“Cast a Road Before Me” is the second book of the Bradleyville series that I have read and I’m fast becoming a fan of the Bradleyville series as a whole.
Book One of the Bradleyville series,”Cast a Road Before Me” is set in the small town of Bradleyville around 1968. Capturing the feel of the era, the story is centered around Jessie who is orphaned at the age of 16 and goest live her with aunt and uncle in Bradleyville, Kentucky.
What I really enjoy about the series, is the strong character development that immediately captures the reader and enwraps them in a slow, but rich detail filled story that leaves the reader unable to put the book down, and even when you do, you’re still caught up going over the story in the back of your mind.
Filled with engaging drama and moments of light romance that are often nothing more than just a simple kiss, what is also endearing about the Bradleyville series as well, is how they are centered around a scriptural verse.
In the case of “Cast a Road Before Me“, it’s Jeremiah 29:11, but what I find especially endearing is the subtle focus on topics that are part of the Christian journey.
In Book Two, “Color the Sidewalk for me“, it was about forgiveness, but in Book One, “Cast a Road Before Me“, there is the sublte discussion of salvation and it’s importance.
The reader is basically treated to a story within a story, within references to topical biblical passages to reinforce the books scriptural theme, and yet also interwines with the story’s central theme, in this case, Jessie, coming to terms with the loss of her mother and the future she is presented with herself.
For non-Christians, this would be a wonderful way to subtly introduce what it means to be a Christian, as Brandilyn Collins’ characters, face realistic situations that for some non-Christians, face or grapple with questions such as the conflict of forgiveness or in the case of “Cast a Road Before Me“, the importance of salvation.
What is enjoyable about Brandilyn Collins writings, is the fact that her writing is so casual and engaging that it becomes easy to get lost in the story and forget that you are reading about fictional characters or even a Christian fiction, while she (Brandilyn Collins) achieves sharing a wonderful message of the redemptive power of our Heavenly Father.
If you are seeking for a way to engage non-Christians into discussions about faith and salvation, maybe your a new Christian, or just even for the mature follower, “Cast a Road Before Me” is highly recommended because it presents a casual but in the end, satisfying read that is both engaging, entertaining, heart warming and sends a powerful message that makes it difficult to not think about at the end of the reading.
“Cast a Road Before Me” is excellent for book club readings and to even open up discussions the importance of salvation, by providing a comfortable and heart warming neutral ground look as Jessie, herself, struggles with the question of the need for salvation, after all she is a good person, and following her mother’s footsteps in doing good for others, and helps explains how “good works” is not enough, as even Jessie herself engages in those sometimes not comfortable feelings, that for those who may not have grown up in a Christian home, or did, may have gone through.
The interplay between her and her aunt and uncle and the man she falls in love with, is beautiful dialouge and at times, it is like the reader is just eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Cast a Road Before Me” will leave you feeling comforted and at the same time eager to read more of the Bradleyville series and definetely worth checking out to read!
Even though I had checked this book out of the lbrary, I definetely plan on buying the entire series to keep on my bookshelf and re-read later on.
Have to say, this has quickly become one of my favorite books for 2010!
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What happens on Sunflower Faith?
