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- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Revell (October 3, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0800727665
- ISBN-13: 978-0800727666
About the Book:
Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that's obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she's made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she's chosen. She's still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she's not sure she can write anymore. She's beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a "scandalous" book. And the fact that she's falling in love with her pastor doesn't make things any easier.
With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.
With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.
My Thoughts:
I'm going to step out on a limb and declare this one of my top ten favorite reads of 2017. The story is unique and fresh, the humor borders on the absurd, but since that's where I live, I love it. And I really think this book taps into an area few are willing to openly discuss.
Sarah Hollenbeck, before salvation, finds her writing gift in the form of bodice ripping romance. Some have gone so far as having her be a fictional E.L. James, but I just can't do that to our fictional author.
After her 'come to Jesus' moment in which she truly comes to Jesus, Sarah has to find a way to reconcile the two halves of her life. On her first Sunday in church, a complication arrives and then the story really takes off.
If you're reading The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck as anything but a humorous romance, you've given it too much weight. But if you're reading it as just a humorous romance, you've missed the point.
Amid the wit and humor, and a bit of the absurdity, are some genuine truths that Christian romance readers and writers grapple with. How pure is too pure, i.e., unrealistic. We all have to admit, when we fell hard in love with our men, temptation was always lurking around the corner. Accountability was the only thing that kept us from falling into sin.
But too much passion would lead us to possibly impure thoughts. And possibly offend a host of readers. So what was the answer?
While I'm not saying that this story provides that answer, with the humor and unforeseeable events, Turner has placed the question of balancing reality with morality in a perfect place. I had moments of laughing so hard I couldn't breathe, amid moments when I couldn't see the page because of the tears.
I will not forget this story for a very,very long time. I also haven't enjoyed an inspirational romance novel in a very, very long time either. So The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck makes my top ten list of 2017! I'm giving this book my "oh, the feels!" and the author "one to watch".
Sarah Hollenbeck, before salvation, finds her writing gift in the form of bodice ripping romance. Some have gone so far as having her be a fictional E.L. James, but I just can't do that to our fictional author.
After her 'come to Jesus' moment in which she truly comes to Jesus, Sarah has to find a way to reconcile the two halves of her life. On her first Sunday in church, a complication arrives and then the story really takes off.
If you're reading The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck as anything but a humorous romance, you've given it too much weight. But if you're reading it as just a humorous romance, you've missed the point.
Amid the wit and humor, and a bit of the absurdity, are some genuine truths that Christian romance readers and writers grapple with. How pure is too pure, i.e., unrealistic. We all have to admit, when we fell hard in love with our men, temptation was always lurking around the corner. Accountability was the only thing that kept us from falling into sin.
But too much passion would lead us to possibly impure thoughts. And possibly offend a host of readers. So what was the answer?
While I'm not saying that this story provides that answer, with the humor and unforeseeable events, Turner has placed the question of balancing reality with morality in a perfect place. I had moments of laughing so hard I couldn't breathe, amid moments when I couldn't see the page because of the tears.
I will not forget this story for a very,very long time. I also haven't enjoyed an inspirational romance novel in a very, very long time either. So The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck makes my top ten list of 2017! I'm giving this book my "oh, the feels!" and the author "one to watch".
Until the next page turns,
Deena
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