A Scarlet Cord: a contemporary Christian fiction with a bit of romance and mystery

A Scarlet Cord by Deborah Raney is a contemporary Christian fiction with a bit of romance and mystery. Four years ago, Melanie LaSalle lost her husband and was left with a newborn daughter and a bleak future. With the help of her loving in-laws, she is now managing the family design firm and caring for her daughter, Jerica. Romance and falling in love again were the last things on her mind until he walked into her life. Joel Ellington is a new staff member at her church and draws Melanie with his warm and friendly demeanor. However, there is something troubling about Joel. Despite her doubts, the two become closer. Then Joel suddenly disappears, along with the church’s funds and she cannot ignore her doubts any longer. Torn between her feelings and the mounting evidence against Joel, Melanie must decide to forget Joel or find a reason to trust him with her heart. 

Deborah Raney is known for heartfelt stories with romance, inspiration and a bit of suspense. A Scarlet Cord starts off strong, then quickly loses its way and rushes to the end. The story is very slow moving with unbelievable plot points and overall, I was bored. I found myself not caring for Melanie and her dilemma. I did feel for her grief and her reluctance to love again. I loved that her in-laws were supportive and caring for Melanie and Jerica. Joel was likable with a hidden past that he was reluctant to share. The end reveals why and I rolled my eyes. Sadly, it was a let down. There was a plot line that involved Jerica that only added to the unbelievable turn of events. Overall, I did not enjoy A Scarlet Cord. However, if you are a fan of Deborah Raney or contemporary Christian fiction, you may enjoy A Scarlet Cord. 

A Scarlet Cord is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook