From Ashes to Honor, First Responders Series #1

With nearly 4,500,000 books in circulation, award-winning author Loree Lough has 99 books on the shelves (mostly faith-based fiction & non-fiction for children & adults that earned dozens of 4- & 5-star reviews & 5 movie options), including reader favorites such as the First Responders series & For Love of Eli (Abingdon Press). With the publication of Guarding Alyssa in February of 2014 (#3 in the A Child to Love series for Harlequin Heartwarming), the total will reach 100. Loree's articles have appeared in dozens of international & national newspapers & magazines. In addition to nearly 2,500 feature stories (writing as L.A. Lough), she "ghosted" hundreds more that appeared in trade & technical publications. A firm believer in the "what goes around, comes around" theory, Loree developed & taught numerous fiction & nonfiction writing courses for area colleges, writers' organizations, & t

In addition to more than 70 books in print, Loree Lough has coauthored the devotional Be Still . . . and Let Your Nail Polish Dry. Loree's articles have appeared in major newspapers and magazines, and she is a regular columnist for Christian Fiction Online. Loree lives near Baltimore with her husband and a 'fraidy cat' rescue dog. www.LoreeLough.com

From Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough is a love story about a police officer and a therapist who meet under difficult circumstances. Memories of 9/11 traumatize police officer Austin Finley, affecting his work until he is sent to therapist Mercy Samara. Austin is angry and prejudiced from the beginning, and Mercy seems cold and unsympathetic. Austin becomes an EMT and moves to Maryland., and when Mercy's father dies, she, too, moves to Maryland. There, eight years after their first meeting, Austin and Mercy meet again -- this time as an EMT and a school counselor. Austin is a changed man having found Christ, conquered alcoholism, and gotten his life back in order. Despite how much they disliked each other before, the two seem to fall in love immediately after their reunion. Mercy and Austin struggle to maintain their relationship as they face death and life's disappointments.

Austin's story is one of redemption. Guilt and fear ran his life until he became a Christian, and then his faith formed a strong foundation. Mercy lost her faith in God when her father died, and now struggles to reconcile that God would allow so many bad things to happen to good people. Austin loves Mercy, but worries that his faith is not strong enough to survive marriage to a non-believer.

Mercy's character is comparable to many people, as her suffering causes her to doubt God's love. Austin’s faith is a model for others, remaining strong throughout the various trials of life. Austin waits for Mercy to come back to God, the same way God waits for us to come back to Him. The story reminds readers that God provides comfort and relief from the guilt and turmoil of life, and good things can come from the worst tragedies. Lough gives readers a poignant look at the aftermath of 9/11 in a personal way, showing the effects on survivors' everyday lives.

Whereas Austin and Mercy's relationship is deep and meaningful, the story seems to lack drive at times, as its characters develop. However, the love between them is so real and complex, readers will be touched by their experiences.

Romance lovers will truly enjoy From Ashes to Honor. Its deep characters give it a strong emotional connection that will hopefully be present throughout the rest of Lough’s coming First Responders series. – Susan Vandagriff, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Readers will no doubt respond--as the 10th anniversary of September 11 looms--to the First Responders series, but they may face disappointment as they slog through this novel. Police officer Austin Finley ignores phone calls from his twin, only to face guilt later after his brother dies in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Bitterness and anger fill him, forcing Dr. Mercy Samara to recommend he be relieved of duty two years later. Austin and Mercy flee their separate September 11 demons, only to meet six years later in Baltimore. Austin, an EMT, and Mercy, a school counselor, feel the sparks between them immediately. Readers may lose patience with the endless banter that smacks of adolescence ("Well what?" "I thought you were going to hang up." "I was." "Then, why didn't you?") and irritating colloquialisms ("If I'd-a had a knife, I reckon I could-a cut through it." "Well, there y'go.") before they can dig more deeply into the story. Booksellers, however, will most likely find a ready market for September 11 fare. (Sept.) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.