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Broken Shells
The woman was young, beautiful, and obviously pregnant. Logan Marsh wondered what had urged her to walk into the icy, dark waters of Wellington Harbour, and whether she would thank him for rescuing her. Staying at a women's refuge run by Logan's aunt Greer, Taylor can feel life returning to her soul, but she won't speak about the mystery of her baby's father to anyone. Still unsure of her own feelings about all that has happened, Taylor draws strength from Logan's friendship and faith. But with all that she has to face, will it be enough? And can there ever be anything more than just friendship between them - especially when it seems Logan's ex-girlfriend is less "ex" than he has claimed? Meanwhile Donny, a young man with Down syndrome, has a secret he's been hiding. Worried, and unsure how to handle it, he waits for God's guidance, but Taylor is constantly on his mind. Told with deep insight and sensitivity, we follow Taylor's path from brokenness to restoration as God picks up the pieces and begins to put them back together as only He knows how. Broken Shells won the Rose & Crown New Novels competition 2012.
266 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2018
43 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Roome
37 books19 followersDebbie Roome was born and raised in Zimbabwe and later spent fifteen years in South Africa. In 2006 she moved to New Zealand with her husband and five children. Writing has been her passion since the age of six and she loves to write stories that touch people's lives and turn them towards God. Over the years she has won many awards and trophies for her work, including placing first in the Rose & Crown Novel Writing Competition in 2009 and 2012 and second in the Faithwriters' Page Turner Contest in 2010 and 2014. In 2015 she placed first in the Faithwriters' Page Turner Contest. Her novel Contagious Hope was a finalist for the Australasian CALEB award in 2013. Debbie's writing has opened doors for public speaking and she is often asked to share her life story and her experiences as a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 29, 2020
Judged for an unplanned pregnancy and desperate to end her sense of shame, Taylor is rescued by experienced lifeguard Logan from the freezing waters of New Zealand's Wellington Harbour. This sets her on a reluctant journey that sees her start to come to terms with her pregnancy, but always, she refuses to disclose the details of the events that saw her get pregnant. As a fragile romance develops between Taylor and Logan, he discovers in her a gentle soul with a love for children. Given Taylor's obvious distress over her own pregnancy, this conflict of character increasingly perplexes Logan, who is also a social worker at the local hospital.
Throughout the story there are jumps back and forth to different characters and links that may not seem compellingly significant, until the loose ends tie together for an unexpected twist. Through this, the author tackles some challenging issues of judgement and date rape with sensitivity and insight. I really liked that the key to solving the mystery was a young man with a disability, so easily disregarded by his colleagues, but proving himself intelligent and carefully observant.
A couple of small conflicts included the ready disclosure of information between hospital social workers, which seemed to breach stringent healthcare patient-practitioner confidentiality practices. More of a personal opinion than a conflict, was I also found Taylor's decision regarding the identity of her child's father difficult, given how studies have demonstrated the significant need for a child to know the 'other half of their DNA' for so many outcome-related reasons. Though this decision was fully understandable given the trauma of Taylor's experience, I found this an interesting (perhaps unsettling?) resolution.
Overall a unique and beautifully woven story.
4.5 stars.
Throughout the story there are jumps back and forth to different characters and links that may not seem compellingly significant, until the loose ends tie together for an unexpected twist. Through this, the author tackles some challenging issues of judgement and date rape with sensitivity and insight. I really liked that the key to solving the mystery was a young man with a disability, so easily disregarded by his colleagues, but proving himself intelligent and carefully observant.
A couple of small conflicts included the ready disclosure of information between hospital social workers, which seemed to breach stringent healthcare patient-practitioner confidentiality practices. More of a personal opinion than a conflict, was I also found Taylor's decision regarding the identity of her child's father difficult, given how studies have demonstrated the significant need for a child to know the 'other half of their DNA' for so many outcome-related reasons. Though this decision was fully understandable given the trauma of Taylor's experience, I found this an interesting (perhaps unsettling?) resolution.
Overall a unique and beautifully woven story.
4.5 stars.
