I give The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher five solid stars. It is well-written, the story is not preachy, the relationships are realistic, and it shows God’s hand in the day-to-day lives of the characters. The Shepherd’s Voice takes place during the Great Depression, in the small town of Ransom, Idaho. The heroine of the story, Akira Macauley, is a plucky, independent redhead who runs a sheep ranch left to her by her grandfather. When she finds an unconscious hobo on her property, she offers him water to drink and moves him into the shade where he passes out. God tells her to bring him home and care for his needs. He wakes up in a bed in her home.
Turns out the man is Gabe Talmadge. He is originally from the town of Ransom, but he’s been gone--in prison for ten years. His father is a wealthy, greedy man who owns the whole town, who has never loved his son. Akira offers Gabe a job on the ranch and a place to live. He accepts and receives so much more. By her example and words, he comes to trust in Lord, and his life is changed. Of course, that doesn’t mean all his problems are gone. Everyone in the town knows his past.
I like that the story is realistic rather than a sappy, too-good-to-be-true version of life. The characters experience the whole gambit of emotions as they face trials, difficulties, love, and hope with growing faith. In fact, this is one of those rare books in which I find no fault.
I highly recommend The Shepherd’s Voice to anyone who enjoys Inspirational Romance. This story gently carries the message of God’s forgiveness, how to accept it, as well as how to learn to forgive yourself once the sin is confessed. It’s a book you won’t want to put down.
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