Coldwater was different than I expected. I didn't realize there was going to be a supernatural aspect, so that was a little jarring to see in the story. I think it actually made the book better, as once I got used to that part, I found the read to be very intriguing.

The characters were okay. I didn't connect to any of them, but I did like how the story portrayed the characters realistically...even if I didn't like some of their actions.

All in all, Coldwater was a fascinating read. I recommend it if you like suspense with supernatural elements.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I think the book was decent just was in the wrong genre for me. I was expecting a lot more suspense and thrill than it turned out to be. This novel started off sooo strong that it hooked me in to keep going.

If you are a fan of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, or Alton Gansky this book is going to be right up your alley. The opening scene has the main character being buried alive. Yes . . . buried alive! Everyone's worst nightmare.

That opening scene was so intense that I just couldn't put the book down. And the intensity continued throughout the entire novel. The classification that the publisher gave it is suspense and it does contain that but there are also aspects of supernatural and thriller mixed in. I'm going to be honest and say that supernatural just isn't my thing but this story was so well written I couldn't help but keep going.

Have you ever wondered if redemption is possible for someone that has committed a heinous act? What does it look like in a practical sense? How does one go on after serving their time? Mr. Parker takes us on a journey that explores this. I found myself having an inner dialog while I was reading the story. How would I react? Where does my faith come in? This isn't a novel to make you comfortable but I guarantee it will make you think.

If you like a book that pushes the boundaries and leaves you a little uncomfortable while making you think then this book is for you. It does have intense themes so I would recommend it for older teens and up.

I received an e-copy of this book to facilitate my review.

A very well written story about fear and revenge. Michaels almost magical way to defend himself compelled me to keep reading. Vigilante retribution is not the answer and that is clearly shown here. People can be scared of someone they do not understand. All the myth and hype surrounding Michael leads to wrongful actions. A weird story but still worth a read.

A dark and well-told tale that doesn't hide from sin, demons and evil. This is not for the faint of heart or those who enjoy only uplifting reads. However, it is a book that can make you think, propel you into deep truths (that are sometimes unpleasant), and can carry you away with its prose. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone because it's a genre that wouldn't be well-received by some. But if you like supernatural stories that don't shy from darkness, this one is a solid book.

This story was so very unique, and yet so powerful. A boy born with something residing in him that he can't remove, and it will not allow harm to come to him. One horrible act as a young boy begins a span of years being incarcerated for killing his brother, and then being ostracized and tormented by the town's residents when he is released and returns to the only home he knows. I especially loved the unexplained supernatural aspect that left us guessing what it is and where it comes from. Great book if you like KING or KOONTZ

After being released from prison Michael has returned to the small town he grew up in. But the townspeople have not forgiven him for past events. And their unease grows, and leads to Michael finding himself buried alive right at the start of the book. (The townspeople’s fear and the way that stronger characters play on it and entangle weaker characters in their vigilante crusade is very well written throughout.)

Being buried alive is one of my nightmare scenarios, so I was unnerved yet drawn in right from the start. And the book doesn’t disappoint. It’s gritty, compelling and an unsettling read – just what a thriller with supernatural overtones should be. We know that there is something strange and sinister within Michael, as he himself knows. But we don’t know where that will lead, and for most of the book we don’t know much of Michael’s back story, or the reason why he is so hated. And when we find out, it’s seriously shocking.

I enjoyed Samuel Parker’s first book Purgatory Road, but this one has stepped up several gears as a truly chilling thriller, and yet one which connects the reader to the main character, even while being unsure of who (or what) he is.

I did not want to put this book down. This had a lot of twists and turns. At first I wasn’t sure if I cared for any of the characters. Because none of them seemed real likable. This did change and I did end up liking some characters. I liked the suspense and the little bit of paranormal. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

What a weird book!! I have to say I finished it because I promised to review it, and there was no explicit content. Otherwise, not my cup of tea. When I read fiction under the Christian heading, I really like there to be some sort of redemptive element to the story. Not necessarily that everyone finds God and lives happily ever after, but that there is some mention of God somewhere in the book, even if it is implied. From this dark story, all we get are the movements of the forces of evil. And perhaps that was the author's intent- to show us a circumstance where evil can take root in a person's life. However, for me, it didn't make for good reading. It was too weird, the small town country people a little too supportive of Haywood, even against their better judgment. And the people who chose good had no outside force encouraging them to do so, unlike the evil forces.

The writing style was enjoyable. I did like the way the story unfolded, though it was confusing at first. I felt bad for Michael, the main character. The biggest problem I had with this book is that it made it seem like if you have done something evil, you can never get rid of that fact. You can never have redemption. The evil within those who have killed would never let go until you died. And spiritually, that is just not true. Thank God for His forgiveness and ultimate redemption of us! Seeing Michael's journey to redemption would have been a much better story, especially in this genre.

I don't think I would read another book from this author, and I definitely wouldn't read another book in this series. There are plenty of books by worldly authors if I want thrills without any kind of religious element.

Coldwater by Samuel Parker is an intense, gritty, emotionally-charged read. It definitely ain’t your grandmother’s Christian fiction. More on the lines of Peretti, Dekker, or Dellosso, this novel will stretch your view of sin, justice, and the spiritual implications of both. It is an excellent novel, but it will not be for everyone.

Michael Sullian committed a horrible crime while just a child. The justice system didn’t really know what to do with him, so he was sentenced to a super-max jail. Now 20 years later he has been released, but not everyone believes that justice has been served.

Coldwater can be described as a supernatural thriller. There are lots of incidents that cannot be explained away by coincidence or natural phenomenon. The short chapters and Parker’s writing style create a fast-paced narrative. The main character is very complex — he wrestles with guilt of his past crime and a fragile hope of a someday redemption. The other characters in the novel vary in their complexity — some being just what you see, while others are on a journey as fraught with danger as Michael. While the novel is action-packed, Michael’s story unfolds slowly. Bits and pieces are revealed in such a way that kept this reader turning the pages to find out just what was going on. There are a number of spiritual themes in the book — justice vs. revenge, redemption vs. condemnation being just a few. There is a lot of demonic activity, yet God is never mentioned. I’m not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand the novel is a strong statement on how human choice is the opening for sin. On the other, the release Michael receives hinges on forgiveness, but forgiveness by whom is the question. There are a lot of things left unsaid in Coldwater, leaving me feeling like there should have been more. But that may have been the aim of the author all along. This book certainly left me thinking of things I haven’t thought before.

There are certain elements of Michael’s life following his crime that reminded me of Cain’s judgment by God. I don’t want to go into specifics due to spoilers, but if you read Coldwater, make sure to go back and read Genesis chapter 4 as well. On the subject of sin, there is one quote that resonated with me — We gloss over our own sins, softening their edges, while assuming the sins of other are forever razor sharp and at the ready to slash our throats. Coldwater will have you looking at sin in a new way, especially the consequences.

So should you read Coldwater? If you are not a fan of darkly intense suspense novels with supernatural elements, I would say you need to give this one a pass. I found Coldwater to be chilling, disturbing and riveting. It gets a recommended rating from me.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

I may be one of the few who really got the meaning of this book. I thought it was brilliant writing and I’m still shaking after reading it. I’ve read a few reviews which said they didn’t like it because it was published by a Christian Publishing company with no scripture reference through the entire book. I’m reviewing the book on the context not what I think should be in there. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you have to only read books that quote scripture or reference God. The book was an awakening to me because out there is evil. It is right beside us everyday, it sneaks into our thoughts and can consume us at anytime.

From the beginning of the book, I knew it was going to be a dark almost demonic book. I wasn’t prepared for the depth the author took readers to. I shivered as the book opened with someone realizing they have been buried alive. My heart beat faster as I imagined being that person trapped. I would be going crazy trying to get out. Michael is the one trapped and I felt every scratch he made as he tried to crawl out of what must have felt like hell.

