Winner of the 2015 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award
2015 EPIC’s eBook Awards, Romantic Suspense
2014 Selah Debut Fiction finalist
2014 Genesis semi-finalist
2014 Clash of the Titles, Laurel Awards finalist
2014 Oklahoma RWA International Digital Awards, 2nd place
Caralynne Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year-old daughter at the hands of a … abuse and death of her eleven-year-old daughter at the hands of a radical religious cult—The Children of Righteous Cain. So when her husband, a founding member of the cult, suffers a massive heart attack, Caralynne allows her husband to die.
Caralynne’s secret seems safe until Dayne MacFarland returns, determined to learn the truth about the cult. His investigation and his rekindled love for Caralynne lead the pair toward a confrontation with the group’s elders.
Can Dayne’s love for Caralynne bridge the gulf of anger and bitterness that divides the community? Or will Caralynne’s deadly secrets prove too high a price for her redemption?
more
The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman.
Caralynne Hayman doesn’t think like the other women of The Children of Righteous Cain. She’s independent and feisty, unlike her complacent, subservient peers and fellow cult members.
Dayne MacFarland’s life changes radically when he trusts in the God of the Bible, forsaking the tenets of his childhood faith. Though he’s chosen as the spiritual leader of the cult, he preaches a much different message, one Elder Simmons can’t endorse—love others as God loves you.
The story is an “edge of the seat” tale from beginning to end. Just when I thought the characters’ conflicts were heading toward resolution, another twist occurred. Carole Brown is a master storyteller.
This book is not an easy read but one with topics that need to be addressed. I cannot image the terror of a young girl seeing her mother being tortured by a man with hate in his eyes. The scars of that day will remain with her and harden her heart in ways that only God can soften. That young girl is now grown and in a marriage where abuse is an everyday occurrence . Cara makes a decision that in her mind will set her free. Can she live with herself after her decision causes a death? She has grieved for a child she feels could have been saved and blames her husband for the death. Will she ever be free from the pain of losing her child? It was hard to read how her daughter died and I could understand her desire to seek peace in her heart.
The author paints a picture of a woman who is hurt and wonders why God has allowed her to suffer. I could understand her desire to be rid of a husband who brought back memories of her childhood. As I continued reading I kept being reminded of the scripture, ” Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” The story is riveting as we witness a group that keeps women in submission by beatings and threats. I wanted to scream at times as I read how domineering the men were in this little community. It reminded me of a cult that was on the news several years ago. They were kept in a compound and treated like animals. Women had no say and were kept in line by harsh punishment. Young girls were married off to older men and the family could not stop it.
I had a hard time reading this book only because the author has done such a good job of sharing a story of pure evil at its best. Cara comes to the aid of one of her friends and finds herself in danger. Can the new pastor help her get free from this group? Dayne knew Cara in their younger days and has always had feelings for her. What will he do when he witnesses the torture being placed on people by intimidating men?
Elder Simmons is a man to be reckoned with. He reminds me of a bully and takes his authority to the edge. How can he believe that women should be whipped almost to death? His delusion that man should rule over their wife and children with violence made me sick. I could feel how powerful he thought he was and how many feared him. I think he forgot that what the Bible tells husbands how to treat their wives. The story shows how people twist scriptures to meet their own needs and how easy power gets to their head.
The author has written a book that is hard to read at times but I found myself wanting to know if Cara will ever be set from her hate and learn to forgive. Cara is a character that has many challenges and her defiance is quickly becoming a problem for the elders. Dayne is trying to open the eyes of the men to see what true love is and how God wants them to treat their wives as helpmates, not doormats. This story was tense at times and at other times so heartbreaking I wanted to stop reading. I appreciate the author writing this story to expose how people can be deceived. It is a journey that will find Cara questioning God and allowing her heart to be softened and her faith restored.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
“Who am I? What have I become besides a mother who adores her daughters?”
Thrusting the reader immediately into the world of The Children of Righteous Cain, a radical religious cult that exists in its own self-contained world, “The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman” is both eye-opening and heartbreaking, but with a whisper of hope that beckons throughout. Skeptical as I was when I started reading this story, I am glad that I took a chance on it. With a jarring prologue that begins to make more sense as the novel winds down, Carole Brown establishes a steady pace interjected with occasional moments of serenity that allow the reader to catch their breath. Once I stepped into the story, I had a difficult time putting it down, and it reminded me somewhat of a Lifetime movie. There is the requisite romance, and a forbidden one at that, and plenty of drama. Exposing the cornerstone of the cult, Brown manages to evoke revulsion but also sympathy, and she does so in a non-gratuitous manner that makes readers aware of the abuse and unpalatable issues without including graphic details or profanity.
