Every Life Treasured by Jennifer Q. Hunt, Hannah Hood Lucero, and Aubrey Reiss Review

 

Every Life Treasured is a wonderful collection of novellas about the value of life. Stories that take place in three seperate eras. They were each very powerful, and yes, emotional. And the reader can see the redemption found in Christ. 

A Mother's Tender Touch by Jennifer Q. Hunt:

This story dealt with unwed mothers during the Depresssion Era, along with a child who had Downs Syndrome. 

Alice was a social worker who worked for a charity that helped people in need. At the beginning of the book she comes to the Tanner's home to see how she can help them. The family was struggling because the father had been injured and was unable to work. The oldest son, Seth, had taken jobs to help bring in some income, but they were still struggling. At first I wasn't a huge fan of Alice because even though she was helping, she was quite judgmental of the family's circumstances. However, as she got to know them her eyes were opened to the love and faith they had, even in their troubles. And as a reader we learn more of her background and understand the struggles she herself is going through. 

The Missionary and the Marine by Hannah Hood Lucero:

This story dealt with a baby conceived by rape and learning to love that baby and see the worth in her. 

Unlike the other two books which are historical, this one takes place in current times. Walt and Dee were planning to get married after she returned from a mission trip to the Middle East. However, she was abducted and spent months imprisoned by Muslims who abused her. When reunited with Walt they need to work through the new reality of her being a mother of a child conceived by rape. Even through such adversity, the value of all life is seen. 

Born for Adversity by Aubrey Reiss Taylor:

This story dealt with an unwed mother in the years after WWI and choosing adoption over abortion.

This story took place in Germany in the years after WWI. Lani finds herself with child after spending time with a man she cared for; however she is engaged to another guy she met in France during the war. The father abandons her and the other guy wants her to get an abortion. She has to choose whether she wants to keep the baby or give it up for adoption. This was actually my least favorite in the collection. I'm not sure if it was because there are three separate men she finds herself having feelings for. Or it could be because of how it comes from a Catholic point of view in the story, with Lani having to continually go to confession and do her penance. Also the ending was quite different than what I was expecting. 

I do highly recommend these stories and definitely want to look into other stories by these authors. From my understanding each of these stories does connect to other books by the authors. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.