Carrie Cotten’s Made Like The Moon, is a Christian Mafia novel, and the first book in the Redemption and Ruin duology.
Grace travels to Colombia on a vacation but witnesses the murder of a senator. The senator has connections with the Mafia, and Grace is mistaken as the killer, so revenge is in order. Killers from different Mafia families go after her to please the dangerous leader of the cartel, and among the killers sent is Rafael, an Italian Mafia enforcer who sold his soul to be able to protect the ones he loves.
The themes of the Christian beliefs are not pushed into the face, they come off in easy dialogue, thoughts, unrushed, and almost unrealizing at first.
Rafe and Grace are characters from two different worlds, although their worlds cross paths, the distinction is not lost. Rafe misinterprets Grace’s clumsy run as a perfect escape plan devoid of drawing attention to herself. They both interpret things through different lenses, especially Rafe which makes the Mafia theme so real.
Grace isn't painted as a ‘perfect’ Christian. She sees herself in the wrong light, as too much, and unworthy of being liked. She fears, runs, and hides for her life. But she also doesn't lose herself while trying to protect herself, she prays, draws strength from the word of God, and shows courage, even sacrificing herself to protect others.
Rafe is the morally grey character, beaten, broken and battered, he thinks he is God because he seems to always be in control, but meeting Grace shows him he has never been in control and the broken soul has been seeking a way out even when he didn't realize it or comprehends how it will happen.
But in the parking garage of the Albanian City Mall, no one spots a damsel in distress, or a slumped Saimir, and no one also shows up in the time Bryan fights with Rafe, or the exploding of the SUV’s windows. This unappearance of other people in the environment of a City Mall that should have people moving around sounds unrealistic.
Overall, Made Like The Moon keeps its promise of the intended message. Grace shows courage, and stands in her belief, even going as far as trying to save the souls of her killers through the gospel.
No one is too far gone to be saved, not a hitman, not a Mafia enforcer, therefore, the book isn't only for believers' consumption alone, but also for anyone doubting or asking if certain kinds of people still deserve to be saved through the gospel.
My ratings are five stars.