South Pacific Journal Book

Most Christian authors soothe their readers with what they want to read - inspiring words and a struggle or two that wraps up nicely in the end. Few would tackle the subject of a "toxic church" and its affects. Shelley Bates is one.

Her first novel, Grounds to Believe, won a Rita from Romance Writers of America. It laid the foundation for the second book in the series, Pocketful of Pearls. Bates allows the reader to interface with this strange world of the Elect, both with the heroes from outside and the heroines inside who face tough, faith-shattering choices.

The reader feels each sharp pain of Dinah in Pocketful of Pearls, as if they themselves were enmeshed in the tight web of the Elect. This is a gripping novel, difficult to put down, and heart-wrenching. Have a box of tissue ready as you cheer on the heroine's brave attempts to deal with the inconsistencies of her world and fight to survive.

I'm not a fan of spoilers, so trust me when I say this book is so good it's on my shelf next to LaVyrle Spencer, Sharon Kay Penman, Margaret Lawrence, Judith Merkle Riley, Jane Austen and Margaret Mitchell.

The third and last in the series, A Sounding Brass, wraps up the series. Bates' tightly written prose is emotional and fulfilling, so don't miss any of her books!