The Saint of Malibu Shores
by Christopher Harding
What the World Needs Now (Posted: 06/15/09 at 10:26 AM)
This book came about as I contemplated the possibilities of what a Messianic or Christ-like person might be like were they to show up in today's world. Perhaps a bigger question, what might we be like if we decided that love was the most important value for ourselves.
My thanks to all of those contributed your thoughts and comments below about the story and the book. (Since the blog got attacked by an internet bot that posted hundreds of non-relevenat postings and ads, I've closed comments for now, but hope you'll benefit from the legitimate postings listed below).
I was deeply moved by your book. It really made me contemplate how I live my life and in what ways I might live out my spirituality in day-to-day life. Thank you!
Posted By Kathyrn at 12:46 PM on 06/15/09
Looking forward to the read. You've got me intrigued. Sounds like I'm going to love it and be challenged too. Perfect!
Posted By Jamie at 6:53 PM on 06/15/09
Hey Chris -- congrats on the book! I'm five chapters in an can't put it down. It makes me just want to keep reading.
Posted By L at 9:09 AM on 06/17/09
I read your book and absolutely loved it! Wow! Good Job! I had a hard time putting it down. Love the message. It IS THE message and it was delivered in a beautiful way. Thank you for writing it and sharing it.
Posted By Valerieann Giovanni at 3:59 PM on 06/17/09
So is this a true story? Cause if it is, I'd like to meet these people. If not, is this your version of the truth about who we are? Because the guy in the story is saying things that would get you locked up, if you know what I mean. What's that say about you?
Posted By Daniel at 4:38 PM on 06/17/09
Thanks to everyone for you comments. And to Daniel -- great questions. But I think that if you look deeply enough into your own heart, you'll realize you already know the answers to those questions.
Try it and if you still are left wondering, drop by again and we'll discuss it further.
Posted By Christopher at 9:58 AM on 06/18/09
Tricky answer their, Sir Christopher -- but a good one. Your story definitely got me thinking. For me, the bigger question is, what if it were true (in principle, anyway). And why not live as if it were?
Posted By Jennifer at 2:04 PM on 06/18/09
Okay... so I'm still left wondering. What do you mean that if I look deeply enough I'll realize I already know the answers?
Posted By Daniel at 7:24 PM on 06/19/09
In the context of "parallel universes" this book offers a lot to ponder. One has to ask oneself "What does one's perception have to do with "reality"? Or can we even talk about that sort of thing without some serious agreement reached beforehand. The book is a page turner, leaving the reader with more questions asked than answered. For example what is the relationship between "fact" and "fiction"? I would recommend it to anyone whose heart has ever been touched by someone living in a world animated and propelled by rules different from one's own.
Posted By Anonymous at 12:06 PM on 07/24/09
A story that intrigues and entertains the mind while stirring the depths of ones psyche and soul possibly leaving the reader deeply questioning their sense of self and perhaps their own sanity...
Posted By L. Martin at 11:41 PM on 07/31/09
I have to say, now having read the book, that The Saint of Malibu Shores is a very captivating story. I found myself unable to put it down, as a matter of fact. The writer has done a great job of creating characters that you like and become attached to. Perhaps more importantly, the real story is one of a deep spiritual nature and though I have not really resolved the questions it brings up, I am still thinking about it days later. This is definitely a book I highly recommend to anyone who loves romance, adventure or the spiritual questions of our age.
Posted By Jennifer at 3:04 PM on 08/11/09
“Tomorrow”, Kim reassured herself, as she tried to remember how to breathe. “Tomorrow, I’ll be back in the office and everything will be okay.” Such was not to be the case for the main character of The Saints of Malibu Shores as she is propelled on a journey of integrity and spiritual daring. The story reads like a detective novel you can’t put down. It's filled with the spirituality, sexuality, justice, peacemaking and surprise. It also reveals something compelling and beautiful about life’s dance with the Divine.
Well worth the read!
Posted By DJA at 7:55 PM on 08/11/09
Excellent read... engrossing and thought provoking.
Posted By P.B. at 11:37 AM on 08/18/09
I enjoyed the fresh approach of Christopher Harding in the Saint of Malibu Shores, creating alive and today characters who fully embrace life and love. The story unfolds in a way that is page turning and unpredictable yet leaves me with a bouyant faith in the human spirit. Kathleen Zmuda
Posted By Kathleen Zmuda at 4:51 PM on 08/20/09
I found this book to be compelling and somewhat disturbing in an oddly beautiful way. It's been a week and I'm still thinking about the story and the characters.
Posted By Dar at 5:01 PM on 08/22/09
Christopher Harding has the ability to translate the beauty and clarity of his soul to the pages on which he writes. A true talent and a gift. I love this author and I love this book.
Posted By Emily Pearson at 3:26 PM on 09/01/09
Wonderful book.
Posted By Ulla at 7:04 PM on 09/09/09
Beautifully told. Compelling and rich. I love the book, and the characters and your voice. Loved it!!
Posted By Shalley Williams at 12:53 AM on 10/22/09
Amazing book! Definitely worth reading!
Posted By Jennifer K. at 12:53 AM on 10/22/09
Christopher Harding has a great, smooth writing style. It was a great book that kept me thinking.
Posted By Rebecca at 12:54 AM on 10/22/09
A very engrossing ride that keeps you guessing if it's really fiction! It's well written and has a poignant message from Jesus the Christ that Christianity missed.
Posted By Don Kitto at 12:55 AM on 10/22/09
A great read---Harding masterfully intertwined the elements that make it a hard book to put down. The elements of spirituality throughout the book takes one beyond the usual romance-suspense genre and puts it into a class of its own.
Posted By Nancy Bostick-Ebbert at 12:56 AM on 10/22/09
Entertaining and thought provoking. I enjoyed reading the book on-line and again with book in hand.
Posted By Linda at 12:58 AM on 10/22/09
Very compelling, full of intrigue and have always though truth is stranger than fiction.. well done & brings up many questions and discussions with others who have read it..
Posted By Keith D. at 12:59 AM on 10/22/09
Thanks to Wake Up Celebrity Author for sending me many of these reviews which we were able to input due to their courtesy.
Posted By Christopher Harding at 1:01 AM on 10/22/09 .