By The Book

All Faith Harp wants is a quiet life—to take care of her troubled brother, Sam, earn enough money to stop the poverty wolves snapping at her heels, and to keep her past buried as deep as possible. And after years of upheaval, she might have just about managed it: Sam’s latest treatment seems to actually be working, Faith is holding down a job, and she’s engaged to the gorgeous and successful Perry.
But, for Faith, things never seem to stay simple for long. Her domineering mother-in-law-to-be is planning a nightmare wedding, including the wedding dress from hell. And the man who killed her mother is released from prison, sending her brother tumbling back into mental illness.

When secretly planning the wedding she really wants, Faith stumbles across a church choir that challenges far more than her ability to hold a tune. She ends up joining the choir, led by the fierce choir-mistress Hester, who is determined to do whatever it takes to turn the group of ragtag women into something spectacular. She also meets Dylan, the church’s vicar, who is different than any man she has ever met before . . .

Beth Moran lives in Nottingham with her husband, and three children. When she’s not writing, Beth helps lead a national women’s network.

My Impressions:

Beth Moran knows how to write characters that are real — real in their attitudes, struggles, and emotions. Characters that make you want to climb into the book and become their best friends. I have now read three novels by Moran and can honestly say that each successive book is my favorite. The Name I Call Myself was such a satisfying read. I laughed, I cried, and I loved every minute of it. The best book I have read by Moran . . . until the next one is out!

Faith Harp is a survivor. From violent childhood trauma through abuse by a menacing boyfriend on to the struggle of keeping her mentally ill and drug-addicted brother alive, Faith adapts to her surroundings and settles for good enough. But with the help of an odd assortment of other surviving women, Faith learns to take control and live.

Written from the first person perspective of Faith, The Name I Call Myself has great moments of wit and humor. It also examines tough issues like mental illness and abuse. Although Faith is the main character and it is her story that is central, there is an ensemble cast of characters that give the novel an added depth; a feeling of fellowship and community between women who love each other. The choir that becomes Faith’s outlet and therapy was the highlight of the book for me. I couldn’t wait for the next team-building exercise that director Hester had in store for them — truly laugh out loud funny! But the lessons learned by the choir (and the reader) made all of the mud, scrapes, and self-examination worth it. As Faith puts it after recognizing the importance of shouldering each other’s burdens:

I made a decision not to keep trying to carry my load alone. It wants heroic. It was stupid. And prideful. And bordering on obsessive. (p. 204)

Faith had many names throughout her life, but she and the others soon could call themselves courageous, capable and worthy.

An added bonus to the hilarity and the soul-searching was the romantic thread that Moran includes. It’s not a major part of the story, but it does add some sweetness and spice.

Another winner from Beth Moran, The Name I Call Myself is a book I will be recommending to all my friends. It gets a highly recommended rating from me.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: Beth Moran, contemporary fiction, women's fiction

Ruth Henderson has moved back in with her parents — something she swore she would never do, especially not at the age of thirty-three. But in the face of the mountain of debt left by her late partner, and the fact that her teenage daughter, Maggie, is expressing her grief through acts of delinquency, there was really only one option.

Returning to a house Ruth swore never to set foot in again is bad enough. Add to this an estranged father, whirlwind mother, and David — the boy next door who broke her heart–and it is little wonder Ruth can barely make it out of bed.

But then, reunited with her old friend Lois, Ruth is persuaded to go along to a monthly girls’ night. Here she meets a bunch of incredible women and for the first time since leaving home at eighteen, Ruth begins to make some genuine friends.

She also has her first ever date — with the charming Dr. Carl Barker. However, after a disastrous dinner, and an upset Maggie still struggling with her father’s death, Ruth promises her daughter she won’t go out with any other men. A promise she quickly regrets when David, the boy next door, asks her to dance . . . .

Beth Moran lives in Nottingham with her husband, and three children. When she’s not writing, Beth helps lead a national women’s network.

My Impressions:

I Hope You Dance by Beth Moran is women’s fiction with a delightful British accent. Offering a fresh perspective on people and places and culture, it made me laugh, sigh, and think. Although it is a bit different from what most American readers expect from Christian fiction, this novel gets a recommended read designation from me.

After vowing never to return, Ruth Henderson is back at home with her parents following a fifteen year absence. With her is her troubled fourteen year old daughter, Maggie, and a suitcase load of regret, grief, embarrassment and guilt. But Ruth discovers that you really can go home when you are surrounded by your slightly off-kilter family and brutally honest, but loving friends.

I Hope You Dance led to many chuckles and a few laugh out loud moments as Ruth relates her new life back in the town where she grew up. Strong, witty, and at times, a bit irreverent writing combined with slightly quirky, yet extremely likable characters made this book hard to put down. There is a balance as Moran’s humor allows the light-hearted moments to soften some very difficult events — there are a few intense scenes with a seriously creepy stalker. Ruth’s search for peace and forgiveness is helped along by women dedicated to God and each other. Truth spoken in love is really lived out in this book.

Please note: although this book is marketed as Christian, I Hope You Dance doesn’t fit the mold we are used to here in the United States. There is some profanity (at least what is termed as such in the South) and the characters drink (though not to excess). While this did not bother me, I know some readers could be offended. If you are one of those, then perhaps this book is not for you. But if you like a decidedly British twist to your humor, characters that are real, relatable and you want as your own best friends, and a story that touches your heart, then I Hope You Dance could be right up your street!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase, click HERE.

(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: Beth Moran, contemporary fiction, women's fiction