As many of you know, my faith is very important to me.  It has gotten me through some very difficult times.  I love my quiet time with my Bible, I love reading Bible stories to the kiddos, and I love listening to Christian music.

But…I have a confession to make.

I don’t particularly enjoy reading Christian fiction.  Yes, I feel bad about this.  That’s why occasionally, I try.  But it usually doesn’t get past the first chapter.

Why?

Well, the biggest reason is that, with the exception of Janette Oke, I find them to be poorly written and overly judgmental political.

So, I was a little skeptical about reviewing Rachelle Ayala‘s new book, Michal’s Window.  I promise my readers that all my reviews are my honest opinions, but I also know that it hurts to have someone tell you that your writing is the pits.  I know I was probably overthinking it, but yes, I was a little concerned.

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So, it’s 78 days or so until graduation (not that I’m counting, or anything).  And as I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m not nearly as busy with school as I have been the last eight years.

What have I been doing with all my new spare time?  All kinds of stuff.  Most of it, you can see here on the blog.  Trying new recipes, organizing the house, crafts with the kids, and of course, taking over more of the homeschooling.  I also have a great new job teaching ACT and SAT test prep courses to high school kids.

I’ve also been trying to read more.  That’s one of the things I missed the most while being a student.  Reading just for fun!  I’ve started by reading as many Stephanie Plum books as I can get my hands on. (Thanks, Mom!)

But there are a few others on my list, as well.  This week, I’m going to be reading Hidden Wives by Claire Avery.

A quick summary from Goodreads.com:

“Fifteen-year-old Sara and her beautiful sister, Rachel, are too young to legally drive a car—but are approaching spinsterhood in Utah’s secret polygamist Blood of the Lamb community. Having long since reached the “age of preparedness,” they will soon be married off to much older men chosen by the hidden sect’s revered Prophet.

As Sara, chosen to become her uncle’s fifth wife, grows more distraught over her impending incestuous marriage, she begins to scrutinize the faith she has followed blindly her entire life. But for Rachel, who will be married to one of the many powerful community leaders vying for her hand, disobeying the Prophet means eternal damnation. Her friendship with the newest member of the community, the young and handsome Luke, starts as an attempt to save his agnostic soul, but ends with the pair falling helplessly in love. When Rachel is forbidden to see him, her absolute faith in the Prophet is severely tested. 

When Rachel’s future husband is finally announced, violence erupts, and the girls must find the strength to escape the only life they have ever know…before it’s too late. 

Claire Avery has woven a stunning tale that could be ripped from today’s headlines. Shocking and empowering, Hidden Wives is a page-turning debut that will stay with the reader.”

I’d love if you would read with me and let me know what you think of the book!