Determined to protect the children of Teaville, Kansas, from the bullying she experienced as a child, Mercy McClain finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the worst of her childhood bullies, petitions the board for a teaching position, she`s dead set against his getting the job.
Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy`s mistrust, but he`s returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking the forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn`t expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the children`s best interests at heart.
Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron overcome the past in time to battle the threats against the future of the town`s orphans?
Review
I was quite excited to dive back into the "Teaville Moral Society" series, having enjoyed the debut novel, A Heart Most Certain. The newest novel in the series follows the tradition of a heartwarming romance carried by wonderful characters.
There was one slight departure in this story, however, by the inclusion of a darker element: bullying. Bullying is something that has become highlighted more and more in society today as with the advance of technology so has the means and opportunities of bullying increased. (I'm not saying technology is bad - just that some misuse it to harm others, which is aggravating and disappointing to say the least.) But no matter the means or time period, bullying always has and always will leave a strong mark on the victims of it. Everyone has a duty to step up and speak out if they see someone being bullied to ensure that the practice is not endorsed in any way, shape or form.
In the story, Mercy became the target of bullying because of a physical disfigurement. Her main tormentor was Aaron Firebrook, which made me rather curious how the author, Melissa Jagears, would be able to turn him into a romantic love interest for Mercy. How can one erase years of hurt and pain? However, Melissa did the impossible and deftly pulled it off. She crafted a wonderful and believable relationship between Mercy and Aaron that allowed Mercy to live up to her name, all the while pointing to the true source of grace and forgiveness - Jesus.
Postscript: Generally, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Christian romance to high-school teen girls. However, the bullying aside, there was an inclusion of another dark element to this book that would make me hesitate recommending it even to high-school aged children: sexual abuse against children. Perhaps it would be best to have a parent read the novel first before deciding whether or not to allow their child to read it.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Review
I was quite excited to dive back into the "Teaville Moral Society" series, having enjoyed the debut novel, A Heart Most Certain. The newest novel in the series follows the tradition of a heartwarming romance carried by wonderful characters.
There was one slight departure in this story, however, by the inclusion of a darker element: bullying. Bullying is something that has become highlighted more and more in society today as with the advance of technology so has the means and opportunities of bullying increased. (I'm not saying technology is bad - just that some misuse it to harm others, which is aggravating and disappointing to say the least.) But no matter the means or time period, bullying always has and always will leave a strong mark on the victims of it. Everyone has a duty to step up and speak out if they see someone being bullied to ensure that the practice is not endorsed in any way, shape or form.
In the story, Mercy became the target of bullying because of a physical disfigurement. Her main tormentor was Aaron Firebrook, which made me rather curious how the author, Melissa Jagears, would be able to turn him into a romantic love interest for Mercy. How can one erase years of hurt and pain? However, Melissa did the impossible and deftly pulled it off. She crafted a wonderful and believable relationship between Mercy and Aaron that allowed Mercy to live up to her name, all the while pointing to the true source of grace and forgiveness - Jesus.
Postscript: Generally, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Christian romance to high-school teen girls. However, the bullying aside, there was an inclusion of another dark element to this book that would make me hesitate recommending it even to high-school aged children: sexual abuse against children. Perhaps it would be best to have a parent read the novel first before deciding whether or not to allow their child to read it.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment