AUTHOR: Pepper Basham
DATE: 2016
PUBLISHER: Firefly Southern Publishing
STARS: *****
Dr. Adelina Roseland has worked ten years in research as an accent reduction specialist to attain her dream job. But a secret wager to transform Appalachian cattle farmer Reese Mitchell into corporate material challenges Adelina in ways she never expected, threatening her new position.
For one, Adelina didn't plan for the faith and friction of Reese, or the unexpected influence of his chaotic family. Now, drawn into a culture she'd tried to forget, Adelina finds the warmth of family, the hope of faith, and the joy of love melting away the deep wounds of her past.
But when Reese discovers that he's a pawn in her climb up the academic ladder, will he forgive Adelina's deceit or will their miscommunication end in two broken lives?
Uptight and driven, Adelina (Dee) arrives at the Appalachian town of Ransom under duress. She intends to fulfill her duties, impress her superiors, and achieve her dream: a research and teaching position in Charlottesville. Just like her father had done. In order to fast-track her career, Dee wagers she can transform the speech of one of the locals, and the fun begins.
Reese is a family man in the best sense of the word, and as he and Dee work together, the gears of their pasts mesh and jam in fits and starts.
A Twist of Faith is a treasure, and I will read this story again and again. The sheer beauty of the author’s prose stalled my reading at times to ponder the word pictures. Rather than taking me out of the story, they deepened my appreciation. For example, Reese’s silent observation that Dee “wore lonely like a raincoat.” Makes you think, doesn’t it?
I fell deeply in love with the entire Mitchell family, but of course Lou and Brandon leapt right into my heart. Children add such a delightful dimension to a story!
Although Dee’s wager was to transform Reese from mountain man to suave professional, her own life undergoes an even more dramatic transformation. And the journey is delightful, heart-warming, and soul-stirring.
A Twist of Faith is a wonderful, beautifully told story, and I look forward to the next in this series. This book easily earns five stars and is highly recommended.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, with no expectation of a review. The opinions expressed are my own.