Many of you know I’m part of the CWA Review Crew. I love to read. I always have. My grandparents used to bring me a new book every Saturday which I finished by Saturday night. I still have the love of reading but the quantity of reading has changed a lot because I can rarely find the time.
I originally didn’t sign up to read this book. There weren’t as many reviewers needed for this one. I already had quite a few books to get through so I thought I’d leave it and come back to it. A few months later I checked on it and there were still spots open to review it so I jumped right on it.
The author Michelle Sutton had posted a personal note along with her introduction to the book. She stated that the book is an edgy Christian fiction novel in that it contains some controversial subjects.
I wondered if some reviewers passed up her book because of the disclaimer. I read it again and Michelle truly didn’t want anyone to read it that might feel uncomfortable doing so. This is what made me decide to go ahead and review it. The fact that she was concerned with the ladies on the crew impressed me. I’m also not one to shy away from a controversial subject and judge a book because of it.
In fact, part of her statement to us was, ‘People need to love and not reject those who are going the wrong way. You don’t have to condone sin to show love.’ I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always thought it seemed strange that so many so-called Christians are the first to jump in and start judging. Of course, I don’t believe these people are really Christians but that is an entire separate post.
At first, I didn’t understand the need for the disclaimer. The book didn’t seem to be controversial in the least. It is a well written story about a few families with struggles and issues just like the rest of us.
Then, the book dove headfirst into a few topics that are definitely controversial and definitely prominent in the world today. In case you took the disclaimer to mean that you wouldn’t be interested in this book, I ask that you reconsider.
It is the third in a series but the first two aren’t needed to follow along with this book. I haven’t read the first two but will probably go back to them.
Michelle explores topics such as infidelity and homosexuality from the perspective of the personal struggle. I felt the way she introduced the issue wonderfully and that the details were truly pertinent to the story. I wasn’t uncomfortable in any way while reading the book.
I’ve never walked a path similar to those in the book so I would never have had a clue what a struggle like this could look like. Michelle did a fabulous job with this book. As I was reading, I truly felt for these characters. If any of these characters were members of my family, friends, or my children I would definitely want to be someone they could turn to in their hour of need. I couldn’t wait to find out how the situations eventually turned out.
I believe this book helped solidify for me that I can indeed love without condoning a behavior I may not agree with. I’ve always felt this way. Someone else’s choice is their walk, not mine. I can love them, pray for them, and be there for them without changing my entire belief system.
Great decision on Michelle’s part to explore such edgy subjects and a great resource for someone struggling with such a predicament.
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Love is a decision, or is it merely an emotion?
Eight years after Tony and Hope’s affair ended, new problems arise. Jimmy has gone off to college, but returns home with a startling revelation that devastates his father and causes his final heart attack. Now Hope is grieving the loss of both her husband and their son. She tries to make sense of everything, and in the end she decides to love her son through the grief. More than that, she makes the decision to love whoever her son chooses to love, whether she agrees with his choices or not.
Tony’s life has its own disaster tearing through it. First, he is accused of killing his ex-wife, but he is soon released once the authorities realize he had nothing to do with it. The tragedy with his ex led to some major changes in his life, however, and some soul-searching that ultimately turns Tony’s life around. While he is still adjusting to his new perspective on life, his long-lost daughter Nina contacts him and has some secrets of her own. He is overjoyed to be reunited with his daughter, but with their relationship comes an entirely new set of challenges.
Jimmy is confused about his faith, his life, and ultimately, whom he should love. After some severe trials knock him off what he thought was the right course for his life, he makes the decision to love himself enough not to be used by someone again. But will his decision protect him in the end?
About the author:
Michelle Sutton is a social worker (and now supervisor) who has been writing romantic fiction with an inspirational message for over nine years. Southeastern Arizona is where Michelle calls home. She loves being surrounded by mountains and fresh air, which inspires many of her novels. She and her husband are approaching twenty-two years of marriage and their two sons will begin their third year of college in August. She is the author of well over a dozen novels in print and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, as well as an avid book reviewer and blogger on a variety of sites. She founded Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers social networking site which has nearly 1200 members. Crafting new stories and reading/reviewing great books is her idea of a fun time.
Learn more about Michelle at: http://www.michellesutton.net/pb/wp_f320c606/wp_f320c606.html
Michelle’s website: http://www.michellesutton.net
Michelle on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleSuttonAuthor
Michelle’s Facebook Fan Page:http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleSutton
Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers social media network: http:/edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com
Youtube book video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIkUf6b8lr8
Purchasing links:
Decision to Love is available for purchase online at Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble or directly from her page.
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