REVIEW: The CASA Chronicles by Keith Julius

Catch a Falling Star

The CASA Chronicles book 1

Aleisha Turner is young and attractive, a wife and the mother of three beautiful children. 

Aleisha is also an addict. 

Following a heroin overdose that nearly takes her life away her children are taken from her. Aleisha finds herself in a rehab center, the first step in what will prove to be a difficult recovery. She faces a long road ahead to restore normalcy to her life and bring her family back together. 

Beverly Stone works as a CASA volunteer, a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Her responsibility is to see that Aleisha's children are living in a healthy environment conducive to their welfare while encouraging their mother to break the deadly habit that has come to monopolize her life. Along the way Beverly must immerse herself in a world far different from the one she is accustomed to, experiencing life from the perspective of the people who reside in inner city America.

While this is an incredible story, it is also an incredible eye opener. This story not only reeled me in and made me want to root for the character, but it also made me open my mind to the cold hard truth about addictions and what happens to not only the addict but the people in their lives, including the children involved.

The character, Aleisha, had so many hardships in her life that it really made me want to hurt for her. She was such a strong person until she started feeling alone and abandoned. I felt as if I was living this life with the character and not just reading words off the pages.

The story-line was so strong and empowering. This author did an incredible job of bringing forth a problem that is constantly happening everywhere. The sad realization that this author hits home on is how many people truly feel alone in this world and feel as if there is no one to depend on. I applaud this author for the courage it took to write such an incredible eye opener. A piece of my heart and soul has been left within the pages of this book and I highly recommend it.

CAUTION: Due to addictions, death, and some graphic scenes, reader discretion is advised. 

Born for Adversity

The CASA Chronicles book 2

When nine year old Aaron Reed has an accident at a local playground it seems like a routine emergency room visit. The case becomes more than routine when signs of child abuse are discovered. The young boy and his family find themselves embroiled in events that threaten to tear the household apart, as suspicion deepens and trust disappears. 

Court Appointed Special Advocate Larry Kendall arrives on the scene to discover things are not always what they seem, as the secrets behind the family slowly begin to unravel. The truth, unsuspected by all, at last emerges. It is an ordeal that will test the bonds of family and the strength of faith.

Another amazing and heart felt story.

The characters were remarkable. I felt a real connection come off the pages of this story as I read about each character and what was happening to them in their POV of the story.

The story-line was powerful. This story shown a light on another very hard case and how it effected everybody in it. This author has real knack of taking a fiction story and making you feel the realness of each situation within the story and this author did just that in this story. His storytelling abilities kept me from putting this book down. I would sit and ponder when not reading about the situation that was brought to life in this book. I connected with this story on a very deep level and I thought about the people in real life who maybe going through this exact kind of story. This is an incredible read and I highly recommend it.

CAUTION: Due to some of the graphic scenes, reader discretion is advised. 

The Robber of Youth

The CASA Chronicles book 3

A young girl's life is thrown into turmoil following the death of her older brother. 

Fifteen year old Rosaletta Guiterrez finds things turning from bad to worse after witnessing the tragic accident that takes her brother's life. Estranged from the only family she's ever known – removed from a verbally abusive mother who has no concern for her daughter's well-being – Rosaletta is sent to a foster home, to live with a couple she can't relate to as she struggles to get on with her life. 

Case Appointed Special Advocate Melanie Cox is assigned by the juvenile court to safeguard the child's interests, a task made more difficult due to the trauma that has infected the youth's thinking.
Desperate for change, seeking liberation from the loneliness that refuses to release her, Rosaletta runs away. But the escape she seeks becomes a nightmare, as the teenager becomes entangled with people and circumstances she could have never anticipated. 

This was an emotional roller coaster.....

The characters were amazing. Rosaletta was an incredible character and I felt a real connection with her. I actually cried for this character and everything she went through.

The story-line was genius. The author brought forth another really phenomenal story that kept me reading and pondering about how many others in real life maybe going through this very exact type of situation. Just the realness of this story hit me very hard. I was completely connected to this story from beginning to end and I felt like a story addict as I continued to read it and I highly recommend this book.

CAUTION: Due to some of the graphic scenes and language, reader discretion is advised.