Title: Call to Embrace
Author: Maryann Landers
Series: Hope of His Calling
Major Themes: Abortion, Alaska, Marriage
Synopsis: Emily’s husband has been unfaithful—but so has she, and she has to figure out how to handle the consequences.
As I often do when considering whether to sign up for a blog tour of a book that has already been published, I went to Amazon and read the preview of Call to Embrace. The story sucked me in quickly as I wondered if Emily would survive her flight from a husband who bragged about an affair—while she had just discovered the consequences of her own unfaithfulness! I could tell, though it was not stated explicitly in those chapters, that she planned to get an abortion—would she do it?
Publisher’s description:
She’s detached in a stormy marriage because of both of their unfaithfulness. Now she faces the aftermath of her compromise with an unwanted pregnancy. Will fleeing bring her the freedom she yearns for?
Emily Corentin wants to escape the jagged edges of her brokenness. She believes the only option she has is to take her young daughter, leave her husband, and end the unintended pregnancy with an abortion. But her plans take an unexpected turn when the homeless shelter she finds is not the type of help she wants. She’d buried religion years ago with the death of her Gran. Any God-fearing place will only confirm how much God abandoned her.
An offer from a shelter volunteer may be the lifeline she and her daughter need, but Emily only sees it as a means to an end. The unlikely friendship that follows draws her closer to the answers she may have carried with her all along. But rash decisions bring new challenges that drag her further into a sea of helplessness.
When all hope is lost in despair will she be washed away by the patterns of her past? Or will she answer the call to embrace the mercy of the cross and in turn bring reconciliation to her marriage?
My thoughts:
Maryann Landers certainly kept my attention throughout Call to Embrace. The story was well-written and kept moving. I enjoyed a clean book without any kisses. At the same time, I was disappointed that the story wrapped up so cleanly and quickly. It didn’t feel quite true to life because it was so rushed. For example, the salvation experiences happened in an instant. Yes, I know that can happen—but it’s not the norm, in my experience. I didn’t see the characters repenting of their sins. One thing I did love was seeing how God can use one person’s mistakes and brokenness to help another who thinks they have done unforgivable things. All in all, my view of this book is that it’s all right, but not great. It’s certainly not bad. I did like the setting—I haven’t read many books set in Alaska!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Golly appears in chapters 1, 9, 14 (twice), 16 (twice), and 18; gosh is used in chapter 8.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
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