Will you say yes to an arranged marriage?
Author: Sarah Monzon
Publisher: Radiant Publications
Publisher: Radiant Publications
Release Date: September 1, 2015
ABOUT
THE BOOK
Becky Sawyer’s life unravels in a
single day. Not only does she catch her boyfriend, the man she hoped to marry,
lip-locked with another woman, she also receives the gut-wrenching news that
her grandfather, the man who raised her, is dying. His last wish? To see her
happily married. Heartbroken, Becky seeks inspiration in the pages of the Holy
Scriptures. And finds it in the story of Isaac and Rebekah.
If love couldn't keep his parents together, Luke Masterson wonders what will make a marriage last. He decides to steer clear of all women—especially crazy ones like Becky Sawyer, who employs a friend to find her a husband. But when he feels the dogged promptings of the Holy Spirit to move across the country and marry a complete stranger, it seems love has little to do with it anyway.
With commitment their only foundation, and love constantly thwarted, can an arranged marriage find happiness in the twenty-first century?
If love couldn't keep his parents together, Luke Masterson wonders what will make a marriage last. He decides to steer clear of all women—especially crazy ones like Becky Sawyer, who employs a friend to find her a husband. But when he feels the dogged promptings of the Holy Spirit to move across the country and marry a complete stranger, it seems love has little to do with it anyway.
With commitment their only foundation, and love constantly thwarted, can an arranged marriage find happiness in the twenty-first century?
BOOK SNIPPET
Here's a little excerpt for you:
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“How could you do that to me?”
“Now don’t scold a dying man, Rebekah Anne.”
“You’re no more dying than I am.” Oh, how I wished that
were true, but the evidence lay before me in that hospital bed. At least he was
looking better and no longer required the use of an oxygen mask.
“Come here, sugar.” Poppy patted an empty spot on the bed
next to him. “Tell me about your fella.”
I propped my hip on the mattress and took Poppy’s hand in
mine.
“What would you like to know?” I asked, trying to keep
the trepidation out of my voice. I had no intention of telling Poppy a
bold-faced lie, but I also didn’t plan on telling him the complete truth. I was
walking a fine line, which was why I’d hoped this conversation wouldn’t take
place.
“Where did you two meet?”
“Lisa introduced us a while back.” As in, two weeks ago.
Over the phone. Being vague was not lying.
“When did you know you were in love with him?”
I swallowed hard. Love? This would be a tricky one to
answer. “Does anyone ever know the exact moment they fall in love?” Answering a
question with a question seemed the safest bet.
“How did he propose?”
Finally, a question I could answer for real. I smiled.
Even though Luke had just proposed yesterday, with all the events that took
place since then, it felt like forever ago. When I’d first asked Lisa to find
me an “Isaac,” I thought having someone propose to me was
something else I was giving up. But I was wrong.
“Well, he took me to a restaurant”—no reason to tell him
it was the diner—“and in front of everyone”—about five people— “got down on one
knee and asked me to marry him.”
I caught Poppy staring at me, and the pressure on my hand
increased.
“Are you happy, sweetheart? You sure this is what you
want to do? You and James just broke up not that long ago.”
I tried not to blink. Or twitch. Tried not to gulp down
the saliva that was gathering in my mouth, or wipe away the sweat beginning to
form on my palms. Nothing that would give me away. How could I tell him I
wasn’t sure? That I had only met Luke the day before, and even though I felt
God’s guidance, there was still a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach?
That my chest felt like it was in an ever-tightening vise, and I couldn’t take
a full breath? That I was scared spit-less, but I was doing it all because of
him? For him.
I could never say any of that, so I plastered on what I
hoped was a believable smile and a lovesick expression.
“I’m sure.”
MY
THOUGHTS
So, what do you think? Far-fetched? The idea of arranged marriage in this age sure seems "off the rocker", but The Isaac Project gave us a story that very well reinforced the words, "match made in heaven." I've heard some hype regarding this book long before I read it, and in line with what I typically do, I go in not reading any reviews or even the book description. What an extraordinary story! What a project! Pulling from the story of Isaac & Rebekah, Becky, asks her best friend, Lisa to be her Eliezer, finding her a husband that's willing to marry her, move to California and oh, must be a Godly man, (and hopefully a 49ers fan). How hard can that be? Right? Well, definitely not as hard as you think, if you have God on your side. Yep, God. He's the ultimate matchmaker here and I just love the originality of this story.
"The Bible was full of stories where God had used bad or unusual circumstances to work out something beautiful and good. Me and my insane plan...were proof that God still had his hand in people's everyday lives." (Loc. 3499)Shall I start off with one of my favorite verse that sums it all, and was God's words to Becky? "For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." (Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, that's what The Isaac Project is about. Finding love amidst God's plans for you, and it may not be what you expected. *sigh. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
Then if you must know, one main reason to fall in love with The Isaac Project, Luke. *sigh again. My book crush at the moment. He's gorgeous, a fireman and a man that loves and follows God. Is he perfect? No, definitely not. He had some stereotype of "desperate/crazy" women who would come up with a plan as finding herself an arranged marriage that might have made me roll my eyes a bit. However, after a second, I think that we all have our own stereotypes of what we think people are like. And it is a pretty outrageous idea given their current situation. So with that said, he's really a character that makes you love this book. As he says, "...love is more than just a strong feeling. Love is in the words we say and the things we do for others, but most importantly, love is the choice we make to say those words and do those things." (Loc. 1515) There are so many other quotes I've highlighted that was from him. "I want to be able to work beside you on a common goal. I want to be able to encourage you on the road to fulfilling your dreams, and I want you to encourage me with mine." (Loc. 1954). Really. There are so many moments that you will fall in love with Luke, that you might even consider giving Becky a run for her money, only then do you realize, they're characters in a book, and it's best our protagonists get their happy ending! (And this will stay between you and I.)
Other characters, including Becky will capture your heart as well. I'm a fan of Lisa and Sam too, and how their lives allow God to shine through, even during their struggles, emotionally and physically.
The Isaac Project is not just a story, it's an idea and an expression of how God is in control and sometimes, He will use unusual ways in carrying out His plan and bringing it to fruition. All you need to do is follow. God bless you, and may you find truth and understanding in His plan for you.
NOTE: I received a digital ARC of this book through Singing Librarian Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
TO
PURCHASE A COPY
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Sarah Monzon is a pastor's wife and
a stay at home mom of two small children. She has a bachelor's degree in
elementary education from Southern Adventist University. Sarah is a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). The Isaac Project is her debut
novel.
GIVEAWAY
TOUR SCHEDULE
January 18--Reading Is My SuperPower | Bookworm Lisa
January 19--Just Commonly | Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance
January 19--Just Commonly | Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance
January 20--Donna's BookShelf | Singing Librarian Books
January 21--Between the Pages | WishfulEndings
I have a total book crush on Luke too :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! Have a crush on Luke! Great review I enjoyed reading it very much!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie & Lori! Luke....ahhhh....*sigh.
ReplyDelete