Sometimes a Light Surprises review

Sometimes a Light Surprises by Jamie Langston Turner

Ben Buckley has never gotten over the loss of his wife. More bewildering than the mystery surrounding her death is the radical change that occurred in her shortly beforehand--a "conversion," she had called it. Baffled, angry, and still feeling guilty for the way he'd withdrawn from her during those final weeks, Ben now lives behind the protective walls of severed relationships and rigid routines.

An unlikely young woman knocks on the door of his narrow world. Her simple honesty and childlike faith are incomprehensible to him, but in spite of his misgivings Ben finds himself on a journey he never would have begun on his own.

- taken from the Bethany House Publishing website

About the Author

Jamie Langston Turner, author of six novels and winner of a Christy Award, has been a teacher for more than thirty years. Currently a professor of creative writing and poetry at Bob Jones University, she lives with her husband in Greenville, South Carolina. Visit www.jamielangstonturner.com

MY REVIEW

Jamie Langston Turner writes books unlike any I've read before. I have read several of her novels and I have found them all fascinating. Sometimes A Light Surprises is a difficult, but beautiful story of emotional healing. I love Turner's writing because it paints a vivid picture of what is going on inside the hearts and minds of her characters. She alternates between various characters points-of-view which gives the reader a broader understanding of the storyline.

There is intense emotion but no cheesy sappiness. This story is one you can actually imagine happening in real life. The pieces are not all nicely tied up at the end like they are in so many Christian novels. On some level the ending is unsatisfying. We like everything to end perfectly happy but that is not true to life. Sometimes A Light Surprises is not a fluffy light read but it IS a good one! I found the story captured my interest right from the start and when it was over I was left wanting there to be more.

I would definitely recommend Sometimes A Light Surprises and any of Turner's novels for those who enjoy a deeper read.