The Return of Cassandra Todd: A Novel By Darrel Nelson Book Review

 

Turner Caldwell lives in Lakewood, Colorado and works as a handyman for a local motel and he is a college student. One day, a former high school classmate, Cassandra Todd arrived at the motel where he works. Cassandra was an attractive cheerleader in high school who Turner secretly liked. Turner Caldwell’s childhood pain is tempting to resurface and he will have to deal with the past before he can attain a better future. Turner like most kids had to endure getting tormented by bullies in high school. The main bully, Brad Duncan tripped Turner in the cafeteria and caused Turner to do a face drive into his pancakes and syrup. Brad then gave him the nickname, Pancake Turner and the name stuck throughout high school. Turner felt so embarrassed by this incidence and he hated how everyone made fun of him and pitied him. All he wanted was acceptance and instead he was criticized. Cassandra Todd also saw the entire scene unfold.

 

Cassandra Todd is married to an abusive controlling husband, Brad. He worked in the construction industry and he built houses until in 2008, the economy crashed. Shortly after, Cassandra got pregnant with their first child, Justin. Brad slowly started changing and his tempter was getting out of control. Brad eventually started to get to rough and began pushing and shoving her, then it escalated to him hitting her and leaving bruises. Brad enjoyed being in charge and he checked their bank account regularly to keep an eye on his wife’s spending. He lost his cool and pushed her when she bought a cheap outfit for their son. The bruises and the beating were getting worst and she said she was going to leave him. He instigated and threatened to have their son taken away from her. One of her biggest fears was that Brad was going to hurt Justin. Finally, she left him in the middle of the night with her son and arrived at the motel and reconnected with Turner.

 

Turner is torn in helping her and is struggling to deal and heal from the old wounds of bullying. Brad has hired two thugs to find his wife whereabouts and he is desperate to find their son. Turner stepped up to the plate and is determined to protect Cassandra and Justin. Will they make it out alive? Or will they be captured or worst killed?

 

I would recommend this suspense filled novel to anyone who is looking for a book that will capture your attention. As I was reading the book, I felt like I was living the country adventure alongside Turner, Cassandra, and Justin. Darrel Nelson did an excellence job at writing the chapters in thrilling details. I immensely loved the plot and storyline because it covered real life everyday problems that some people having to face tough things like spouse abuse and bullying. The book showed the importance of protecting our children from harm and I believe it can offer encouragement to people who are facing abuse and bullying right now. The book showed how the love of Christ can make an impact on someone’s life. Cassandra believed in God and prayed with her son throughout the book. Turner had trouble praying to God when he still blamed God for letting his mother die from cancer. The book at times made me very upset and I wanted to jump in the novel and shield Justin and Cassandra from the physical and emotional abuse from Brad myself. The father and husband almost came out of me (and I’m not a dad or a husband yet) and it’s hard for me to understand how someone could hurt an innocent child and their wife who they said their vows to. But I know it happens every single day. The book is raw and real for today’s times and readers will be able to relate to the characters and the storyline. If you’re looking for a new novel to read, then read this one! This is the best fiction novel, I have read in a while it kept me engaged and I didn’t want the novel to end. I wish the author would make the novel into a series.

 

“I received this book for free from Charisma House/ Realms for this review”.

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Return of Cassandra Todd, then check it out on Amazon.com or Christian Book.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Return-Cassandra-Todd-Darrel-Nelson/dp/1621360210  

 

http://www.christianbook.com/the-return-of-cassandra-todd/darrel-nelson/9781621360216/pd/360212