A Face in the Clouds – By: Marianne Evans – Book Review – – What a wonderful story to have on my blog on Easter Friday! You can buy it and download it HERE for only $1.00. What a buy to read the entire story!
I’m doing this review a little bit different. My review is first, then a bit about the Author, Marianne Evans, and lastly Marianne has included a blurb about the story, and an Excerpt – A FACE IN THE CLOUDS
MY REVIEW
A FACE IN THE CLOUDS
This is a wonderful story about a young couple in love, Sandy Pierson and Paul Hutchins. Paul has just been given a flyer with an assignment from his colleague Sandy, and yes she’s the girlfriend. From reading the story, I feel Sandy gave Paul this assignment because he is not a Christian and she is. And she wants him in church for this very special Easter program. The assignment reads:
Surrendering to Christ
An Artist’s View of Salvation & Grace
Of course Paul is not happy with this, being a reporter he could sure get something better than going to church for his next assignment. Sandy explains that this is part of the Easter Series for Community Focus, and this part of it would remind Metro Detroit of what the Easter season is all about. Again, Paul, not believing in God, didn’t see the importance of this. A Chalk Artist would be there and create a picture of Salvation.
As the story unfolds, Paul heads to the church to cover the story. He interviews the artist, which upsets Sandy because she thinks he is really rude in the questions he asks. He couldn’t believe Mary was going to go to the stage and create her painting, having no idea the image she will create. She will trust the Lord to lead her during the program. This really irritates Paul, who would never do something this stupid. Paul and Mary end up in a detailed discussion about God, and the reason we celebrate Easter. As the program starts, the music begins and Mary begins her creation. Paul pays close attention to the detail as Mary continues to draw, thinking of the images. As he keeps watching and Mary nears the end of her drawing, Paul notices a face forming in the clouds of the drawing. And since I don’t want to give anything away, that is all I will tell you!
After the program is over, how will Paul feel about the drawing of God’s salvation right before his eyes? Will it affect him at all in his opinion of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of our Lord?
And Sandy, can she deal with Paul’s attitude about the Lord? Will she stay with him even though he doesn’t believe He is real? Or will she break up with him because they have such different views about Salvation?
I was excited when Marianne wanted me to read her story. It was an honor for me to read “Face in the Clouds” and write this review. The most wonderful thing I see with the story is the way Marianne tells it to explain the Gospel, to explain just why we do celebrate Easter every year. And she does it in such a way that everyone can easily understand how to ask Christ into their lives, as well as the importance of living a life to serve Him. The awesome thing about stories like this and authors like Marianne is that people will read this story that will not set foot in a church. And when they do read Christian Fiction, they get the same Gospel story that they would hear in a church service. It’s all about telling people about Jesus, and what He did for us on Calvary, that Easter so long ago. Thank you Marianne for a wonderful story.
BE SURE TO CONTINUE TO READ SO YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE STORY BELOW
Marianne Evans is a multi-published author of contemporary romance novels. Her professional career began when Kensington Publishing purchased her book, Friends & Lovers. Her second offering, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim from reviewers and in the local media.
Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – an award-winning novel entitled Hearts Crossing. Hearts Crossing led to the creation of a four-book Christian romance series: The Woodland Series. Book 2, Hearts Surrender, released in late 2010 with Books 3 and 4 – Hearts Communion and Hearts Key, slated for late 2011 and early 2012 release. A Woodland Series Bonus Story, A Face in the Clouds, is an Easter-themed short story, also from White Rose Publishing.
Recent awards include:
Hearts Crossing:
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist
CAPA Finalist
5-Star Review, The Romance Studio
5-Star Review, Coffee Time Romance
Hearts Surrender –
Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Finalist
4-Star Review, Romantic Times Magazine
5-Star Review & Book of the Week, The Romance Studio
5-Klover Review & Recommended Read, Kwips & Kritiques
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Marianne is an active member of Romance Writers of America and the Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter in a number of capacities, but most notably for two terms as Chapter Treasurer and two terms as Chapter President. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.
Marianne loves to connect with readers ~ find her at:
www.marianneevans.blogspot.com.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744
BLURB – A FACE IN THE CLOUDS
Reporter Paul Hutchins is all about finding facts and uncovering the truth. Verification, authenticity and quantification are the fuel of his spirit…Until he falls in love with producer Sandy Pierson.
Sandy sees Christ alive in every aspect of her life. No need for quantified facts. Faith is the fuel of her spirit . But her love for Paul puts her at odds with God’s call toward faith and all of its mysteries.
Paul considers Christianity to be well-meaning myth—hyperbole. To Sandy, it’s everything—and she can accept nothing less from the man she loves.
Can a miracle happen? Can the touch of God Himself keep their relationship from shattering?
EXCERPT – A FACE IN THE CLOUDS
“I know how deeply you feel things, Paul. You have a wonderful heart. That’s part of why I love you so much. I’m torn in two about my feelings for you.” Sandy’s declaration would have filled him were it not chipped and cracked by the impact of her doubts.
“Your reporter’s instinct toward authenticity and revealing the truth is a big part of what I admire about you. There’s nothing wrong with facing the world honestly, but you need to make room for a few other truths.”
“Like God.”
“Yes, and the fact that life holds as much mystery, and as many intangibles, as it does realistic things you can hold tight with both hands.”
She wanted him to change. Right down to the soul. Paul continued to study her. She was hurt enough that she had almost stepped away from attending tonight’s event—out of a frustrated sense of love. Yet here they were—together—out of a frustrated sense of love.
And if he wasn’t mindful of her beliefs, she’d step away from him.
Paul navigated the rapidly-filling parking lot of Woodland Church. Once they stopped, he killed the car engine and used a restraining hand to keep Sandy in place. He closed the space between them and gave her a kiss that lingered and thoroughly tasted. He felt the gesture ease a bit of the tightness in her shoulders and back. “I’ll keep an open mind, OK?”
She touched his face, and there was yearning in her eyes. “Keep an open heart. That’s much more important.”
splashesofjoy 