As the narrative unfolds, the characters remain the most prominent aspect, even above the situations. They are my favorite part of the book because of the complexities woven into them by the author. When writing about cults, it can be easy to fall into stereotypes and characters who are either good or evil, with no middle ground. “The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman” offers a more authentic study of human behavior by demonstrating the conflicts within the cult members themselves, and the effects of brainwashing. While there is true evil, it comes through the sin resulting from twisting or denying God’s Word, and the consequences thereof. Indoctrinated with a false religion, the followers are expected to be subservient to whatever the leader proclaims, and anyone who challenges the modus vivendi is a threat. Due to her oldest daughter’s death, Caralynne defies the status quo: “All she wanted was for her girls to have a chance at a good and happy life. Whatever it took, she would do it. Right or wrong.” Ultimately, what causes the cult’s theology to fall apart is its lack of love. 1 John 4:18 encapsulates this missing element: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Thankfully, we have a Savior who does love us with a perfect love, and as this story demonstrates, it is Him we need to listen to and follow.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Well, that’s two books in a row dealing with topics not often found in fictional stories.
Cults are taboo, accursed, the ultimate in anti-society. But once you are in one, you’re trapped. And when you’re in one, you’re brainwashed and don’t even know it.
Ms. Brown launches the reader smack into the midst of a Caralynne’s torment, and the death of her abusive husband. My mind screamed at her to take her daughters and run, far away from the community that held her captive—but I knew she couldn’t. I knew she was trapped. The more I read the more appalled I became; and yet, this is what cults do, trap their followers with false truth—and threats.
I understood Caralynne’s drive to seek revenge for her daughter’s death, especially once I learned more of what caused her death. I urged her to forgive, though, the only true freedom.
Dayne had a different battle to fight—Truth against the lies of the enemy. The Word of God against the word of the cult leader.
As is spiritual battle, what looked to be overwhelming odds and a lost cause, God’s Word always wins. Always. Not without cost, not without sacrifice, but God’s Word cannot be defeated.
Ms. Brown writes a taut story, gripping and chilling, that held my attention to the end.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS!
I purchased this book, and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, Carole Brown
Imagine being in a cult where you cannot see anyway out of it. This is the incredible story of one such group – the Children of Righteous Cain. While this in not a true story, I can’t help but wonder how many of these details might be true for groups that are alive and prospering at this time in our world.
Dayne has grown up in this setting, has been sent to seminary and groomed to be the pastoral leader for this congregation. In his studies he realizes that this is not God’s plan for his children. Armed with this wonderful news, he returns to share what he has learned, but will their eyes be opened as his were?
Caralynne experienced a trauma as a child that so scarred her that as an adult she cannot remember it. Can she possibly believe that God loves her and learn to trust Him with her life and the lives of her children?
With kidnapping, murder, child molestation and mysterious disappearances one could almost feel the pain and heartache experienced by this unfortunate group. The author has done a fabulous job of taking us inside the workings of this fictional cult, but do we really believe that this is only the product of a prolific imagination or is it possible that such communities really exist…?
I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. The musings, impressions and opinions are my own and in no way solicited.
The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by author Carole Brown is a gritty tale of cult activity. It is 342 pages long and classified as contemporary Religious Fiction. Notice the “Religious” and not “Christian” classification.
Author Brown has written a novel about the gruesome things that are done to women and girls in cults. Not much is said about boys in this book as her focus is on females and their mistreatment. Brainwashing, abuse, sexual violence, suffering, and extreme male dominance made this a very rough story.
The characters were all over the spectrum which I would guess is typical in a cult. It was hard to relate to them. The author’s writing style left me wanting something more. At times the story lagged and I quickly lost interest. Dialog sounded stiff and unrealistic, but I have never been in a cult. I could not find the inspirational element, but maybe I just skimmed over it during a rough part.
It is such a heart wrenching tale of loss and heartache that I could not finish reading it. Please note this is just my personal opinion. I have heard that many others enjoyed it. This book was just too hard for my soft heart to take. I rated it a 3 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.