The Other Daughter (The Homecoming Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Miralee Ferrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2007

Susanne Carson's well-ordered family life is thrown into devastating chaos when Brianna, a young teen, appears on her doorstep, claiming to be the daughter of Susanne's husband, David. The revelation of David's apparent betrayal adds strain to an already fragile marriage. Will this shocking discovery drive the family apart, or will it draw them closer to God? Guaranteed fiction!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The girl standing at the door took a deep breath, pulling her suitcase a little closer to her trembling legs. “My mama’s dead. He’s my daddy.”

Susanne Carson knows that she can trust the love of her life—her husband, David—until she discovers a strange, unkempt young girl on their doorstep, claiming to be David’s daughter.

Not that their marriage has ever been perfect—David’s decision to embrace the Christian faith has strained their relationship. Susanne may not agree with his beliefs, but at least she trusts him. Has David been hiding this not-so-little secret from his past? He wants Susanne to believe in God, but believing hasn’t done much to keep David out of another woman’s arms. What else could her husband be hiding?

As David confronts the truth of his past, Susanne must face her own moment of truth as her marriage is taken to the breaking point and the life of one young girl is left in her hands.

Miralee Ferrell and her husband, Allen, live in a rural community in Washington State. She serves on staff as a licensed minister at their local church and is actively involved in ministry to women. Miralee developed an interest in writing in high school and took honors English courses in college, but put writing on the back burner for the next thirty years while raising a family and helping her husband in their growing business. Two and a half years ago, she returned to the pen, publishing a number of short stories and The Other Daughter. Currently, she is working on the next book in this series.

About the Author

Miralee Ferrell and her husband, Allen, live in a rural community in Washington State. She serves on staff at their local church as a licensed minister and is actively involved in ministry to women, as well as speaking to women's groups. She's always been an avid reader and dabbled in writing, but never considered it as a serious calling until 2005 when she felt the Lord directing her to write. Since then she's had several magazine articles published, two in book compilations, and four full-length novels released with a fifth releasing in early 2011. Miralee loves working in her flower beds, riding horseback with her daughter, and sailing with her husband.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (October 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825426596
• ISBN-13: 978-0825426599
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,118,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

First and foremost I'm a child of God and daughter of the King. I've been involved in women's ministries for years, and serve on staff at our small church. I've been married for 38 years, have two grown children, two cats, two dogs and an Arabian mare. We live about 9 miles from the nearest town in our new home on 11 acres, surrounded by trees. I have five books out now & a 6th releasing in August, 2011. I write both women's contemporary fiction and historical romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving story with realistic characters and strong emotion, April 8, 2008

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Other Daughter (The Homecoming Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

The Other Daughter by Miralee Ferrell starts out with a bomb dropping into Suzanne Carson's world. On the evening of her birthday, a thirteen year old girl shows up on her doorstep claiming to be Suzanne's husband, David's, daughter. While David and Suzanne's two children, especially daughter Megan, accept Brianna without hesitation, as does David's father. But Suzanne is bitterly resentful at David's unfaithfulness and sees it as a sign that his God and religion are illusions. David loves his wife and children dearly, and for fear of hurting them keeps his distance as well from this young, vulnerable girl. It's not often in Christian fiction that in a marriage, the husband is portrayed as the faithful one and the wife as the unbeliever. Suzanne's insistence on relying only on herself separates her not only from God, but from David, Brianna, and even her children. Ferrell's writing is skillful as she portrays Suzanne sympathetically even when she's acting in a way that's not. Because she writes so openly about Suzanne's hurt and pain, it's easy to care about the character and appreciate her growth throughout the story. While the ending may be a little pat (but entirely enjoyable), Ferrell excels at creating a powerful story with realistic characters about the power of trusting in God.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard-hitting and Heartwarming, October 18, 2007

By 

Ane Mulligan "V.P./Sr. Editor, Novel Rocket" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Other Daughter (The Homecoming Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

How does a wife deal with the sudden appearance of her husband's daughter that she never knew about? Miralee Ferrell's debut novel lays bare the emotions of broken trust and a marriage unequally yoked--and Ferrell does it with the perceptivity of a seasoned author.

I found Susanne's emotions to be gut-wrenchingly honest and the spiritual thread believable. Too often in Christian fiction, the change in a character is forced. When Susanne seeks affirmation for her hurt from a friend, the advice she gets leaves her unsure. The gradual transition in Susanne is sparked by the faith of her young daughter, Megan, and the understanding of a family friend.

Being a step-mother, I totally related to Susanne's emotions throughout the book. Ferrell hasn't pulled any punches in this hard hitting novel, and it receives this reviewer's highest recommendation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, December 10, 2007

By 

Delia Latham "Inspirational Romance Author" (Okmulgee, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Other Daughter (The Homecoming Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Susanne Carson has some problems, but trusting her husband is not one of them. David is a good man, a wonderful father to their two children, and a kind, caring husband. Aside from his involvement in the Christian faith, which Susanne cannot bring herself to embrace, their marriage is mostly good.

Then Brianna shows up on their doorstep, battered suitcase in hand, claiming to be David's daughter. If not for the girl's striking family resemblance, Susanne would refuse to believe the possibility ... but there is that likeness - and a letter from the teen's deceased mother. Then, of course, there's the fact that David admits it is most likely true.

With a strange, unwelcome child in their care and a widening wall between Susanne and David, their home becomes an emotional battlefield of hurt, disillusionment, and shattered trust. Susanne's unwillingness to place her life in God's hands is strengthened by David's deception. Can she ever forgive him? Will she ever be able to love his illegitimate child?

When Brianna's abusive, alcoholic uncle shows up to reclaim the girl, Susanne and David are forced to come to terms with their own feelings and make some hard decisions. Will their love be strong enough to withstand a test of this magnitude?

A marriage in trouble. Two hearts in conflict. A soul at the crossroads.

In The Other Daughter, the author combines all the fascinating elements into a compelling, utterly believable piece of beautifully wrought fiction. It's an unforgettable journey into a mother's heart, a family's love, a couple's faltering relationship. Miralee Ferrell's debut novel is rich with believable characters and poignant situations, and laced with wonderful little details that provide a wonderfully realistic setting. It's a work of heart that will not be easily forgotten.