"Devotion" by Marianne Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally Charged!, January 21, 2013

From This Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.

Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation?  How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

About this author

Marianne Evans is an award winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories she creates. Her career began when Kensington Publishing purchased her book, Friends & Lovers. Her second offering, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim from reviewers and in the local media. 
Her fourth book marked her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – an award winning novel entitled Hearts Crossing. Hearts Crossing led to the creation of the four-book Woodland Series. The Woodland church romances center around the parishioners of a lakeside church located in suburban Detroit. Evans has tackled the topic of a loving marriage fallen into turmoil in her Christian fiction debut, Devotion from Harbourlight Books.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Marianne is an active member of Romance Writers of America. She’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter most notably as Chapter Treasurer and two terms as Chapter President. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers, Mid-Michigan RWA and the Michigan Literary Network.

Connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com or www.marianneevans.blogspot.com


My Review:

Music agent Kellen Lassiter has been dedicated to his career, and has achieved success and the advantages that accompany it. His wife Juliet is vigorously involved in Christian volunteer work through their church. They represent a perfect couple, full of love and devotion to one another, and committed to Christ-centered lives. Only their dream of a home filled with children hasn't come to fruition. Both Kellen and Juliet have become more involved in their outside commitments which has imposed some constraints in their personal lives. Kellen is intensely involved in the music agency, but less involved in church activities. Juliet fills her days with a concentrated drive to accomplish her goals of reaching out to the needy through her church efforts. In an unsuspecting moment Kellen succombs to temptation by a beautiful and flirtatious new client. Juliet's entire world is rocked by the discovery that Kellen has disgraced their relationship through an incident that drives a painful wedge in their otherwise flawless marriage. Juliet's knowledge of the incident is so painful that she can see no way to overcome and forgive Kellen's deceit. The road to forgiveness and healing becomes encumbered by countless incidents that invade Juliet's broken heart. This story of a beautiful marriage that meets with a painful stumbling block could be an event that any married couple could encounter. It's a lesson in heeding God's warnings and keeping the sanctity of marriage holy.

Marianne Evans creates a distinct realism in her fictional characterizations, so descriptively and agonizingly painful that the reader aches from the events that evolve from a moment of inappropriate passion. Devotion is written with limitless Christian passion and poignancy. Ms. Evans pulls out all the stops when it comes to revealing the pain and heartache that are the result of bad judgment in her characters. The road to forgiveness, acceptance and unrestrained love is written in painfully descriptive moments in time between Kellen and Juliet. Marianne Evans is a very gifted author whose writing flows like streams of water, over the boulders of life, and along fragrant pastures filled with life and growth. I highly recommend this work of art to all who enjoy Christian fiction, and for those who seek improved relationships in their marriage. This is a rare revelation into the workings of acceptance, forgiveness and total devotion.

Disclaimer: A PDF copy of "Devotion" was given to me as a gift from the author in return for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed are my own.