Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
While volunteering to help prisoners earn their high school equivalency, Charlie Kirby meets Caleb Farmer, who asks his help to write a letter to his long-lost son, Junior, to make amends. Touched by Caleb's story, Charlie agrees to help.

When Charlie manages to track down Junior, he discovers the man has long since changed his name to James Marshall and wants absolutely nothing to do with his father. Charlie understands James's anger; Charlie spent most of his adolescence trying to convince his own incarcerated father to see him, but his father always pushed him away. Now, Charlie has nothing but regret for the past and the lost opportunities, and he wants to spare James the same fate.

But Charlie's attempts to help James forgive and forget become complicated by feelings he hasn't experienced since the death of his husband. For them to have any chance at finding happiness, James will have to end his self-imposed emotional isolation, but will Charlie's efforts bring James closer or push him further away?

BOOK REVIEW:
Dealing with loss, redemption, and second chances, author D.W. Marchwell’s book, "Sins of the Father," is not a light and easy read. The characters are strongly written and are sure to pull at the heartstrings of the readers. Charlie and James have each faced similar tragedies as children, tragedies that still affect their adult lives, yet as adults it has taken them in different directions.

While Charlie has more or less come to terms with the sins of his father, and thanks to his late partner put them behind him, James has all but buried his past in order to go on with his life. When James’ father, who is still in prison, hopes for reconciliation with his son, he turns to Charlie for help. Things do not go smoothly, and the emotions and behaviors James and Charlie exhibit as their pasts are revealed, come across realistically as those who have been in similar situations can attest to.

However, as much as I liked the story and found both the plot and characters hard to walk away from, I did not feel as if the chemistry between Charlie and James was explored enough. I felt as if the angst within the story overpowered everything at times and did not give the two men time to make a real connection beyond their similar histories. That being said, if you are looking for something that’s more than just fluff, something with a deep storyline, then grab this book as it will leave you thinking about it long after you have finished reading.

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