Life in Defiance by Mary DeMuth

It's so satisfying to read the third book in a trilogy, don't you think? Especially when there's a mystery to solve. Let's begin with the summary of Life in Defiance by Mary DeMuth.

In a town she personifies, Ouisie Pepper wrestles with her own defiance. Desperate to become the wife and mother her husband Hap demands, Ouisie pours over a simple book about womanhood, constantly falling short, but determined to improve. Through all that self-improvement, Ouisie carries a terrible secret: she knows who killed Daisy Chance. As her children inch closer to uncovering the killer's identity and Hap's rages roar louder and become increasingly violent, Ouisie has to make a decision. Will she protect her children by telling her secret? Or will Hap's violence silence them all? Set on the backdrop of Defiance, Texas, Ouisie's journey typifies the choices we all face---whether to tell the truth about secrets and fight for the truth or bury them forever and live with the violent consequences.

And now, my review:

Mary DeMuth has a way with words. From the first book in the Defiance, Texas trilogy (and/or the first book you read by her) you pick up on this. She also is a masterful storyteller. In Life in Defiance, her main ministerial focus, as referenced by her dedication and her heroine’s plight, is that of abused wives. How even the church has told abused women they are to “submit” to their husbands and win them by their “obedience.” A sick, perverted lie. Tackling this issue by depicting abuse must not have been enjoyable for Mary. It certainly wasn’t “enjoyable” to read. But you will find hope in the story, life on the other side.

Honestly, not every one of my friends or family members would be able to stomach this book, or this series. Mary is a gutsy writer, going places in her imagination that sometimes I’d rather not go. But like while reading Daisy Chain, (Book One in the Defiance, Texas trilogy) I couldn’t put the book down. A sign of a good writer—they take you places you wouldn’t ordinarily go, whether you want to go or not. And, for the record, I’m glad I went.

I believe readers who like a deeper read, one with heavier emotions, will enjoy Life in Defiance. And while we’re visiting here upon the book’s title, I want to say the heroine spends the entire book trying not to be in defiance, but rather in compliance. (Ironic, isn’t it?) All the forces of the world around her, the authoritative influences seem to come against her, perpetuating the lies. Readers may find themselves frustrated in her powerlessness. But I also believe, like any good fiction, readers will question what they, themselves, would do in the same situation.

I liked Mary’s use of a non-fiction book (which does not exist, but whose themes do, no doubt) in her novel. She brings in an estranged wife/author to impact the heroine’s life. Just in reading that I believe readers will discern, this woman’s point of view is not truth. That was one of my concerns—will the readers who need the message of Mary’s book, get the message? For most of the novel there is so much confusion. The issues of being “a good, Christian wife” in the late 1970s were depicted with murky answers through most of the text. Of course, fiction isn’t meant to preach truth like non-fiction can. But I was hoping for more hope to be weaved in before the end of the novel. You’ll find hope, but it comes after much, much turmoil and pain.

As in her other books, I enjoyed Mary’s writerly voice. Her use of first-person. Her use of second-person, on occasion. As a writer, I delighted in the play. And of course, she used third-person, too, for the villain.

Overall, this is a well-written novel, a satisfying ending to the Defiance, Texas trilogy. A word of insight, the novels build on each other. Read them in order to follow these characters on their journey. But roll up your sleeves. These are not comedies. You’ll be looking inward and sometimes watching helplessly as this author digs around in the soil of your heart.

A Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth

I'm excited today to feature Mary DeMuth's "A Slow Burn." Here's the back cover copy before I share my review:

She touched Daisy’s shoulder. So cold. So hard. So unlike Daisy.

Yet so much like herself it made Emory shudder.

Burying her grief, Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter Daisy’s murderer—a man she saw in a flicker of a vision. But when the investigation hits every dead end, her despair escalates. As questions surrounding Daisy’s death continue to mount, Emory’s safety is shattered by the pursuit of a stranger, and she can’t shake the sickening fear that her own choices contributed to Daisy’s disappearance. Will she ever experience the peace her heart longs.

