Choose Love

King Of Hearts by Mark Stibbe is a contemporary Christian tale of love and loss, fear and friendship, guilt and forgiveness. It reminded me of the prodigal son as there is a character who forgives and loves without judgement, one who is angry and hurt and another who needs to come home. The tale shows that no matter how far we fall, we are never out of reach of the Father’s love.

The world is a dangerous place. Discontentment is a terrible lure, once we fall into its hands, life will spiral downwards. When we chase after money and the pleasures of the world, we have lost our focus on what is really important. Money and pleasures of the flesh always attract the wrong sort of attention. We need to be aware of where our eyes look because our heart will follow.

The richest people in the novel are not those with the most money but those with the biggest hearts. In worldly terms the richest people appear to be those who are dirt poor, but it is them who look out for others. The reader sees a sacrificial love as characters show they are the hands and feet, the eyes and ears of Jesus. I was reminded of the words of missionary Jim Elliot as I read, “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

There is a beautiful bond between man and man’s best friend which brought a tear to my eye.

King Of Hearts was a powerful story of redemption. It is only when we reach rock bottom can we stretch out our arms and let Jesus rescue us. It is beautiful to witness a character surrender to Jesus and come home.

King Of Hearts was a fabulous debut novel from Mark Stibbe. I hope to read much more by him.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON