The Edge Of Grace by Christa Allan

The Edge of Grace is a Christian fictional drama.

On the day that Caryn Becker receives a phone call from her brother, David, her world and all she knew about it, comes crashing down.  David has just told Caryn that he is gay and will be heading off to Mexico with his new lover.

Caryn is shocked, David had been planning his wedding to his long-time girlfriend, Lori, and this announcement leaves Caryn with feelings of disgust and revulsion.

Caryn is a single, widowed mother of a seven year old boy.  Her husband, Harrison, died when their son, Ben, was only a toddler.  Caryn's best friends and neighbours, Julie and Trey, help Caryn through life's difficulties and offer her advice and wisdom.

Caryn ignores her brothers messages and her friends advice, she is angry, hurt and feels like she never knew her brother.  Her friends think Caryn is over-reacting and cannot understand her feelings.  She believes there is nothing that will mend the hurt that she is now experiencing.

On the day that David is beaten and left for dead, Caryn has to adjust her thoughts and remind herself that love can conquer all.  Caryn begins to heal from the betrayal she feels was bestowed upon her and tries to understand her brothers life choices.

I thought the story started out great.  The introduction of Caryn and her brother began right from the beginning and the reader is immersed in Caryn's thoughts and feelings.  The feelings and questions are real and her reactions are not uncommon to the situation before her.  However, not knowing David before this phone call, one cannot feel for David and his plight.

I thought the editorial issues were more than common, at times Lori, David's finance is called Lauren and I had to reread the passages a few times to make sure who it was being discussed in the chapter.  Mayhaps Lori is being used as a short form version of Lauren, but it isn't explained as such and from her first introduction, we meet her as Lori.

I didn't like the missing quotations around dialogue, you are left wondering if the characters are talking to someone or are they in thought mode, it was very confusing at times.  I found that most of the book played out like a commercial, there were too many product placements throughout and just came across as the author looking for anything to fill the pages.

The first half of the book is meandering thoughts and confusion about David's homosexuality and is rather ho-hum, however, after you get past that portion, the book does pick up and you are left with a read that is rife with human emotions and actions.

I would give this book two and a half stars out of five.  The editorial issues were annoying as was Caryn, she came across as a spoiled rotten brat in which the world should revolve around her.  I enjoyed Julie and her open minded, level-headed character brought much to the book.

SYNOPSIS:
In a matter of seconds her entire world shifted... 

An early morning call shatters Caryn Becker's world. Unable to cope with her brother’s news that he is gay, Caryn rejects him and disappears into her own turbulent life as a young widow and single mom. But when David is attacked and nearly killed, Caryn is forced to make hard choices about family, faith, and her own future; choices that take her to the very edge of grace.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **