Not Guilty by Teresa Pollard & Candi Pullen, Review & GIVEAWAY!

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Message....

Book Description

It’s 1974 and Carrie Shepherd, daughter of the minister at Windspree Community Church, is a college senior with plans to be a missionary in Africa.  Raped by a masked assailant, Carrie is so traumatized she tells no one until she realizes she’s pregnant.  Refusing to have an abortion, she must find the courage to face her family, her fiance, her friends and a gossiping, angry congregation which may include her attacker.  Can Carrie find a way to cope with the secrets, silence and shame?

Teresa Pollard is from Richmond, Virginia, and was saved at a young age.  She has a Masters degree in English and Creative Writing from Hollins College, and has served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s worker for most of the last forty years.  Married for forty years, she was devastated by divorce and the death of her youngest daughter, but God has blessed her with a new home and another grandson, and she now resides in Dacula, Georgia.  Her website isTeresaPollardWrites.com

Teresa’s books published by HopeSprings Books:

As an “Air Force brat” and having spent nine years as a navy wife, Candi Pullen has lived more places than she can name, including Morocco and Libya.  Raised a Roman Catholic, she doesn’t remember a time when God wasn’t a major part of her life, but a weakening in her first marriage caused her to question if there wasn’t more, and on Thursday, Nov. 29, 1973, at 7 pm she gave her life to Christ.  She has eagerly served him since.  After the death of her first husband and the death of their daughter, Andrea, nine years later, she felt that God was calling her to use that pain to minister to others who needed God’s healing comfort.  In 2007 she earned her Bachelor of Theology degree.  She now teaches discipleship classes, mentors new believers and those wishing to find all the Lord has for them, and writes a daily devotional on Facebook, “Good Morning, Papa!”  She lives in New Port Richey, FL, with Drew, her husband of 18 years.

Candi’s books published by HopeSprings Books:

My Review ~

Carrie Shepard was brutally assaulted and in her grief, shame and despair Carrie broke off her engagement and retreated into a nightmare world of her own. She kept her secret until she discovered she was pregnant by her assailant. Her doctor offered her the available choices in her situation, abortion, adoption, or raising the child herself. Her parents were supportive and brought her fiance, Joe, and Carrie back together to see if they could work through the problems that Carrie's attack cost her. Joe's reaction was one of sensitivity and compassion, and he insisted that he loved her in spite of her situation. Pastor of the local church, her father's sermons focused on reactions to situations such as Carrie's, and the misunderstandings that developed.. Joe and Carrie had decided to marry as soon as possible, and the fallout with their friends and the church members was brutal when their suspicions that Carrie was pregnant were confirmed.

Issues of assault, unplanned pregnancy as a result, broken relationships, gossip and judgment are broached in this book. This story is told with an honest approach to issues that are realistic and sensitive. I would consider this a book for young adults with a strong Christian conviction. The characters are numerous and a bit confusing and undeveloped. The dialog is excessively positive and somewhat unrealistic. I don't feel that the dialog is typical to young adults. The overall lessons are justified and realistic. It's a good story about relationships, lessons in humility, forgiveness, acceptance and moving forward in spite of overwhelming obstacles created by others.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher through BookCrash in return for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Contest Rules: In order to qualify for this contest, please leave a comment below with your email address using [at] and [dot], and please SHARE this post on your timeline and post that you did in your comment. Contest ends Tuesday, 7-30-13. Winner has 5 days from that date to contact me in order to receive the book.