My Review of Wings of Glass (CFBA Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wings of Glass Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 2013) by Gina Holmes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey, now called Novel Rocket, and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.

Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will release this month. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption.

On the cusp of womanhood, Penny is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time. It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.

When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wings of Glass, go HERE.

MY RATING

Spring

MY REVIEW

Wings of Glass is a story told in an easygoing style that tackles a very difficult subject. The first-person point of view - from a mother telling her son the story of his parents - is at times engaging, at other times painful or hard to understand. I think the way the story is told is clever and has its own impact, being able to see how one person so deeply affected by a situation deals with the hardships and interacts with the people around her. But in some ways, I feel like the emotions and experiences conveyed might have been even more powerful seen through the eyes of other characters in addition to her own explanations.

That being said, the struggle is very real and gripping. The reader knows how Penny has been separated from her parents, watches her test her wings as circumstances allow her to get out of the house and get a job, rejoices with her as she opens up to friendships with unique secondary characters, and follows her journey of discovering who to trust and where to look for freedom.

Wings of Glass is a story about the little steps one takes toward facing the need for change, healing, and a safe home. It's a story about truly embracing truth. While not a light-hearted adventure or a happily-ever-after romance, it does offer an empathetic look at the trials of a woman trapped and suffering in an abusive relationship.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*