Held Hostage

Convicted serial bank robber Cooper steals the show in the road to redemption genre for 2009 with this gripping narrative about his slide from petty theft to hostage-taking bank heists. Shot down mid-robbery, captured and sentenced in 1982 to 99 years, the author takes readers into the prison with grotesque scenes of predators and brutality. In prison, Cooper reflects on the double life that led to his incarceration; he worked for a Christian college, but also robbed banks to medicate the loss of his wife. Finding freedom, even in lock down, and forgiveness for his crimes, including his disregard for God and his stepson, becomes a quest that will have readers hanging on till the end of this surprisingly well-narrated book. The power of God's love and of prayer for enemies leads to the transformation of an entire cell block from heinous rape and sex games to a place of peace and love of neighbor. This new voice will be a runaway favorite for fans of the redemption narrative. (Aug.)