William Sirls

Dear Readers,

We have a wonderful opportunity tomorrow to visit with an author in a nice unique way.  William contacted me a couple weeks ago and asked if it would be ok if he came to our store for a visit.  I of course said yes.  So all the way from California, William Sirls will be wandering our book store looking to meet readers and talk to them about his books. 

I have read and reviewed both of his books, The Reason and Sinner's Garden and they are both very interesting reads.  I am looking forward to meeting William here at 3:00p.m until (as he says) the books are gone. :-)  

Happy Reading,


                                                                                

William Sirls

Dear Readers,

After reading and being impressed with William Sirls first book the Reason I was very interested in reading his sophomore book, The Sinner's Garden.  He has a way of writing characters that were very rich and enjoyable to read about. 

I was not disappointed.  The Sinner's Garden was a thought provoking book.  When the main characters find a garden in a place where no garden should be, their lives will never be the same.

Andy was tragically scarred when his father threw boiling water at his mother and he happened to be in the way.  It is something he has struggled with all his life, the thought that others judge him completely by what his face looks like.

Uncle Rip has just been released from prison after being arrested for dealing drugs.  While in jail Rip found God, not that everyone believes him, and is trying to turn his life around and mentor Andy.  Neither job is easy because of his past.

To make life even more interesting in town, there is "Summer Santa" breaking into peoples houses and leaving gifts for those in need.

Once again William sets his book is a small town in Michigan right on the shores of Lake Erie this time.  He fills it with interesting characters that all have something to hid.  Whether it is Andy trying to hid his scar or the person running around handing out gifts like a modern day Robin Hood, they all have secrets that they think no one can see, forgetting there is someone who sees everything.

Happy Reading

William Sirls

Dear Readers,

The Reason by William Sirls is a debut novel and in some ways you can see that in the writing.  Some of it is very predictable and yet there was something about this book that was very appealing and drew me in.  I did enjoy reading it for the story part of it and the questions it addressed like ‘where is God when bad things happen?’

Pastor Jim and his wife Shirley shepherd a small church in a small Michigan town.  Not much excitement happens in this little town until the cross in the lawn of St. Thomas church is hit by lightning.  As Pastor Jim wonders how his little church will be able to repair the cross he hears “only believe.” 

When Brooke finds out that her young son, Alex, has leukemia , she is also told the words, ‘Only believe.’  Pastor Jim gives her the Bible verse in Luke 8:50, which reads ‘Do not be afraid; only believe, and (he) will be made well.’  So she believes that God has taken care of Alex and he will get better. 

The list of characters goes on and they are all commanded to “only believe.”  Each must step out in faith to follow God’s command to them.  For some it is harder than others, but believe they must and sometimes to believe you must give up control of things in your life that you think without your help won’t get done. 

During a question and answer time in the back, William is asked  “what else would he like readers to know about this book.”  His answer is interesting.  He says “I would like them to only believe that everything in this book could happen.”  I do, I really do believe in miracles, and in a fiction story miracles are great, but too many make the story predictable and that is where I have a problem with the storyline.  I knew how it was going to end before it really got started.  Bummer, but I also think that this book is well worth a read.  (Strange sounding isn’t it?)

Happy Reading