14 October 2014

Today's Read: A Life Intercepted by Charles Martin

A Life Intercepted by Charles MartinImagine you had everything you had ever dreamed about. Now think about how you would feel if, on the very eve of the start of your professional life, you were accused of a horrible crime you did not commit? For Matthew "The Rocket" Rising—the winningest college quarterback ever—the evidence was compelling, but he knew he was innocent. Who would stand by him? As he leaves prison after a twelve-year sentence, he's about to find out.

The novel opens with the story of another young player:
He sat on the floor, towel around his neck, drenched in his own sweat, eyes trained on the screen. Football in one hand, a half-eaten banana in the other, a bottle of Gatorade in his lap. She sat next to him. Jeans. Older sweatshirt. Legs crossed. Remote in one hand, laser pointer in the other. Staring through reading glasses. Her hair had turned. Once deep mahogany, now snow gray. The turn was not unexpected; the timing was. Life had amplified genetics. In her early thirties, she was technically old enough to be his mom, but the last third of those years had not been kind. It wasn't so much the wrinkles as the shadow beneath them. He was a rising senior, a seventeen-year-old kid strapped with immeasurable talent, high hopes, and dreams he'd only whispered. . . .
Life Intercepted by Charles Martin (Little Brown / Center Street, 2014, p. 1)

Quick Facts
  • Setting: U.S. South, modern times
  • Circumstances: Before Matthew can make it to his first NFL practice, he is accused and convicted of a horrible sex crime he says he did not commit. Now out of prison, he decides to risk all to help a young football player and to regain his wife's love.
  • Characters: Matthew (then and now); his wife, Audrey; his best male friends; Dalton, a high school player; various people from his football days, his prison days, and current life
  • Genre and audience: contemporary fiction; women's fiction
  • Themes: trust, love, making the best of things, second chances, redemption
  • Some early positive thoughts: I picked this novel up intending to read only a couple of pages, but before I knew it, I was about 75 pages into the story. I like that Matthew is not a feel-sorry-for-me kind of person, though he of course wants his good name back. I'm also glad to see that his friends are, understandably, a little uneasy around him now. The story obviously pulled me in, so that's a good thing.
  • What I'm still questioning: Although I'm intrigued by the premise, I wonder if the story is going to be too predictable. Because I don't know much about Matthew's wife or Dalton yet, it's hard to say. I'm not a huge fan of women's fiction or unrealistic love stories, but I find the prose to be engaging, and I'm interested in Matthew and how he ended up in prison.
  • Recommendation: Too early to tell, but I'm hooked. It seems to be a quick read and would be great for a lazy Saturday, an airplane ride, or the beach.

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a book I'd enjoy with the sport theme running through it :)

    My teaser

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  2. This does sound good and it is an author I've enjoyed in the past.

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  3. I got this book at BEA, but didn't read it yet. You have me intrigued.

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  4. Interesting. Now I am wondering if he was innocent. With all the things going on in the football world, a good guy would be a nice change of pace. Happy reading.
    sherry @ fundinmental My TT - Clay by Tony Bertauski

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  5. Wow, I can't imagine serving time for a crime I didn't commit. This sounds compelling.

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  6. Wow - I'd never heard of this one and am totally interested. The South and football angle got me! Will look out for your thoughts once you've finished it.

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  7. Living in the south surrounded by avid football fans this would be a good one for me. I'm wondering if he was released because he was found innocent or had served his crime. I'd like to read this.
    Here is my TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/14/teaser-tuesdays-85-the-memory-closet/

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  8. I haven't heard of this one - sounds intriguing. Hope the rest of the book is just as good.

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  9. I'm not quite sure whether this one is something for me. I really like the sound of the blurb, but the intro isn't quite doing it for me yet! I hope you enjoy it though! Thanks for sharing :) Hope you have a great week!
    My Intro
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  10. I get too angry over false imprisonments to be able to read this, I think!

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  11. I haven't read a Charles Martin book in years.

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  12. I'm wondering what is the relationship between the two people, the woman and the boy. She's not his mother, is she? It's interesting especially about the innocent man going to prison for 12 years. That's unbelievably sad.

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  13. What trying circumstances, sounds like a book that gets you thinking, not a beach read. The synopsis. Is interesting

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  14. One of my favorite books is by Charles Martin, and yet I have only ever read that one book by him. This one sounds interesting.

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  15. I'm not familiar with the author, but the story has a lot of elements that have me hooked. It sounds like the kind of book I'd like. Will look forward to your review.

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  16. I love stories about fighting injustice and saving the day.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  17. Since I grew up in the South, where football is a religion, I'm definitely interested in this story. The opening made me want to know more about the characters, especially the gray-haired woman.
    Thank you for leaving a comment on my post about WAR BRIDES.

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  18. I'd give this one a try. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts later.

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  19. I am intrigued. I've this author before and enjoyed the book.

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  20. sounds good .. i will wait to hear how you feel when you're done .. thanks

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  21. This definitely sounds interesting and I can see that there are a number of ways this can go... Great that you got pulled in straightaway and I'll be interested to see how you feel when you're finished. Thanks for visiting my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/teaser-tuesday-october-14/

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  22. That sounds really interesting, but also really sad. I'm curious to know who-dun-it though!

    Here are My Teasers.

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  23. I've added this to the tbr - thanks! Cheers from CArole's Chatter

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  24. Sounds really good.

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  25. Definitely piques my interest.

    Mine is from a young adult suspense novel:

    http://pdworkman.com/excerpt-and-trailer-for-those-who-believe-teasertuesday-trw14-2/

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  26. Interesting that he served time for a crime he didn't commit- and what is the parallel to the current young player? Makes you wonder... looks like agood read.

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  27. It sounds like a very intense story. I can't imagine how helpless you would feel being charged with a crime you didn't commit. Enjoy your book. Have a nice week! kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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  29. I'm also intrigued by the premise of this story. I like the first paragraph and I'd keep reading at least a few more pages.

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