Into the Fire

The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp provides a unique summer read with a quick dash of unexpected suspense. 

She's (Lila) virtually surrounded herself with the safe beauty of butterflies and their natural habitat. Keeping the world and its pain at a distance, she lives contentedly. Alone. Until . . . he comes roaring up her driveway on a beastly motorcycle, a confident hero-type named Harvey who accidentally steps on her leg where she's prone in the grass with her camera searching for the just right shot of one of her frequent visiting butterflies. Startling all of them, he apologizes after mentioning he didn't see her "hiding" in the grass.

Turns out he wants to buy some butterflies to release at a wedding, but she's appalled at the idea and assures him she does not market butterflies. This awkward meeting begins a reluctant – on her part – friendship propelled by his persistence. When an accident occurs, he's able to talk her into going to town so he can make right what happened.

During these surprising encounters, Lila keeps her best friend in cyber space informed of the unusual progression of Harvey's and her "friendship" while sensing her friend "Jess", who she's never met in person, is not pleased and issues warnings about Harvey's character. Lila finds it odd and somewhat disappointing that Jess seems so put off by Harvey's "type".

When Harvey gives up more information about his pursuit, he's able to convince Lila of his good intentions for doing so and wants her to understand their importance.  

When the twist happens after tempers flare over a misunderstanding, it creates intense conflict Lila never expected while the reader is as surprised as she is.

The Butterfly Recluse is a fun tale, a quick read, with good dialogue – internal and external – and lots of information for any butterfly lovers reading this romantic suspense. Light on romance but heavy on the beginning of a genuine relationship, this novel is a unique story of how one young female dealt with an enormous dose of tragedy in her life and how her perceived betrayals drove her even deeper into pain and solitude. Good summer fare.

Father, please continue to supply the stories you have just for Therese to tell. Encourage and uplift her as she gives the stories life through the written word. Bless her in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.