Revealed
by Tamera Alexander
Published by Bethany House (November 2006 Release)(to come)
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Reviewed by Sheryl Root
Annabelle Grayson McCutchens knows what it is like to be an outsider--hearing the whispers behind her back, and being shunned on the streets. A woman in her former profession finds it hard to leave the past behind. But Jonathan McCutchen sees something more in Annabelle, and his redemptive love and compassion begins to bring healing into her life.
Now Jonathan is dead--his heart unexpectedly failing early into their journey via wagon train to his ranch in Idaho. Annabelle, to honor Jonathan's last wishes, needs to hire a guide to help her catch up with the wagon train and complete their journey.
Matthew Taylor sees the ad posted for a guide, and thinks it is the answer to his problems. The money will help him with his debt, and the farther north he gets from Texas, the better. He's traveled the country before, and how hard can it be to escort one widow woman?
However, Matthew's opinion changes when he realizes who the "widow woman" is. He has met Annabelle before, and his disapproval of her former life is tangible. Can they get beyond their hurt and anger? Or is this the perfect chance for Matthew to punish Annabelle for the sins of her past?
Tamera Alexander's characters are real, fallible, and a marvelous reflection of God's truth and grace. Her stories unfold layer-by-layer, drawing you in deeper with every page. I was riveted to this book, so caught up in the lives of Matthew and Annabelle that I felt loss at the end when I had to leave them behind.
Revealed is the second book in the Fountain Creek Chronicles series, following up Tamera Alexander's stunning first novel, Rekindled. If you haven't yet read this debut series, I recommend you do so soon. While it is not necessary to read them in order, Matthew and Annabelle are both secondary characters in Rekindled. Knowing their background from the first book makes their story here in Revealed even more compelling.
Armchair Interviews says: Excellent book, well written with a fine story.