
About the Book:
Book: Call to Embrace
Author: Maryann Landers
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Release Date: November 1, 2023

She’s detached in a stormy marriage because of both of their unfaithfulness. Now she faces the aftermath of her compromise with an unwanted pregnancy. Will fleeing bring her the freedom she yearns for?
Emily Corentin wants to escape the jagged edges of her brokenness. She believes the only option she has is to take her young daughter, leave her husband, and end the unintended pregnancy with an abortion. But her plans take an unexpected turn when the homeless shelter she finds is not the type of help she wanted. She’d buried religion years ago with the death of her Gran. Any God-fearing place will only confirm how much God abandoned her.
An offer from a shelter volunteer may be the lifeline she and her daughter need, but Emily only sees it as a means to an end. The unlikely friendship that follows, draws her closer to the answers she may have carried with her all along. But rash decisions bring new challenges that drag her further into a sea of helplessness.
When all hope is lost in despair will she be washed away by the patterns of her past? Or will she answer the call to embrace the mercy of the cross and in turn bring reconciliation to her marriage?
My Thoughts:
As I often do when considering whether to sign up for a blog tour of a book that has already published, I went to Amazon and read the preview of Call to Embrace. The story sucked me in quickly as I wondered if Emily would survive her flight from a husband who bragged about an affair—while she had just discovered the consequences of her own unfaithfulness! I could tell, though it was not stated explicitly in those chapters, that she planned to get an abortion—would she do it?
Maryann Landers certainly kept my attention throughout Call to Embrace. The story was well-written and kept moving. I enjoyed a clean book without any kisses. At the same time, I was disappointed that the story wrapped up so cleanly and quickly. It didn’t feel quite true-to-life, because it was so rushed. For example, the salvation experiences happened in an instant. Yes, I know that can happen—but it’s not the norm, in my experience. I didn’t see the characters repenting of their sins. One thing I did love was seeing how God can use one person’s mistakes and brokenness to help another who thinks they have done things that are unforgiveable. All in all, my view of this book is that it’s all right, but not great. It’s certainly not bad. I did like the setting—I haven’t read many books set in Alaska!
I received a review copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it. Links may be affiliate links, which will benefit Esther’s website if purchases are made through them.
About the Author:
Alaskan based author Maryann Landers writes women’s faith filled fiction based on true stories of extraordinary women of her magnificent state. She loves to showcase the unique north and give her readers a little taste of rustic Alaska.
While writing in her log home in the woods she is also looking forward to her next adventure with her Alaskan husband, juggling mom tasks such as crafting homemade meals from moose and caribou meat, building DIY projects from scrap wood piles and guiding her teens in their homeschooling.
Her first novel in the Alaskan Women of Caliber Series; Alaskan Calibration released June 2021.
More from Maryann:
Call to Embrace is inspired by a true story of a young mom that I met over 13 years ago as I walked alongside her during a difficult time of her life. A year and a half ago I stood in the Pacific Ocean dip netting for salmon near the mouth of the Kenai River. As the waters tugged at my waders, I remembered the church set on the hill behind me where a cross is always lit as a beacon and I thought there is a story here. With anticipation, I prayed what God wanted me to share. What unfolded is the plot line of my friendship with that young mom set in the stunning geographical area of South-Central Alaska.
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This looks really good. Thanks for hosting this tour.
This looks like a great read. Thanks for hosting this tour.