Out of Time by C.J. Darlington

Out of Time Reviews

• 
  Sarah

  Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for the topic of suicide
  Best for Ages: 15 and up
  
  Two things I can always count on Darlington for: solid writing and raw emotion. She tackles hard issues, not with easy answers or platitudes, but with the love of Christ.
  
  Each of these stories will challenge you. They aren’t light reads to make you feel happy; they are made to open your eyes to those hurting around you. After all, if we are the church, shouldn’t we be out offering an answer for those starving for hope? It may be messy and even painful, but it is so worth it.
  
  I highly recommend this short story collection to those who are looking to be challenged or inspired, and those who like well-written short stories.
  
• 
  Olivia

  I had tried to start several books on my kindle, but none of them stood out to me or I just wasn't in the mood for a full length story. I pulled this one up and was stuck. Three simple, yet poignant stories. The first one was my favorite. How often we quench the voice that prods us to do something we know is right! The second two were also touching and a reminder how important our lives really are!
  
  While I enjoyed reading these quickly, I wouldn't have minded if they were slightly longer, but that is about all the gripe I have about these :)
• 
  Diana

  Out of Time's 3 short stories are bound to pull at emotions. As I read these I thought the stories would be good to use as a quick Bible study.
  
  While there isn't scripture quoted it would be easy to link to verses. Plus the discussions of what the character did or didn't do, along with the choices the reader would make could be powerful.
  
  The first story was one I identified with. Something I need to work on this year is being more ready to do what God is asking.
• 
  Carol

  After reading this, I gave it to my friend to read. I sat across the table and watched her. When she got to the last line she gasped and burst into tears.
• 
  Nadine Keels

  A busy woman rushing to make it to Bible study, a husband and father who's just been laid off, and a hurting teenager with a secret are all running... Out of Time, a collection of three short stories by author C.J. Darlington.
  
  I promise I don't only read short stories when/because I'm running short on time myself. Even though it's convenient to get in quick reads, I appreciate the short story form for what it is, and this trio is rather good, especially the title story.
  
  I could have cried at the end of that one. It's not a new message or a surprising tale to me, but it's so real. It shows how we humans are, how sometimes we really just don't get it. But it's a motivating story, too.
  
  Now, while I do like author's notes that give background or "behind the scenes" info, I can do without explanations about a story's moral or lesson, especially the shorter a story is. I think it's more powerful when brief and sharp fiction is left to speak for itself, and the reader will catch the message just fine.
  
  This is my first time reading this author, and I plan on doing so again.
• 
  Lydia Howe

  This is very short - probably under 6,000 words in all. I've wanted to read it for a while but didn't feel inclined to spend the money, so was very pleased to get it with Kindle Unlimited. As always, Miss C. J.'s writing is well done. The stories were quite thought-provoking. The lowish rating comes mostly from the fact that I have a hard time with short stories, so I wasn't able to fully get into it.
• 
  Mikayla

  This was a thought-provoking, deep look at some very deep problems. I was not exactly in the best mood to read this kind of sad, rather heart-wrenching story collection, so I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I would have normally.
• 
  E.A.

  This compilation of three short stories is a quick and easy read, but definitely worth the time ;) C.J. explores the idea of choices and time in three very different scenarios. Whether it be a woman shopping in a rush at the grocery store, a man who's just received bad news that will drastically affect his family, or a young woman who's about to make a terrible decision. Each must face a decision. Each decision will have a consequence.
  
  For me, these stories were great illustrations, well written, and honest for each situation. I think they could even be useful to teach a point whether that be within a discussion group or possibly even for youth ministry (which is something I am personally involved in).
  
  Previously posted on my blog:
  http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2013/04...
  
  ***
  I received free copies of these books for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
• 
  Bob Allen

  Three poignant short stories written to catch the reader's attention and make one think about how to live out one's faith in one's daily life and about the "redemptive" (not in a salvific sense) power of helping others. "Out of Time" -- busy homemaker notices a lonely young girl, doesn't take the time to speak to her herself, but wishes "somebody" would do it. "Trying Times" -- a man loses his job in a factory cutback and is suicidal desparate. Finds a lost young boy in the woods. "The Calf Watch" -- a young pregnant girl is afraid to tell her family, ready to commit suicide, but her cousin convinces her to go find the newborn calf.
• 
  Nenette

  Here are three short stories that are sure to spark some kind of positive reaction, whatever one's lot in life is. If you are on the alright side, it will make you take stock and appreciate life more. If you are on the down and out side, the stories will hopefully rekindle a new hope in you.
  
  I like that books and stories such as these still abound. We all need some inspiration and honest-to-goodness eye openers, not occasionally, but daily!
• 
  Leah Good

  Simply Profound
  
  I read this collection of short stories in 30 minutes or less. They are simply written, but powerful in their everyday relevance. The first story, set in a grocery store, was especially thought provoking for me. Definitely recommend this to anyone who needs something to read in a little cranny of reading opportunity.
• 
  Rebecca

  Good short stories that I wanted to go further - not that they were lacking anything just that they were so interesting I could see them developing into longer tales. (In fact, one did. I'm not telling you which; you have to get the ebook yourself to find out!)
• 
  Lillie

  Three very short stories--but each is extremely thought-provoking and, to many of us, convicting.
• 
  Michelle

  Very short stories, but they make you think. I enjoyed them. Available as a free e-book, so it's a great way to test out a new author.
• 
  Ed

  Three very short stories with a Christian slant. Not bad, but just not quite my cuppa tea.