Into the Fire

Richard Brooks is a talented former executive who resurrects failing businesses and has earned himself a stellar reputation until one evening following his angry exit from a party at his boss's home. That night changed his life and sent him back home to Minnesota after living the high life in a New York state of mind. Self-imposed penance leads him to a janitorial job, and the inability to forgive himself for the fatal results of that evening keeps him chained and enslaved within a personal prison.

Sheila Peterson is a corporate snob who thinks she's too high up on the food chain to be seen with the handsome janitor, but, having just broken up with her latest beau, the janitor's looks and sex appeal make him worth a gamble. 

Richard has been on the run from his Christian roots. Sheila's experienced only hypocrites as supposed Christians and bristles at the mention of God. Although Richard retained some of his grip on a partial morality in New York, he mostly embraced a worldly lifestyle, and that lifestyle led to the horror that transpired on the fateful night he can't forget or erase. Sheila is a slave to her self-centered desires, has no real understanding of commitment, and thinks she will do anything to preserve her career-climbing ways.  

When these two Type-A's clash, neither expects the dalliance to last. Richard is determined not to allow their acquaintance to become sexual, having been severely bruised by his near past. Sheila is looking for casual sex. Neither expects what they get. 

Intermingled within the story is a young college student who also suffers from guilt and misplaced bitterness, spurred on by the event which changed Richard's life.

Brenda S. Anderson tells a story about broken people who have not only been let down and deeply hurt by others, and have caused equal pain to others, but have decided they're alone in solving life's heavy hurts and problems in spite of the continuous messes they keep foisting upon themselves and each other. One has turned pain into penance with no forgiveness allowed, and the other has used the pain to fuel self-sufficiency and cynicism.

Richard is likable, typical in the rejection of his faith. Sheila is rarely likable, a true 21st century worldly career woman who seldom lets her agenda slide – even as she finds her attraction to Richard more involved than she planned. Sheila's vulnerability only surfaces occasionally when the events of her young life press their memories into her present. Her past gives her nightmares and not much sleep.

With faith, abortion, lifestyle choices, bitterness, and unforgiveness as the driving forces behind the co-protagonists' stories, Chain of Mercy delivers the only hope worth pursuing and brings this love story to its expected and logical conclusion, leaving no loose ends. With family playing a strong role in the background, both good and bad, God's love and forgiveness find their ways into the hardest hearts bringing mercy to those who need it most.    

Chain of Mercy is Christian fiction presenting characters who must learn firsthand how incapable they are of removing the chains that offer them no mercy.  

Father, bless my sweet friend Brenda in all she does for you. Continue to fill her with stories just for her to tell. May she experience all you have for her and continue to feel your pleasure when she writes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.