Runaway Saint: A Novel by Lisa Samson

Runaway Saint is the newest novel by author Lisa Samson, the writer Publishers Weekly calls one of the "most powerful voices in Christian fiction."

Sara Drexel, to all outward appearances, has it all together--a supportive husband, her own successful business, and a beautiful home, all in a hip, urban neighborhood, but in spite of everything, happiness proves elusive--she's lost her faith.  When Sara's Aunt Bel shows up on her doorstep, back from 20 years as a missionary in Kazakhstan, Sara is less than thrilled at the prospect of housing this eccentric and unapproachable woman she barely knows, and Aunt Bel seems to share Sara's reservations about the arrangement.  But with Sara's mother, Bel's sister, living in a tent on the back 40 of a friend's farm, Bel has nowhere else to go.

As Sara and Aunt Bel become reacquainted, Sara's precariously balanced life is turned upside down.  Secrets are revealed about Bel's mysterious past, and about Sara's past as well, and through it all relationships are healed and faith restored.

I really enjoyed this book.  It's not my typical read, but it is well written and thought provoking.  It started slow, but I soon found myself invested in the character's lives and drawn in to this irresistible story.  The author paints a beautiful and authentic picture of trust, healing, and redemption.  In the end, Sara realizes that "happiness isn't a matter of getting what you want.  It's knowing what you need, realizing you have it, and being thankful."  I look forward to reading more from Lisa Samson.

I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.