About the Book
Book: Lone Falcon
Author: Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist
Genre: Christian Romance/Coming of Age
Release Date: October 2, 2018
What if you had to choose between your friends and your faith?
It is 1971. Eighteen year-old Carrie Falconer goes to college and joins the rowing team, where she receives praise and popularity for the first time. She also finds her first boyfriend. Not just anyone, but the heart-throb men’s crew captain! As coxswain of the varsity squad, she leads her team to four gold medals, allowing them to qualify for Nationals. However, while pursuing her collegiate dreams, she has left behind most of her traditional religious beliefs. While preparing for the National tournament, she is hit by a life changing consequence and is forced to decide between pleasing her team or letting them down by following what she believes to be the right path.
Click here to get your copy.
About the Author
The first four chapters of Lone Falcon and the general plot were written when Merrijoy Wennerlind, was a student at the University of Washington. The rest was finished up years later by Merrijoy (MJ.) Buist who worked hard to keep her 24-year-old spirit alive.
MJ. is currently a Diaconal Minister at the Anaheim United Methodist Church. A native of Seattle and a UW graduate, she lives in Santa Ana, California with her husband and two sons. She is currently working on the sequel, Lone Choices, which tells how Carrie lives out her decision. You can reach MJ. at her facebook page: Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist@mjwb
Lone Falcon by Merrijoy Wennerlind Buist
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, I appreciate the fact that this book deals with the serious topics of abortion, premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, and bullying. These are all issues facing young adults today, and I appreciate the fact that this gives a Christian view on these difficult topics. At least, for the most part. And I’m sure the story could be rather gripping for the athletic young person…especially a young woman who is involved with sports or at least has an interest in it.
Unfortunately, I believe the author really missed the mark with this book, and it pains me to even be critical in this way. But when a book is hailed as a “Christian book,” I hold it to a much higher standard. I understand and respect the fact that the author wanted to show the sharp difference between those of the world and those of the church, but using the kind of terminology that was used is not why I read Christian books. There is a different and better way to go about demonstrating that difference, but the author chose to go that route.
Moreover, I appreciate the choice that our heroine ultimately made, but I would have preferred a little more Biblical background for the decision she made. I know the author was showing the character’s reasoning, and I appreciated reading her thoughts. But there should have been more Biblical counseling, in my opinion.
I don’t like being negative when it comes to these kinds of reviews. If this was merely a young adult book, I probably would have given this much higher marks. But I would not recommend this book to any Christian young people I know. I would even be hesitant to recommend it to young people I know who are not saved. But I suppose if this book can make someone question their beliefs and ultimately come to the Lord, who am I to question that? But I believe in too many ways, the author missed the mark.
More from MJ
How far would you go to research your book? Would you sit on a narrow crew boat with eight other women and learn to row? That’s what I did to get a feel for what my main character, Carrie Falconer, in Lone Falcon experiences as she joins and excels in the college crew team.
Why did I choose rowing over another sport? I couldn’t resist the metaphor of steering your own boat, which led me to the sport of rowing and its navigator, the coxswain. I fell in love with the idea of choosing your own path and what happens when one goes off course.
You, the reader, will follow Carrie from her strict Christian upbringing to attending a secular college, experiencing her joys and victories as she rises to popularity, and of her first love, the hunky Lenny, men’s team captain. You will struggle along with her as she makes a life decision of whether to turn back to her faith or do what her friends ask.
I originally wrote Lone Falcon in response to all the Young Adult (YA) books and T.V. shows of the times which said, “Your parents and their beliefs are all wrong, do what your friends and the times say.” In the wisdom I’ve acquired in my years of mothering, earning my master’s degree, and becoming a Minister, I adjusted my theme to making your own choices, not what others and society may tell you to do.
I hope this book will encourage other brave young women to live up to what they believe within and not be influenced by what others without tell them to do.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 22
Rebecca Tews , November 23
Blossoms and Blessings, November 24 (Author Interview)
CarpeDiem, November 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 27
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 28
Texas Book-aholic, November 29
janicesbookreviews, November 30
Through the Fire Blogs, December 1 (Author Interview)
My Devotional Thoughts, December 2
A Reader’s Brain, December 3
Inklings and notions , December 4
Godly Book Reviews, December 5
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, M.J. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Barnes and Nobles Gift Card, autographed copy of Lone Falcon, and autographed copy of Lone Choices when it comes out!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f0bd/lone-falcon-celebration-tour-giveaway
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6 Comments
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Thank you for your honest review!
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Thank you for sharing your honest review of this book.
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I love the cover! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your concerns about the book.
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Thanks for giving your honest opinion. Lots of Christian readers prefer books with a stronger biblical theme.
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Sounds like a good read.
