My rating: 4/5
Another successful installment of the Tate Family series by Embassie Susberry! Witty, faith filled, and amusing, Rivers in the Desert is a delightful page-turning read.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Rivers in the Desert follows Raymond “Ray” Little as he faces a pivotal time in his life. After suffering a potential life-threatening wound while working as an FBI agent in Chicago, Ray is forced to move to a small town in Texas. His gruff personality mixed with his city living worldly habits, makes it seem unlikely that he will integrate well into the small-town country life. However, soon after his arrival, he meets Minerva “Minnie” Templeton, a reserved and timid church woman committed to the Lord, who changes his view on life, faith, and love. While helping to cultivate her grandfather’s farm, Ray establishes an unlikely friendship with Minnie, and an astonishing bond with her grandfather. When Minnie decides to open a local library, she receives an abundance of support from the community in book donations. While organizing the donated books, she stumbles upon a large amount of money, tucked away into the book. Minnie soon discovers that the money is tied to a years long mystery that led to the lynching of two men, and a lifelong prison sentence of one man. Minnie and Ray embark on a complicated journey to unlock the mystery of the discovered money, that may potentially save the life of a wrongly convicted inmate. Set during the 1960’s, their quest to solve the mystery, while building a new community library, will result in their facing degrading racial biases that test their faith and put them in dangerous situations. Along the way, a profound love sparks between them.
I thoroughly love author Embassie Susberry’s ability to incorporate inspiring Christian faith content, into poignant stories with memorable characters and engaging plots. This novel successfully depicts the impactful love of Christ in redeeming those once lost, and the power of faith during difficult situations. If you love a historical novel, with clean romance, and an element of mystery, this story will not disappoint.
