Heroines. We love ‘em all, and the best are those with whom we identify strongly. Does she feel as I do? Would I have the strength to face her trials? Gotta love ‘em. Bimbos, damsels in distress, rebels, forces of nature. The main character in this third novel in Shelley Bates’ “Elect” series qualifies in the last category.

We’re told today’s heroine should be a kicker type. But you don’t need to be Angelina-with-a-semi-automatic to be strong. It takes more strength to re-think everything that forms the framework of your life; to truly turn the magnifying glass on your own soul, to find yourself wanting, to change as you must—to survive. If you like a heroine like this, who must revamp everything she has ever been taught, about love, faith, and her place in life, Claire Montoya is tailor made for you.

A lifelong member of a “toxic” church, Claire lives in reluctant obedience to a set of rules whose senselessness would insult a child. After she’s fired from her bank job, a newcomer—the bouncy, charismatic radio DJ who’s advising her church on how to change—hires her on the spot to keep the station’s books. Or is Luke Fisher all he seems?  Detective Ray Harper, in town to see a rape case come to trial, smells something unsanitary in the eager-beaver Mr. Fisher, and stays to investigate. As he and Claire begin to click, he grows restive about his attraction for her. How can a man lacking faith make a match with a woman whose faith is her entire life?

With an unbeliever falling for her, and Luke’s increasingly puzzling deployments of donated money, both men rock Claire’s regimented world on its ear. As her outlook realigns, so does that of the Elect—can they be wrong about the nature of a faith-guided life, after all?

Shelley Bates tells the engaging story of a woman struggling to re-evaluate her faith. Though lacking the dark themes of the previous book, Pocketful Of Pearls, the journey is every bit as compelling. Claire’s quiet, stark courage made her a winner beyond compare.

Five stars in my book.

Reviewed by Deb Kinnard
www.deborahkinnard.com
7/5/2006

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