Mocked by Faith by Michele Richard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I’ve read religious-themed books before, I confess that this one was completely different from anything that I’ve ever read. It was truly an interesting read and I confess that I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I honestly couldn’t put this book down once I started reading.

I found myself engrossed within the lives of those living within a tightly-knit community where their faith was based around arranged marriages. I’ve heard about this sort of thing before, but never really knew that it was widely practiced here in the States. Yes, I confess it – I did a little research in regards to this sort of practice and what I came across was mind-blowing. Forgive me, I’ve strayed a little from what I want to say, I know, but I assure that it does relate to the book.

As I continued reading the story, I came to know Alexia Cross and her family. I saw her grow alongside Madison and Ginger and tumbled through her bouts of happiness and displeasure at the things that she had to endure in waiting to meet her husband-to-be.

Michele painted such a vivid picture of this tightly-knit community that’s not that hard to envision every moment of it. It’s so easy to become engrossed within each character’s lives. To feel what they felt. To wish for that tiny bit of happiness that would make their world complete.

At times, I felt irked at Justin because he seemed to think more about himself than he did about his wife and child. Yet I can also understand what to drove him into drinking. The atrocities that he endured at the hands of that minister was appalling and I know that it took every ounce of his willpower to deal with everything on his own.

While Alexia may have felt betrayed by his actions and his decision to leave at the very end, I know that she still loved him and perhaps a small part of her did indeed know that he needed to set all of the ghosts within his closet to rest.

His letter at the very end was quite moving. I confess that I wanted to read what happened next. I’m so very looking forward to the next installment of this story: Mocked by Faith – Healing the Faith. This book was such a great read. I hope others enjoy it, as well. Read on »