A Life Intercepted: A Novel

Don't waste money on this one. Had it not been chosen for my book club, I would have not finished it.Story is not believable, found myself amazed at how ridiculous the story line was. I have read many free books that were well written and truly enjoyed. Don't think this author will win any literary awards.

I have read all Charles Martin's books. I loved all of them up to "Thunder & Rain." Then he started putting sex in it. And now "A Life Intercepted" is all about sex. Maybe sex sells, but not to me.

A Life Intercepted by Charles Martin is a heartbreakingly poignant and incredibly riveting story about unconditional love and forgiveness. This engrossing novel is thought-provoking and moving and it carries an emotional and compelling message about selfless love and the restorative power of forgiveness.

From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, there are two constants in Matthew Rising’s life: his deep and abiding love for his wife Audrey and his love for the game of football. His father instilled a love and understanding of the game and Matthew set and broke numerous records on his meteoric rise as a quarterback through high school and college. With Audrey at his side, Matthew is poised to begin his career as a NFL quarterback when he is arrested and quickly convicted for a heinous crime. Gaining an early release for good behavior, Matthew returns to his small hometown that has turned its back on him where he hopes to find Audrey and win back her love.

Matthew is humbled by his success and he always gives credit to his fellow teammates for their victories. He is adored by everyone in his hometown and they are quick to pay homage to the small town boy who made it big. When everything falls down around him, it is shocking how few people believe in his innocence and how fast that love and adulation turns to disgust and hatred. Despite this lack of faith from his supporters, Matthew worked through his anger early in his incarceration and after he is released from prison, he is not interested in proving his innocence. Instead he is focused on repairing his relationship with Audrey and he is willing to make any sacrifice to achieve his goal.

The depth of Matthew’s character is demonstrated through not only his actions but his innermost thoughts as well. Thankfully, he is not portrayed as a perfect person without flaws. He still has lingering anger toward the person responsible for his downfall but he works hard to keep his negative emotions from taking over his life.

A Life Intercepted is written in first person through Matthew’s perspective so all of the characters are filtered through his point of view. It is easy to see why he fell in love with Audrey and the fact that she was always his biggest cheerleader underscores how devastating a blow it is when she loses faith in him. But this limited viewpoint makes it difficult to understand how or why Audrey could believe the worst of someone who was never anything but genuinely kind, loving and giving no matter what the circumstances.

A Life Intercepted is an absolutely spellbinding novel with an unusual but believable storyline. While it occasionally gets a little bogged down with the technical aspects of football, this information is essential to the overall plot. The characters are multi-faceted and fully developed with all too human flaws and weaknesses. The overall story is incredibly fascinating and it is extremely tempting to read ahead to find out how the story ends. But it is well worth the wait because Charles Martin brings A Life Intercepted to a very heartfelt and emotional conclusion.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

After reading A Life Intercepted, I'm kicking myself for not having read any of Charles Martin's ten novels before now. His style of writing and the quality of his prose alone propel this story to the top tier of books that I've enjoyed. And then there's the story itself: well crafted, poignant, riveting, emotional, compelling, and more. A Life Intercepted is a story of the fallen hero, broken relationships, effort to win back what was lost, and a final sweet redemption that is so inspirational and satisfying to read.

The story is told in the first-person voice of Matthew, and begins as he is released on parole after serving his sentence for a crime he denies committing, and returns to his south Georgia hometown of Gardi. I love it when an author enables me to "see" the setting, and being somewhat familiar with small southern towns like Gardi, I can say that Charles has done that exceedingly well. One example is this description of the shade tobacco barn on the property where Matthew is staying: "The aroma of manure, tobacco, earth, and turpentine, delivered in the suffocating packaging of humidity and heat . . ." But even more vivid than that is the government-owned graveyard that contained something that features prominently in the story, "the Bucket" - a scalable mound of dirt "mixed with bumpers, hood ornaments, truck bumpers, and old Fords that became affectionately referred to as 'Rust Bucket Mountain.'"

Matthew and Audrey are complex characters and I was emotionally drawn to them from the beginning. It was so easy to connect with them through a range of feelings - anger over his wrongful conviction, inability to prove his innocence against irrefutable evidence, the heartbreak of betrayal, loss of life's dream, and a willingness to risk it all in helping a young athlete. There's also a great cast of secondary characters - agent and friend Wood, prison guard Gage, and Coach Ray. I especially liked the way Wood never withdrew his friendship and faithfully visited Matthew in prison, in spite of doubts he must have had. Matthew reflects that Wood "couldn't stop my soul from cracking in half, but once a month he sutured it shut. How I love that man."

There's a good bit about football in this story - and I'm not a sports fan - but it was important to the story and actually very interesting. In fact, while football fans will love it, this is more of the character-driven type of story that I enjoy. And never again will I think of quarterbacks as merely guys with a talent for throwing the ball.

A Life Intercepted feels like a story from the heart of Charles Martin. While some may think the spiritual themes are understated, the overarching message of redemption, forgiveness, and love speaks strongly - and I kept wondering how I would have reacted in a similar situation. Charles states in the author's note at the end: "Forgiveness offered - especially when so undeserved - cuts chains off the human heart that no other power in any universe anywhere can rattle, much less break. . . . Love did what hatred could not and never will."

I thoroughly enjoyed A Life Intercepted and will be reading more books by Charles Martin. 5 stars, highly recommended.

Thank you to Katie Connors and Center Street for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I want to start off by saying I'm not a huge fan of football...never have and never will be. I blame my brothers for that. I say that because even though I'm not a fan of football, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it as a backdrop in a story.

