Listen (Large type / large print)

This was an outstanding book; well written and exciting. It had some "real life" lessons and wonderful messages. Gudos to Rene Gutteridge. It was recommended to me and thoroughly enjoyed it; couldn't put it down.

An Incredibly Fantastic Must Read

Personally, I found this book to be incredibly fantastic. It exceeded my expectations. This is the first book I?ve read by Rene Gutteridge, and I will try other novels of hers because of this positive and delightful experience.
I found myself completely enveloped in the mystery, and curiously excited over www.listentoyourself.com I?m not a fan or a regular reader of Christian novels. However, I found that the religious references in this novel not to be too preachy, too pushy, or too forced on the reader. The main thing that was hard to believe is the small town of Marlo. Growing up in a small town, I can say without any doubt that they are full of gossip and crime.
The message of the story comes through clear, and gives you pause to think about. ?People don?t read anymore with the exception of blogs and text messages, which are nothing but someone?s opinion, and hardly ever backed up by fact. Should we censor ourselves in our own home because of the fear of what might be heard? Do we have the right to say whatever we want behind closed doors? People don?t think about what they?re saying; they just say mean stuff and don?t care what happens or how it makes people feel. What harm is done when words are spoken in private? Who could be hurt by words they never heard??
There?s a wide range of opinions of this book and its author, based on the B&N reviews. I highly recommend this book to any fan of mystery novels or fans of a really great read.

Mystery & Suspense

One of Rene?s characters says, ?Do the words we speak have any power over us...or someone else??

In the book of James, found in the bible it states--(words) ?the tongue is but a tiny spark that can set a great forest on fire.? Do words really have that much power? Read Listen, for your answer. The city of Marlo was the ideal place to live. It was a place where ?society and family joined in marriage. It was safe enough for kids to play in the front yard, clean enough, you could get top dollar for your real estate.? Words changed this little town forever in the most interesting and scary way!

Rene Gutteridge has penned a modern day story depicting the ramifications of words! Reading the effect is staggering! Words spoken in private become public. How? Through a website called www.listentoyourself.net. The town is coming undone from the inside out as private conversations are made public each day.

Renee made me really ponder the effect of words. How they affect everyone we meet. I think about words flying out of my mouth differently since I?ve read this book. Words I?ve spoken to my children, husband, co-workers...even people I don?t know.

I loved reading about, and was a little horrified to discover, the latest computer gadgets and what they can do. Trust is a huge factor when using the internet and interacting with others. How do we keep each other accountable? Renee touches on this subject too.

Words can be like a worm-virus?eating away at people and the very heart of this once calm, peaceful, loving town! Can anything be done to save it and the families that live there? Not only is the message of this book powerful, Rene, weaves quite the suspenseful, page turning story you?ll stay up late reading to find out who done it? Why? Listen is a keeper! Never underestimate the power of words. This book is a must read. I?m glad I am received a review copy.

Nora St.Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com