Review: Not Afraid to Write Real
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 5, 2012
I had the privilege of being in the same critique group as June Foster for over a year. What I admire about her is that not only is she a great writer with a Christian message, she isn't afraid to write real. I've always thought there could be a great romance within real life situations, and June delivers that with her books.As We Forgive is no different. Usually when I read that the protagonist is a pastor, I'm waiting for the comedic matchmaking attempts and romance with the woman who wants no part of it. As We Forgive isn't that, and what a refreshing break. Pastor Tim is a pastor who feels the pressure from his past, his work, and as a single man at every corner. His ministry isn't filled with accolades and unwavering support. You feel his conflict with every page and I believe June paints a realistic look at how hard it is to serve in ministry. No one is perfect.Roxanne Ratner isn't your typical heroine, either. She has baggage as she enters Pastor Tim's life as a youth ministry volunteer. She's been wounded before and doesn't plan to live through it again. She has her share of secrets that she's trying to hide as much as Pastor Tim is trying to hide his. In the middle of it all is a youth ministry filled with teenagers who are hungry for acceptance and truth. The teens play a great role in driving the conflict and pressure, as well as being a magnetic force to draw Pastor Tim and Roxanne together.I loved As We Forgive because it's a realistic romance with transparent conflict and a message of hope. I rooted for the characters but saw in them things in my own life that need to improve and change without the read becoming an emotional burden. For me, that's a great book. You get a great romance, and an inspiration to make changes in your own life.About As We Forgive:Tim Garrett saw Jess Colton back to health in Give Us This Day but can't control his own life. Tim wants nothing more than to serve God as a pastoral counselor, but first must prove to the staff and elders at Bellewood Fellowship he can handle the job he was hired to do -- work with the senior high youth.Roxanne Ratner's father abandoned her when she was ten, and now she doesn't trust men. They'll only hurt her like her parent did. She fills the empty place in her heart with shopping for designer clothes. Though the perky young hairstylist falls in love with the Tim, she must keep her distance from the handsome pastor.Despite Tim's efforts to prove himself on the job, everything works against him bringing him closer to dismissal. Tim has one last chance at Camp Solid Rock. When Tim learns a frightening secret from his youthful adversary, can Tim make a difference? Can Roxanne risk giving her heart to Tim?I highly recommend you not only add As We Forgive to your bookshelves, but place it in your hands for reading immediately.I received a PDF of As We Forgive from LovenGod Promotions in exchange for an honest review.