My rating: 3/5
Abounding Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart is a pleasant amalgamation of faith, hope, and courage integrated into an inspiring story. Set during the tragic onslaught of WWII, this story will stir up an array of emotions in the reader, but will also highlight the promises of the Lord, of His love, protection, and sovereignty.
Romans 8:35;37 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Irena Simmons is an American citizen living in Lvov, Poland as a teacher to children. Kindhearted, with a nurturing disposition and willingness to serve and help others, she is also a caretaker to three small German boys whom she previously helped rescue from the cruelty of German soldiers and is wanted by the Nazis. Jonathan Huntwell is an American entrepreneur visiting Lvov on business, when he unexpectedly sees childhood friend, Irena, whom he warns of the impending arrival of German forces to Poland. As a concerned friend, Jonathan encourages Irena to escape with her family before the coming danger of the German invasion of Poland. Irena continuously disregards Jonathan’s warnings, until she is forced to flee under dire circumstances. Her journey out of the evil grip of German soldiers will prove challenging, as she is escaping with the responsibility of seeking safety for not only herself, but also for numerous children. The journey will surface tenacious faith in the Lord, promote courageous heroism and revive a buried desire for true love.
In Abounding Hope, the author was able to skillfully weave a romantic narrative within a tragic period of history. Written with captivating imagery and impressive character development, the reader effortlessly becomes invested in the plot and main characters. The story also includes significant Christian faith content. The characters are often depicted displaying their faith by frequently praying and referencing scripture. Although I enjoyed the storyline, I found myself often frustrated with Irena. I’ve never been more annoyed with a main character. Her unyielding stubbornness was proven foolish at times and resulted in some unnecessary danger. However, due to God’s gracious and merciful nature, her mistakes were often turned into blessings. If you enjoy faith filled stories with a touch of romance and heroism, this is for you!
