My Review: When You Believe

When You Believe

About the Book:

Lydia "Lyddie" Porter has waited a long time to be happy. She loves everything about being a school counselor at Shadrach High School, and she loves everything about teacher Charlie Stains. Lydia truly believes that God answered her prayers when big-hearted Charlie came into her life. And though she hasn't told a soul, Charlie has given her an engagement ring. That's what makes one pretty sophomore's story so unimaginable…and so devastating.

The distraught girl says an adult has sexually abused her, that she is terrified of what he'll do if she tells—and that "he" is Charlie Stains. Now Lydia must, by law, report the teenager's charges. What happens next will test her love, her resolve to uncover the truth, and her belief in the power of faith to comfort, redeem, and heal.

My Comments:

This was a treadmill book and I got through 290 pages in two nights, and at least partly as a result of that, got my star at Weight Watchers for losing 20 pounds.  It was an interesting fast-moving story though I found the part about Lyddie's relationship with the student in question to be somewhat unrealistic.  It is a Christian novel and deals with themes of trust, love, forgiveness and especially, the presence of God.  Grade:  B.

Review: His Other Wife

His Other Wife: A Novel

One thing I hope never to have is an ex-husband.  Hilary, the main character in His Other Wife: A Novel has one, much to her dismay.  The divorce was his idea, and shortly thereafter, he married his mistress, the mistress who was able to give him another child, something Hilary would never be able to do.  The book opens setting the scene of the divorce proceedings and letting  us know that there is a twelve year old son involved.  The action soon moves to the time around their son's high school graduation--a time when tragedy strikes.  The three involved adults have to learn to work together, to accept themselves and their brokenness, and then to heal and forgive.

The author, Deborah Bedford, calls this book a modern re-telling of the story of Hannah, the Biblical woman who was barren for years.  Her husband had another wife who constantly reminded Hannah that Hannah was not good enough.  According to Bedford, when things change for Hannah, it isn't because circumstances change, but because Hannah changes.  In this book, the circumstances don't change, but Hilary does and because of that she is then open--not to the love of her ex, but to other love from other people.  

While billed as a Christian novel, the amount of religion in the book is minimal and I think most people who like what is typically called "women's fiction" would like this one.  Grade:  B.

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy.  I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

A Rose by the Door--My Review

  I've enjoyed several of Deborah Bedford's books, and my friend Renee was kind enough to send me this one after she read it.  If you like my blog, try hers, she reads similar books and we often share the same opinion of books we both read.

A Rose by the Door is the story of two women.  Bea was the mother of Nathan, and the book opens with the police showing up at her door to tell her he is dead/  Gemma was Nathan's wife.  Since Nathan had left home years ago, angry at his mother, they had never met until Gemma showed up at Bea's door after Nathan's death.  Gemma has a daughter who is not Nathan's son.  This is the story of the relationship that develops between the women and the story of Bea's faith.

A Rose by the Door is a beautiful well-written book.  It is Christian fiction and has the stereotypical "salvation" scene.  Bea's relationship with God is a major part of the story as well.  Still, I think it is a story that someone without Christian beliefs could enjoy.

To order from Amazon:  A Rose by the Door