"Choices"
By Jacquelyn Lynn

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Release Date: April, 2019

In a horrifying moment of inattention on a dark morning, lives change forever.

When college student Samantha Lawrence takes her eyes off the road for just a few seconds to send a text, she swerves out of her lane and hits Kevin Wyland as he rides his bicycle. In a panic, she drives away.

After the crash, Samantha tries to find out who the rider is and the status of his injuries. She is shocked to discover that she knows him. Not only does she shop at the pet supply store he and his wife own, they are both regular customers of Joyful Cup, a popular neighborhood coffee shop, and friends with the owner, Joy Shepherd.

Consumed with overwhelming guilt and fear of criminal charges, Samantha decides to do whatever it takes to avoid being identified as the hit-and-run driver. Kevin struggles with anger, bitterness, and a crisis of faith as he embarks on the slow process of recovering from his serious injuries.

As their lives intertwine with increasing frequency, Samantha and Kevin both turn to Joy for advice and guidance. Can she help them find the forgiveness and peace they need?

This is a heartwarming story with a powerful message of forgiveness that will make you smile even as it brings tears to your eyes.

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My Thoughts:

I am SO glad that I made a good "choice" that I picked this book to review! Yes, this book is all about the freedom and wisdom when making choices. Whether they be good or bad ones, our own lives as well as others are affected. As this is a premiere fiction novel by this author, I had no preconceived opinions about her writing. Jacqueline has an excellent reputation in the non fiction field, however I have not yet read any of her works. After reading the first page of "Choices", I was hooked! My attention was grabbed by what was within the pages of this book and it would not let go! This book was read in one day!

Each character was so vividly and realistically described that the reader can easily identify with all of them. Kevin, the fine husband and shop owner , his wife , Heather, the co owner of the pet store, Samantha, the student, Joy, owner of a local coffee shop, all became my best friends for a short time. As in all of our lives, they had faults and weaknesses along with their strengths. The situation that all became involved in was full of emotion , hard to understand choices that were made. There were times when I wanted to shake someone and wake them up! Other times, I wanted to give them a big hug to reassure them that God was there, although the future looked bleak. These well developed characters were so easy with whom to identify. That is what makes a good book!

The plot moved quickly, with unexpected twists and turns from beginning to end of the book. I was caught up in the life changing events and so wanted to get in on decisions that were being made and carried out. Samantha made a very bad choice that she regretted from the moment it was conceived. It was very clear what happens when you make a bad choice and have to live with the consequences!

The underlying theme of this book is our freedom to make good or bad choices and how they will affect ourselves and others. God has a plan but we are not perfect and we don't always ask for guidance before making a quick decision. This book will inspire all of us to examine our own lives when making a decision, look at the circumstances , ramifications and the life changing that can occur in an instant. God provides us with the power to use our faith and courage when we are having to make a quick choice. He also provides us with the strength to succeed. Alas, choices are everywhere all the time!! Little or big, they exist in everyone's life.

This is a five star book!! I loved it and will be awaiting more creations by this author.

This book was received from CelebrateLit. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.

About the Author:

Jacquelyn Lynn finds joy in her faith, family, and friends, and in the knowledge that she is living God’s purpose for her life. In addition to Choices, she is the author of more than 30 non-fiction books including Finding Joy in the Morning and Words to Work By, as well as the meditations in the Christian Meditations and Faith Words Adult Coloring Books.

More from Jacquelyn

The idea for Choices first came to me more than five years ago. Though I’ve written (or ghostwritten) more than 30 non-fiction books, the process of writing a novel was both intriguing and intimidating. Once I voiced my desire, my wonderful husband Jerry Clement became my biggest champion, encouraging and even nagging me along the way as I talked but didn’t write. And when I finally began to write, he listened, offered suggestions, and proofread. Every time I voiced a doubt, he shot it down. As the manuscript neared completion, he designed the cover and supported me through the myriad of details that are essential to finishing and publishing a book. Had it not been for him, Choices would not be in readers’ hands today.

As Choices began to take shape, I realized that Joyful Cup, the coffee shop where much of the story takes place, had many more stories to tell. The next book in the Joyful Cup Story series will be released in 2020.