One reckless night. A lifetime of regret.Corey Schaffer has spent her entire marriage privately repenting a horrible mistake made the week before her wedding. When her teenaged daughter is in car accident, Corey blames herself and aches to confess all to her husband.Additionally, their son’s thoughtless rebellion has put her husband Paul’s pastoral position at risk, and he’s finding it hard to … finding it hard to forgive. If he can’t forgive Michael how can he forgive her?
It all comes to a head when a disgruntled church member sees an opportunity for revenge.
Corey must dig deep to find the courage to help her family. Even if that means walking away.
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Illusions—what a great title for this inspirational contemporary fiction story. We all feel the need to put on a mask and hide behind our stained-glass windows at times. The story of Corey and Paul Schaffer will grab you in and not let you go. Even when the story is over, you will want more. I bet if we are honest, we would all find ourselves in either of these characters. The author, Jennifer Sienes masterfully pulls you into the drama, the sadness, the pain of life through a litany of events from marital conflict, teenage drama, traumatic brain injury, long hidden secrets, church pressures for a pastor and his family, to what I loved the most…the message of God’s grace and restorative power in a marriage when two people humble themselves before the Lord. If you are like me, and get fully immersed in a story, you may need a box of tissues, and you may dislike Paul for a while, but rest assured he has the most growth with a lovely ending. If there is anything at all to wish for in this very well-written story, I would have liked the healing and restorative part of the book to have been drawn out a little longer. All in all, this book is a must read from a very talented author.
Illusions is my first book that I have read from author Jennifer Sienes. Will keep you glued to each turning page. I just didn’t want to close the book until I knew what happened. It captures all the topics very well and formatted into a story that You don’t want to miss getting and diving right into it’s pages.
Reminds you that God’s is Good and is Always in Control. I brought to mind the story of The Footprints in the Sand, which was also mentioned in here.
Is the life of Corey, Paul, Michael, Taylor and her friend Tricia. Paul is a Pastor and he is having problems in his congregation. Michael their son is having behavioral issues due to something he didn’t fully see, Tricia is Corey’s friend has kept a secret of spousal abuse. Then it comes to Corey and Taylor. Corey has kept a secret of something that happened a week before her wedding and now Taylor has found out part of it. She lives angry with Corey and ends up having a car accident. The story involves around Taylor’s accident and the consequences that arise from Corey’s secret.
The story is touching and I loved the way the Bible verses are put in and make you reflect on them as you read. And understanding that Love conquers all. Family love, Marriage Love and especial God’s Love. He sees us as we are, sees our hearts and Forgives us even when we don’t think we deserve it. He never leaves us even when we think he is not there with us and everything else is falling apart left and right.
I got an Complimentary ARC from the Author for my personal sincere review/opinion on it.