I WANT A NEW LIFE

Three friends seek out new lives in Poydence’s debut religious chick-lit novel.

Casey Swanson, Eliz Wilding and Amana Anne Moore are three friends whose lives reach a crossroads. Casey is unappreciated by her husband and two sons. Eliz’s reckless, booze-filled lifestyle reaches a critical point when she loses her job. Amana Anne, a widow, has closed her heart to romance and God’s plan for her. One day, Amana Anne encourages Casey and Eliz to join her on a spiritual adventure to get a “new life.” That same day, Casey listens to the voice of God telling her “This is the day” and spontaneously heads off on a weeklong mission trip. Eliz has a reckless tumble that nearly kills her, and she decides to try following God for the first time in her life. Amana Anne falls in love at first sight with the handsome Jake Sandstone while simultaneously trying to let God lead her toward a career as a motivational writer and speaker. Each of the three women is at a different point of her life and faith. Many Christian readers may relate to one or all of these stages, and the transitions between characters are always smoothly managed. The events that lead Casey to the mission trip, Eliz to God and away from the bottle, and Amana Anne to Jake are all a little too coincidental. For instance, Casey just happened to have a “getaway bag” in her car when her pastor announced a sudden opening for the mission trip, and Amana Anne’s professional advancement occurs faster than would usually be possible, but this may only bother more skeptical readers. Overall, the changes the main characters undergo may surprise, but they still inspire.

An encouraging light read on the theme of Christian transformation.