Relinquished by Susan K Beatty Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: Relinquished

Author: Susan K. Beatty

Genre: Christian Woman’s Fiction

Release date: May 16, 2023

No one takes her kid and gets away with it.

When Teagan Parsons discovers that the Amber Alert on a celebrity couple’s child is actually her daughter, she’s determined to rescue the daughter she relinquished years ago. If she’d only realized the emotions her mission would rekindle…

Having a cousin in the FBI gets her closer to the case than she could have dreamed, but instead of listening to the lead FBI agent’s warnings to “leave the job to the professionals,” Teagan begins following everyone she suspects. That old saying, “Don’t quit your day job,” has never been truer, but she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her daughter home safe.

Mitch McCartney has enough trouble on his hands without dealing with a guilt-ridden, biological mother bent on making up for past sins. Teagan seems to have developed a talent for getting things wrong and putting herself in danger. Oh… and she’s adding theft to her rap sheet—theft of his heart, anyway.

Then Teagan goes missing.

Learning you can’t undo the past is a tough enough lesson without adding on more mistakes, but with Mitch’s help, Teagan may, with the Lord’s Guidance, forge a brighter future this time.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is an emotion packed novel that explores giving up a child for adoption and the subsequent feelings and actions. In this novel, Teagan learns the identity of her birth daughter and the adoptive parents years later. Her emotions are strong and she makes some irrational choices and gets herself in trouble. The emotional struggle is well developed in Teagan's character.

I was a bit disappointed in the portrayal of the FBI agents and their work. Beatty says in an afterward that she was unable to have an FBI person critique the novel and it shows. The FBI comes across as inefficient. Several bad things happen inside the area the FBI is supposed to have control over to protect people. They miss clues and do not thoroughly investigate suspects. Near the end of the book an FBI agent admits they were not thorough in their work. (3671/4012) It did allow Teagan to do well as an amateur sleuth, pursuing important avenues the FBI ignored.

I liked the emotional impact of this novel as an exploration of giving up a baby for adoption. 

My rating: 4/5 stars.

This is the third in the series by Beatty, Faces of Courage, and you can read my reviews of the earlier novels: Faces of Courage and The Fragrance of Violets. 

 

About the Author

Susan K. Beatty is in her third career—from journalist to homeschool tech writer to her life-long dream of becoming a novelist. She is proof you can start a new writing career late in life. Susan released her first published fiction in September 2019, and now an awarding winner author, this is her third novel, with several novelettes and short stories to her credit. She is passionate about finding courage through faith and grit. Susan lives with her husband of forty-nine years in Southern California. Add children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the mix and she has little time for her favorite hobbies of reading, watching classic movies, British crime dramas, and traveling.

More from Susan

The seeds of a story sometimes lay dormant in an author for years. Then they grow and grab the author, demanding to be told. Until eventually the author gives in.

In my case, I didn’t have to give in. I knew I would write some version of the story eventually.

It began in 1968, when I was young, unmarried, and pregnant. It continued through 1969 when I gave my child up for adoption. Of course, any birth mother will tell you the actual story doesn’t end there.

After I became a Christian in 1973, I grew into a better understanding of my journey. New emotions had to be dealt with when my daughter and I were reunited in 1988 when she was nineteen. We enjoyed getting to know each other despite our differences in faith, but those lost years could not be regained—another set of emotions to come to terms with.

I couldn’t write our story, but I wanted to write something that revealed the emotional dilemma birth mothers wrestle with: forgiveness, regret, accepting that one won’t take part in the baby’s childhood, and, if there is a reunion, accepting a new reality. This usually means discovering, despite a newfound relationship, the birth mother will never be that child’s mom.

But I also wanted to show God’s grace, healing, and a hope for a future (including the addition of light romance).

Not wanting the book to get weighed down in maudlin narrative, I tried to lift it above the muck and show the birth mother’s strength and courage. What better way to do that than throw her in the middle of a dangerous, life-threatening situation?

Note to birth mothers: If you have unresolved issues, there may be triggers in Relinquished. I urge you to spend time in prayer and allow the Lord to heal you regardless of whether you read the book. And, if you need it, there is no shame in getting counseling.

Note to adoptive mothers: I hope you get a glimpse into the other side of the story.

Note to all readers: Praying the Lord shines through Teagan’s story to illuminate your heart.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 14

Texas Book-aholic, June 15

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 16 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 17

An Author’s Take, June 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 19

Artistic Nobody, June 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 22

Guild Master, June 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 23

Blogging With Carol, June 24

For Him and My Family, June 25

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, June 26 (Author Interview)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)