Into the Fire

Becky Wade is a bona fide romance writer. If you're looking for "romance-lite", you won't find it in Becky's books. Huh-uh. And because she writes them so well, I read them. Her romance novels are a cut above most of those in the Christian fiction romance genre.

Most of you know I hate short stories. Always have. That's certainly not to say those authors of short stories don't write well. On the contrary. However, because I don't like to read (or write) short stories and never will, I don't appreciate the mode or method. Same goes for novellas, although I'll concede I will read a very occasional novella. Very occasional.

Becky Wade's prequel novella Then Came You sets the stage for a series of romance novels to follow.

This little story focuses on journal entries, letters, and conversations from the hero and heroine. The journal entries are for their writers' private confessions, hopes, sorrows, and frustrations. Most of the letters are also private personal revelations and don't get mailed. Conversations consist of telephone communications either live or with left messages between the heroine and her well-meaning but overbearing and self-righteous mother or between the heroine and her best friend Rose.

Garner Bradford is the heir to his family's once prestigious shipping company which is in a financial freefall when he takes over. Prior to that point in his life, he falls hard for a touring French beauty who's a free-spirited (aka fast and loose) artist who sucks Garner into a romance he's ill prepared for and one that leaves him with unexpected consequences. Following the debacle of that liaison, he meets and marries a great girl that meets all of his needs, but, sadly, that ends badly and leaves him hollow with a new personal awareness and the intent to stay solo.

Dreaming all of her life about working in New York for the perfume/cosmetics leader Estee Lauder, Kathleen Burke is forced to take a job she really doesn't want at Bradford Shipping in Washington state. Far, far away from her dream, she diligently applies her skills to her job while continuing to apply at Estee Lauder - where she is rejected. She doesn't meet Garner for some time but finds she is acutely drawn to him when she does.

The journal entries, letters, and phone conversations develop the storyline about two people on an unintended collision course which puts them right where they need to be to discover the value of real meant-to-be love. Well-written in this venue with faith skirting the edges of it all, Then Came You is fun, real, and I wish it was longer.

Father, you've blessed Becky with her talent and keen perception of real romance. Please continue to provide those stories you have just for her to tell. She captures the beauty of romance and love with your heart in mind. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.