The Fragrance of Violets by author Susan K. Beatty is Book 2 in her Faces of Courage Series. This 258 page contemporary Christian fiction for women may easily be read as a standalone book. It is a poignant story that swiftly had me invested in it and the lives of its characters.
This novel is about Fiona. She is a hard working, ambitious working woman that gets passed over for a promotion. Her feelings of inadequacy and abandonment escalate with that news. Then she learns her father, absent since she was twelve years old, is the father of the groom in the upcoming wedding she is responsible to manage and she regresses to that young girl that was left hurt and forgotten. She has so many unanswered questions, and basically Fiona just wants to know why. Why did her father walk away and never look back.
Nason Williams, father of the groom, learned he wasn’t Fiona’s father when she was young. After a failed relationship with her mother, Maeve, and the knowledge that Fiona was actually not his daughter, Nason decides it would be best to move on. That includes giving up Fiona. He did not realize how much his decision would impact the life of an innocent young girl.
Rick Williams and Rainbow Skinner along with their parents are meeting with the wedding location event coordinator, Heather, and her assistant. Imagine everyone’s surprise to see that the assistant is Fiona. Jaws drop all around and people are speechless. Fiona had played this moment over in her mind multiple times. She dreamed of Nason begging for her forgiveness and explaining himself.
Author Beatty has done an exemplary job with conveying her characters’ feelings. They jumped right off of the page and into my heart. I felt their sadness, fear, guilt, disappointment, and anger as well as their happiness and joy. This author gives readers food for thought with her timeless life and spiritual lessons.
This touching story has stayed in my thoughts even though I finished it many days ago. It has me pondering true forgiveness, the kind Jesus teaches and offers. The author teaches us a lot about forgiveness in her beautiful novel. The title comes from something Mark Twain once said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” Isn’t that a beautiful thought? After the story be sure to check out the author notes and acknowledgements.
I highly recommend this emotionally charged novel. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
Majoring in English and Journalism, I attended Indiana University Southeast.I worked on the school newspaper.Reading is my favorite pastime. I am a word person. From an early age I was known to tell younger children and babies that “Books are our friends.Don’t hurt them.”Yes, I love books.Gardening is another love.Flowers, herbs, and vegetables all being me joy when I watch them grow.
My husband and I are empty nesters.Our two children each have two children of their own, giving us twin granddaughters and two grandsons.They are amazing kids!We have a teenage Pekeapoo and younger Siamese at home that we spoil now.Northside Christian Church in Southern Indiana is where we worship.The most important thing I want you to know about me is that I am a woman of faith, child of the King, and Prayer Warrior.I love God.
