Coming Home: by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Stacy Hawkins Adams gives us a wonderful novel that weaves together several themes, at least themes that I could resonnate with. One theme is that of forgiveness. How do you forgive someone who has hurt you very badly in the past? How do you forgive someone who hurts you in the present, by not being honest with you about their life? How do you forgive someone who has stolen your spouse from you?

The next theme is, how do you trust God to do what He says He will do? Can God really heal the hurts of the past? Can God really give you love and compassion for people who have hurt you? Can God bring 'love' into your life even when you have your guard up and don't know how to trust others?

Finally, how do you deal with trust in a relationship when your partner seems to be delving into past relationships that might prove hurtful to them and to you and cause your chance for a future to be in jeopardy?

Dayna is a career Nursing Care Supervisor, Vice-President, at a regional medical facility. She is dating Warren, the Public Relations director of the institute. She was previously married to Brent, the star athlete at College who was hurt in his second year and found that it was a career ending injury. Their marriage ended when Brent started seeing Tamara, the beauty queen, who swept him off his feet.

It has been seven years since Dayna has seen Brent. She is in love with Warren and his two little boys. She wants a new life and has it. But one evening Brent shows up on her doorstep. He wants to seek forgiveness and to ask for Dayna's help.

This starts a series of events to fall into place that will bring a great novel forth. Brent is dying of cancer but needs Dayna's help to put together a foundation that will be his legacy. His wife Tamara is unsure of involving Dayna, and so is Warren. But it is decided and now the tensions begin.

Stacy Hawkins Adams does a wonderful job of developing the characters, weaving the story line together and drawing us into the emotions that each of the characters are feeling. While enjoying the read you will also be faced with asking yourself the question, what would I do? How would I respond? Could I forgive? Could I help?

I loved the novel and feel that it would be a great read for every Christian who has ever struggled with life, forgiveness, love, trust and above all else, depending on God for help.

Enjoy!