The Other Daughter

The Other Daughter by Miralee Ferrell starts out with a bomb dropping into Suzanne Carson's world. On the evening of her birthday, a thirteen year old girl shows up on her doorstep claiming to be Suzanne's husband, David's, daughter. While David and Suzanne's two children, especially daughter Megan, accept Brianna without hesitation, as does David's father. But Suzanne is bitterly resentful at David's unfaithfulness and sees it as a sign that his God and religion are illusions. David loves his wife and children dearly, and for fear of hurting them keeps his distance as well from this young, vulnerable girl. It's not often in Christian fiction that in a marriage, the husband is portrayed as the faithful one and the wife as the unbeliever. Suzanne's insistence on relying only on herself separates her not only from God, but from David, Brianna, and even her children. Ferrell's writing is skillful as she portrays Suzanne sympathetically even when she's acting in a way that's not. Because she writes so openly about Suzanne's hurt and pain, it's easy to care about the character and appreciate her growth throughout the story. While the ending may be a little pat (but entirely enjoyable), Ferrell excels at creating a powerful story with realistic characters about the power of trusting in God.

Miralee Ferrell has written an impressive debut novel. Not only did she cover the basics well, but she tackled an explosive topic and defused it with grace. The Other Daughter is realistic and brutally honest. Ferrell paints a picture of the consequences of sin and the awesome gift of grace and forgiveness. I would recommend that The Other Daughter be on the "to read" list for stepmothers. If nothing else, for the sense that they don't walk the road alone. Readers who prefer softer themes may be bothered by the actions and words of some of the characters. If you don't do gritty, The Other Daughter may not be for you. I was particularly interested in reading this story because I have spent some dark moments in similar places. Ferrell has written 3-D characters who reveal some heavy-duty and unChristlike thoughts and I appreciated it. You won't find Polly Pleasant within the book, but you will find people who sort through extreme emotions and filter them through Jesus and learn a whole new facet of love. I think that is exactly what Christian fiction should do -- tell the truth that we all smell bad every once in awhile, and that the bathwater of Jesus' forgiveness is warm, fragrant and available. We can't live good lives without Him and I love to read stories that present that fact.

Susanne Carson has some problems, but trusting her husband is not one of them. David is a good man, a wonderful father to their two children, and a kind, caring husband. Aside from his involvement in the Christian faith, which Susanne cannot bring herself to embrace, their marriage is mostly good. Then Brianna shows up on their doorstep, battered suitcase in hand, claiming to be David's daughter. If not for the girl's striking family resemblance, Susanne would refuse to believe the possibility ... but there is that likeness - and a letter from the teen's deceased mother. Then, of course, there's the fact that David admits it is most likely true. With a strange, unwelcome child in their care and a widening wall between Susanne and David, their home becomes an emotional battlefield of hurt, disillusionment, and shattered trust. Susanne's unwillingness to place her life in God's hands is strengthened by David's deception. Can she ever forgive him? Will she ever be able to love his illegitimate child? When Brianna's abusive, alcoholic uncle shows up to reclaim the girl, Susanne and David are forced to come to terms with their own feelings and make some hard decisions. Will their love be strong enough to withstand a test of this magnitude? A marriage in trouble. Two hearts in conflict. A soul at the crossroads. In The Other Daughter, the author combines all the fascinating elements into a compelling, utterly believable piece of beautifully wrought fiction. It's an unforgettable journey into a mother's heart, a family's love, a couple's faltering relationship. Miralee Ferrell's debut novel is rich with believable characters and poignant situations, and laced with wonderful little details that provide a wonderfully realistic setting. It's a work of heart that will not be easily forgotten.

This book relates to so many. Many people struggle daily with "mixed" relationships. I myself am married to a non christian. "The Other Daughter" shows us a story where prayer, faith and patience does work. It gives folks like me hope that people can change. Miralee uses modern day issues that so many can relate to. You will come to really connect with the characters and find a trait in each that you can identify with. I cannot wait to see what Miralee comes up with next.

How does a wife deal with the sudden appearance of her husband's daughter that she never knew about? Miralee Ferrell's debut novel lays bare the emotions of broken trust and a marriage unequally yoked--and Ferrell does it with the perceptivity of a seasoned author. I found Susanne's emotions to be gut-wrenchingly honest and the spiritual thread believable. Too often in Christian fiction, the change in a character is forced. When Susanne seeks affirmation for her hurt from a friend, the advice she gets leaves her unsure. The gradual transition in Susanne is sparked by the faith of her young daughter, Megan, and the understanding of a family friend. Being a step-mother, I totally related to Susanne's emotions throughout the book. Ferrell hasn't pulled any punches in this hard hitting novel, and it receives this reviewer's highest recommendation.