Feast for Thieves, Debut Novel by Marcus Brotherton, © 2014

A Rowdy Slater Novel
Preaching or Prison? An impossible choice for a man who usually solves his problems with his rifle or his fists. Feast for Thieves - new from bestselling author, Marcus Brotherton.

author Marcus Brotherton

Summary: "Sergeant Rowdy Slater is the most skilled-and most incorrigible-soldier in Dog Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, an elite group of paratroopers fighting for the world's freedom in World War II. Through a bizarre set of circumstances, Rowdy returns to the States after the war, turns his life around, and falls into the only job he can find-preacher at the sparsely populated community church in Cut Eye, Texas, a dusty highway town situated at the midpoint of nowhere and emptiness. The town's lawman, suspicious that Rowdy has changed his ways only as a cover up, gives an ultimatum: Rowdy must survive one complete year as Cut Eye's new minister or end up in jail. At first Rowdy thinks the job will be easy, particularly because he's taking over for a young female missionary who's held the church together while the men were at war. But when a dark-hearted acquaintance from Rowdy's past shows up with a plan to make some quick cash, Rowdy becomes ensnared due to an irrevocable favor, and life turns decidedly difficult." -- Provided by publisher ~ River North Fiction by Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges.

Author Marcus Brotherton's first historical fiction novel released three weeks ago, following his several non-fiction books. I am encouraged by seeing "A Rowdy Slater Novel" upon reading Feast for Thieves, in hopes there will be further writings about this protagonist!

Cut Eye, Texas, in 1946 is looking for just the change Zearl "Rowdy" Slater can bring ~ but... they don't know it yet, nor does Rowdy. In fact, he tries to leave Cut Eye but heads back to right a wrong. Inconceivably, Sheriff Halligan Barker suspects he has just the job for Rowdy, and calls Rowdy's former commander, Colonel Robert Sink, for a reference. Just as he suspected ~ Rowdy is his man.

Rowdy is experienced in bar fights, sharpshooter, and he has a conscience. Rowdy has a goal of staying out of jail by surviving a full year in Cut Eye as ~* the new Cut Eye Community Church preacher, Rev'rund Rowdy Slater. Beginning the story, I think of Jan Karon's fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. The dialogue is tuned to the times and location, and the town has its distrustful and suspicious, grumps you can never seem to please, and those who think they are in charge. Sheriff Barker says to meet with Bobbie ~ whom Rowdy thinks is Bobby ~ until he meets a young woman who instructs him of his duties, taking over for her so she can go to language school to prepare as an overseas missionary.

You will not be disappointed in the turns and twists that come Rowdy's way. I especially liked how his ingenious way brings the men to church. He gets to know the people in the small town repeatedly. Meals at Cisco Wayman's café come with his job ~ except the first morning he finds the proprietor doesn't know that. Hungry, he is turned away. Fortunate for him, Mrs. Wayman knows to feed him when he returns on her shift. The church secretary has been there eighteen years and likes things done in a certain way, especially punctuality.

I liked how Rowdy becomes endeared to the townspeople. He doesn't always get it right, learning along the way. Feast for Thieves is a humorous, growing, example of a life that is changed that gives hope. Choices: forgiveness and second chances are real and available for all. Long thought on after the last page, Feast for Thieves feeds hungry souls beyond their appetite for food. I read this book in two days, only because I finally needed to go to bed! Great works; applicable to any generation.

***Thank you to author Marcus Brotherton for this fine story and to Moody Publishers/River North for sending me this review copy. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Marcus Brotherton is a journalist and professional writer known internationally for his books and literary collaborations with high-profile public figures, humanitarians, inspirational leaders, and military personnel. He has authored or coauthored more than 25 books.

Notable works include We Who Are Alive and Remain, a New York Times bestseller; A Company of Heroes, which ranked No. 1 in the country among World War II/ Western Front books; and the widely-acclaimed Shifty’s War. Marcus’ debut novel, Feast For Thieves, releases in September 2014. Further author contact: web, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.