Friday 2 September 2016

Fading Starlight by Kathryn Cushman

 
Back Cover: Lauren Summers is in hiding. Her Fashion house internship was supposed to launch her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she can find comes with little pay, but at least it offers a free place to live - a rundown cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mountain. Planning to live on savings until she figures out what's next, she's unprepared to be contacted by a reporter.

Kendall Joiner is researching Charlotte Montgomery, a former Hollywood ingénue who lives a reclusive life in the cliff-side mansion. Rumors have swirled for decades about Charlotte, and now Kendall wants to find the real story. In return, she may just have the key to getting Lauren back into the fashion world. Desperate to restore her dreams, Lauren's not sure she can turn down the offer -but as she and Miss Montgomery get to know more about each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.


Review: The first thought that comes to mind when I sat down to write this review was “heart-warming”. It sounds cliché, but that is exactly how I found this novel. The main lead, Lauren Summers, is a darling. Like anyone, she struggles with her own battles of right and wrong and fights through the mire of gray that is somewhere between those two extremes.

Horribly wronged, Lauren has every excuse to use her upbringing and the recent red carpet debacle to be bitter and out for revenge. However, guided by some wonderful Christian influence and the grace of her Lord, she shows what it is like to demonstrate God’s love to those around her even when they don’t deserve it and to keep moving forward and trusting Him even when things seem impossible and there appears to be no benefit to her for her actions.

As Lauren struggles uphill trusting God it is amazing to see how one circumstance tumbles into the next and how God really did work everything according to His plan. There are so many times when Lauren could have done the easy thing but decides to do what was right  instead– even if it cost her time, money, and her heart.

I really liked this book a lot and I found it hard to put down. There is an element of mystery surrounding Charlotte Montogmery, and the interactions between the crusty old lady and Lauren are a must-read. My favourite are the scenes with the two of them together, but I also really enjoyed the different point of views from Charlotte’s flash backs to her own childhood to Lauren’s present day struggles with the now elderly woman. This was a well thought out, prayerfully considered, and fulfilling read. I would certainly recommend it.

 

Thank-you to Baker Publishing House and Graf Martin Communications for a complimentary copy of the wonderful book.

 

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