Sometimes I Write

The package was light and in one swift movement I ripped it open and let the book fall into my waiting hands, flipping it over to read the back. I always read the back. Not just so I can see what other people have to say about the author’s books – I’ll form my own opinion, but I am always interested in reading the synopsis before I dive into a book I’m committing to spend several hours with. Sometimes it’s an easy sell and I can’t wait to make time to be with the characters as their situations in life unfold before me. Such was the case with Shelley Bates’ latest book, OVER HER HEAD.

What kind of mother suspects her own daughter of murder?

Laurie Hale has the perfect life-and the perfect family to go with it. She imagines fun, love, and academic success for her daughter, Anna. But when one of Anna’s classmates is found murdered and the police start asking questions, fear and suspicion threaten everything Laurie values.

Anna isn’t the only suspect – a whole group of teenagers seems to be involved, but none of them is talking, and the community is in an uproar.

Laurie is asked to leave her prayer group just when she needs it the most, and her marriage bears the strain of the crisis. Laurie’s only ally is Janice, the mayor’s wife, whose own son could implicate Anna – or exonerate her.

Ultimately, Laurie must face her fears: What if Anna really was involved in Randi Peizer’s murder? And what kind of person is Laurie if she can doubt her own child’s innocence? Only God can provide the answers when Laurie finds herself in OVER HER HEAD.

I love a good mystery. Especially one where the characters are well developed and you feel like you know them. Shelley did a great job of captivating my imagination and keeping my fingers turning the pages in anticipation.

I loved that the main character has to reexamine her faith. In the midst of her fears, and as she tries to do the right thing, she comes face to face with the realization that her faith isn’t what she thought it was. Is she depending on God or is she trusting in her own abilities? Is it pride? Is it the comfort of being needed? Is she trying to do God’s job for him? I have so been there too. I am an emotional creature, so when a book grabs my heart and I hear God speak to me through the message the author is trying to convey through story, it endears me to the author and his/her work.

Shelley’s story was sometimes intense as she dealt with issues like watching your child go through pain you can’t end, and feeling betrayed by those you take for granted as lifelong friends. The humor sprinkled throughout the story was welcome relief and then came the big stuff. She addressed the desperation felt when life gets too hard to handle on your own. One of her characters has the refreshing ability to be real and blunt with no pretenses. Another one struggles with female relatives trying to marry him off. One of my favorite lessons was that sometimes friendship comes in the most unexpected places. You think you know all about someone and then your assumptions turn out to be wrong. Some of us don’t always make the best first impressions. I also needed to see a church being portrayed as a place of healing. Sometimes it’s not, though it’s meant to be.

This was a story of tragedy, a web of lies, fear, faith and healing. There is a reading group guide included in the back of the book. It was time well spent and I now know why Shelley Bates is an award winning author.

Check her out at www.shelleybates.com and tell her I sent you!

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