I loved Michael because the author wrote him so well. He is a very troubled soul who all his life felt a desperate need to be wanted. The horrific crime he commits as a child is unthinkable. I did find it odd that he would be sent to a prison with adults but as I read the story, I understood the purpose. Do you believe in guardian angels? Are there demonic spirits around waiting to devour us? Michael has known nothing but what it feels like to locked away with just your thoughts for years. What happens when he returns to the town he once lived in? The book is undeniably dark, scary and delivers a message that there is good and evil in this world. Michael must fight from inside him to rid the darkness. Is he strong enough to survive? Can he control the darkness that lives deep inside, or will it destroy anytjung in its path? I must applaud the author for his upfront take on a subject very few write about. I loved his candor and thought the characters were suspenseful and strong. This is one of the best thrillers I have have ever read on this subject. I hope to find more books from this talented author.

I received a copy of this book from The Revell Blogging Program. The review is my own opinion.

This book really gets to you as you read about Michael and see all the emotions he has and what he has to endure as he has moved back home and is trying to live again. I kept reading to find out what would happen and who all would be involved .
I received this book as a gift and the review is my own.

Coldwater by Samuel Parker is not a book for the faint of heart. The last time I was so engrossed in the storyline from the very start was when I read John Grisham’s A Time to Kill. My heart was racing and I couldn’t read the pages fast enough. With such an intense beginning I wondered if Parker was going to keep the pressure on—and wondered if I could bear it if he did. I certainly don’t want to reveal too much but suffice it to say that he does and I did (but it was close).

This is the story of Michael, a man newly released from the penal system that has returned to the town he grew up in and the vacant house he had inherited from his parents. But the town’s people do not want Michael living there any more than Michael wants to be there. But we all have our cross to bear.

There is a fair amount of violence in the book—and a few scenes are pretty disturbing, but there isn’t any foul language or intimate scenes. It is, after all, published by a company that usually only publishes books with an overtly Christian message. I did not find this to be the case with Coldwater. There were some supernatural aspects to the story, but certainly, nothing that I would consider to be “preachy”.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think that Parker has an exceptional talent for drawing out the suspense. His writing is very detailed but written so well that I never felt I was being overwhelmed with superfluous information. Best of all, the ending was spot on. Often times I find that books that begin with so much action tend to fizzle at the end. But that is not the case with this story. I will be reading it again as well as Parker’s other novel, Purgatory Road.

I was hooked from the very first chapter. The main character, buried alive, struggles to free himself and break out of the confines of his coffin. The writing was excellent, descriptive, short and on point, quickening the pace of the scene as the reader hopes he gets out of this predicament soon. It was definitely a claustrophobia-inducing scene!

Some reviewers had mentioned that there wasn’t an overtly Christian theme in Coldwater, despite having been given the book to review with a Christian perspective. It seemed like they were hoping the author would preach to the reader. But I think this can be a tremendous hindrance to a story and a turn off to anyone that doesn’t share the same faith. I think the author did well by subtly introducing and noting moments of undeserved mercy, that is to say, grace.

Michael is on the run, but it takes us several chapters, to learn why. The author doesn’t drop everything in the reader’s lap all at once. Instead, he spoonfeeds important information that may or may not change our opinion of Michael, as well as the residence of Coldwater. Who is truly the villain in this story? While Michael is hunting by more than one individual, we learn that he isn’t an innocent made. But does that mean he is beyond redemption or that there’s no way he could ever earn the forgiveness of those whose lives his affected the most?

Are mercy and grace only for the righteous? A riveting, at times heart-pounding thriller, Coldwater leads us down a twisted path. It’ll make readers question how they’d handled it if in the same situation. What great lengths would we go to in order to protect our family and friends? Would we even be willing to give someone a second chance or is the risk too great?

Coldwater is an unbelievably thrilling book. You start the book off with a major bang and then it gets more intense as it goes on. It is a uniquely murderous, strongly thrilling, constantly heart pounding, and your skin crawls with the things Michael goes through. Just to let you know there are a lot of twists and turns along the way till you reach the end of the book. Which in itself is shocking to read. You will be surprised at all the things you think you know but you find you're wrong. Happy reading.

