Title: A Father’s Love: Sacrifice and Service
Author: Jean DeFreese Moore
Publisher: Covenant Books
ISBN: 978-1-63885-864-5
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 359
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares

Read Book Review

There is something delightfully refreshing about a story which doesn’t follow a linear three-act structure. Sometimes it’s nice to just flow through the story and get to know the characters, especially when there are as many as there are in this book. Just because it doesn’t follow a traditional story structure doesn’t mean that A Father’s Love is not an engaging tale; in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

This is book four of a series, but you wouldn’t know if it wasn’t in the title because readers aren’t missing any character development. It is interesting how this book bounces between many significant events in the characters’ lives, from a scandal which shakes the small hometown – to the goings-on of World War I. You get a genuine feel for the characters in this book, and since none of the stories are sensationalized, it feels as if they are real people you are reading about in a history book. One of the most impressive aspects of the story is the historically accurate passing details, such as the fact they used mustard gas in the World War I, or how the Spanish flu ravaged the troops before making its way back to the States.

This book has strong religious themes throughout, but it is done in such a masterful way. Many times, people tend to shy away from religion because it makes people uncomfortable, but the author manages to sew the Bible’s words throughout the book in a genuine way that doesn’t overshadow the story. The references to each Bible passage are a fantastic way to guide readers to learn more about those passages – if they are so inclined.

Many times a story like this can become dry because there is more dialogue than there is action, but that is not the case with this book. A lot is going on, but it feels more like watching a TV series play out in your mind as the book seamlessly transitions from scene to scene. When you reach the end of the book, it almost doesn’t seem like the end because you are so caught up in the characters’ lives and futures.

A Father’s Love: Sacrifice and Service is exceptional because it is an entertaining read that is safe for all ages. I commend author Jean DeFreese Moore for finding a balance between sharing faith and writing a book which people from all walks of life will enjoy. Don’t worry about starting on this fourth book of a series; I’ll bet you will want to go back and read the first three.