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TITLE: God Will Make a Way
AUTHOR: Tracy Finney
GENRE: Fiction
PUBLISHER: Publish America
ISBN: 1-4241-0704-0
REVIEWER: Shari L. Armstrong
AVAILABLE FROM:
The Author's Website http://www.tracyfinney.com
In God Will Make a Way, we are introduced to Renee Stevenson, a young woman who loves God and develops a heart for missions after a missionary couple, the MacLeods, speak at her church.
Renee is sure God wants her to go to Scotland and reach out to the people there. However, the leaders in her church tell her they don't feel it's God's will for her to leave her work there and go to Scotland. Despite their opposition, she knows that God will make a way for her to follow her dream.
As we get to know Renee, we discover her parents were tragically killed when she was a teen. Renee recalls their death as she tries to process the denial of her being able to go to Scotland. She is reminded of her father's words, "God will make a way," and takes comfort in them, as she hears her father speaking them in a dream every night.
We are also briefly introduced to Stuart (who we later discover lives in Scotland). Before we get to know much about this mystery man, we are back with Renee in the USA. This reviewer would have liked to see Stuart and the MacLeods given a bit more background in the early stages of the book, in order to show the reader more of the wonderful setting in Scotland, before the quick transitions back to Renee.
As time goes by, Renee begins to doubt this calling--particularly as she finds herself involved with her best friend's cousin, Robert, who believes they are to be married.
Renee continues to pray and wait on God to make it clear, thinking that maybe she will be working in the mission field as a married woman. In the meantime, she prayerfully considers Robert's proposal.
Circumstances change suddenly, and Renee finds herself preparing to leave for Scotland, with her church's blessing. Soon after arriving in Scotland, things begin to get more confusing for the young missionary, as she meets another man, Stuart, who also believes they are to be married.
The rest of the book focuses on Renee coming to terms with what God wants for her life, as she fills her days reaching out to the Scottish people and sharing the love of Jesus with them. The little home church (a wonderful example of Christ's love in action) has some near tragedies averted through the power of God, and they witness some amazing conversions, as well as rededications, while the ministry grows.
Romances fade and bloom throughout the book, as lives are changed, almost in the blink of an eye.
While a good freshman effort at a novel, there are a few rough transitions between scenes and character point of view shifts. There were also some things that could have been improved with stronger editing. At times, the pace felt a bit forced, especially when conflicts are introduced. Many times the resolution comes too quickly, not allowing the tension to build.
However, God Will Make a Way is a gentle romance that could be safely read by anyone, of any age, who enjoys a love story.
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