About the Book
Book: Our Town Atheist
Author: Victoria Buck
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Release Date: October 30, 2020
Small-town banker Adam Bender tackles a robber and loses. But that’s not what shakes the foundations of his well-managed life. He awakens in the hospital to the vision of an angel. But that’s not what casts doubt on his reasonable judgment. Turns out the angel is only a beautiful doctor—someone Adam wants to get to know better.
The bank robber is on the loose and out to get Adam. News spreads in the gossipy little town of Adam’s misfortune, his love interest, and his…atheism? He’d thought he could keep that a secret. But Adam Bender can handle it. Or, can he?
What happens one night on a mountain road leaves him questioning his worldview. And his sanity. And soon the whole town is waiting to find out if what Adam saw will alter his unbelief.
Click here to get your copy!My Review
This is an unusual book, portraying a few weeks in the life of a small town bank manager. He is a Jew who has rejected any belief in God. The town is deep in the Bible belt and he is hesitant to let anyone know of his atheism, fearing rejection. But it is a town where gossip spreads quickly and his religious view becomes known. A reading group could have a lively discussion on how citizens respond to the news.
The plot centers around two aspects of his life. His bank gets robbed and he falls in love with a Christian doctor. That makes for a good plot balance of budding romance and periodic suspense.
Buck's writing style is interesting. Reading the narrative was like experiencing life. It just seemed natural. There are some passages when Buck is clever in her writing. My favorite was when the atheist realizes the whole town will soon know his view. He muses that he does not know what a prayer closet is, if this town had one he knew he had just come out of it.
I had mixed emotions at the end of the book. I wanted to rant at the surprise ending. I also knew it should not have been a surprise. And I'm not really sure what the dog represents. Nonetheless, I found this novel to be entertaining and thought provoking. I'll be looking for more from Buck.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
Victoria Buck is a native Floridian running a small business with her husband, who teaches her everything she needs to know about both melodrama and comic relief. Wake the Dead is her debut novel. Killswitch is the follow-up to book one. Transfusion is the last book in the trilogy about the world’s first transhuman.
Now, on to other stories! Victoria is currently working on two present-day novels. No transhumans or insurrections. Of course, there has to be a bit of a weird twist!
More from Victoria
Have you ever heard of a porkpie hat? Maurice is wearing one that terrible night when Adam sees him. The Chief of Police hasn’t seen a porkpie in Crossroads for decades, but old Mrs. Jones can tell you all about it. I wasn’t familiar with the hat until I wrote this story. Now I have one of my own!
I admit unusual characters pop into my head. Not your typical protagonist for someone who writes from a Christian worldview, Adam Bender showed up in my imagination after I wrote some blog posts about atheism. Those posts drew more response than I expected from the atheist community. Some were not so kind, but others wanted only to exchange ideas and explain their views in a non-confrontational manner. That’s when this easy-going, fictitious atheist began speaking to the writer in me. I let him talk for a while, and then I had to tell his story.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 13
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 14
Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 15
Susan K. Beatty, Author, January 16 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, January 16
Artistic Nobody, January 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18
deb's Book Review, January 19
Inklings and notions, January 20
For Him and My Family, January 21
Texas Book-aholic, January 22
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 23
Stories By Gina, January 24 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 24
CarpeDiem, January 25
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Victoria is giving away the grand prize package of an eBook copy of the book and a porkpie hat!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10539/our-town-atheist-celebration-giveaway
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
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