Angela Benson

Tyndale

0-84231-940-9

September 2001

(4+) Wayne Jordan

Inspirational Romance

PLOT SYNOPSIS: 

REVIEW: 

In 2000, Angela Benson released her first inspirational romance, AWAKENING MERCY, and became part of a growing genre that continues to bring story of faith and hope.  ABIDING HOPE is the second book in Ms. Benson’s Genesis House trilogy and is the story of Shay and Marvin Taylor, secondary characters in the first book.  Shay and Marvin are beginning a new life. They are moving from Atlanta to Odessa, Mississippi to establish another Genesis House there.  It’s a move that is necessary for the married couple.  They need to start over again.  Since the lost of their young son, Marvin Jr., they have been unable to move on.  There are too many memories and too much pain, so the move is a way to bury the painful memories and, hopefully, learn to live again.

Unlike Marvin, Shay wants another child and is convinced that this is what God wants for her.  Marvin can only think of the pain of losing his son.  He is consumed by fear, and does not want to suffer like that again.  When Shay gets pregnant, she is thrilled, but Marvin refused to celebrate.  He even prefers to keep the pregnancy a secret, and does not allow himself to hope that all will go well.  Shay is devastated at his reaction, and as a result their relationship becomes strained…Shay fears this could mean the end of the marriage.

ABIDING HOPE takes a look at faith and the importance of it in each of our lives.  Shay, despite working through her pain, places herself completely in God’s hand.  Marvin, on the other hand, allows “self” to deny him the joy of his wife’s pregnancy, and as a result his faith in God continues to waver.  It is only through the prayers of friends and the richness of the all-powerful love of God that Marvin confronts his lack of faith.

ABIDING HOPE is another wonderful story from Ms. Benson, and is sure to please her fans.  This is a wonderful story that is sure to make the reader reflect on his/her own spiritual life.  Now, the wait is on for book three, ENDURING LOVE, scheduled to be released in July 2002.

wayne@romanceinolor.net (September 2001)