I had the privilege of working with Liz Johnson several years ago for the Guidepost Books' "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" collection. I loved Liz's short story! And as I have found with other authors and their stories, when I met her in person, she was just as lovely a person as her stories are! When I saw the cover of The Red Door Inn, I had to get the book.
SPOILER ALERT: Because I do bibliotherapy reviews, I will be addressing a topic that is part of the book. Skip to the bottom to the comments section if you just want to enter the giveaway!
Review:
First of all -- I do not normally read contemporary fiction. I don't write contemporary fiction (other than as a favor for a friend for a recent serial.) But I loved Liz's writing and love the idea of going to Prince Edward Island one day so I ordered the paperback. Then I had two deadlines to complete. Fast forward a few months -- both books turned in to Barbour. I wanted my escape and now I'd acquired the Kindle version of this book.
The Red Door Inn
Book One in Prince Edward Island Dreams
By Liz Johnson
(Revell Publishing)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
LOVED LOVED LOVED this story!!!
Five Stars *****
Marie Carrington is one of the most fragile heroines I've seen lately, yet she has a subtle tungsten steel thread of strength, in her faith. God is drawing her back to Him after she's betrayed both by her father and by an old school mate. Ms. Johnson does a great job of drawing you into the story by revealing only just enough to hook you and propel you forward in reading.
Seth Sloane starts out as a jerk. But, again, Ms. Johnson infuses enough information about Seth that the reader quickly understands why he's acting so wounded -- because he is. But his reaction to that utter betrayal is to throw walls up. As the story goes on, both Seth and Marie seek to overcome their animosity toward each other and a true friendship and caring grows.
The next book in the series has released and I'm looking forward to reading it! And another book due out in summer, 2017!
Bibliotherapy: I was a psychologist for twenty-five years. Marie's reaction is pretty extreme, but given the rape and then her father's betrayal, and everything else Liz Johnson has set up, her flight to Prince Edward Island is understandable. As is Seth's. These two are shown God's mercy via a widower, Jack, who is setting up a bed and breakfast to fulfill his wife's wishes before she died. This story would be a good bibliotherapy tool for: emotional abandonment, betrayal, rape, and manipulative relationships.
Giveaway: A paperback copy of The Red Door Inn. Leave a comment!
