Hometown Favorite    by Bill Barton & Henry O. Arnold Order:  USA  Can Revell, 2008 (2008) Hardcover, Paperback Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Leslie McKee Barton and Arnold explore the age-old question, 'Why do bad things happen to good people?' Dewayne, Sly and Jesse are graduating and seem to have promising football careers ahead of them. While they go their separate ways (Dewayne to USC, Sly to Miami and Jesse to Mississippi), they remain heroes in their hometown of Springdale, Mississippi. As Coach Hopper tells Dewayne, 'A man is not defined by one event in his life.' This becomes very apparent as the reader follows Dewayne from small-town Mississippi to life in the NFL. While at USC, Dewayne meets and marries Rosella. They take in Rosella's niece and nephew and try to save her sister, Bonita, from drugs. Dewayne has the support of Cherie his widowed mom, and Coach Hopper, who treated him like a son. Catastrophic events occur that will test Dewayne's faith, as well as showcase hope and God's grace. Based on the Biblical story of Job, this is not just a book for football fans. It reaches a satisfying conclusion and points out the importance of not clinging to bitterness, but of clinging to God. It contains a foreword by former Tennessee Titans football player, Chris Sanders. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews