To Run or To Remain Present... That is the Question

Melanie runs away. From conflict. From pain. From reality. 
 
When novelist Melanie Vander faces a looming deadline, she decides it’s time for an escape to an inspiring, novel-worthy locale. She’s not running away. Really. She just needs time to focus. But as she disappears into her writing, she encounters a man whose tenderness leaves her reeling. Engaging and wise, psychologist Elliot Hammond tempts Melanie to question everything, including her marriage.

But that’s ridiculous. Dr. Hammond isn’t even…real.

Melanie’s husband, Craig, has his own problems, including a recession that’s threatening his business. Waning finances, a looming home foreclosure, and a wife who’s checked out emotionally, has Craig feeling
as though he’s carrying his burdens alone. When his client, the beautiful and single Serena Buchanan, offers him a solution to his financial woes, he’s tempted by more than her offer of a business solution. 

At a crossroads, Melanie and Craig seem headed in opposite directions.

As Melanie runs away from her problems by escaping into her own fictional world, Craig dives into his struggles, seeking God for strength and healing for his marriage. Ultimately, Melanie must choose whether she’ll check out completely, or allow her characters to lead her home.

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Meet the Author:

Ginny L. Yttrup is an accomplished freelance writer, speaker, and life coach who also ministers to women wounded by sexual trauma. She has two grown sons and lives in California. 

- See more at: GinnyYttrup's Website 






My Take:
To be honest, Ginny is a long time favorite author of mine. I have loved every book she has written, even the ones that have evoked emotions I would prefer not to have felt. This one is no different. Ginny just has a way with words, descriptions, and enabling the reader to feel what they are reading. She is a gifted author.

In this book, Melanie is an author. Her friend Jill her editor. Her husband a contractor. Melanie is a runner - not in the literal sense, but one who runs from feelings, pain, emotions. She is unable to cope with reality, so she simply avoids it. But ... as life would have it... running sometimes no longer is an option. 

The economy is in recession and Craig, Melanie's husband, is conflicted. He really needs to talk to Melanie about their financial situation. But whenever he tries, Melanie seems to check out. Melanie is a writer, she buries herself in her alternate reality, covers life up with her humorous stories, makes light of trials. Melanie never allows herself to feel, she simply disappears to her alternate reality. Will her lack of willingness to engage destroy their relationship? As Melanie takes her "out", the excuse that she has a deadline to meet, and runs away with her characters to a lakefront getaway, Craig is left behind to pick up the pieces and figure out where they stand and where they go from here. It's just like our loving God to impresses on his heart a need for prayer. 

As Ginny weaves our innermost desire to find HOME - a longing for our Heavenly Father and the home He has prepared,  feeling like we belong somewhere here on earth or a combination of both- she challenges the reader to live present, in the moment, and abundantly as God has planned for us.  The story my evoke some raw emotion, but that is the type of reading I like. I would rather not read a book that isn't going to contribute growth to my life in some form or fashion. 

This book is a wonderful read. It inspired me to live my life full, to be all I can be for Christ, to be present and deal with what God puts on my plate, so that I can minister to those around me. The characters were developed and interesting, each with a lesson to teach. And the book is not focused only on Melanie and Craig. There are many more characters to learn from. Thanks again Ginny, for writing an amazing story! Every one of your books have blessed my life in some form or fashion.

I was blessed with a free copy of this book  courtesy of  the author to read.  I was in no way required to give a positive review. No other compensation was provided.