She Always Wore Red

I'll be the first to admit that the wide and wonderful world of Christian fiction is still so new to me. Since the time of conversion most of my reading has been dedicated to parenting, homeschooling, children's and various non-fiction and reference works in the very large Christian books category. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this title - after all, how could this sort of women's fiction draw me closer to Christ? I thought I'd give it a try - and let me tell you, this book blessed me! Jennifer Graham is the owner of a funeral home, though she is still very new to the business. We have the delight of following her as she learns the ropes of dealing with the dead and their families; fascinating details are provided for those of us who are interested in human anatomy. We are able to meet the members of her family and see them move through challenging situations where faith in God carries them through. This title is the second in the Fairlawn Series (I'm now eager to read the first installment as well as future titles), and reads very well on it's own if you aren't familiar with the rest of the series. Angela Hunt quickly brings us up to speed with the circumstances of the main characters without the need for lengthy expository passages. She quickly endears these quirky individuals to us by including the miniscule details of their lives that make the book all the more realistic. It seems as though there is a rash of books in Christian women's fiction where the leading ladies are divorced, and then become entangled in romantic involvements, and even remarriage with other men. My mind was set at ease to learn that Jennifer, though she had been divorced, was now a widow. Now I could relax - even if romantic situations developed without worrying about sin on the main characters part, whew! Thankfully any potential romantic interest was also very subtle and free of sensual overtones. Hunt confronts controversial, contemporary social issues from a Christian viewpoint where the rubber hits the road - within the family. While dealing with the issues of peer pressure, abortion and racial prejudice the themes of God's love, grace and sovereignty shine through. Hunt was extraordinarily successful at engaging my emotions - I gasped in joy as I rejoiced with them, and I wept with them in their times of sorrow and doubt. I have now been opened up to the possibility that well written Christian fiction can indeed, draw a believer's heart closer to Christ, can lead them to examine themselves in the light of His love, can teach us how to relate to, and love each other. How could I ask for anything more? I look forward to reading more of Angela Hunt's work now that I have discovered her.

She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt is the second book in the Fairlawn series. Hunt, the reigning queen of Christian fiction, returns to Mt. Dora Florida with Jennifer Graham who is now in mortuary school. Jennifer's life is hectic, but when she discovers a half-sister from her profligate father, it forces her to re-evaluate her life and her view of it. McLane, the sister, is recently married and pregnant and in desperate need of support from the big sister she never knew she had. Meanwhile, Jennifer's 13 year old son Clay has fallen in with a rough lot of boys who are searching for one of the town's long held secrets. Hunt is a terrific author who makes the reader empathize with both Jennifer and McLane in their search to understand each other, especially over a touchy topic. Hunt handles abortion with compassion and an understanding of both sides of the issue rarely seen in most Christian fiction. Her books always teach me something about the nature of faith and what is means to be human.

Angela Hunt weaves a finely tangled plot with believable characters amidst an interesting career backdrop to paint a beautiful picture of love, forgiveness, friendship and family. "She Always Wore Red" is an incredible book! Angela Hunt is an engaging author who really does her research for a project. She had me completely riveted while she went through the embalming process. Yes, embalming. This is the story of Jennifer, a single mom and funeral director. As she lives life, encounters death, and makes friends, she is confronted with what is truly important in life. This touching novel made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me see where I've faltered and made insignificant events too important. It also opened my eyes to where I've treated certain occurrences too lightly. My life is richer for having read this novel.

A former Chief of Staff to a US Senator, almost forty Jennifer Graham left DC for Mount Dora, Florida following an ugly divorce, accompanied by her two sons. She is attending mortuary school and has converted her family Victorian mansion into a place for her and the boys to live and as the Fairlawn Funeral Home. Since she is in training, elderly embalmer Gerald Huffman lives with them while overseeing the body dressing. However, the change does not work out as smooth as Jennifer hoped for. Her son thirteen year old Clay has joined a team of shoplifting troublemakers and has been nasty at home to her and his brother. He is driving her to the end of her rope although she loves him and will keep on feeling that way regardless of what trouble he is in. However Jennifer also discovers she has a half-sister dominated by a fundamentalist stepfather whose beliefs make Jennifer wonder about her own as her faith in God is tested. The sequel to DOESN'T SHE LOOK NATURAL is a deeper tale than the fine first Graham entry as issues of faith, race, divorce aftermath and teen peer pressure are handled deftly while interwoven into a strong character driven story. Jennifer is a wonderful lead protagonist who left DC for smalltown Florida for her sake and that of her sons in order for them to start fresh; however the best laid plans of mice, women and Jennifer often go astray. Angela Hunt provides a poignant contemporary novel that in spite of the profound issues, frustrations and differences true maternal love is always there. Harriet Klausner

Jennifer Graham has now started to settle down in Mt Dora and in the Fairlawn Funeral Home. She's even started to take embalming classes to help out with the business. However just when she thinks life is quieting down, she meets a newcomer in the town with a startling revelation that changes her life. With this new information, Jennifer vows to help out McLane while her husband is overseas. Meanwhile McLane's father is trying to find her, and bring her back to him. When Jennifer finds out the reasons why McLane left her father, it shakes up her world and her way of thinking. When reading an Angela Hunt book, one must be prepared for two things. The first is that the reader will be entertained with quirky characters, intriguing plot lines and snappy dialogue. The second is that the reader will come away completely blown away by what they have just finished reading. Their thought process will have changed by the story and one starts seeing things in a whole different light. It's interesting to note that the publishers decided to change the covers of the series from a light, whimsical feel to a more serious, somber emotion. That's exactly how this second story comes off as compared to the first book in the series. There are so many topics dealt in this book that are still uncomfortable to discuss among Christians these days. Many of these topics we would rather not bring up, yet the author shows how they must be discussed and not hidden away. The scene that stuck out most to me in this story was during the meal where Jennifer and her mom realize that being "colorblind" is not necessarily the best way to be. This scene really made me think about that statement and what it truly means in today's world. However, while the overall tone of the book is serious, there are still rays of humor sprinkled throughout the book. The double funeral scene is a favorite. One is also allowed to still feel squeamish especially when Jennifer performs her embalming duties. It's a wonderfully written book that's just blends all of these elements together perfectly. This book is a keeper one that you can't put down. And so I declare this to be the best Angela Hunt book I have EVER read (and I've read them all!) I have high hopes for the third book in the series. VERY highly recommended.