Thursday , March 28 2024
Reign Falls Down

Book Review: ‘Reign Falls Down’ by Steven B. Harris

Harrison Marks has a pregnant wife named Claire and an estranged father named Harlan. In this impressive drama, Harrison must overcome endless challenges. In Reign Falls Down Steven B. Harris opens up many aspects of Harrison’s life by sharing his vulnerability, family background, and personal struggles with readers. Harlan’s questionable business practices create some major havoc that becomes the main catalyst for the action.

Published by Book Baby Publishing, Reign Falls Down also offers humor and healing as readers experience the spiritual, emotional, family, home life, and mental aspects of Harrison’s life. The author also helps readers understand key details of Harrison’s life so when the action increases while keeping readers focused. It’s well worth the effort. The insight into Harrison and Claire’s home life during their pregnancy is especially touching. Other characters include Pastor Bob, lawyers, government agents, and Harrison’s and Claire’s parents.

Conflicts arise as Harlan’s business practices produce increasing interest from government officials as the author folds in specific character background chapters. Harrison’s strained relationship with Harlan is a slow reveal, but worthwhile, especially when the strain of his father’s criminal investigation increases what was already a deep pain.

“I believed everything he told me,” says Harrison about his father. The tone of Harrison’s dialogue ranges from anger to forgiveness while Harlan’s dialogue ranges from arrogant to desperate. Another memorable gem on page 197  – “he saw his son piecing together a story he didn’t want to be true.”

The dramatic elements get a bit of humor, especially when a government agent steps in it (literally) as well as a rushed, but essential hospital visit. Readers get a genuine surprise during one of the most dramatic chapters where a main character encounters some real danger. On page 155, one of Harrison’s most challenging moments changes the book’s format. Previously Harrison’s thoughts were shown in italics, but many thoughts exist here so the author gathers them into a summary so readers can understand Harrison’s overwhelming emotions.

Elements in the narrative of Reign Falls Down are well researched beyond simple name dropping and popular references. The only real distraction here is your own thoughts. For example, on page 160, I found a slightly questionable action (lawyers sharing information) that checks out fine. If readers have the willingness to learn and open their hearts, then the sidebars disappear.

“God what are you doing to me?” says Harrison as his insight guides the narrative. Harrison’s questions, exclamations, and frustrations are telling factors in his developing beliefs and faith in God. Readers gradually discover some important family background, especially in chapter 16. Descriptions of the Indiana locales fill out the narrative nicely.

The efficient storytelling in a Reign Falls Down is a big plus and includes two key summaries – one at the end of chapter 21 and the other on page 211 that condenses a set of legal deposition questions that would have shifted the reader’s focus. This recommended (*** out of four stars) 258-page work includes a prologue and an epilogue. Available at Amazon on September 2.

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