Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt

This book is all about redemption. God’s redemption. The best kind. It’s a Christian, historical romance. Yes, that’s right. A romance. And I loved it! If I’m going to read a romance, this is the kind I want to read. Sure, there was some ooey gooey stuff, but it was clean, romantic, heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time.

Set in the early 1920’s, the history is also well presented and fascinating. It’s the early time of cars and planes. It’s just after WW I, so there is a lot about the tragedy and the horrible impact that war had on those who returned. Several of the characters are war veterans. Ms. Hunt works in scientific discoveries, famous people, and notable events.

The main setting is Wisteria House. This is the first book in a series about Wisteria House, set outside of Atlanta, Georgia. 1920 wasn’t that far removed from the civil war, so there’s reference to the Klan and the issues they could cause.

Then there’s the Rutledge family. A family with both literal and figurative skeletons in their closet. A dysfunctional family that’s endured an overwhelming amount of tragedy. The two main characters are Arilee (pronounced R E Lee) Rutledge and Adam Harrison. Harrison was a student of Arilee’s in high school, though only four years younger than her. He’s hired by Arilee’s brother to fix up their decaying house and of course, Adam and Arilee are the love interest of the book. There were times when I wanted to jump into the page and shake both of them by their shoulders and yell at them, “What is the matter with you?” But that’s a good thing. That kept me reading the book.

Being a Christian novel, it’s clean. No profanity. No violence. And no on page sex. For you romance fans, yes, there’s hand holding, kissing, and plenty of sweet nothings said to each other.

This is currently the best book I’ve read this year. A year that has started well with four great books. Even if you’re not a romance fan, as I’m not, I highly recommend this book. For those of you who are not Christians, I also recommend this to see what a life of following Christ can be like. And just try to read it without tears welling up in your eyes. I dare you.

1. Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt
2. The Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron Ross
3. Justice by Jeff Hill
4. The Shocking Truth by Steve Rush

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