out and spend less time
studying politics and religion and more time reading a few
good novels.
He
told NewsMax, "I hadn’t read a novel since high school,
and I had an opinion about fiction: It was a big waste of time!
As far as books went, all I cared about was history and law,
politics and religion. What else mattered?
Farrell
continued: "Then Mom passed away. And all I could think
was, 'I'm just not sure if there is a more binding social contract
than a dying request from mother to son.' My heart softened;
I purchased a novel — a used one — and I began to read.
"I
started with Louis L'Amour's book 'Bendigo Shafter' and, to
my surprise, I absolutely loved it! I could identify with the
main character and it struck a chord with some of the traditional
male roles I grew up trying to emulate.
"By
the time I moved up to the far more serious and challenging
'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, I found out that good novels,
classic novels, have the ability to stroke intellectual, emotional
and spiritual heartstrings in a way matter-of-fact, nonfiction
or in-your-face political editorials never can.
"All
in all, the more I thought about Mom's request and the more
I thought about this 'new' and exciting form of communication,
I began to wonder if perhaps I was missing the boat with my
writing, that perhaps there was a better, more memorable way
to get my point across.
"I
swallowed my pride and gave it a try. 'Dark Rose' is the result."
"Dark Rose" is an inspirational
story about one woman's lonely journey through bitterness,
hate and despair to faith, love and hope; one boy's voyage
through panic and peril to sympathy and service; one drunk
driver's arduous ascent through uselessness to redemption and
mercy; and one father’s inspired insight pointing the way,
but can Dad walk the walk?
For
the reader tired of themes or surprises that undercut family
and Christian values, here is a book guaranteed to touch the
heart and bring hope to all who read it, a book brimming with
Christian values and worthwhile lessons about faith and family
and life in general that leaves the reader shouting hallelujah
with its triumphant finish.
The
novel is unique and wonderful in other ways. Most of the chapters
are stand-alone essays, focused on one provocative thought
at a time. Equally refreshing is the author's reintroduction
of a technique early classic writers employed, that of carrying
on a conversation with his readers.
"Dark Rose" is no Pollyanna approach
to faith and family. The author successfully demonstrates that
the pathway to happiness and virtue is jam-packed with treacherous
mountain passes on land, crashing tidal waves at sea, costly
civil wars in every heart, and devils and jackals of every
sort set to do their worst to block the way.
Farrell's
story persuades the reader that those who fight on through
the darkness, or until the rising sun reveals what the darkness
hid, are those who see evidence everywhere that friends and
family, kindness and charity, God and angels, and a litany
of common miracles surround them aid them, and carry them home
safely to their destination — and that all this "terrible" opposition
was but for their own good.
For
a first effort from an author who, only recently, believed
novels were not worth his time, "Dark Rose" is worth
the time of every reader.
Click Here to purchase "Dark Rose."
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What Other Reviewers are Saying about Steve Farrell's "Dark Rose":
"An
enchanting story of faith and family that is as enlightening
as it is encouraging."
-
Jon Dougherty, WorldNetDaily
-----
"A
modern version of the 'morality play,' Steve Farrell's writing
style is reminiscent of the 19th century literary form which
was best expressed by writers like Charles Dickens and other
classic writers of that era — a style of writing which has,
more or less, disappeared in this country. Interesting and
refreshing!"
-
Dr. Jon Dolhenty, President, Center for Applied Philosophy
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"Dark Rose" is a simple story offering
an incredible amount of depth ... bursting with lessons in
faith, forgiveness and family ... it is a modern classic that
will be enjoyed and passed along to friends and family for
years to come."
-
Shane Cory, Editor, The Washington Dispatch
-----
"Dark Rose" is a story of faith
and hope from a writer known for his Biblically based political
and social commentary. ... Steve Farrell carefully crafts a
love story that communicates spiritual truths to the reader."
-
W. James Antle III, Senior Editor, Enter Stage Right
-----
"The
most riveting, thought provoking book I've read in years."
-
Jeffrey Bennett, talk show host, World Wide Christian Radio
Used with the permission of NewsMax.com
