Faded Grace: Sabotaging the Way to God
Dreams died in the shadows of the second American Civil War as the continent splintered into six countries. A dozen years later, a vagabond veteran is captivated by nightly dreams. His criminal past hunts him down, shoving him into obscurity, while the relentless vision lures him toward an uncertain calling.
Was his mission the dilapidated church? It seemed more like a nightmare. It could not inspire anyone with its faded grace, the death of dreams, plus an evil creature chained to its ugly past and hell-bent on its destruction.
The invitation to follow the vision was only the beginning, while the end could be death, or worse.
My Thoughts
Faded Grace is a compelling ghost story. Not only is the abandoned church’s nickname The Ghost, the characters all wrestle with their own ghosts.
Even the nation had been through another civil war and was divided into new nations. Rules had changed, but ghosts still lingered from individuals’ poor choices from before. A veteran of the war, wanted as a criminal, began having dreams about a mission. The visions kept pulling him north, as he hid from pursuers, to an abandoned church. Was this mission?
What can one man accomplish, especially a hunted one? While his past caught up with him, new characters wandered out to the old church. Some began experiencing their own dreams, and dysfunctional lives are changed, including that of a troubled teenager. The old church was also beset by a creature of the dark, while Japanese robots planted nearby farm fields and eventually began to interact with the humans.
Stuck is one thing. Sabotage is another. This is Craig’s sixth novel. He’s become a master storyteller. This one is an intriguing tale of restoration with a surprising but satisfying ending.
About Craig Matthews
Back cover: Craig Matthews is: Child of God, Widower, Father to 3, Papa to 7, Moo is still around, Author of Six books
From his Amazon Author Page: Craig’s true gift is in storytelling and many of those skills were learned the hard way, living through the myriad of life altering choices he has made over the years. Imagine that. Life happens.
Craig listens to people, striving to see them the way their Creator does, while asking pertinent questions along the way. Hearing stories of God’s kindness has been foundational to his journey, living one has transformed him. His pastor’s heart motivates him to teach those that struggle with addictions. He leads small groups of men toward relational wholeness. Combine all of those experiences with a love for creating, an insane imagination, and you may begin to understand his story.
Craig wants to inspire you to live in the truth our loving God has for you today.
Please check out his Amazon Author Page.
You may order Faded Grace from Amazon.com or Amazon.uk.
This sounds like a fascinating read!
It is! Thank you, Anne.
Intriguing story premise, but I’m not sure I want to go there. A second American Civil War is not something I want to ponder right now, although I know it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. Would never have thought it possible 15 years ago. Thank you for making me aware of this author and his books.
The story takes place afterward, with Japanese robots growing crops, etc. But the robots begin watching the humans, then waving back, then interacting! Thank you, Janet, for your comment. Craig’s books are though provoking, but always a redemption story.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Craig’s latest book, Joy. He has quite a lively imagination! 🙂
You’re right, Nancy. Only two of them are connected–Charity’s Fire and Inverted. And he began to introduce sci-fi elements, which isn’t my genre at all, but I got a kick out of them. I read an early version of this new one about a year ago and wondered how he comes up with Japanese robots in this one! Friendly ones, at that!
Thank you. My late wife could never figure out how I thought up all of my stories either!
🤣👍
Oh my goodness! Sounds terrific, Joy! Thank you so much. ❤️😊❤️
Vicki, I got to read this one a year ago in it’s raw stages. It’s such a delight to experience what it eventually became, especially the characters, well, and the robots!
You are such a bright light, Joy! Amazing — just like you! ❤️😊❤️
Vicki, you are so dear!
Nah…you are! ❤️🌸❤️
Joy helped me so much I put her name in the credits! She is such a blessing to me!
I wondered that, too! Quite an interesting twist. 😁👍
Sounds like a fascinating story, Joy. Anyone who wears a Detroit Tigers cap must know adversity. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John. Craig will love that one!
So true, John. We have suffered much! 😁
It’s good to read your thoughts about this captivating novel by Craig Matthews, Joy.
Thanks so much, Tim!
My pleasure, Joy. 😍
Ooh, this sounds good, Joy!
Yes, thanks, Luanne!
Craig’s latest novel sounds very compelling!
It sure is. I don’t know how he comes up with it all!