Review: Him, and No Other!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 16, 2010
Jakob Wilheimer lived under the humility and shame of his German parents being interned in a U.S. camp in Crystal City during the war.  Filled with rage, bitterness, and embarrassment, he was unable to move on with his life.  But he prayed to change and forgive.  Though he had been in charge of some of his siblings during the war, this ended when his brother Joe and wife Molly and daughter returned.  His opportunity to finish high school was now achievable.Meredith Parker (Meri), Miss Port Delamar Pearl, 4th of July winner and the Mayor's daughter, was destined to be a teacher, as her parents detested her desire to become an actress.  A couple of years older than Jakob, she becomes his teacher, which brought him more shame, but his sister Ruthie told him she was proud of him.In No Other, Shawna weaves a delicate, almost forbidden, love story between Meri and Jakob.  Their romantic relationship is drawn out in minute detail which is ever so real for the times and circumstances.  Young love at it's finest, considering their backgrounds and circumstances.Shawna draws out the distinct differences between Jakob's easy-going, loving family relationships versus Meri's controlling, obsessive and demanding family relationships, with Meri constantly trying to pry loose of their talons hooked in her life choices, including ex-fiancé, Roger Talbot.  And it's Jakob who wants to save her.How Jakob attempts to `save' Meri is the intriguing part of the novel.  When he hears, "Him" and "No Other," he assumes it to be himself.  God has other plans for both their lives.  God does not work through lies, deceit and self-planning.  But He does redeem our failures.Shawna reveals God's `higher plan,' where He is in control.  No Other is expertly written, with deep, personal application for our own lives.This PDF book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.