Choices Made: The Street Years by Christine McMahon Reviews

REVIEWS FROM READERS:

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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons:

An involving book about difficult choices, August 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

The sequel to "Choices Made: The Street Years", Choices Made: Fathers and Sons is a novel continuing the saga of former gang leader Jamy MacGregor and his search for a stable life. When the Witness Protection Program relocates him in the hometown of his biological father, he seeks reconciliation; but his biological father wants nothing to do with him and betrays Jamy's location to the men who want him dead. After a harrowing brush with death, Jamy must return to St. Louis and confront his step-father, despite their adamantly bitter history. Further complicating matters is Jamy's relationship with his own toddler son, whom he loves dearly. An involving book about difficult choices, family ties thick as blood or thin as water, and the circumstances that can force a man to decide that the brightest future is one with no connections to the past.
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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons: I have read both books now and I can't wait until the 3rd book comes out. Chris is a very talented writer and once I start reading her books, I can't stop until I have finished them. I love reading about Jamy and his family (past and present). Keep up the good work Chris. I would recommend this series for adults. Tara B.
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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons: I was glad I was finally able to sit down & read it. I hate doing a couple chapters a day, I lose interest & would never finish reading a book that way. With an extended vacation like that I was able to reread most of the first & all
of the second. Keep up the good work Jack 7/2007
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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons: I just read the second book in the Choices Made Series. Once again the story was captivating, and well written. The insight into the thoughts of the characters really brought them to life. Jeff Herb 3/17/07
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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons: Jamy's Saga Continues: Having read the first of the Choices Made series, The Street Years, I was looking forward to the 2nd installment, and I was not disappointed. Christine continues to keep me interested in what happens next to this young man who's life has been spent searching for someone to love him as he is. Running from those who claim to be helping him brings him to a discovery of his own self, and an understanding of what really is best for himself and his child. I'm looking forward to the next book. V. Haviland, February 25, 2007
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Choices Made: Fathers and Sons: Chris, I have really enjoyed reading both of your books. You do a great job of bringing Jamy and the others to life. I am eagerly awaiting the next one. Thank you for signing Fathers and Sons for me. I told Joe that I hope you will remember me when you get on Oprah!!!! Keep writing. Pat Bevers
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Reviews below refer to Choices Made: The Street Years

Follows a young man who, after his mother's death, searches for his biological father , August 7, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Choices Made: The Street Years is the debut novel of Christine McMahon and clearly establishes her as a gifted storyteller able to take her reader into a gritty world of drug addiction, poverty, and life on the street. It follows a young man who, after his mother's death, searches for his biological father and falls prey to a brutal sexual attack. Pimped and drugged, he eventually breaks out of one type of slavery into the thuggish role of gang leader and protector, the "Street Lord" of the 42nd neighborhood. As a new teen father, he begins to regret his choices and wants off the streets for the sake of his own son, and agrees to work as a "mole" for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in exchange for immunity from prosecution - yet when the undercover agent who gained his trust is in mortal peril, he returns to the streets in hope of engineering a rescue, triggering a chain of events that will cause him to meet his biological father at long last. Grippingly told, Choices Made: The Street Years is forcefully honest in its portrayal of the harsh forces that shape human life for good or ill.
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"Choices Made"; was a very good book. Jamy's character was captivating, and thought prevoking. Choices Made was written in a way that felt so real it tore at your heart. I have a good friend that rarely reads fiction but needed something to read at a doctors appointment, I had to wrestle it back from her so I could finish the last couple chapters. She has the book now. I am anxiously awaiting the next journey in Jamy's life.--Jeff Herb, WI
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I couldn't put it down once I started. Jamy is pretty savvy except about Linde, then he's a real schmuck. Can't want to see what he's up to in your next book. Becky (Appleton WI)
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A good read. My husband is reading it now. When is the second book coming out? I heard 2006 - right I hope! Donna (Kaukauna)
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I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to your second. Grace (Kaukauna WI)
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I must say from the very first page I was hooked into it. I couldn't put it down. The characters were real to me. I could hardly wait to find out what happened to them next. My imagination was spinning. The ending was suburb. This is a must read novel.---Lois W.

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This is an excellent story that drew me in. I found myself reading faster and faster the farther I got into the book. I just had to know what was going to happen next to an engaging cast of characters. I can't wait for the next book in this series! I highly recommend this read! --( Eager Reader - Appleton, WI) (from Amazon.Com reviews.)

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I want to know more about Jamy - when is your next book going
to be published? -- Harry W.

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I did major reading this weekend. Every time I got a few extra minutes, or even if I didn't have them, I stole them! I want more. -- Sandy

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This was a excellent story. I almost felt like I was actually there living with the characters. Once I got halfway through I had to finish it. Can't wait to read the next book.-- Mike Vandenberg

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A gritty and compelling novel, full of rich descriptions and characters you want to get to know. Choices Made is the perfect name for this story of a young man on the mean streets, and how the decisions he makes (and others make for him) affect his life and the lives of those around him. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this story. - Tory Haviland

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Christine has spun a very intriguing yarn! The story takes place in the 60's, and the dialog, setting, and ambience captures the era perfectly. It has a rawness and grittiness that contrasts with the innocence of young Jamy, the main character. His innocence, however, doesn't last long, as he's catapulted into a seedy world of sex, drugs and violence. The characters' struggles had me quickly turning the pages to find out what happened next. It seems, though, the end of the book is only the beginning of this saga. Hopefully, Christine will be sharing the next chapters with us very soon! ---PE (Madison, WI)

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