This supernatural thriller probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I greatly enjoyed it. The story was easy enough to follow along, even without having read any other Trevor Black novels. The supernatural aspect was one focus of the book, but a good portion focuses on Trevor’s personal life. Parshall keeps the reader guessing at every turn, and although I could predict part of the ending, it was interesting to see how it all played out.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.* ( )

Excellent Christian supernatural thriller. My favorite quote from the book is this one: “But you, on the other hand, are occupied by Christ. By God’s grace, and your faith. You see, it is not what comes against you that matters. It is who occupies you that counts. Christ, the guardian of your soul.”. ( )

The first part of the book was very interesting...A childhood warning about an evil lurking just outside the human range of vision...a strange old man...a house that everyone avoided...a young man given a task that he didn't want to begin with but quickly became intrigued with... perhaps TOO intrigued. You knew something really nasty was there but it was shadowed in the background waiting for just the right moment. The right moment came 15 years later when Trevor...a trial lawyer with a big law firm, saw IT for the first time in a client accused of the gruesome murder of a young girl. From then on the took on a really religious tone that spoiled the premise of the starting story. 3 stars for the great beginning. ( )

Title: The Occupies (A Trevor Black Novel)
Author: Craig Parshall
Pages: 448
Year: 2016
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5+ out of 5 stars.
When I first read the synopsis and saw a media trailer about the novel, I wasn’t so sure about reading it. Frankly, it sounded scary and something perhaps geared for men to read as the lead character is a man who of course deals with manly issues. However, there is more to the book than meets the eye. I am so glad that I read the novel as there is a deep and powerful message that Craig Parshall has crafted.
While there are places where the lead male character named Trevor sees demons and experiences their power or sees how they can influence people, that isn’t all there is to the book. While Trevor is a disbarred lawyer who tries to explain to a judge why he can’t represent a client because he sees a demon, it is the beginning of a journey for Trevor that really started in his childhood.
As I read the story I began to understand that Trevor is seeing into the spiritual realm and doesn’t understand how to handle it. There is a minor character that comes alongside him to aid his understanding. Trevor is on a spiritual journey where he is going to learn about the power of God that surpasses the power of the prince of the air.
Trevor is also becoming involved in a murder mystery that has stymied law enforcement and stretched from New York to Trevor’s hometown. The victims range from people he has no personal connection with to those who were childhood friends. The ending is extremely powerful and one I didn’t see coming. I believe anyone who reads the novel won’t soon forget the powerful impact to their heart when coming to the conclusion and understanding what a brilliantly crafted tale leads to real truth!
I hope readers who want suspense, tension, action, adventure and a powerful spiritually impacted story will read the book and share with other fans!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

The Occupied, by Craig Parshall, is an excellent read! Good versus evil on a whole other level. An everyday kind of guy finds he has a gift to see beyond the veil of the real world into the spirit world. And, wow, how that changes his perspective on what is happening around him. Parshall has done a marvelous job of giving readers a glimpse beyond the veil. The Occupied is a murder mystery and yet so much more. Readers follow Trevor Black from his childhood in small town, USA, to big city, New York City and back to the hometown with the underlying issue being the past does not always stay the past. With great, well-developed characters, a story line that is action-packed, strong spiritual truths, a lot of suspense, and a little romance and, voilá, The Occupied is an amazing story. One that reminds readers they may want to think about what the real battle of life is all about.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Club network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. ( )