A Love So Strong
By Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Moody Publishers, ISBN 0-8024-6834-9

Shocked. Hurt. Betrayed. Tormented. Nicole Walker of A Love So Strong experiences all these emotions when she's told that her husband has fathered a child outside of their picture-perfect marriage. Bryan and Nicole Walker love one another very much and have a strong Christian faith. However, Nicole's world is turned upside down when Tricia Smart, a woman from Bryan's past, announces that she gave birth to Bryan's son. Although this was years before Bryan and Nicole met, Nicole, unable to have children of her own, is devastated and faced with many heart-wrenching questions. Will her husband take responsibility for a child he never knew existed? If so, how will Nicole adjust to the sudden changes of being a stepmother? And how long can she endure Tricia's harassing phone calls and name-calling?

Kendra Norman-Bellamy's emotional yet action-packed story moves at an even pace with twists throughout the novel that keep the reader guessing until the end. While her story deals with the emotions of a wife and husband, it also demonstrates how a couple can minister to others effectively in the midst of their own trials. We see this as leading man, Bryan, helps his young friend, Todd, cope with the harsh realities of being a teenager. For this reason, among many, A Love So Strong points out the importance of being a strong father figure to young people who are in need of stable male role models. Certainly, both female and male readers will find this book rewarding and applaud this positive feature of Bryan's character.

I enjoyed reading Norman-Bellamy's book for two primary reasons.  One, it demonstrates that Christians can maintain a passionate marriage despite the enemy's attack on the family. Second, it displays how powerful it is to have godly friends and family members to help encourage you during your storms. This is a serious read for couples facing devastating circumstances as well as for readers who are looking for a story about Christians struggling with real issues.  Excellent job, Kendra Norman-Bellamy!

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This month's title was reviewed by Tiffany Godfrey. Christian writer, Tiffany Godfrey, resides in Virginia with her husband. The rising author is currently working on an evangelism booklet and her first novel.

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