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 | The Edge of Recall By Kristen Heitzmann / Bethany House Tessa Young, an up-and-coming landscape architect who specializes in the design and creation of labyrinths, has immersed herself in the mythological, spiritual, and healing aspects of the elaborate structures. She also is searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. When Smith Chandler, an estranged colleague--with whom she'd half fallen in love a dozen times before catching herself every time--calls to propose a project he claims is the opportunity of a lifetime, she reluctantly agrees to check it out. Smith is reconstructing a pre-Revolutionary War abbey for wealthy clients. Among its remarkable features is an overgrown labyrinth. Unable to resist, Tessa accepts his offer to work with him. Soon she is immersed in the project of a lifetime. But one evening, after weeks of work in the labyrinth, Tessa and Smith are attacked. While protecting Tessa, Smith is stabbed, and the nightmare begins...again. |
CRM RATING: Teen
SPIRITUAL RATING:3-4
Explain: Tessa is struggling with the fact that God loves her and wants a relationship with her. Smith tells her that God is the Father that will never leave her.
CRM REVIEW:
The beginning of the book was meant to catch you up in the action. I have to confess that I read the first three chapters, got way too confused, and didn’t touch the book for at least a year. I would have never picked it up again had someone not told me I needed to finish it. I’m glad I did. This book has an incredible suspense build- up, a believable romance, and shows just how much God is the Father.
Tessa can’t truly remember a time when she didn’t have monsters chasing after her. She’s locked away a memory that is just on the “edge of recall”. But can she figure out her nightmares before it’s too late?
Smith and Tessa have a rocky start. He was her mentor in college, but when she changed majors he turned his back on her. Smith feels like he’s always apologizing around her because she takes everything anyone says out of context. They do work though things as a couple.
Dr. Brenner, her therapist, is on her speed dial. Smith resents him because he keeps Tessa dependent on their sessions; he also thinks that the doctor has a “God complex”. Tessa and Dr. Brenner have a relationship closer to father and daughter than doctor and patient.
Excellent writing! This book did keep me turning pages - the second time. I wish she would have cut the kissing back to a minimum and take out the laying down together. Suspense was top notch. The spiritual issue was nicely resolved and clearly put. However, because of my age I’m not sure if I will be reading any more Heitzmann books.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE:
Pervasive Language – Yes
Romance between a man and woman - Yes
Sexual tension – Yes
Felt this book properly represented a Biblical world view – Yes
Other things of special note:SPOILER ALERT! At the beginning of the book Smith tells Bair that he can “have a go” at Tessa. Later on Bair makes it know to Smith that he is interested in Tessa and Smith should have stayed by what he said at the beginning. Rumer Gaston makes some sexual comments toward Tessa though she is never in the room. Gaston is also shown being rough with his fiancée. There is a lot of kissing! Tessa and Smith rarely go a scene without a kiss after they make amends. Although Smith never does cross the line, he’s standing on it. Tessa lies down with him when he’s in the hospital bed. When Smith wants her to lay down with him again, she declines. However, while Tessa is in a psychological coma he lies next to her on the couch “so she won’t feel like she’s alone.” Again with the kissing… Smith lets a woman (Danae) kiss him while he’s in a relationship with Tessa, but he also is honest with Tessa and tells her. Donny stabs Smith in an attempt to murder him. There is insinuation that the characters see a gruesome picture, but it is NEVER described. Tessa sees someone brutality murdered and slips into the memory. Someone tries to murder Tessa.
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