Charles Martin has a wonderful ability to tell a story and weave every aspect together in away where it flows. There was nothing choppy or left me questioning...unless it was meant to, and my goodness how I was asking questions at the beginning when we are introduced to Sister Lynn as she was helping a kid work through his football training.

Audrey, when introduced is a young woman, hard pressed to help her new husband Matthew. She's been with him through thick and thin, through everything as he worked his way to the majors and has been beside him the whole way. She is just as well known as he is. She is tough, but also loving to Matthew and helps keep him humble.

As things happen and everything starts to unravel, Audrey does what she can to protect herself from everything that has happened. Matthew changes as well and he is a broken man, a man who has lost everything he has ever hoped for, and despite what has been placed against him, he still fights for his innocence and for the truth to be known.

The struggles that Audrey and Matthew both face on their new lives is hard. It shapes them and leads them to who they will become. Matthew's fight for freedom and Audrey's desire to keep away from the nightmare that unfolded around her. We witness all of this from Matthew's perspective. It was an interesting way to watch the story unfold.

This is an emotional story that keeps you turning the pages. You want what is right to win and you hope that these characters come out OK.

Thank you to the Hachette Book Group, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was a wonderful book! It is a story of love, loss, and forgiveness. It was poignant at times, completely heartbreaking at others. It was one of the most touching books I've read in awhile, which is something I seem to always be able to say about Martin's books. He is such a spectacular storyteller! In this one, he again created great characters that I felt very invested in, an intriguing storyline, and a compelling setting.

Matthew Rising had it all as a young college graduate. He had a supportive wife that he loved utterly, the promise of a spectacular career in the NFL, and the adoration of the nation. After being accused of a horrible crime, he lost it all. Twelve years later he is released from prison on parole and returns to his hometown, hoping to find his wife, Audrey, who disappeared shortly after he was incarcerated. When he runs across Audrey, even though she seems filled with hate for him, she asks Matthew to coach a talented teenager whose only hope of going to college is a football scholarship. Knowing that being near the young man, Dee, can send him back to prison, Matthew will still do anything for Audrey.

Charles Martin is a favorite author for me, and this book is a good example of the reason. It was very emotionally intense, and made me laugh and cry. Even though it had quite a bit about football, which I know virtually nothing about, that didn't affect my enjoyment. There were a couple of times when I felt lost for a paragraph or two during the more technical football parts, but the wonderful story more than made up for that. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

The story tugs at the heart from the very start and more so when at the end you read the author’s note. I have loved football from my youngest years until now. It is still one of my favorite sports to watch, cheer or groan about. Inside the covers is a tale of the people, their lives along with the rise and fall of a star. What occurs in the story can be easily imagined as something pulled from the pages of history. The story is purely fictional; yet, it has much to teach us about the human race.
The two main characters are Audrey and Matthew who are high school sweethearts and eventually end up married. On the night Matthew is about to a few sign contracts to become a professional football player, an unforeseen event occurs that sets in motion a plan made of pure revenge. As I kept turning the pages, my hope was that the author would bring the wrong done to Matthew and Audrey into something great. Now, to know what that is you have to read the novel; it really is exceptional!
The thread I found most consistent, even though not always glaring, is the thread of hope a couple of the characters had when all evidence looked totally hopeless. I wondered if there are men today who appreciate or applaud a woman who stands by her convictions, does something selfless for the benefit of another and even asks for forgiveness.
A Life Intercepted may be about how a married couples plan is usurped by the plan of someone just downright mean and spiteful. It seems to me that we all have experiences where our plans are intercepted by life’s events. The question seems to be how we are going to live our new reality even if it differs vastly from our hopes, goals or dreams. The answer can be read by all in the author’s note at the end of the story and I for one totally agree with his sentiments!

Although I do love me a good Charles Martin book, I was a little surprised at how completely sucked in I got, for two reasons. I will warn you, like a reviewer I work with warned me, if you don't like football, you may struggle just a bit. I abhor football. I do. And there is a lot of football detail in this book. The other reason is, who can love a main character who is a convicted sex offender, especially when a victim is a minor?

The writing is so good that neither of those two reasons matter. Stop screaming that I've lost my mind and that I am a horrible person to even think such a thing. Give me a minute to explain. If you read the cover copy, you'll see that he's falsely accused! That's how you can like the guy! It is possible to cheer on such a character.

But, no one believes him. Not his best friend, not his wife, not his lawyers, no one. One redeeming element is that there is a news personality in the book you can hate even more. Someone more obnoxious than an actual certain victims' rights person on a network that shall remain nameless because I do work with them on occasion, so I cannot speak ill of them. #jobhazard #yesthatwasthegrammarnazisworsenightmareofasentence

Will Matthew be able to prove his innocence? Will he be able to coach the next great quarterback from Gardi to be greater than him? Will he get caught and go back to prison?

The reason you can get through all the technical, tedious football talk is because the book reads like an autobiography. Men will love the football story and women will just love a good story.

A story of redemption and second chances. A messy love story where everything is not perfect. Heart wrenching.

My only gripe is the resolution comes together just a little too quickly after the tension throughout the book. Some things could have started coming back together a little sooner. That's just me being a critic though.

(I did receive the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. However, I have bought every one of the author's other books, so don't let the blog tour fact sway you.)

Charles Martin's writing career seems unstoppable. Every book that comes out makes me think "this is his best yet!" and his latest is certainly no exception. In fact, I honestly wish I hadn't read "A Life Intercepted"...because then I would be able to read it all over again as if experiencing it for the first time! It is simply THAT good. Within a few pages of charging into the story, I found myself living and walking alongside the characters, feeling an ominous sort of tension building as I waited to find out exactly how things ended up going off course for Matthew. And, although I don't always enjoy it when authors switch back and forth between present time and past events, Charles Martin did so in a seamless manner, drawing me into the story. Fans of Christian-themed fiction will notice that the book is not written with an overert gospel message, but the book simply breathes with grace, celebrating selfless sacrifice and the beautiful gift of forgiveness. The writing is powerful, tapping deep into our emotions and exploring what it means to be human, to make mistakes, to rise above our circumstances. If you are anything like me, expect to get emotional! Nearer to the end of the book, I suddenly realized that I had tears silently streaming down my face.

To those who are not football fanatics, don't let the football theme deter you from reading from this book. While Martin's love for the game shines through the pages, the story is not so much about a football star as it is about a boy growing into a man, who must lay his own self down for those he loves. The story may not move along at a pace that a suspense novel does, but there is still one twist and turn after another that will keep you running through the pages. This is my favourite book that he's written yet, and I can't wait to see what will next emerge from his fertile imagination!

Readers looking for a fantastically written, moving read should pick up a copy for themselves. You will be glad you did! I highly recommend "A Life Intercepted" and award it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher (Center Street, an imprint of Hachette Book Group) for the purposes of this unbiased review.

I am not a fan of football, but when the opportunity to read A Life Intercepted by Charles Martin presented itself, I jumped at it. I have found Charles Martin’s books to be beautifully written and always thoughtful. Their settings in the Georgia/Florida area are consistently of interest since that is where I live.
A Life Intercepted did not disappoint. Football is a big part of the story, but it is more about injustice, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. Matthew, “The Rocket”, is a great quarterback. He has had more notoriety than most young men who play in both high school and college, but he remains a really “good” guy. He has now signed a big professional contract and endorsements. The one who keeps him tethered to the ground and centered is his wife, Audrey. Now they are about to have the life they have dreamed about and worked hard to achieve. Those dreams are destroyed by charges of a heinous crime which Matthew cannot explain and cannot find a credible defense. Consequently, Matthew spends the next twelve years in jail. Only his old teammate/representative, Wood, and “Coach” Ray continue to keep in touch with him.
When Matthew is released from prison, he must maintain contact with the authorities. He decides to return to his hometown, searching for his wife. He confronts much antagonism and hatred, but he also finds redemption in a new challenge and possibly answers to his deepest questions.
This was a highly engaging book. The characters were very real and sympathetic. Charles Martin always portrays his heroes/heroines honestly with all their character flaws. It was so hard to put down that I read most of it in one sitting.
I received this from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

This latest read from one of my favorite authors is many things: a fictional work about one of the (if not THE) most beloved sports around--football; a fictional work that illuminates many life lessons about God's grace and the importance of forgiveness and loyalty; and, a love letter to the author's son, who is currently playing football in high school. Yes, "A Life Intercepted" contains quite a bit of football, but how can it not when the protagonist is a record-breaking quarterback? And, I must admit I'm not a big football fan, but after reading about the discipline and devotion an athlete must possess to be successful, I have a newly found respect for the sport.

That being said, I was quickly intrigued by how and why Rising (the main character) would commit such a heinous crime when he had the world at his feet as a successful, celebrated quarterback. To throw what seemed as a secure future away did not appear logical at all. But, Martin has a way with storytelling that keeps the reader paying attention (even when the characters actions seem somewhat inconceivable). Although the story is a gut-wrenching depiction of betrayal and heartbreak, Martin has included some vital moments of grace and redemption that are healing in the end.

I've read this latest work from Charles Martin twice in the last few days. And, like all of his books, I'm feeling a bit sucker punched by a book that teaches me more about God's grace (through a story) than many of the sermons I've heard over the years. His work continues to provide examples of believable characters who act with integrity and honor, even when faced with the most heartbreaking dilemmas. Buy this book--you won't be disappointed!

I am neither a sports fan, nor a football enthusiast. Based on that, I would probably never have read this book if I were not familiar with the author. Having read numerous books by Charles in the past, I was happy to get my hands on his newest title.

I was BLOWN AWAY and could not put this book down. I read far past my bedtime, completely engrossed in the story and characters. It is riveting and heart wrenching.......I had to keep reading to see how it would end. I had some of the story figured out but there is just enough suspense and mystery to add in twists when you least expect them.

If you have yet to try out this author make sure you get your hands on this one. The story is much deeper than football and betrayal. By the time time I turned the last page, I was wrung out with emotion. This story is amazing and I highly recommend it.

I am still torn between When Crickets Cry and The Mountain Between us as my favorite books by Charles - however check out my other reviews because he has so many good books to choose from.

Charles Martin is a true storyteller, painting a picture with words that draws the reader right into the world of the novel. As the story opened, I experienced Matthew Rising/The Rocket's epic highs as a phenomenal football player on the cusp of a brilliant professional career. Martin sharply contrasts these highs with the excruciating pain of Rising's losses as everything he once held dear is ripped away. The characterization and the details make such losses palpable. While few of us can relate to life as a talented athlete with unlimited potential, I would venture to say that most of us, when pressed, will admit that we put many, many things on a pedestal and elevate them above what matters most. Charles Martin explores this theme in A Life Intercepted and demonstrates that "love does what hatred cannot ... and never will."
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone. This story of hope and redemption will captivate you.

This novel by Charles Martin is a story that one could follow easily. The author is well -versed in the football terminology and describes the playing of the game for us not too knowledgeable in the game.
His characters are defined as people young and old, and how they can apply sports to real-life lessons.
At times the author's descriptions of football play are tedious . I thought the end was a bit long and stretched out.
Nevertheless I will be checking out the other books by this author.

