Stealing Jake ~ a book review

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman is a wonderful historical fiction novel that shows the forgiving love and amazing grace our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

"When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman."

This story has it all... romance, suspense, danger, humor, and more!  The characters are well-developed and have you cheering them on!  I especially enjoyed Gus, a quiet man who helped out his neighbors in the dark of night, not wishing to be known for his acts of kindness.  Throughout the story, God's grace and mercy and forgiveness shine through.  How many of us can say we have never sinned or have nothing hiding in our past that we don't wish people to know?  Yet, Livy, who lived on the streets of Chicago as a child, comes forward to share her past to help the street children of Chestnut.  Her desire to help others trumped her need to keep her past in the past.  How many of us would put our lives "out there" to help others?

My rating: 5 stars out of 5!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for my review.

Blessings,

     Ellen