September 28, 2014

Hallowed Halls Book Review


Hallowed Halls by Hannah Alexander
Christian Writers Guild Publishing
©2014, 269 pgs

From the back of the book:

"When Dr. Joy Gilbert is fired from her lucrative position in the city, she returns to her small hometown to find her ex-boss’s 15-year-old daughter popping out the back door of her car.  Tressa refuses to return to the city where her divorced parents are battling in the wake of her brother’s death.  Instead of the peace Joy seeks, she finds her former fiancĂ©, Zach, single again, and her once vivacious mother struggling financially and physically.  Tressa’s rebellion threatens Joy’s career, but that threat becomes secondary when it appears that Tressa suffers from a life threatening illness.  Joy and Zach must learn how to heal their emotional wounds to save Tressa’s life."

This Medical Romance/Family Drama is written for adults but suitable for teens 16 and up. 

Hallowed Halls shows the real life struggle that happens when a person is emotionally injured by “The Church” as well as people close to them.  The husband and wife author team brings into the story the themes of Faith Lost and Restored, Hearts Healed by Truth Revealed, and Greater Purpose-the ability to look beyond our own selfishness and see that there are others that need us and we need them.  Communication or the lack of is usually at the root of our relationship problems.  Whether we are fighting with our parents, spouse, children, best friend, or boyfriend/girlfriend, it usually boils down to poor communication.  After reading this book, I found the main gem for me to be the importance of being “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” –James 1:19. 

Sensitive Topics:

There is no foul language, however, there are adult relational issues that rise up as well as an act of violence described and real life health situations that make this book sensitive for young readers. 

There is talk of not “putting out” to retain her job by Joy.  Very little kissing is spoken of and sexual purity is maintained throughout the entire book. 

Weston shows up to Joy’s house and has been drinking. 

The Pain Clinic Joy works for at the start of the book prescribes Narcotics to patients.  Joy has a problem with her boss wanting her to “push” narcotics onto her patients as an answer to all of their problems. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would encourage others who like a good Uplifting Romance to dive into this one.