Charles Martin is an author I've long admired. Beautiful, fantastic prose. I swear the guy labors endlessly over certain paragraphs until every word is perfectly placed. Or made it's effortless. Either way, it's beautiful and I always find myself stopping to soak in his amazing prose.

Ah, but with Charles ... There's always more. So much more. His characters are so true to life. Yet bigger than life. A perfect blend. And the way he writes male characters you can't help but think he's a super romantic man himself. His leading men always have such intense devotion to their beloved lady's and I love how they always pay attention to the details. Subtle little nuances. Charles writes these things with such delicacy that you forget these characters are fake.

Okay. We covered prose and characterization. What's next?

The story, of course. Charles has a knack for layering plots that squeeze your tear ducts and cleanse your dry eyes. He never fails in that department. This story line wasn't my most favorite. I am a football fan to a degree. But not a large degree. If I'm gonna like football though, it's gonna be in this romanticized way Charles views and writes about it. Which is why I could handle it in this particular book. Or maybe I just biased toward Charles as a writer. But I love even those small little details, like the descriptions of the ball being gently tossed from one hand to another during practice. Or the nostalgic childhood view of playing catch. Those things are beautiful. Yes, football can be beautiful and Charles makes you understand why.

The redemptive ending was just beautiful. I mean, stunning. I loved it. Still, my favorite is Crickets, but I love everything this guy writes and I WISH paperbacks would come out at the same time as ebooks. It's almoat blasphemous to have electronic versions of an author like this. These are the types of books that deserve to be touched and smelled and savored and cherished among other classics a worn shelf. But alas, I loved it. Everything about it.

He's my favorite writer BY FAR and I can't recommend him enough. Seriously. If you like poetic, thoughtful reads and are excited when you hear the words "slow-paced," then try a Charles Martin book. If you're looking for something fast-paced, modern, and ... NOT timeless ... Turn away. This isn't the guy for you. This is a classic novelist in the making. A hidden gem.

Movies yet??? Come on!!!!

Having read all of the author's books and being totally absorbed in each one, I was reluctant to read this one because of the football theme. There is a lot of football 'speak' in the book but I'm so glad I chose to read it. The book is still totally a love story of the real kind. Love seems to come from the pages and absorb the reader. It also did not escape my notice that the book was released at a very critical time in the NFL world. It would be wonderful to think that there people in the football realm that are still 'real' men and not just the ones that have a distorted sense of manhood. Thank you Mr. Martin for another great book for this grandmother of 8 to enjoy.

There were so many things in this story that didn't make sense. It took many pages to find out what horrendous crime that he did (having sex with underage prostitutes ?) That caused him to be so vilified by people that knew him and his adoring wife.

I've loved all of Charles' novels. I love how he deftly develops his characters to such an extent that you (as the reader) feel like you've known them as close friends your entire life. When I started "A Life Intercepted," I was immediately pulled into the story, pulling for Matthew (the Rocket), wanting him to find Audrey & be reconciled to her, wanting the truth to be made known & for Matthew to be vindicated. I developed a whole new appreciation for the game of football as I came to learn all that's involved in playing the game.

I love that Charles' novels are love stories, not sex stories. His characters truly love others, as in "love is a verb, an action word." True love is acted upon. When a loving person sees someone they care about who's in need, or who's hurting, that person's well-being is paramount, i.e., more important, than any of the needs or concerns of the loving person who recognizes the need or the hurt, therefore they will give or act in a sacrificial manner for the sake of the hurting or needy person. As a reader, I've seen this value & belief played out in the lives of all of the heroes Charles has created in his novels. As a reader, I can't help but to root for a truly loveable character, & his heroes truly deserve the term "hero."

I've heard it said that a creative person will put something of himself into his or creations. I know I do when I'm exressing my creativity. I know God did when he created everything, & I'm sure Charles does when he writes his novels. My guess is that Charles is much like Dylan, Matthew (the Rocket) Pete, Reese, Doss, Ben, Tucker & Tyler, & any others I've forgotten to mention.

Thanks, Charles for hitting another Home Run, or should I say, scoring yet another Touch Down with "A Life Intercepted"?

Having grown up in SEC territory, I love football! This is a wonderful novel covering love, forgiveness, and football. Every man who has ever played the game, every man who has every coached the game, all those who have not played but want to play AND the mothers, sisters, wives, of all these need to read this book!! It will make you laugh and cry! And I was sad when it was over! I own every book Charles Martin has written and have read some more than once! This is a treasure for the soul! Enjoy!

I bought A Life Intercepted at a book signing on Wednesday this week and finished it last night Like Mr. Martin's other novels, I could not put it down and had to get to the end. It's still too painful to put into words how much this book and this story mean to me, so I will just say, if you are looking for a book that tugs at your heart, makes you appreciate the life you have, and draws you closer to God, this is it. So beautifully written. So very poignant. I don't always agree with the character's decisions in Mr. Martin's books, but I always try to take something from it.

As usual with Charles Martin's books, I can only read a chapter or two and take a break to ponder where the writing is going. Course on this one, I could only take short breaks cause the story was so gripping. Charles Martin has still got it,,,,a great story teller, with a very thoughtful tale. Now on to the Browns game.....I can't watch those games live,,,,so I'm using the DVR. Win or lose, the game will be seen. Yay Browns. P.s. I definitely learned a lot more about the "game of football" from this book.

If you like football just a little bit, then you will completely fall in love with the sport and how Martin entwines a beautiful story seamlessly with it. I have read everything by this talented author and have held Wrapped in Rain as my favorite. Life intercepted is my new favorite, hands down. Everyone should be reading this author. His words are weighted and tethered to such inspiring tales. And he messages speak volumes - "Are you willing to do what is needed when the critics tell you that you can't."

