Wow! This is an incredible story of Ronald Oliver. He grew up in a rough and violent neighborhood. This is the story of a very bright young man who chose two best friends who led him down a life-altering path. He was small for his age and eventually began carrying a gun to compensate for what he saw as a size deficit and low self. He has parents who care and a great relationship with his father. He is involved in a crime that leads to another boy's death and is sentenced to jail. He spent 27 years in prison. The transformation while in prison is remarkable. He goes from violent drug dealer to minister. This story shows the transformational power of God and how he can work miracles in lives. This story is very raw at times as he describes his life on the streets and his time in prison. I enjoyed reading about his transformation and how he grew stronger in his walk with God. After he was released from prison he went on to become a minister in Mississippi State Penitentiary. Great story!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where should I begin? The quote, 'I came, I saw, I conquered,' immediately comes to mind, and the Bible verse Romans 8:28, 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose,' perfectly describes Ronald Olivier's journey from Ronnie Slim to Pastor Ronald Olivier. Certain parts of the story even brought to mind the biblical tale of Joseph.

This book is a beautifully inspirational and thought-provoking read, offering a wealth of lessons and insights from Ron's experiences. To put it simply, I absolutely loved this book – if that wasn't already evident – and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a compelling testimony. It beautifully illustrates the power of testimony, obedience, prophecy, and the unwavering love of a God who can find you wherever you are and guide you to where you need to be.

#27Summers #NetGalley

Absolutely wonderful read. Thank you to the author and publisher and publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I couldn’t put this one down! Such a powerful story of redemption and how our lives are ultimately in God’s hands. Highly recommend! Thank you!

I. thought this was a well-done, honest memoir about prison life from Ronald Olivier, a young man who ran wild as a youth growing up in a rough neighborhood in New Orleans and eventually found himself sent to prison for murder. The hard lessons he learned eventually led to his embracing faith in Jesus Christ and becoming a chaplain there. He was miraculously released after “27 summers” (summers is how prisoners measure time behind bars). His time at Angola and his experiences there eventually led to his becoming director of chaplains at Mississippi State Penitentiary.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Five stars!

27 Summers: My Journey to Freedom, Forgiveness and Redemption is a memoir you want won’t to put down. I read long into the night wondering how Ron’s life would turn out.

Ronald Olivier, a young, black men growing up in a very violent New Orleans neighbor hood in Louisiana, had a loving family, a great relationship with his father, and thoroughly enjoyed school and learning. A page of math problems brought him joy. He was and of course is smart and had a lot pulling for him. The curiosity of streets and the two he hung around with was too great and Ronald began dealing drugs at just 16 years old. He was a small fellow and even though he was 16, he appeared to be about 13. He chose violence and carried a gun to compensate for what he felt to be flaws in his appearance. And everyone around him carried guns. It got real for Ronald one Christmas Day, in 1991. He shot and seriously injured one boy and killed another. This time mama couldn’t sign him out of jail.

With a court appointed lawyer and probably not the right judge, Ronald was charged with murder. With a great amount of time on his hands, awaiting sentencing, Ronald remembered something his mother had told him: “If you ever have real trouble, the kind I can’t get you out of, you can always call on Jesus.” Ronald did just that, promising to serve God all his days if He would spare him the death sentence. He was spared the literal death sentence but the places he was sent were not much better than dying. The suicide rates were high in these prisons, but somehow he was able to persevere. Not somehow, it was his reliance of God.

Ronald’s transformation from violent drug dealer to pastor, missionary, evangelist and prison chaplain is truly remarkable and a testament to what God can do with a life fully yielded to Him. He got knocked back down so many times, I thought he’s not going to be able to get back up again, but he was drew strength from the lord and as always He was faithful.
He spent 27 years f his life locked up!

The story, up until his transformation is a bit raw as the streets and prisons tend to be.

He has gifted us with an inspiring story that encourages my own walk with God. Thank you Ron Olivier for how you are helping those in need and sharing your story.

What a moving story! Though the writing wasn't particularly gripping and there aren't sentences to underline (as is often the case with nonfiction), this kept my attention like a novel,

This book is an amazing story of the redeeming power of God and how He works all things together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.
In this memoir, we follow Ronnie from his early teen years spent in criminal activity through his life sentence in Angola prison. Ronald Olivier writes his story with honesty and humility. He gives the truth about prison life in all its ugliness without giving the reader any inappropriate detail. His story is one of redemption, hope, and forgiveness.

A compelling and moving true story, 27 Summers: My Journey to Freedom, Forgiveness and Redemption is a must read for every Christian.

Ronald Olivier wasn’t like most young, black men growing up in his neighbourhood. He had a loving family, a great relationship with his father, and thoroughly enjoyed school and learning. Still the pull of the streets was too great and Ronald began dealing drugs at just 16 years old. He chose violence and carried a gun to compensate for his childish looks and small size. But then so did everyone around him. Ronald’s story wasn’t really any different than any other male, black teen in that area of New Orleans. Except that it was: God had a purpose for Ronald Olivier and everything changed in one moment on Christmas Day, 1991.

Having been charged with first degree murder and while waiting to be sentenced, Ronald remembered something his mother had told him: “If you ever have real trouble, the kind I can’t get you out of, you can always call on Jesus.” Ronald did just that, promising to serve God all his days if He would spare him the death sentence.

Ronald’s transformation from violent drug dealer to pastor, missionary, evangelist and prison chaplain is truly remarkable and a testament to what God can do with a life fully yielded to Him. It’s an inspiring story, but a challenging one as well. What God did in Ronald Olivier was helped by men and women who willingly and committedly walked alongside Ronald, mentoring, teaching and encouraging him. May I be willing to do the same for those in my life who need Jesus.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this advance digital review copy. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.