Scoop Book

Well, this book started off in an unusual way. The setting is the funeral of two clowns. I know, not funny, but it kind of was. You see, Percy and Lucy Hazard went on vacation and while there, they…died. It was an unfortunate accident involving a heart shaped hot tub and possibly a guitar player and an electrical cord involving mood lighting. Probably best not to know.

Now, to the clown part. Percy and Lucy Hazard formed a successful family business as performing clowns and each of their 5 children was involved in its success. They performed for birthdays, anniversaries, reunions…any event that was in need of clowns. But upon the death of Percy and Lucy, Mitch, the eldest child announces that the business is now dissolved'Mitch has sold the ownership and his best explanation is that the business put food on the table out of necessity when both parents lost their jobs. They home schooled their children and perhaps sheltered them, but they also gave them lessons to be able to not just survive, but to thrive on their own. It is time for each child to move forward and see what they could accomplish out on their own.

Fast forward to 5 years later and Hayden Hazard is working as an assistant at a television news station. She is easy going, competent, cool and calm, and efficient. The trouble is, she believes in God and the faith in which she was raised is not something she can contain. She has no qualms about praying for her coworkers or suggesting that they trust more in God and stop worrying about the "what ifs". This makes people uncomfortable, especially her boss. The news business is extremely stressful and there is always something to worry about it and his little blue pills don't seem to be helping. He doesn't need prayer. He needs a stronger medication! Look! Just look at all the things going wrong!

I wasn't really attached to this story at the beginning, but I wanted to see where it was going to go. Once things started happening, I didn't want to stop reading.

There is mystery, romance, danger, animosity, loyalty…and of course, prayer and faith. It had it all. From news stories about neighborhood pigs, to pressure on a news anchor to have some "work done" to take off the years, to failed weather reports, to problems within a marriage…and Hayden, calm, sweet Hayden is always in the middle of the chaos.

I noticed that this was published in 2007, but it was such a timely read. Dealing with "sweeps week" in television ratings, distorted facts given to present news in the way the reporter wants it to be interpreted, the desire to create scandalous headline stories, and the desperation to be the first to report a story, true or not, just smacks of today's news. There came a time in this story when following one's own instincts, morals and consciences would become the pivotal decision. What will the station director decide? Maybe, just maybe, taking Hayden's advice is the way to go.

Needless to say, I became attached to the story and the key characters, and of course, Hayden. I noticed that this is #1 of Occupational Hazards books, so I am guessing that the other siblings will be highlighted in the books following this one. I think I'd like to read more!