Here

by Jennifer Ball

Here is a story about Christian morals and values meeting head on with today's progressive society which is decaying away from Scripture. Joshua, a senior in high school, engages in parties, pre-marital sex, and has a psuedo friendship circle. Abigail lives in another town. She is a freshman in high school, keeps her circle of friends pure and is open about her greatest relationship - Jesus. Joshua and Abigail are both born-again believers in Christ, but have a different loyalty to Him. Although, Abigail has been deeply hurt and betrayed by a family member, she still seeks to walk her journey holding the hand of Jesus so she may be pleasing to the Lord. Joshua, however, holds the hand of the devil, yet accepts Christ to just escape the penalty of his sins. God has a plan for this soon-to-be man, but Joshua can't hear Him through his frolicking with the world. God knows why Joshua chose this lifestyle, and knows there is only one man who can change that journey - his dad. God also knows there is only one way his dad will give him the message Joshua needs to hear. Abigail gets thrown into Joshua's life when she is given a very important task. These two teens, living in different towns, living different born-again Christian lives, will have their worlds collide in a dramatic way that will alter Joshua more then he could have ever prepared himself.

Jennifer Ball, recipient of the 2015 New York Book Festival Honorable Mention for Young Adult Fiction, pens a story of a modern day clash of extremes. She takes you on a journey of teenagers growing up in a society of broken families, broken faith in God, broken promises and ultimately reveals that if God is for you, who can be against you? Jennifer reminds readers that no matter the sin, God is faithful to forgive those who repent. Repentence does lead to holiness.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" - Romans 12:2

Genres: Christian

206 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2014

Reviews

[Norma Budden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start but redeemed itself

For the first quarter of the book, I was not sure I would enjoy the story. The pace was too slow for my liking and I grew tired of the way Joshua continually seemed to exploit women.

Enter one major event which changed the course of Joshua's life; it was from this point where I truly began to take more interest in the story.

A lot of events took place in this coming-of-age story; the emotion the characters feel leaps off the page and, overall, I am glad I got to know Joshua and Abigail, as well as their respective parents. It was a touching story.

[Gladys Preas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read. You laugh and cry.

I was so caught up in this book ! It was so interesting I just couldn't put it down. Thanks so much for giving me the joy of reading this great book. I am a Christian,so the book meant so much more.