The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, this suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret, and bonds that never break. It is about the beauty and the pain of telling the truth. Most of all, it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive.

And now my review:

In her acknowledgements, Mary mentions being challenged to “dig deeper” in the telling of this tale. As you read, you see her doing just that. The depths of one woman’s despair after the disappearance of her only daughter is haunting, poignant. (See book one—“Daisy Chain”—the precursor to “A Slow Burn.”) You watch her fall again and again, desperate for relief from her burdens of guilt. I have not lived the life of Mary’s heroine, have not experienced the same hardships or made the same mistakes, still I found myself asking personal questions of the woman in the mirror. Questions about leaving regrets untended or loving those around me 100%. Questions I could not answer like I’d like.

Isn’t that what great fiction does? Makes you ask those deeper questions. Takes you someplace emotionally heartbreaking to offer you hope in the midst of your analysis. Mary’s contrast of good versus evil, of despair versus hope, of death versus life will have your mind munching as you read, but also after you finish. This was the strength of the first book, a power which continues through this second book.

And whether you appreciate the inner journey her books take you on or not, there is one sure thing: you won’t be able to put the book(s) down. Mary’s prose, pacing and mysteries keep you reading. Longing for book three.

I can’t fail to mention her symbolism—the setting of “Defiance, Texas,” the hero’s placing his coat over the heroine, pursuing her and loving the unlovable, protecting her—loved how all these items (and more) increased my enjoyment of this read.

Mary DeMuth is a speaker and the author of three parenting books and four novels, her latest entitled A Slow Burn. As a book mentor, she helps aspiring writers seeking publication at www.thewritingspa.com. Mother of three, pet owner of two and wife of one, she lives in Texas. Find out more at www.marydemuth.com.

Readers: on October 23, Mary will appear on Seriously Write, a blog I co-host with Dawn Kinzer. Come have a look. She's going to share her "success story" in writing.

Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth

The back cover copy of today's featured novel:

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty story that reveals God's hand of redemption in impossible situations.

And a snippet about its author:

I'm an aspiring gourmet cook, a sometimes tri-athlete (note emphasis on sometimes), and a passionate follower of Jesus. I'm in love with my husband and kids and am zealous about writing and speaking. (I promised my family I wouldn't talk about my nose ring.)

My deepest dream is to see stories—mine and others—change your life as they've changed mine.

Although I write both non-fiction and fiction, I'm especially fond of the latter because of the power of story. Stories saved me. From the parables of Jesus, to novels like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Book of the Dun Cow, stories swept me away into a world of hope and possibilities.

To say my childhood was difficult is like saying the Grand Canyon is a big ditch. (Read my testimony by clicking the tab below.) But out of it God gave me a passion to help families break devastating generational patterns.

This led to an expertise in the field of Pioneer Parenting. I love guiding parents who don't want to duplicate the homes they were raised in, or who didn't have any parenting role models to equip them.

And now my review of Daisy Chain:

2 a.m. It’s unusual I stay awake to read that late, but Mary’s book kept this busy mother of three up, attention fixed to the final pages. From the moment this story launches, you are holding tight to your seat, thrust so deeply into these characters’ lives and the heart of their country life you feel you’ve become a character. I’ve rarely read a book this emotionally gripping, one which was obviously a considerable labor of the author’s heart and mind. (though Mary’s efforts were superb and to readers, her work will appear effortless. Only writers will guess at the labor involved.)

The characters’ stories will grip you. I’d recommend considerable time set aside for the second half of the book, though the first half will keep you reading simply due to the incredible prose.

I’ve heard this book compared to Leif Enger’s “Peace Like a River.” I hold that book in very high esteem as well. And I would agree. Mary’s coming-of-age story, centered on her hero Jed and heroine Daisy is so well written, so gripping, prose lingering in your mind, even if you’re not a highlighter of fiction phrases, you may be tempted to raise a yellow marker to the page.

Fantastic novel. Highly recommended.