An author's debut novel is often a diamond in the rough. It may have good writing, or a good plot, but oftentimes is undeveloped fully and in need of a goodly amount of fine-tuning. Not so Tamera Alexander's refreshingly well-written debut. Rekindled is a haunting, mesmerizing tale of love lost and rediscovered, heartache and hope, and above all, faith in God.
Kathryn and Larson Jennings have,from an outsider's view, a seemingly perfect marriage. They love each other very much - almost too much, it seems - and are most anxious to cultivate their farm and begin a family. However, to the person close to them, the marriage seems to have some loose ends and may even be unraveling a bit. That all changes one dark, stormy night during a frigid blizzard.
Larson becomes lost. He is robbed and left for dead in a cabin that is set afire. Kathryn never loses hope, even when a body that appears to be her husband's is found and everyone involved gives up further hope. She never can quite accept that Larson is dead.
Larson survives but is virtually unrecognizable. He has suffered severe burns; his face no longer has the same charicteristics and handsome appeal. He enters town and sees his wife walking with one of the local prostitutes. He learns she is living in the local house of ill repute and, of course, guesses the worst.
Kathyrn has struggled to save the farm and repay the loan Larson took without consulting her. She discovers that she is pregnant and takes on the added burden of finding a job and a home that will enable her to care for herself and the child. She finds a job in town and, for some time, dwells in a private apartment at the "hotel".
Will Kathyrn ever realize her husband is still alive? What of Larson? Will he come to terms with both his new life and body, and his need for God? Will the child ever meet its father?
Alexander answers all these questions in a beautiful fashion, bringing tears to my eyes on several occasions. This book will appeal not only to the Christian audience it is intended for but also many people in the mainstream. It is, in the final chapter, a bit racy for inspirational fiction, but I feel it is enhanced by this. It shows that, yes, Christians have the capacity to love, just as others do. Very fine work; I anxiously await the next book by Tamera Alexander.