Description
by Cara Luecht
The only thing worse than being alone is having him back.
Ione has everything she’d wanted with her busy shop filled to the brim with sumptuous fabrics, gossiping debutants, and a neatly increasing profit margin. Not to mention the unexpected attention of a man who doesn’t know her past.
And then the letter drops from the mail slot onto to lush carpet. He’s back. And the abuse, the shame, rushes in, reminding her of how unworthy she really is.
Miriam also has everything she’d wanted—and with a baby on the way, for the first time in her life, she has everything to lose. When she’d been alone, the future had held promise, but now with her life full, it also holds fear.
Unwilling to risk a vision of loss, Miriam stops painting what will be…right before Ione needs it most.
Nadine –
Before reading this book, the first thing that got my attention was the heroine on the cover. Historical ChristFic featuring an African American protagonist isn’t so common, and the fact that the book doesn’t happen to be about slavery or the American Civil War is an added bonus.
Once I started reading, I was immediately pulled in by the author’s knack for imagery and beautiful turns of phrase. Albeit this is the third book in the Portraits of Grace series, I was able to jump right in without feeling at all lost.
While I found it to be an interesting story overall, it also felt slow, more depressing than my usual taste, and especially redundant. In particular, Ione spends a lot of time inwardly rehashing her fears, regrets, and how unworthy she feels. Though I don’t expect a heroine to have it all together, of course, it’s difficult for me to get into a character who’s so decidedly down on herself and pessimistic for so much of the book.
Still, the story gripped me enough to want to see how it would turn out, and the grace that shines through the climax and ending is something to behold.
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WhiteFire Publishing provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
mindyhoung –
This is the first book by Cara Luecht that I’ve read. This book, the third book in Portraits of Grace series, is a well-written book that blends romance, suspense and some pieces of history from Chicago’s World Columbian Exposition. I did not read the first two books in the series and reading the previous novels would have helped me fill in the backstories of the many characters in the novel. But the author does provide the pertinent details of the backstories so I didn’t feel lost while reading through this third installment.
The author’s writing is easy to read and fluid. The undercurrent of faith and prayer is subtle but definitely present throughout the book, especially with two of the characters being involved in ministry. The plot is well-crafted and the pace of the story is just right.
Clarence Tamm, the villain of the book, is incredibly scary and eerie. He is an excellent psychopath and truly carries quite a bit of the plot. Ione, his target, is a woman from a broken background finally able to rise above her circumstances with the help of friends who love her. She has always been strong and independent but must learn to accept others’ help and love during the difficult journey she travels in this book. Evan, though he is a love interest, has a smaller role in the story and isn’t quite as developed as Ione or Clarence.
Though this isn’t technically her story, Miriam (who was introduced in the first book Soul Painter) has a journey in this book as well and she learns through repercussions of her doubt and fear that she needs to trust the gift that God has given her.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also through Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Deana –
I found the book to be quite eerily dark at times with the two main characters regretting past mistakes. The author does a good job of allowing us to feel the struggles both Miriam and Ione have. I was quickly intrigued with Ione. She seemed to be scared of being recognized by someone from her past. She has a past like most of us do, but she feels hers is so bad she can never be forgiven. I liked that she was an owner of a dress shop and was very well liked by many. Her attention to detail made her shop very successful. I could picture the beautiful fabric as she sewed with grace. Ione has made a new life for herself, but lurking in the darkness is evil waiting to harm her.
Miriam is a woman who is gifted as a painter. Her paintings are beautiful and she feels alive when she lets herself immerse in her work. As she waits for the birth of her child, she starts to feel a bit lost at times. I loved the mysterious passageways that several characters found themselves wandering in. Miriam almost seems to find solace during her time of exploring the winding hallways. She can sense someone watching her, but can’t convince others of her concerns.
The mystery throughout the book is well written and does add a level of intense drama to the story. I couldn’t wait to see how the story ends, and I was very pleased with the outcome. The author does a good job of keeping readers glued to the story with a heartstopping event that could hurt many people. Both Ione and Miriam are relatable because like many of us, we want to be accepted. The past kept Ione from believing in herself but with God’s forgiveness we can learn to hold our head up and know we are loved.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion
Debbie –
“Soul’s Cry” by Cara Leucht is book three in the “Portraits of Grace” series and I really have enjoyed reading this series. I really think a reader wouldn’t have to read these books in order to enjoy them but I am glad I did since they are about three friends who become a family and “Soul’s Cry” is the background to Ione’s story. It is also about learning to trust and accepting others and learning to let the past go. All three stories are love stories as well.
In “Soul’s Cry” as the others there is violence but it is not really graphic. These stories are about street ladies and how they overcame their past.
I would like to see more books written about these friends, maybe from the male characters point of view.
These books are a great series.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.