Tracey Bateman is one of those writers who travels beyond the boundaries. In her newest book, this too passes all boundaries that is known to us. We see that grief has no boundaries. It can take us prisoner. It can touch us all and bind us in chains. Here walk the path of grief with the main character of this book as she travels back to her husband's home town.
I love the setting of this book in the Ozarks of Missouri. A place I know very well. I admire the character, Corrie Saunders. She has lost her husband and in a odd way she is desperately trying to find him. She is at a loss and just wants her life back with the man of her dreams. I've not known the depths of this pain. But if I were, I would think it tempting to go to any cost just to have a moment longer.
Bateman weaves a story around grief, healing and surrender. Most of all we see sacrifice. Corrie's husband is killed in battle and she isn't handling this sacrifice well.
I too love the character of Eli. There is just something about that name that makes you feel safe. He is strong in faith and knows of the evil that presents itself. For me, this book reminds us that no matter what we are going through there is an invisible warfare going on all around us. We see Eli struggle too. Just because he is a Christian and walks in faith doesn't mean he has no pains.
In the family there are those who believe in spirits and ghosts. They believe in power they claim to have to reach beyond the grave. Eli is strong to stand against this as are others that Corrie surrounds herself with. But Corrie is curious. Could she really find her husband? Any contact with him would be great, right?
Yikes, there is darkness in this tale that takes it root in the Ozarks. There is a real evil and the best line in this book comes from Eli when he is speaking to Corrie. "Just be careful. It's seductive. It's also easy to justify it and make it much less dangerous in your mind and heart than it is." My second favorite line? It also comes from the lips and wisdom of Eli. "God's grace is all over situations like the one you are in, but given the choice, He would much rather you turn to Him for comfort than anything else." Powerful words!! He too shares with Corrie, "Prayer might not change the immediate situation, but it changes the way I feel about it."
I enjoyed this book. No, I don't believe in ghosts. No, I don't believe in mediums. Old magic, witchcraft. Whatever you want to call it. It's pure evil and that is the place where Satan exists. Evil exists all around us. A battle of good and evil. But I do believe we can get caught up in this evil if we are not prepared and covered in God's Word. There would have been a time where I wouldn't have read this book. I just would have stopped at the first talk of mediums. But this book is more. It shares the story of one woman. A woman who is hurting and in search of more.
This book was a gift from WaterBrook Press for it's review.
Tracey Bateman lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and family. With more than thirty novels in print, including Thirsty and Leave It to Claire, Tracey spends all of her time telling tales, creating characters, and dreaming of other worlds.
Ephesians 6:13-18, "Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."
Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
