Serenity Bay

This one was really tough to put down and I'm glad I didn't have a schedule to follow over the weekend that I was reading it. I had to make myself get to bed!The author?s style is such that you like the likable characters and dislike the dislikable. Once you get over the slow-moving 80 some-odd pages of preliminaries - the introduction to Patricia and her career, the introduction and reintroduction to Russell and his career, their courtship, wedding and honeymoon, it takes off and doesn?t let you down - not ?til the very end, anyway.Despite Russell?s loving attentiveness, thoughtfully-planned dates and wonderful gifts during their courtship that would capture the hearts of many women, he undergoes a Dr. Jeckyl - Mr. Hyde personality once he and Patricia marry. He?s cruel and viscious one minute but loving and doting the next when he acts like the ?ugly? side of him never took place.Patricia is frightened for her life as he usurps control of it more and more. She blames herself for his evil actions and denies them to others.Patricia literally bumps into Susan at the hardware store and they become fast friends. Susan is the epitome of what a friend should be. It is she who discovers Patricia?s secret and helps her anyway she is able and that Patricia will allow.The end was more than a bit disappointing, but don?t let that discourage you from this well-written, suspenseful novel. I?m hoping after the letdown, there will be a second part to this one.

Serenity Bay is one of the better books I've read in a long while. I couldn't stop reading; I had to finish it to see how it was resolved. Clearly Bette Nordberg did her research. The situations and characters were real, and I found myself warning Patricia, laughing with her, even scolding her, and finally cheering as she gained strength and resolve. The story and its characters was skillfully revealed. Bette kept me guessing right down to the end. There was gut-wrenching drama and places I didn't want to go, but I'm glad I kept reading because I now understand better what it's like to live with abuse.Thanks Bette for this great book. You're a wonderful writer!

Wow - what an excellent, quick read. I found myself drawn to the book - it's one of those that when you're not reading it, you're thinking about it and wondering what will happen next. The book flows very well and the author manages to put in some twists and turns that are not expected. I consider myself a woman of great faith, but as one other reviewer mentioned, God is not "pushed down" anyone's throats in this story - only mentioned subtly and when its appropriate. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book by Ms. Nordberg!

Bette Nordberg steps out on a limb by writing a book about an abusive marital relationship and marketing it in the world of Christian fiction. Remarkably, she achieves a balance between self-reliance and faith as the main character, Patricia, is forced by violence to leave her home and worldly possessions and enter into a new life. I was angered as Patricia's husband manipulated and controlled her, softened by the care and love of Patricia's closest friend Susan, captivated by the drama of clinging to a marriage commitment in the face of violence and threats. Finally, through perseverance Patricia finds a living God to be a foundation for the hope that she had been grasping for. This book was one that kept me eagerly turning pages as it brought tears to my eyes and thrilled me with numerous climaxes.