When You Believe: A Novel [Paperback]

Deborah Bedford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2009

Lydia Porter has waited a long time for happiness. She loves her job as a school counselor at Shadrach High School, and she loves everything about her coworker, teacher Charlie Stains. Lydia believes God answered her prayers when Charlie entered her life, and though she hasn't told a soul, Charlie has asked her to marry him.
That's what makes one pretty, young sophomore's story so unimaginable . . . and so devastating. The girl tells Lydia that Charlie has sexually abused her, and that she is terrified of what he will do if she tells. By law, Lydia must report the teenager's charges. What happens when she does will test her strength, her love, and her belief in the power of God to comfort, redeem, and heal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The joy of this contemporary novel of faith lies in Bedford's calm, competent voice as she spins a turbulent tale of love, sexual misconduct and divided loyalties. High school counselor Lydia Porter has discovered her soulmate in Charlie Stains, a fellow teacher at Shadrach High School in Missouri. Just before she announces their engagement, one of Porter's favorite students, Shelby Tatum, confides in her that she is being sexually molested-by Stains. Heartbroken and conflicted, Porter must make choices that will affect Shelby and her fiance and that will tear apart her church and small town. As she grapples with the implications of Shelby's accusation, Porter is forced to confront an episode from her own high school days that has colored her life and feelings of self-worth. There is also an absorbing subplot about Porter's past supernatural ability to find lost children, which contrasts sharply to her present state: "Nowadays," she confesses, "I can't even find myself." Bedford (A Morning Like This; Harvest Dance), formerly a romance novelist in the general market, shows her veteran writing experience throughout the book by laying false trails, creating multifaceted characters and keeping her descriptions vivid but succinct. Porter's reconciliation with her past may feel a little too easy to some, and the ending is contrived in order to punish the guilty party. However, this is a well-told tale that should appeal to readers of faith who enjoy an inspirational love story wrapped around deeper issues.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Realistic characters, true-to-life dialogue and unusual plot twists keep the story on track." (Romantic Times )

"The joy of this contemporary novel of faith lies in Bedford's calm, competent voice as she spins a turbulent tale of love, sexual misconduct and divided loyalties. . . . [Bedford] shows her veteran writing experience throughout the book by laying false trails, creating multifaceted characters and keeping her descriptions vivid but succinct. . . . [T]his is a well-told tale that should appeal to readers of faith who enjoy an inspirational love story wrapped around deeper issues." (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; Reissue edition (June 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446552429
• ISBN-13: 978-0446552424
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,301,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books of the year!, February 19, 2004

By 

Shelly Thacker (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You Believe (Paperback)

This is a moving, superb keeper of a book. The subject matter is daring, the characters truly special, and the question of who's telling the truth--Shelby or Charlie--will keep you turning pages 'til dawn. Best of all, the writing is simply stunning. It's rare these days to find an author of popular fiction--whether in the ABA or CBA market--who has such an exquisite eye for detail and a genuine love of the English language. With every page, Ms. Bedford brings her setting and characters to vibrant life. You'll feel as if you're standing beside them in their struggles, discovering God's grace at the most unexpected moments. Don't miss this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading here..., September 30, 2003

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You Believe (Paperback)

Sometimes, you don't want the answers to your questions, as Lydia Porter learns when she pushes troubled student Shelby Tatum to tell her what's wrong. Shelby reveals that she has been violated by a teacher, and not just any teacher. The man who hurt her is Lydia's fiance', Charlie Stains. Suddenly, Lydia is caught in a nightmare between doing what is right and standing beside the man she loves, despite accusations. Desperation and prayer will lead her on a quest for the truth that will either set her free or damn her hopes.

**** This timely plotline has much to say about faith and love. Lies that seem preferrable to truth are their own trap. Christian fiction gets slammed for being too goody two shoes feel good and fuzzy. In other words, having little to do with reality. Novels like this one shatter that myth. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore

4.0 out of 5 stars Treadmill Read, April 2, 2011

By 

ruthjoec "ruthjoec" (Kenner LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You Believe (Kindle Edition)

This was a treadmill book and I got through 290 pages in two nights, and at least partly as a result of that, got my star at Weight Watchers for losing 20 pounds. It was an interesting fast-moving story though I found the part about Lyddie's relationship with the student in question to be somewhat unrealistic. It is a Christian novel and deals with themes of trust, love, forgiveness and especially, the presence of God. Grade: B