Need You Now - Beth Wiseman

"When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.  Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.  Married life hasn't always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried Brad and Darlene through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.  While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of the students starts paying more attention to Darlene than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.  If Darlene ever needed God . . . it's now."

This is my first book by Beth Wiseman and I am blown away.  She successfully tackles some very tough issues like cutting by a teenage girl and the small little things that can lead someone down a path of infidelity in a marriage.  Too often in Christian fiction issues like these are avoided, or wrapped up in a quick little package by a prayer that makes it all go away.  Beth does an excellent job with focusing on the need to rely on God in these situations; but also shows the struggles that can happen as one tries to change their life around.  As someone who works with teens, the subject of Grace and her cutting to cope was a very relevant one.  Even the most put together teen has their own struggles and we need to be aware of the pressures that are on our young people.  Brad and Darlene's struggles in a marriage are very real.  It is a perfect example of how marriage is something that should never be taken for granted.  Even what may seem like the strongest marriage can fall apart if not worked on and centered around God.  The reminder to have God center in every aspect of our lives was a much needed one.  Too often we take God for granted and forget about Him until things go bad, then blame Him for it.  I highly recommend this book for everyone. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson via the B&B Media Group in exchange for my fair and honest review.