REVIEW: ROOMS by James L Rubart 17.3.14

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend. When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.  ~publisher
  Length:  400 pgs
Published: April 1 2010
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group * My Thoughts? I was drawn to this novel by the cover - Yes, I'll freely confess! Not unwillingly, as this book is a stunner. James Rubart's debut took me on a mind bending adventure I desired nothing but to learn "what happens next?"  One word description?
Riveting!

A mind bender that intensely engaged my emotions. Rubart is a masterful storyteller. Believable characters. Believable relationships.
Unbelievable scenarios of intrigue and suspense.

MC, Micah Taylor, makes life changing decisions without grasping the potential impact on present and future. Challenging to the reader as we follow his progress, alternately cheering or holding our breath.  Relational connections we want to see happen -
others we're wanting to warn him of.  But... are we right?
An inheritance that subliminally fulfills his every wish?  A dream come true ?  or a doorway into deception ? Substantial ethical, relational, and spiritual challenges for Micah and for us as we reflect on the situations portrayed. 
Stunning outcomes with ever increasing twists of mental prowess
kept me invested to the end.  The ripple effect lasted much longer...

NOT to be missed!
*
Available in Audiobook
and Paperback
* Quotes:
“You don't have to own something for it to be you. Haven't you ever gone into a gallery and seen a painting and said 'that's me'. Or had a piece of music capture something deep down you didn't even know was there? You realize it's always been part of youl you've just never heard it before.” 
―'Rooms' James L. Rubart 
“Utterly engulfed,
And wanting more.
Buried,
Drowned,
Intoxicated,
With the vastness of love.
Losing myself as the waves wash over me,
Through me,
Surrounding me,
Caught up in the a hurricane of overwhelming peace,
I have let go,And He has found me.” 
― James L. Rubart, Rooms

*My appreciation to B&H Publishing Group for an ecopy to read and review without compensation
or obligation.
* Author bio:

James Rubart says, "I'm a husband, dad, author, marketing guy--in that order,
and live in the Pacific Northwest.
First novel, ROOMS, released April 2010. Second in the series, BOOK OF DAYS, hit shelves January 2011.  Third, THE CHAIR released fall of 2011.
The dream came true."

*Great stories are always worth reading. 'Rooms' received the USA Best Book Awards for Fiction: Visionary (2011) plus Winner, Best Inspirational Novel of 2010 * Find and follow FHC online:

@_eHope - Goodreads - Facebook - Pinterest *
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High Summer Read-a-Thon July 22-28.13

Joining the High Summer ReadaThon at Seasons of Reading ongoing Monday 22nd continuing til midnite CST Sunday 28th.

[Signups open until Friday midnite CST July 26th - no blog required - FB, Goodreads, Twitter - all are possibilities.  Some way to keep updated and connected...] * Host, Michelle Miller, encourages readers to  "remember to have fun this week. Again,  my read-a-thon credo is "a week of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries."  * My current reading includes award winning author, Lisa t Bergren's intense medieval time travel River of Time series

book 2  CASCADE - completed Sunday 28th

now beginning book 3 TORRENT

[publisher David C Cook] * My first completed High Summer ReadaThon read? James L Rubart's 'ROOMS' [published by B & H Books] *

* Looking like the perfect summer setting, it's proving to surpass all expectations for a great read..! Not sure what, if any, other books I may get to with added commitments this week. I'll be happy to complete at least this one! * * * Laura at BookSnob blog has created a mini challenge for ReadaThon participants:
The Challenge:  A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

                                                                                  1.  Choose a picture that represents a person, place or thing in one of the  books you are currently reading. 2.  Name the book you are reading and explain how the picture relates to the story you are reading. *I have chosen picture #1 representing the very thing 'ROOMS' protagonist, Micah, must learn to accept in the oceanside mansion he has inherited from his great uncle and in the new turns his life is taking... He comes to expect The Unexpected as he learns to Live Wonderstruck at his emerging life beyond the natural realm. The hazy effect depicts the atmospheric impact on the senses . * Photo #2 represents the many doors in this home that unexpectedly appear and disappear,
leading to rooms that relate to Micah's life... *

*

3.  Put a link to your post in the linky at Laura's blog
*
Liking this creative challenge, Laura, thanks for the FuN! * Thanks also to our High Summer ReadaThon Host,  Michelle Miller !

*

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