David Housholder

Absolutely stunning!

This is a book that everyone needs to read. There are so many things that are quote worthy that my copy has pencil markings all in it and page references marked in the back.

As if the story was not compelling enough the author has been gracious enough to include a section of questions. If you are looking for an excellent book for a book club this is it! You will not be disappointed in the storyline nor will your group have a shortage of discussion regarding the topic.

This is a coming of age story of sorts for two very different people separated by a continent. They are connected by the faith of their grandparents and a story that connects them in ways they never would have guessed. An old story of love, treachery, betrayal of all sorts and the prevailing evidence of God's grace and forgiveness. This story comes together in the third generation and with it comes the finality of God's infinite love and power of restoration.

Join the journey that spans three generations. Be pulled into the story and discover the truth that resonates within the pages. Open your eyes to the back light of your own story - - Allow God to reveal to you the same power in your own life.

The book opens with this quote on page 16, "Walls are real, yet they always come down. Creation and Nature never favor walls. They start to crumble even before the mortar dries."

It ends with the following quotes: "But faith and blessings will always find a way to be fruitful and multiply./Faith like water, will always find its way back to its Source. Carry it, and it will carry you. Receive it from others, and pass it on to them." So profoundly simple: The spiritual foundations we build now will impact other generations, even if for a moment they seem lost.

Finally on page 171 and 172: "It takes a crown of thorns and truly good heart to destroy the wounding of the thorns of life./Curses are meant to be broken./Evil and brokenness are never even any good at being evil and broken. the Pharaoh always ends up at the bottom of the Red Sea. The evil dictator must die by suicide. Good is simply good at being good. And prevailing."

Thank you B&B Publishing for this review copy.… (mehr)

First off let me say I didn't dislike this book. I just never found the love for it I usually find. At times I felt lost in the story and I don't mean that in a good way. I don't mind switching POV in a book. the change of POV and time period often left me re-reading to try to figure out what was going on. The character's were believable, yet they almost seemed to be a contradiction. Kati never felt loved or accepted except by her Opa. She felt ugly, yet she tattoos and pierces her body. Josh only feels balance when on a skateboard or surfing yet almost ruins it for himself and his friend.
One thing I did like was this book could be read by a Christian and they would see a Christian message and yet I could recommend this to my non-Christian friends and they would see the "good" or "inspiring" message.

The questions at the end did make me question how I justify things I do in my life. Out of all of the books this was my least favorite one. I know there is someone out there who would just love this book. I've read other reviews and many people do. It was just not written in a style that made it pleasurable for me. I didn't feel the message I hoped to glean from it since it was an INSPYS pick.… (mehr)

I have strong feelings about this book. I just don’t know what they are. I must endorse it, because it’s unforgettable.

The Blackberry Bush was authored by a Facebook friend, whom I picture as a conservative “Christian teacher-leader” (David’s words) living 2,000 miles away. I’m not sure that’s how David pictures himself, so I’ve probably already insulted him. And I’m not much of a fiction reader; this will be my last for a while—I’m burned out. But on a whim, I asked for a copy. David turned out to be quite insightful, and a superb fiction writer besides.

The two main characters, a boy and girl growing up on opposite sides of the world, are quite vivid. You’ll identify with one or the other, and possibly both. They are both very real—very real!—and what troubles me most about the book is that I dislike one of them. I don’t want to, and I don’t think I’m supposed to, but I do.

I can’t describe the emotional journey, so I won’t try. Just read it, and let yourself be immersed in feeling; it might change your view of life. The book is more spiritual than Christian, so it won’t change your life that way. It’s certainly not going to talk you into a church building. I’m not really sure “spiritual” is even the right word. Honestly, I can’t put my finger on the feelings it evokes, but there is one word at the root of it all. A word with many definitions, all of them lacking. That word is Faith.

I wish the book were true. I wish all that’s wrong with this screwed-up world could just work itself out, like a rubber band unraveling under its own pressure, perhaps with a little karma, or predestination, or meddling from above, or an intertwining of energies, or whatever your religious bent is, leaving everybody happy in the end. But life is messier than that, and the kinks don’t always get worked out. There’s no guarantee of happiness. So where does that leave faith? Faith certainly isn’t wishing, nor is it holding hands and singing Kumbaya. But whatever it is, David’s book will strengthen yours.

The author thinks this would be a good book for teens and book clubs. Ahh, what do authors know, he’s flat wrong. It’s for parents and grandparents.… (mehr)

I must say that I really enjoyed this book. I was capivated from the very beginning in how their life's were intertwined and how it all came together in the end. The plot was very good. I really enjoyed the feel of traveling into the past and seeing the characters then. All the secrets, and betrayals they habored, you really didn't think how it would connect with the future characters but it did. It also makes you think a lot. It makes you see how even things done in the past can have such a profound effect in the future generations.

As for the characters, I thought they were amazing. Mr. Householder, did a great job capturing all of the characters in all of their stages of life. Young, Old, new. I really could relate to what they were going through. So many families went through so much during the war. It was a great refreshment to read it from all kinds of points of views.

Which brings me to my gripe. I really didn't like the pov switching. For me, it did flow well, but you were constantly switching characters views over and over again. It was sort of nerving. I really wanted to stay in one person shoes for longer than a few pages. But, then again, after finishing it, I can see how the pov switches were nesscary.

The Blackberry Bush, is real, intense read like no other. The plot and writing is intense enough that is captures you right away. This book is definitely something you want to read if you enjoy war stories that are caught up in the web of secrets, betrayal and hurt.… (mehr)