Hometown Favorite: A Novel

by Bill Barton

Talented, handsome, and personable, Dewayne Jobe rose from humble beginnings in rural Mississippi to play college football in Southern California and beyond. One of the best wide receivers in college ball, Dewayne is assured a promising career in professional football and easily finds success both on and off the field. Not only is he a great player, he's got the wife, the kids, and the pristine white picket fence to boot. But catastrophe looms right around the corner and ultimately strikes with a crushing vengeance. Will Dewayne's faith and character stand the test of such tragedy? Or will he lose everything--including the love of his life? This modern retelling of the story of Job will capture readers with the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people--and how good people can survive.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 2008

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! From mega success to unthinkable tragedy to a final triumph, this is an amazing story!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dewayne Jobe seemingly had it all: excellent health, a beautiful wife and healthy infant son, a loving extended family, a successful pro football career and the money to go with it.

Then, in one shocking afternoon, Dewayne Jobe's world collapsed. Accused of a brutal triple murder, and stricken with an inoperable brain tumor, Dewayne is pronounced guilty by public opinion and loses his family, his friends, and his fans in one fell swoop.

This is the story of Dewayne's struggle to rebuild his life, his reputation, and his faith in God ...

[Donna Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

The book kept me wanting to read more. I couldn’t tell what was going to happen next. A story of friendship, family and love.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t have to enjoy sports to read this book. Although the story is centered on a football player’s life there is more to the story then just the game he plays. The story starts at the end of his high school career and follows through till the signing of his NFL contract. What transpires during these years will have you feeling every kind of emotion.

Even though you know this book is fiction you will relate to the story lines and feel the emotions of the characters as they deal with real life situations. This is not a feel good story all the way through. There are some tough pages to read. There is a happy wedding but there is also death. The ending will inspire you to continue even during dark times in your life. This is a book written from a man’s point of view but can definitely be enjoyed by all who read it.

I was given this book by christianreviewofbooks.com to review

[S. LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, Excellent, Superb

As tragic and devastating as this story was, it was one of the most emotionally enjoyable books I have had the pleasure of reading in a while. I loved the relationship Dewayne had with his friends, family and teammates and yet when tragedy struck he was abandoned by most of those same people. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. Thank you Jesus, God never leaves us!

[Jean D. Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and mercy

What Dewayne went thru was about perseverance, strength, faith, hope, and forgiveness. I appreciated his humbleness when he was drafted and remember the ones who paved the way before him. What a great story

[KaTrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I just happen to come across this book at library glad I picked it up.

[Missy Sorter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book!!

[Cynthia Riesgraf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Modern retelling of the book of Job. I have never quite thought of it this way. Thought provoking

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story offered some surprising twists.