Perfectly Delightful

Butterfly Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that will warm your heart as you follow one summer through the eyes of three generations of women.

There is a wonderful bond between grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. Their love radiates outwards to encompass the reader as they share life in the family cottage.

We witness the partnership and love of a fifty year old marriage. The couple bounce dialogue off each other and are as much in love as when they first got together.

In contrast we see a marriage explode and unravel, hurting the innocent party.

The reader sees the power of God to heal the hurts in mind and body. “There’s no problem too deep that God can’t fix.” We just need to let Him into our lives. God longs for us to draw close to Him. He is in the business of healing, working through both miracles and medicine. We see the importance of seeking medical help when needed.

God longs for us to commune with Him. He is always just a prayer away. “Dawn closed her eyes and asked God for help.”

Sometimes in life we pull away from God. We will always need Him but we do not always recognize this. “I needed God. You do too.”

God is the God who can redeem our lives. He can and will restore the years the locusts have eaten.

There is the theme of forgiveness. It is not always easy to do but we can lean on God and forgive with His help and move forward.

All the characters were well drawn, realistic and welcoming. I felt included in their embrace. Carrie Fancett Pagels is marvellous in her depth of detail and her ability to steer my emotional response – there were two characters who certainly did not elicit warm feelings from me.

Due to the wonderful descriptions I ‘walked’ my way through the action, experiencing the beauty of the landscapes.

Carrie Fancett Pagels writes fabulous books that I always love. Butterfly Cottage is perfectly charming and will leave you smiling.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON