After She Falls by Carmen Schober is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: Adri doesn’t turn on the radio or pull up Eva’s playlist on her phone. For once she drives in silence.
But first this week’s photo and verse. Barbara Diggs sent me this beautiful sunset this week. I love the pink color among the blue. And I thought the verse went well with it!
Now onto AFTER SHE FALLS by Carmen Schober. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Strong-willed Adri Rivera always dreamed of becoming a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who smashed everything to pieces. When their tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mou
ntains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together as a single mother.
Adri struggles to regain her independence after so many years under the oppressive influence of her ex, but a job opportunity at a local gym gives her hope that she’ll be able to stand on her own two feet. The one problem? The man who offers it to her is the handsome but hardened Max Lyons–her former best friend and training partner, whom she left heartbroken years before.
As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, training for a big tournament, can she confront her weakness and avoid the past defining her future?
My take:
This was the ACFW Bookclub read for May and I wasn’t sure I’d like a book about mixed martial arts. I am so glad this book was chosen. Oh, my. It held my attention from the very beginning.
Schober does a great job of showing the passion that mixed martial artists bring to their sport. She also developed two main characters I quickly came to care about. Both had a lot of baggage, and I love the way Schober wove the faith element into the story. Everyone should have a Boom in their life. Boom was a great secondary character, and I hope he gets his own story!
The other characters add a lot to the story, especially Roman and Yvonne. And little Eva. This is a heartwarming story of passion and hope. One I’m very glad I read and I’m looking forward reading to Schober’s next book!
Leave a comment with the first line of the book you’re reading or tell me if you’ve ever read a book about a mixed martial arts heroine.
May’s winner is Judy!
I will be traveling today and will comment once I get to Little Rock!
After She Falls by Carmen Schober is this week's Reader Friday. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 39
I haven’t read a book with a mixed martial artist heroine only heros. It does sound like something I would enjoy.
Author
It is a great book, Phyllis! I really enjoyed it.
What a remarkable book of faith handled predominantly from three perspectives. Even the fight aspects made sense. Sometimes we need inspiration from a Bookclub or review to cause us to read a gem we would otherwise never have read because the topic sounds unappealing. Hopefully your review inspires others to take the chance as well.
Author
I’m so glad our bookclub chose After She Falls. Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
I’ve never been interested in a martial arts book but I might give it a chance on your recommendation. I’ve learned to open my mind to new genres in my old age. A friend asked me to read a few chapters of a book she wrote called The Harem of the Dragon by Lauren Tallman. It’s about an Emperor from the Ming Dynesty. Never ever in my wheel of books to read. I refused so many times as eloquently as I could until she broke me down. WOW! What an eye opener. I was a fly on the wall through the whole book hiding everywhere in the Palace. You just never know until you turn a few pages.
Author
I love being surprised by a book, DJ. Thanks for dropping by.
Forgot to mention the photo. I love sunrises and sunsets, God’s beautiful artwork, clearly seen as your verse tells us. Great choice Miss Patricia.
Author
I so agree with God’s beautiful artwork!
I haven’t read any book on martial arts, but you make me want to read this one. And you make me curious about Boom.
Author
It is very good and I loved Boom!
No, I’ve never read a book about mixed partial arts, a bit more violent than regular Judo, karate etc. However, I enjoy martial arts, so this will be a mind-stretching read. After She Falls sounds intriguing. Thanks for the good, review, Pat.
“On a platform by the bow of the USS Ettinger, Mary Stirling prepared supplies no one would notice unless they were missing.” This is the first line of Through Waters Deep, by Sarah Sundin, an author I’ve really enjoyed reading.
Author
I love Sarah Sundin’s books, Barbara! I think you’d enjoy After She Falls!
Pat, I just looked up After She Falls and read the first chapter. Oh my! I’m hooked and I don’t have the book, yet!!! Wow! That’s going to be powerful.
Author
It is very good, Barbara!
Good morning, Wow, After She Falls sounds so very intriguing and like a great read! I have not read a book about mixed martial arts, but sounds so good and I would love to read it. Thank you for sharing about it. Thank you so much for the chance. Have a great weekend.
Author
I think you’ll enjoy it, Alicia!
Ahri sounds like an interesting character. I know nothing about martial arts, but this would be a good way to learn a little.:-) Great review, Patricia!
Author
It’s a great book with really interesting characters, Vera. I plan to review your great cozy mystery next week. 🙂
SQEEEE! That’s so exciting! Thank you!
Author
😀
Gorgeous photo for the scripture!
Enjoy your weekend.
Author
I thought so, too, Caryl!
I have not read about book about mixed martial arts that I recall. One of my grandsons started Taekwondo this year so maybe I should. The first line of the book I am reading: “I can’t remember when, if ever, my feet hurt this much,” my husband said to me.
Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates
Author
I always wanted to take Taekwondo, Gloria. And Eva Gates’ book sounds really interesting!
Stunning photograph, Barbara! I love that shot! Pat, the verse you chose has deep meaning to me, especially as I learn more about how God put this universe together.
I have not read any books featuring mixed martial arts. I am working my way through the DVD set of the “Walker, Texas Ranger” TV series, so that book would be fun to read, I think.
Barbara mentioned “A Deadly Wilderness” by Kelly Irvin last week. I’m about 2/3 through, and it is an attention grabber. From the Prologue: “Lalo Hernandez veered from the trail, scooted through a stand of trees, and crouched behind thick bushes, enjoying the warm noon time sun on his back. It was a beautiful day, making the job all the more enjoyable. He fingered the hilt of the long knife strapped to his waist as he leaned in and peeked between branches laden with leaves that scratched his face.”
I’ve already preordered the sequel: “No Child of Mine”. Kelly Irvin is a great author.
Barbara, I think you’ve just found another book for me: “Through Waters Deep”. I love naval stories. And, I though my reading list for June was looking sparse. Thank you ladies for filling it out!
Thanks, Tim!
Oh yes, on The Walker Texas Ranger shows. One time I was walking in downtown Ft. Worth. There were hundreds of people, police cars and roped off areas. What is the world was going on ? Well, there were filming an episode of Walker! Oh my! 🙂
No Child of Mine is already on my TB bought list. 🙂
I know you will enjoy Sarah Sundin’s book, Through Waters Deep. It looks like book 1 of The Waves of Freedom series.
Author
We’re always happy to oblige, Tim. 😉 I have Kelly’s book on my Kindle, and maybe I’ll get to it soon!
Tim, I was a huge fan of Walker, Texas Ranger. I was so frustrated when Chuck Norris decided to end the show. It was one of the last good TV shows, in my opinion. I think all of the other shows I liked had either already ended, or did so around that same time. I haven’t watched anything on a regular basis since Walker ended its run.
I agree, Edward. My wife and I enjoyed Walker, and were sad when it ended. The only other broadcast TV series we really enjoyed then, which started about the same time, I believe, was J.A.G. That had a ten year run, and since I love all things Naval, it was a must see. We really liked the regular characters.
I haven’t read a book with a martial arts heroine
Author
It’s a really good book, Shelia!
I have not read a book about mixed martial arts. If you liked the book I know I would also.
Author
I really did, Judy.
I’ve never read a book with mixed martial arts before. I’ve seen this book around, but didn’t consider reading it because it deals with an abusive ex so it would contain too many triggers for me (my ex-husband). I’m sure it’s an excellent book though from all the great reviews I’ve seen 🙂
Anyway, the book I’ve just started is the last one in a great historical series by Sian Ann Bessey (Georgian Gentleman). This one came out in April so I’m hopeful she’ll write more because I really am enjoying them so much!! The characters are ones I’ve come to love 🙂 First lines from “The Unassuming Curator”:
Berkshire, England 1790
Henry Buckland did not have time for a detour. He was expected in London by day’s end, and Lord Claridge, the chair of British Museum’s board of trustees, would be most disgruntled if he arrived late. Unfortunately, for the venerable gentleman, Henry’s incentive to linger in the country land was equally compelling.
Author
Trixi, I totally agree about not reading anything that triggers anxiety! The Unassuming Curator sounds like it’d be a great book.
That’s a beautiful shot of the sunset. The verse is a great match.
I finally started H.L. Wegley’s book that I shared the first line from last week. I have had a difficult time finding time to read recently. As far as the martial arts aspect, I can’t recall reading anything where that was a major them, but it seems many of the heroines in the books I have read in the last few years had some training in martial arts and had to use their training at least once in the story to get out of a tight situation.
Author
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo! I think you’d enjoy this book, Edward.
intriguing premise
Author
Yes, BN!