7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing Inspirational romance, April 13, 2005
This review is from: Grounds to Believe (Elect Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
I had started reading Shelley Bates' "Grounds to Believe" a few days ago and got only a little ways into the book when I had to stop. I took it up again when I was eating a solitary dinner tonight, and it was so riveting that I finished dinner and kept reading.
This is a bit different from the normal fare from Steeple Hill, in a good way. The author never writes about body parts or sexual innuendos, but the chemistry between the hero and heroine is almost tangible. What a rush to read some of their scenes. This is a hero I can swoon over (don't let the pastor-lookalike on the cover fool you, the hero is rough-and-tumble and sexy as sin . . . well, in a Christ-like way. LOL).
The heroine is a bit like Jamie from "A Walk to Remember," sweet and innocent. But Julia is also real--struggling to understand the paradoxes between the teachings of her "Shepherd" and the Truth in the Bible.
The topic of cults and toxic churches is very appropriate in these days when many churches deviate from the Bible and follow man-made rules. Julia's church talks "church speak" but doesn't act as Jesus would, and the members ultimately care only about themselves while professing to be sacrificing the world for God. There is no room for grace, no service for others. It is all appearance, not Christ's love. It's frighteningly like the modern world.
The prose flows seamlessly and I got sucked into the story. The writing is masterful--each character is unique and distinct, there are no clichés or stereotypes here. Despite Julia's sheltered upbringing, I found myself liking her and relating to her as she fought to gain her self-esteem, her identity in God.
I have already pre-ordered the author's next book, "Pocketful of Pearls," which also discusses toxic churches and other tough issues. This is totally refreshing Inspirational Romance.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read, March 1, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Grounds to Believe (Elect Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
Grounds to Believe is the best inspirational romance I've ever read. Shelley Bates creates characters that draw the reader completely into the story. The heroine's struggles to find a true faith are both believable and compelling. The hero is strong in his faith--and yummy as well! I found the description of the cult particulary sensitive and balanced. This truly is a wonderful book.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best debut novel I've read in years, April 18, 2005
This review is from: Grounds to Believe (Elect Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
Grounds to Believe captivated me from page 1. I read the story almost straight through, looking for opportunities to sneak away and read a little more until I finished. I wish all stories were as unique and egaging. The hero was awesome and the heroine was a very well-developed character. I liked the way the author took something complex like a cult and peeled the layers of the onion off very slowly, showing how real people were active members, usually because they knew nothing else. And the dysfunction in the heroine's family was portrayed very well. Having worked for 18 years with child abuse cases, the details involved with the nephew's near-demise were unfortunately all too true. Very realistic and well done. I can't wait for Shelley's next novel to be released.
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