Lily by B.J. Bassett sheds light on the hope and redemption that comes from faith in Jesus Christ through a historical fiction novel. Set in the early 1900’s, the book chronicles the coming of age and faith of Lily.
Lily’s mother died in childbirth after Lily was born. Raised by her father, the Reverent William Blair, Lily emerges as a brave and outgoing child with a feisty disposition. This is a wonderful and exciting novel that displays the tensions in life struggles with faith, emotions, and the growing up of a young girl into a woman.
Being surrounded by the Christian faith, Lily accepts this, yet she still has questions…namely how do close family members, including White Dove and Running Cloud, have such amazing peace and joy within themselves despite circumstances. This intrigues Lily, as she witnesses their peace in all they do. She wonders where this peace comes from because she does not experience it. Her demeanor in her growing up years can be quite different.
Upon her falling in love with James, Lily’s life reveals a time when unwed mothers were unacceptable. Such issues in the novel expose some domestic violence, and time where this was simply not addressed. Lily’s life regrets from the consequences of bad decisions culminate.
The author offers the nostalgia of letter writing to express and create the story-line throughout the book, which brings fresh interludes and endings. Further, intertwining romance with a Christian-based theme of faith and love that traces Lily through her life, despair, loss to finding hope, triumph, peace and contentment. Lily comes to a wonderful and delightful conclusion that will inspire readers to enjoy life in the present.
Young women will enjoy this novel as they witness the blossoming of Lily into a beautiful woman. This is a sweet novel that also speaks of a mother’s love and the fruits of the Spirit in one’s soul. There is some bad language and a little violence, yet the author lovingly deals with certain issues as fear, guilt, condemnation, forgiveness versus what comes naturally in one’s soul sometimes…such as anger, frustration, depression, etc.
She offers Lily and her boisterous personality to teach readers that God’s way is sweet, and one can enjoy life when you “stop and smell the roses.” Cuddle up, get comfortable and grab a favorite cup of tea or coffee with this one! A satisfying drama and novel.
Title: Lily
B.J. Bassett
A CBM Christian Book Review
10.0 out of 10.0 stars
You may get your copy of Lily at Amazon or in Kindle as a download.