April 21, 2019
After being unfairly judged for an unplanned pregnant, Taylor gets drunk and walks into Wellington Harbour intent on killing herself. However, she's spotted by social worker and ex-lifeguard Logan. He rescues her and visits her in hospital, unable to get the image of the beautiful but sad redhead out of his mind. He arranges for Taylor to stay at a Christian healing retreat run by his aunt on the South Island of New Zealand. Shame stops Taylor from talking about the father of her child, but as she starts to heal emotionally, she's drawn to Logan. Can she trust him with her heart? And what of the baby? Will she go through with adoption or can she learn to love this child and trust that she can provide the home the baby needs?
This book has a fairly strong Christian message about compassion and forgiveness rather than judgement and condemnation. It's a positive message about how God can put together the broken pieces of someone's life and use those difficult circumstances for good. I liked reading a book set in New Zealand for a change. One of the secondary characters with Down Syndrome was used to good effect, breaking down the stereotypes that people often have of those with intellectual challenges. I also liked the way that each chapter started with a fact about different types of shells--seashells, eggshells, pie shells, turtle shells, shells of buildings, the shells we hide inside etc. Each of those snippets tied in with the story in some way, giving it extra depth.
The author used some lovely descriptive passages and imagery (e.g. 'the incoming tide shaped driftwood and kelp into a lacy fringe,' p. 53). However, I felt there was a bit too much 'tell' rather than 'show' at times, especially with regard to what different characters were thinking and feeling. Some sections of dialogue were also a little stilted, especially when facts were being conveyed. However, I enjoyed the book as a whole.
If you like a sweet romance, with some thought-provoking material about faith and our ultimate value, it's worth checking out this book.
This book has a fairly strong Christian message about compassion and forgiveness rather than judgement and condemnation. It's a positive message about how God can put together the broken pieces of someone's life and use those difficult circumstances for good. I liked reading a book set in New Zealand for a change. One of the secondary characters with Down Syndrome was used to good effect, breaking down the stereotypes that people often have of those with intellectual challenges. I also liked the way that each chapter started with a fact about different types of shells--seashells, eggshells, pie shells, turtle shells, shells of buildings, the shells we hide inside etc. Each of those snippets tied in with the story in some way, giving it extra depth.
The author used some lovely descriptive passages and imagery (e.g. 'the incoming tide shaped driftwood and kelp into a lacy fringe,' p. 53). However, I felt there was a bit too much 'tell' rather than 'show' at times, especially with regard to what different characters were thinking and feeling. Some sections of dialogue were also a little stilted, especially when facts were being conveyed. However, I enjoyed the book as a whole.
If you like a sweet romance, with some thought-provoking material about faith and our ultimate value, it's worth checking out this book.
January 13, 2019
Super-enjoyed this warm inspirational romance between Logan and Taylor, the pregnant girl he rescues from Wellington Harbour when she attempts suicide. Its various poignant threads made for a richly textured read. I found myself particularly looking forward to the scenes which showcased the character of Donny, the boy-man with mild Downs Syndrome who is a big fan of CSI shows and knows just what to do when he witnesses a crime: gather evidence, of course, and put it in a very safe place.
The factual and anecdotal information bytes about shells that preceded each chapter were a highlight. Just such an appealing touch. They lured me on - even when I should have been doing other things.
The factual and anecdotal information bytes about shells that preceded each chapter were a highlight. Just such an appealing touch. They lured me on - even when I should have been doing other things.
January 28, 2016
The human shell can be resilient yet it can also be broken. But there is hope for out of the grit of brokenness a beautiful pearl can be formed. In her novel Broken Shells, Debbie Roome takes us into the phenemological world of Taylor, a young Christian woman with an unwanted pregnancy. This is a well written, captivating and inspirational New Zealand novel, and love story. For the discerning reader there are deeper meanings and spiritual truths. While this is not my type of novel this was a book I ended up thoroughly enjoying. I can well recommend this book.
May 17, 2016
I received this via giveaways and whilst it is a very good Christian book it may not suit all. It is a life shown in full flourish of turmoil but shines through
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews