Helpful Score: 1
Frances "Francie" Calhoun is a twenty-four year old ex-con. Her entire family has a history of committing larceny. Her mother left when she was six. Her father, aunt, and uncle are still in prison. But Francie is determined to go straight! She has an apartment in the low rent district, she has a waitress job in a diner, and is in school working on an associate's degree. If Francie is not working, her nose is in a book studying.
When Francie's parole officer retires, she is assigned to Brandon Fairchild. Unlike his predecessor, Brandon gets involved with his parolees. He insists on inspecting their homes, work places, schools (if they attend classes), as well as having them appear in his office every two weeks. However, after years of dealing with ex-cons, Brandon no longer believes most of what his parolees tell him. So when Francie shows up for her first appointment with him and claims to have found the Lord, he doesn't believe her. After all, her records clearly show that she has pulled that scam before. He challenges her to begin her transformation by trying "the fruit of the Spirit".
Of course, Francie has never heard of such a fruit and her research begins. She is going to prove to Brandon that she is not pulling a con. She really HAS changed. In doing so, Francie not only changes her own life, but the lives of those around her.
As for Brandon, the more he learns about Francie, the more he is surprised and impressed. An attraction grows, one that Brandon cannot ignore. Ethics state he must transfer her case to someone else. But if he does, would Francie believe it was due to something SHE had done? Would she totally lose focus and fall off track?
**** This light romance clearly shows that change is possible for anyone. Francie is a wonderful role model for everyone. She is caring, hard working, and tries to see good in everyone. The character of Brandon shows that even Christians have blind spots and are never perfect. No matter how long they have been with the Lord, they will always have room to grow and lessons to learn, even from those who are new to the true path. Author Jane Myers Perrine has created a cast of loving characters that readers will easily be able to identify with and understand. Even the secondary characters have depths all their own. I found this to be a wonderful story and recommend it to all.
When Francie's parole officer retires, she is assigned to Brandon Fairchild. Unlike his predecessor, Brandon gets involved with his parolees. He insists on inspecting their homes, work places, schools (if they attend classes), as well as having them appear in his office every two weeks. However, after years of dealing with ex-cons, Brandon no longer believes most of what his parolees tell him. So when Francie shows up for her first appointment with him and claims to have found the Lord, he doesn't believe her. After all, her records clearly show that she has pulled that scam before. He challenges her to begin her transformation by trying "the fruit of the Spirit".
Of course, Francie has never heard of such a fruit and her research begins. She is going to prove to Brandon that she is not pulling a con. She really HAS changed. In doing so, Francie not only changes her own life, but the lives of those around her.
As for Brandon, the more he learns about Francie, the more he is surprised and impressed. An attraction grows, one that Brandon cannot ignore. Ethics state he must transfer her case to someone else. But if he does, would Francie believe it was due to something SHE had done? Would she totally lose focus and fall off track?
**** This light romance clearly shows that change is possible for anyone. Francie is a wonderful role model for everyone. She is caring, hard working, and tries to see good in everyone. The character of Brandon shows that even Christians have blind spots and are never perfect. No matter how long they have been with the Lord, they will always have room to grow and lessons to learn, even from those who are new to the true path. Author Jane Myers Perrine has created a cast of loving characters that readers will easily be able to identify with and understand. Even the secondary characters have depths all their own. I found this to be a wonderful story and recommend it to all.
