Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Finding Hope in Savannah by Melissa Wardwell

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About the Book

Book: Finding Hope in Savannah
Author: Melissa Wardwell
Genre: Christian Suspense/Romance
Release Date: September 15, 2016

Elizabeth “Liz” Thompson liked her quiet, predictable life with her son. When she witnesses something horrifying and dangerous, they are forced into hiding. She seeks refuge in the small community of Isle of Hope, Georgia only to find that her life and her heart are still hanging in the balance. Officer Jake Andrews, dedicated his life to protect and serve the people of Savannah. In the back of his mind always wondering “what if?”. The arrival of a young woman from his past forces him to face a long-buried secret, changing how he sees his future. As danger comes to Georgia, Liz & Jake must learn to trust God and each other, to see their way out of the situation.

My review:

This novel is an okay romance and mystery. It is a good study about a woman who was hurt deeply and is mad at God and how she comes to return to trusting God. There is not much mystery nor suspense in the plot. The story itself is rather predictable. The author's writing style is good although there are no outstanding aspects to it.

The text could benefit from some editing. There were word usage issues, such as “less people” when it should be “fewer people.” I also thought there were some deficiencies in the plot. Liz Is supposed to be hiding out in a different location since she could identify a murderer. A dead body found near where Liz is now living makes it very obvious the murderer knows where she is. Nonetheless, she gets a job and is frequently left alone. That just did not seem right to me. Part of the romance aspect of the plot is that Liz and Jake met and separated 13 years ago, not knowing where the other was. I thought they had enough information about each other back then that they could have reconnected.

There is a strong Christian theme in this book. There is also a good portrayal of a character healing to be able to love again.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

About the Author

Melissa resides in a small mid-Michigan farm community with her husband and three children, all of whom they home school. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, taking photos, and motorcycle rides with her husband. Her hope is that each story touches your heart, gives you hope, or just gives you a moment away from the chaos of life

Guest Post from Melissa Wardwell

Finding myself though “Finding Hope in Savannah” Writing this book opened my eyes to quite a few things about myself. It opened a door to a need to discover new places and try new things. To step outside of my shell and not be afraid to discover what I am capable of as a wife, mother, and a Christian Woman. In one scene, I have “Liz” talking about how she wishes she could be brave enough to face things without being so fearful of the outcome. I was reminded that when we are moving in Christ’s will for our lives, there is nothing to fear. When I came up with the idea for “Finding Hope in Savannah” I wanted a location that was unlike any place I have ever been. All my other books take place in my area. So, I set out to find images of some place warm and southern. I came across images of this little community on the outskirts of Savannah Georgia called Isle of Hope. I loved the looks of this little haven so much, I made it the location of this book. Writing the descriptions on the location was a bit of a stretch of my imagination. I hadn’t seen it, smelled it, or touched it in any way. The writing of this book just so happened to be the same year as when our family would be driving to Florida for a family vacation. After expressing my frustration in not getting the feel of the place right, my darling husband suggested leaving a bit earlier and spending some time in Savannah on the way down. I am so glad we did and I discovered for myself why it is considered the most beautiful city in the United States. This book isn’t just a love story or a story about a woman in hiding, but about a single mother of a tween boy who is trying her best to find her way in this world. Having two teen boys of my own I know how fun, as well as gross, boys can be but to get the right mind set for “Liz” I had to do some homework. It took watching and talking to my friends who are single mothers, hear their concerns about life and managing their time. I admire those who have to play both roles every day and still have a smile on their faces. With my husband’s job, I am on my own with the kids part of the time, but it is only part time. I couldn’t imagine raising my three all by myself. My hats off to all the single mommies of the world.