The townspeople who have hated Michael for so long have finally taken steps to get rid of him, once and for all. But when Michael escapes, they have to decide how much further they are willing to go to rid themselves of “evil.” At times it felt like this was a Cain story. That whatever Michael had done, there was a “mark” on him that didn’t allow him to be touched. I had no idea how this book would end and it kept my interest.
I had so many questions as I started this book. What could Michael have done that was so bad to warrant the town’s hate? Is Michael the “bad guy” or are the townspeople? It really isn’t an easy answer. I felt for Michael and wanted him to be innocent. What becomes of people who do the thing they hate to get rid of what they hate? The seven men all respond differently and there is a sense that people reap the consequences of their actions.
I don’t realize how many books I read by female authors until I read one that is clearly written by a male. The focus is different, as is the tone. Although this book is pretty dark, it was refreshing to me to read a book that was a little outside my comfort zone. It was a fascinating read and a very unique book. There is a distinct supernatural force in this book that some may not be comfortable with. It’s a thought-provoking book. I would recommend it.
Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this book from Interviews and Reviews Website as well as the author (Samuel Parker) and publisher (Revell). What follows is an honest review.

It is very hard to talk about this book without giving away major plot points. The story opens with a man in a pine box struggling to get out. It is the start of many struggles that this man will go through in his life for the next few days.

Branded a murderer as a child and sent to jail, he is released as an adult and tries to live by himself at his home, venturing out to a bar once a week for a drink. This does not sit well with the locals, and they want him dead, so that is why we find him in a box in the opening.

Characters are quite well developed in this book, even the minor ones. There was no one sided character in the book. We got to see what made them tick and why they were the way they were.

The plot was excellent. When I thought that the author could not pull out a new twist to the story anymore, he still did. It was an excellent thrill ride through why these people were like they were. Nothing was out of place. Each new reveal went with the others. It was just well written. The only reason that I put it down once I started was that was bedtime, or I had work to do. It just latched on and would not let go.

One surprise to me was that the website that allowed me to request a review copy of the book is a Christian website. The books at this site are generally Christian books and Revell is a Christian publishing organization. With that I was expecting some mention of Christianity but it was just not there in the story straight out. As I thought about it, the story could seem a little allegorical. I cannot talk about why I feel that way because it would give away major plot points. But there is a big need for empathy and forgiveness in this story. The story revolves around if the main character will get them, but also the need for them from some of the minor ones.

I highly recommend this book with the understanding that there is a lot of death in it. For that reason if it was a movie (and I could see this becoming one) it would at least get a PG-13 rating. Drinking is done but not glorified. Sex is non-existent. If death bothers you this might be a book to avoid.

This book is about a man who did something terrible when he was young and although he served the time, the stain on his soul obviously runs deep because on return to his hometown, he is hounded out and threatened at every turn but unbeknownst to his antagonisers, he has a strange power.
This novel gave me mixed feelings, I enjoyed it until the end where I was left feeling slightly confused and disappointed.
The plot was solid and evenly paced if a bit slow at times, but the language was good and you got a feel for the main characters, however, by the end of the book I was left wondering why things were as they were, what caused Michaels powers and where exactly did they come from, why him?
Too many unanswered questions unfortunately.

This was just not my cup of tea. I was only able to get about a third of the way through the book. It seemed to have no spiritual significance and seemed very dark to me. Maybe if I had been able to stick it out to the end, I would have enjoyed it more. I wanted to give it one star but I gave it two stars, as it could have gotten better in the end.

I have conflicting thoughts about Coldwater. It is an intriguing read, but yet confusing at times for me. There are some thrilling action scenes with hang on to your seat adventure and at times suspense filled mystery. I just do not believe it was completely my kind of read. I was hoping for a more spiritual type message, but that was not to be.

I do believe many will love Coldwater. However, it was just not for me.

I give this book 3 stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100 percent my own honest opinion.