The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish, Book review

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN-13: 978-0764205552

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Molly Fisk does not go outside. She’s ruled by anxiety and only feels safe in the tiny tourist-town museum she and her mother run and call home. 
Then the chance arrival of a woman Molly knew six years ago changes everything. Six years ago, newly single Claire Rodriguez was an empty shell. Only in the unique friendship she strikes up with a young girl–a silent girl who’ll only talk to Claire–does she see the possibility of healing. 
But one day the girl and her mother vanish, their house abandoned. 
What happened that drove them away? 
And how can Claire now offer Molly the same chance at finding a life anew?

My thoughts:

The story alternates betwixt both Molly and Claire's recounts of events as they occurred in 2002 and then again in 2009. 'The Air We Breathe' is an emotional catalogue of two people hurting, a young girl and the woman who reaches out to her after a tragic event. That said, we cannot forget the bystanders in the story, Molly's mother for one who protects her daughter at any cost and others we meet later on in the plot.

Molly was abducted during a fatal robbery and escaped after 10 days only to face years of anxiety and isolation, a direct result of the kidnapping. 
Claire lost her children in a tragic accident and is surviving only just. Crosswords puzzles gives her an opportunity to keep everything in little boxes...

A chance meeting brings them together or is it really chance? That's where the story truly starts as we read on and discover the Greater Power beyond the events. 

Christa Parrish brings her readers a caring approach to both protagonist's deep and moving experiences, stating facts and not dwelling on the ugly but rather on the recovery. 
I found the whole concept far more impressive than if she had chosen to delve on dramatic details and thus giving her novel a tabloid's characteristics. 

This is a book you should read to appreciate its full impact as a Christian! I do not think I will ever see another Gideon's Bible again without remembering what can happen when someone reaches out and shares God's words! 

Beautifully written, 
5 Stars!! 

About the Author:

Christa Parrish is the author of 'Home Another Way', Finalist for the 2009 ECPA Christian Book Award for Fiction and 'Watch Over Me', Winner of the 2010 ECPA Christian Book Award for Fiction.

"If the book we are reading does not wake us, as with a fist hammering on our skulls, then why do we read it? A book must be an ice axe to break the sea frozen".

Find out more about this interesting author on her website (HERE).

I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.