My Rating: 5 StarsDescription: In a small town where hope and tragedy intermingle, things—and people—are not always what they seem.
Andy Kemp has suffered most of his life from both physical and emotional scars, and he believes that the scars on his face are proof that God doesn’t love him. Andy has grown into a withdrawn teenager, keeping to himself, until his uncle, ex-con Gerald Ripley, shows up and wants to be a mentor to Andy. Rip has turned his life around and wants to do everything he can to help mend Andy’s pain and the rift in his relationship with his sister.
Meanwhile, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering episode in one of the poorest homes in town. The masked man makes the sign of the cross, escapes, and Heather soon realizes that he has left $5,000 in gift cards to a local grocery store. As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy begins to hear strange and beautiful music, and Rip is convinced that he is hearing the voice of God.
As the lives and stories of the townspeople of Benning Township intertwine, extraordinary circumstances emerge and long-kept secrets are revealed.
My Thoughts: I think that my heart stopped for moment when I finished reading the prologue. And then I spent the next hour a bit depressed about it. I wish that I could say what happened, but that would ruin the effect.
God is everywhere and in every situation, a fact that is a tough pile to swallow. For anyone, but especially Andy. That message is powerful, and I loved how it was displayed in this book. Each of these characters could have been someone I knew. They lived in real life and had real problems. And God showed up in a miraculous way.
I find it a bit difficult to describe why I enjoyed this novel, other than to say that it gave me a lot to think about. And it reminded me to believe just a little bit more; in God, in prayer, and in miracles.
I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment