***Book won on GoodReads - FirstReads***

Review to come. ( )

In my complete craziness to finish this book ASAP, I completely forgot to mark it as read. I actually finished this book the very next day as I began reading it. I might have finished it the day I picked it up to read, except the fact that I had returned from a full day of working with zany teenagers and 2nd graders, which zaps all the energy out of me (as much as I absolutely love them!).

It is such a well-written mystery. I absolutely loved the characters in this, especially that of Father Jimmy. banning Manning is a young waitress who is sewrching for a sign from God - her character is written so that the reader can easily perceive that what she is really looking for, is what she is lacking in her own life, love; especially the love of a family. She attempts to find her purpose in life, and decides on surrogacy - hoping to give another couple the joy of parenthood, which I believe is really an attempt to provide a child with the kind of childhood she was deprived of, due to her parents demise. Does her surrogacy plan pan out? Or will she find herself surrounded by deception? Although I loved the character of Father Jimmy, whose reluctance to accept things as black and white, and his need to protect Hannah made him a true hero in my eyes. Albeit, a humble, human hero. My absolute favorite character was Teri - her humor, her no-nonsense ways made her both endearing and as sharp as a tack at the same time.

The plot seems insane, and truly hard to believe, but then again, so was the plot of "The DaVinci Code", yet it still made for a riveting read, right? So does this book. And the author has left it at SUCH a hanging ending that there is NO WAY that you cannot pick up Book #2. As a matter of fact, you will be scrambling to order book two a couple of chapters before the book closes, like I did, I guarantee it! If you are a Dan Brown or Steve Berry fan, thiS is just the book for you. Mystery and thrills combine harmoniously in this novel, a religious thriller that thrills without being preachy at all!!! Loved it! ( )