My rating: 4/5
An immensely superb novel written by Embassie Susberry, Morning By Morning is book two in the The Lost Boys series, a four-part enthralling series consisting of memorable characters, amusing plots, and inspiring messages of faith, forgiveness, and redemption. The story emphasizes impactful friendships, familial relationships, and a fascinating love story. The premise of the story depicts how Christ can transform unfortunate situations into blessings, and the truth that faith in Jesus and a relationship with Him can provide renewed hope and resiliency.
Morning By Morning is a welcomed continuation of The Lost Boys series, that follows Sebastian ‘Bass’ Hatchett, a respected Head Boy in the Navy that trains thousands of steward mates, as his mundane circumstances void of hope, shifts. He hesitantly accepts an unexpected invitation from one of his irritating trainees, Cyrus Brantley, to stay with him and his family in Chicago, as their company has received a weeklong pass off the base. Having a tumultuous relationship with his father has left him banned from returning home, so Bass warily accepts the offer. What he assumed would be an arduous visit, becomes a life changing experience that will resurrect his belief in love, solidify his relationship with Christ, and incite a purposeful life. While away on a ship in the Navy, Bass receives a suspicious letter that attempts to blackmail him concerning an event that he and his friends were previously involved in. However, the letter that was meant to raise fear and intimidation, encourages him to reconnect with his best friends after five long years of separation.
Calista Opal Brantley is beautiful, vivacious, determined, and aims to become a successful Black journalist. With an admirable pedigree resulting from her father, who is a well-respected and wealthy attorney, and a distinguished mother in the community, her life of privilege surrounded by her loving family including her siblings, Cyrus and Theodosia, has shielded her from harsh aspects of life and the unrelenting snare of racism. A recent article that she wrote resulting in an unfortunate situation has tainted her reputation in journalism, as well as her passion for it. However, the emergence of a new story may potentially solidify the advancement in her career and resurrect her love for journalism. The mystery surrounding the new story will both challenge and motivate her. The impending arrival of her older brother Cyrus, from the Navy, will prove to be a life altering experience, when he arrives home with an unexpected friend that will change her outlook on life, faith, and love.
“Going to church, reading the bible, praying regularly…a lot of it is just training. Training so that you’re ready in that one moment when it’s time for battle. But if you’re not intentional with it, when the battle comes, you’ll flounder. Or crash” (Bass, Morning By Morning).
Brimming with themes of Christian faith, Susberry splendidly depicts the fact that Jesus is the restorer of love, faith, and hope. She includes the lyrics of the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness several times in the story, inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23. In fact, I believe that the title is taken from a line in the hymn as well. Furthermore, I loved how the author incorporated faith content within the text, that did not come across as sermonic, but simply exclaims the goodness and mercifulness of Jesus. Main characters, Bass and Calista, as well as a few other secondary characters, are Christians who don’t just proclaim their faith, but practice it by diligently praying, consistent bible reading, and relying on Jesus for wisdom and strength in challenging situations.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Embassie Susberry showcases her talent for writing, as she expertly creates memorable characters and establishes adequate character development that keeps the reader intrigued and invested in the plot. The novel is written with multiple flashbacks in different time periods that center on Bass and provide the reader with insight into his upbringing, tumultuous family dynamics, and his friendships. The story is moderately paced, which eliminates any boring scenes, and further keeps the reader enthralled while reading. I absolutely loved this book. If you enjoy stories that provide coming-of-age elements, a level of mystery, and inspire hope in the Lord, then you will not be disappointed. This is for sure a must-read!
“Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. For someone who had spent the past few years wracked with guilt, he loved seeing the sunrise every morning to remind him that each day was filled with new mercies. It was a new beginning, a new starting point” (Bass, Morning By Morning).
Check it out on Amazon! #CommissionsEarned