Kinda lost me at 2 Heismans and 3 natties....yea that's realistic. And a wife who lived and breathed his life including attacking a defensive player on the field, but doesn't believe him when trouble shows up? Redemption doesn't overcome the equally unbelieveable injustice.

Charles Martin is a true storyteller, painting a picture with words that draws the reader right into the world of the novel. As the story opened, I experienced Matthew Rising/The Rocket's epic highs as a phenomenal football player on the cusp of a brilliant professional career. Martin sharply contrasts these highs with the excruciating pain of Rising's losses as everything he once held dear is ripped away. The characterization and the details make such losses palpable. While few of us can relate to life as a talented athlete with unlimited potential, I would venture to say that most of us, when pressed, will admit that we put many, many things on a pedestal and elevate them above what matters most. Charles Martin explores this theme in A Life Intercepted and demonstrates that "love does what hatred cannot ... and never will."
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone. This story of hope and redemption will captivate you.

This novel by Charles Martin is a story that one could follow easily. The author is well -versed in the football terminology and describes the playing of the game for us not too knowledgeable in the game.
His characters are defined as people young and old, and how they can apply sports to real-life lessons.
At times the author's descriptions of football play are tedious . I thought the end was a bit long and stretched out.
Nevertheless I will be checking out the other books by this author.

Charles Martin is an author I've long admired. Beautiful, fantastic prose. I swear the guy labors endlessly over certain paragraphs until every word is perfectly placed. Or made it's effortless. Either way, it's beautiful and I always find myself stopping to soak in his amazing prose.

Ah, but with Charles ... There's always more. So much more. His characters are so true to life. Yet bigger than life. A perfect blend. And the way he writes male characters you can't help but think he's a super romantic man himself. His leading men always have such intense devotion to their beloved lady's and I love how they always pay attention to the details. Subtle little nuances. Charles writes these things with such delicacy that you forget these characters are fake.

Okay. We covered prose and characterization. What's next?

The story, of course. Charles has a knack for layering plots that squeeze your tear ducts and cleanse your dry eyes. He never fails in that department. This story line wasn't my most favorite. I am a football fan to a degree. But not a large degree. If I'm gonna like football though, it's gonna be in this romanticized way Charles views and writes about it. Which is why I could handle it in this particular book. Or maybe I just biased toward Charles as a writer. But I love even those small little details, like the descriptions of the ball being gently tossed from one hand to another during practice. Or the nostalgic childhood view of playing catch. Those things are beautiful. Yes, football can be beautiful and Charles makes you understand why.

The redemptive ending was just beautiful. I mean, stunning. I loved it. Still, my favorite is Crickets, but I love everything this guy writes and I WISH paperbacks would come out at the same time as ebooks. It's almoat blasphemous to have electronic versions of an author like this. These are the types of books that deserve to be touched and smelled and savored and cherished among other classics a worn shelf. But alas, I loved it. Everything about it.

He's my favorite writer BY FAR and I can't recommend him enough. Seriously. If you like poetic, thoughtful reads and are excited when you hear the words "slow-paced," then try a Charles Martin book. If you're looking for something fast-paced, modern, and ... NOT timeless ... Turn away. This isn't the guy for you. This is a classic novelist in the making. A hidden gem.

Movies yet??? Come on!!!!

Having read all of the author's books and being totally absorbed in each one, I was reluctant to read this one because of the football theme. There is a lot of football 'speak' in the book but I'm so glad I chose to read it. The book is still totally a love story of the real kind. Love seems to come from the pages and absorb the reader. It also did not escape my notice that the book was released at a very critical time in the NFL world. It would be wonderful to think that there people in the football realm that are still 'real' men and not just the ones that have a distorted sense of manhood. Thank you Mr. Martin for another great book for this grandmother of 8 to enjoy.

There were so many things in this story that didn't make sense. It took many pages to find out what horrendous crime that he did (having sex with underage prostitutes ?) That caused him to be so vilified by people that knew him and his adoring wife.

I've loved all of Charles' novels. I love how he deftly develops his characters to such an extent that you (as the reader) feel like you've known them as close friends your entire life. When I started "A Life Intercepted," I was immediately pulled into the story, pulling for Matthew (the Rocket), wanting him to find Audrey & be reconciled to her, wanting the truth to be made known & for Matthew to be vindicated. I developed a whole new appreciation for the game of football as I came to learn all that's involved in playing the game.

I love that Charles' novels are love stories, not sex stories. His characters truly love others, as in "love is a verb, an action word." True love is acted upon. When a loving person sees someone they care about who's in need, or who's hurting, that person's well-being is paramount, i.e., more important, than any of the needs or concerns of the loving person who recognizes the need or the hurt, therefore they will give or act in a sacrificial manner for the sake of the hurting or needy person. As a reader, I've seen this value & belief played out in the lives of all of the heroes Charles has created in his novels. As a reader, I can't help but to root for a truly loveable character, & his heroes truly deserve the term "hero."

I've heard it said that a creative person will put something of himself into his or creations. I know I do when I'm exressing my creativity. I know God did when he created everything, & I'm sure Charles does when he writes his novels. My guess is that Charles is much like Dylan, Matthew (the Rocket) Pete, Reese, Doss, Ben, Tucker & Tyler, & any others I've forgotten to mention.

Thanks, Charles for hitting another Home Run, or should I say, scoring yet another Touch Down with "A Life Intercepted"?

Having grown up in SEC territory, I love football! This is a wonderful novel covering love, forgiveness, and football. Every man who has ever played the game, every man who has every coached the game, all those who have not played but want to play AND the mothers, sisters, wives, of all these need to read this book!! It will make you laugh and cry! And I was sad when it was over! I own every book Charles Martin has written and have read some more than once! This is a treasure for the soul! Enjoy!

I bought A Life Intercepted at a book signing on Wednesday this week and finished it last night Like Mr. Martin's other novels, I could not put it down and had to get to the end. It's still too painful to put into words how much this book and this story mean to me, so I will just say, if you are looking for a book that tugs at your heart, makes you appreciate the life you have, and draws you closer to God, this is it. So beautifully written. So very poignant. I don't always agree with the character's decisions in Mr. Martin's books, but I always try to take something from it.

As usual with Charles Martin's books, I can only read a chapter or two and take a break to ponder where the writing is going. Course on this one, I could only take short breaks cause the story was so gripping. Charles Martin has still got it,,,,a great story teller, with a very thoughtful tale. Now on to the Browns game.....I can't watch those games live,,,,so I'm using the DVR. Win or lose, the game will be seen. Yay Browns. P.s. I definitely learned a lot more about the "game of football" from this book.

If you like football just a little bit, then you will completely fall in love with the sport and how Martin entwines a beautiful story seamlessly with it. I have read everything by this talented author and have held Wrapped in Rain as my favorite. Life intercepted is my new favorite, hands down. Everyone should be reading this author. His words are weighted and tethered to such inspiring tales. And he messages speak volumes - "Are you willing to do what is needed when the critics tell you that you can't."

Kinda lost me at 2 Heismans and 3 natties....yea that's realistic. And a wife who lived and breathed his life including attacking a defensive player on the field, but doesn't believe him when trouble shows up? Redemption doesn't overcome the equally unbelieveable injustice.

I will confess that I did not quite 'get' this book. It was hard for me to keep reading. It was somewhat confusing as to time and place. The scenario was not very realistic to me especially the way the girl set the guy up for the jail time. I had a difficult time with a lot of the book and just did not enjoy it so very much. I have liked his other books much better.

You gotta read this one.
Great story told by one of my favorite authors. Charles Martin can always be counted on to deliver exceptional stories in his own unique way. His tales are seldom told in chronological order, but is extremely adept at moving the story along. The main character begins chapter 1 in the last days of his prison confinement. The rest of the book moves from one snapshot to another in the progression of why and how and who, ending with a beautiful unexpected final resolution of the story. You gotta read this one.

I've read and loved every one of Charles Martin's books and this one did not disappoint. Right off the bat, you are rooting for Matthew. But, in classic Martin style, you have absolutely no assurance that everything will turn out all right. I couldn't put the book down, my heart overflowing with mixed emotions at this character's grace and hope amidst injustice and unimaginable adversity. It's not a football story. It's not a love story. It's a story of the power of hope and belief that, even when the odds are stacked against you and there seems to be no way out, hope remains.

This is my second time reading Charles Martin and I'm impressed more with this book than I was the last one I read (Thunder and rain). The way he weaves his story line, characters and life just leaves me speechless and wanting more. Forgiveness is powerful and what matters most is that we use what He gives us to the fullest more so than anything else.

I am a huge Charles Martin fan and so I am biased beyond belief, but I thin that this new release is the best novel he has written. His writing improves with every book he writes. This is about a Quarterback, but it is not. It is so much more, it is about saving souls and if Charles Martin does not bring tears to your eyes then check your emotion register, it is way off kilter. Highly recommended.

Hi - I normally do not write reviews but lean on them heavily. I bought this book on a beach trip after reading all the great reviews. A couple of sweet ladies in the book store told me it was "so great" even though they didn't understand football.

I like Charles Martin books. I don't know that I love them, but When Crickets Cry is a good little book. If you want to try out Martin, I'd recommend starting with that one.

I finished this book because I was on the beach with nothing else to read but honestly hated it. It's is layers of extreme implausibility on top of layers of extreme implausibility. Growing up in a small football town, the story would have had just as much impact if the lead character didn't win three National Championships, two Heisman trophies, playing with other players who just happened to end up as gigantic NFL stars, who is completely abandoned by everyone who every believed in him or knew him based on a psychopaths set up (who then becomes so famous and rich herself she has a jet and a TV show). Would have been far more believable and even more relevant if he had won one national title, or one Heisman, or the villain wasn't a Nancy Grace spin off.

It just didn't work. It was even remotely believable. It could have worked with less extremity, but if you understand even the smallest bit about football, I think you'll find this book frustrating. If I had a do-over, I would have put it back on the shelf and selected something else.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of Charles Martins books recently, just discovering him as an author a few months ago. His ability to convey the raw emotions of the characters as they move through challenges in life is a gift. I found myself waiting for A Life Intercepted to be published after finishing When Crickets Cry (for a second time). I was not disappointed. A marvelous way to put down the executive summaries, let the paperwork wait an hour and enjoy a novel about life.

I've read all of Charles Martin's books and have loved them all, but this one was personal. I'm married to a HS football coach and have three adult sons that all played football at both the HS and college level, as well as coached football. I loved the detail provided in this book, even though knowledge of the game isn't necessary to become totally engrossed in the story.

I downloaded the book as soon as it was released and stayed up late that night so I could finish the book. It was that riveting! I sure hope this story gets turned into a movie soon. It would certainly be a blockbuster!

I had the pleasure of meeting Charles Martin last Sunday at a book festival and hearing him speak about the book. He was refreshingly humble and gracious. I bought the book that afternoon and stayed up all night reading it. As is the case with his previous books, I couldn't put it down. It was a beautiful story of unwavering love and commitment, perseverance and selflessness. My only complaint is that I didn't want it to end, especially knowing it would probably be another year or so before Mr. Martin publishes another book. Don't miss this book--it's wonderful!!

Again, Charles did not disappoint. I too, have a love/hate relationship with Charles Martin books. Once I pick them up, I just can't put them down. Having three young adult boys who play football at the highschool and college level, almost every detail about a player's heart that he wrote about, touched me and resonated deeply. My sons "love" playing the game and who they play with. Matthew Rising "loves" the game. The fame and fortune was just a product of his God given abilities. The love he has for his wife is testament to his love for God. His persuit at ALL costs.

The gift of writing is so evident in this novel. This writer speaks from our hearts, but has mastered articulation of what we think, but just can't put into words. That's what I love about reading his work.

If your wondering what modern day redemption and forgiveness looks like, read this book.

If a female who doesn't particularly care about football (unless the Oklahoma State Cowboys are playing) can give this book a 5 star rating, it must be GREAT. And it truly is. Charles Martin has once again introduced me to characters that I respect and can relate to. Did I understand the football positions and plays? Not one bit. But the passions displayed for the game are similar to those I have for things that I love. And those things that we truly love can help sustain us through the darkest of times, as evidenced by the main characters in this book. Mr. Martin's eloquent word pictures kept me feeling like I was standing beside them through their struggles and joys, and as any true friend, I would be there through the end. And when the end came, this reader wanted more.

I can't tell you whether this a good book. The reason is that I was too busy reading to even think about that. I often read reviews that claim the reader was unable to put the book down. That almost never happens to me. But for me A Life Intercepted was impossible to put down. I read it in one day and now I just want to read all the rest of his books ASAP.

I've read all of Charles' books, and have loved them all. I read A Life Intercepted in one day! Charles listens with his heart, and that shines through in the characters in this book. I felt every emotion these characters experienced and cared deeply about what they were going through. Charles has a way of delivering story that touches your heart and mind and gives you hope in life and love and something better and more. I pass all of Charles Martin's books to the people I love most because I want them to have a chance to be transported by his special gift for helping us see what matters most--love, faith, family, service, listening with your heart.

ANOTHER 'CAN'T PUT DOWN' BOOK BY CHARLES MARTIN. Life Intercepted is the story of a football QB (think Tim Tebow mixed in with a little Peyton Manning) falsely convicted of a heinous crime and how he gets his life back together and tries to win back the love of his wife and #1 fan. A must read for any football fan, Martin fan, or casual reader. Continues in the fashion of The Mountain Between Us, Thunder and Rain. Martin knows how to show his character's faith in themselves and a higher being to help mount unconquerable odds.

This book is superb. It is filled with all sorts of football references, of which I know nothing but once I gave myself permssion to skim over those parts, I was hooked. At its most basic level, it is a book about the power of forgiveness and it is wonderful story. If you have not read any other books by this author, I urge you to do so.

I absolutely LOVED the book A Life Intercepted. When I told my husband (who is not a reader) that I thought he would enjoy it too, he picked it up started reading it, and finished it in Two Days! WOW! That is certainly a testimony as to how good it was! Looking so forward to the newest one one its way! Charles Martin is a fine writer, speaker and person as a whole. Enjoyed seeing him so much in our "little town" at our college recently. He always inspires all of us who go to see him. Congrats on his success as a great author! I am still waiting on a movie!!!

Excellent novel, will tug at every emotion, and get your tissue ready, tears will come. I have read every one of Charles Martin books and he has become my favorite author. Good morals promoted throughout his writings. Can't wait for his next book.

This is my favorite of all the books I've read by Charles Martin. It's a well-written story about forgiveness and redemption. I thought the parallels made between the game of football and life throughout the book were so relatable. A great read!

I am a devoted Charles Martin fan! I've read all his books, well, twice actually! He never disappoints me and I eagerly await each new publication. This one was AWESOME. Like so many others, I did not want it to end. His gift of storytelling is like none other and I never worry that anything in the book will be offensive. I work in a public library and I have recommended it to hundreds of people! I've given his books as gifts to family and friends, so I've "hooked" many readers to this exceptional authors creative and talented hand. I pray he will continue to write for many, many years!

I never really liked reading till one day...........I goggled "Good Christian Fiction books" and guess what popped up......"When Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin. It didn't take very long before I had read every book by this fine author and was eagerly awaiting the release of his next book. "A Life Intercepted" is yet another smash hit!!! Charles just has a way of sucking you into the book and into the characters he creates. I've never read a book by any other author that I couldn't put the book down!! Great book Charles Martin, keep'em coming!!

I was already a fan of Charles Martin's books -- have read and would recommend all of them -- but this one was probably his best. It is a gripping, compelling novel with football as the backdrop in a complex, multifaceted, sometimes agonizing story. It is difficult to describe, but it will appeal to both men and women. A few weeks after finishing it, I am still talking about this book. I have not figured out why that particular cover picture was selected, but that is my only "complaint". Martin can't write them fast enough for me.

Charles Martin's books are to be devoured. A Life Intercepted is the best yet.
You start reading and you can't put it down. He is a true storyteller.
I am definitely a fan of Charles Martin. Juanita Hurst, Tallahassee, FL

I loved this book. Another review said that it was predictable but for me that wasn't the case. I had an idea in my mind of how this story was going to play out but then, just like in some of his other books, here comes the twist, something that I absolutely wasn't expecting. Just my opinion, but I would love to see this made into a movie.

A slow start at first. I usually read at the end of the day. Mr Martin is a very detailed writer. You learn very real information with every fantastic story. My tiered brain was having a tough time at first. Didn't take long and it didn't matter how tiered I was. I could't put it down..My life went on hold til I finished..

I LOVE all of Charles Martin's books but this one really hit home. My family LOVES football and there were so many messages in this book that could relate across all walks of life. I wish Mr. Martin could write a book a week - I would read every one of them. His books have so much depth and layers of lessons....you walk away after reading one of his novels and crave more! Keep it up Charles Martin!

Charles Martin is an outstanding writer, no doubt about it, however, I didn't like this book that much. It had great potential, but I found that it had way too much football detail, and please know that I am a football fanatic, so it wasn't that I didn't understand it, it was just overwhelming. Oh well, still look forward to another book from himself!

im giving 5 stars because i'll always be a die hard fan. Martin writes the most beautiful, lyrical, life changing novels I've ever read. however this one wasn't quite that. the writing was quick and tense, which was a lot in part to the story line. however I was left wanting more. the end was a beautiful surprise as always. but I wanted the entire novel to be the sweetly poetic writing that I've come to love.

Author Charles Martin continues his string of good feeling novels with "A Life Intercepted." What I like about his writing is how you get drug through an emotional wringer only to change your feelings at the end. Martin's books are full of strong characters and characters that are in developement (or reconstruction!) "A Life Intercepted" is worth the read!

It's a surreal feeling when you finish a great book and hug it to your chest as you picture the characters like actors after a play waving and smiling back. Then it is such a let down moments later when you realize it will be a year before another book goes to print. Thanks Charles Martin for a great read.

Another great book by Charles Martin! I try so hard to only read a chapter a night so the book will last longer! Since he usually only writes one a year, I try to make them last! They just keep getting better and better. I recommend them to all my friends.

At age 86 and after 82 years of being an avid reader, Charles Martin has become my all-time favorite author. A Life Intercepted is a great book ,even though When Crickets Cry remains number one in my heart.

This is one of the best novels I've ever read. I recommended to my librarian and she recommended to her family; her son being a quarterback. For all of us who have lived in the football world it's a lesson on what is truly important in our lives. God prevails in all things. Charles Martin is a great Christian novelist and I look forward to all of his releases.

IMO the best novel he has written since Where the River Ends. Really, really enjoyed this one.
If you haven't read his earlier works I suggest you start at the beginning and relish them; There's amazing depth there. Crickets, Fireflies, Rain and River are my favs.

Yet another Charles Martin book that I could not put down. What I love most about his books is the journey he takes you on through the lowest of lows (lots of tears shed reading this one) and out the other side where hope and redemption await you. I highly reccommend this novel and advise readers to find a quiet time and place to take this journey. You won't want to put it down.

Once again Charles Martin's book made me procrastinate from work just so I could read it with out putting it down. I have learned that even if I am not a fan of cowboys (Thunder and Rain) or football as in this book, I will still LOVE any book Charles Martin writes. His style is matter of fact and easy to read, while making you cry uncontrollably. Another fantastic book!

Charles Martin is my favorite author. I have read all of his books and am now re-reading them. Life Intercepted was very good, I read it in a day and have shared it with friends. Charles is a gifted author who makes one feel every emotion. I look forward to his next book. Lou O'Brien

Amazing, amazing! I just finished the book and absolutely loved it! (I learned a lot about football as well!) Mr. Martin does a great job developing his characters and the story captures you from the first chapter. Mr. Martin does not write books fast enough for me!

As a fellow north Florida resident I share Mr. Martin's love of football. Mr. Martin in this heart wrenching novel demonstrates great understanding of both the mechanics and the heart of the game. This saga of loss and ultimate redemption draws the reader into a deep relationship with the story and the characters. Sterling Henderson

I loved this book. It drew me in from the very beginning, it was very hard to put down. There was a lot of football terminology , if you're not into football it could be some what boring. The story is engrossing I couldn't put it down.
Great job as always, I love all of Charles Martin's books.

I just finished reading this book and LOVED IT ! Have told sevearl people about it and will pass on to others to read. i was lucky enough to purchase a signed copy from my local book store that Charles had visited. Really neat ! Enjoy all of Charles Martin's books.

Wonderful story full of hope, heart, and redemption, and forgiveness. No one can write like Charles Martin. There is so much that can be taken away from each and every one of his books. This is a book that I could not put down. Loved it

Wonderful book! So real. Everyone experiences struggles and pain. How we deal with it, learn from it and share it with others is brought to life in the book. A good life lesson. This might be my favorite Charles Martin book.

This is a very powerful book, even if you're not a football fan! I was worn out when I finished it, but it was worth it. One note - I didn't discover the Prologue until I went back to check something out. Kindle takes you to chapter 1, NOT the prologue!

To know the cost of standing up against the odds and telling the truth cost the main character 12 years. It cost him his wife. The vengeance, hatred, and duplicity exhibited by his accuser were shocking. The reconciliation and forgiveness he exhibited comes from someone who knows whose he is. Phenomenal read.

Charles Martin is a very gifted writer, one of my favorites and "Life Interrupted" is just as good as all his books. Its about a super-star Athlete at the top of his game gets accused of the unthinkable and how he deals with his life afterwards.

This is Cris' husband - Charles Martin's writing never disappoints. He is my favorite author and once again - another BEST! Couldn't put it down. I just wish he could write more (& faster) but then they may not be as SUPERB!

Yes, this is a book about football. But it’s also a book about love, kindness and most of all...forgiveness. I’m. It super religious and I see the undercurrent of the religious themes in Martin’s writing, but it’s not overt or preachy. It’s just amazing characters and beautiful writing! Wow.