Stevie‘s review of Soul Survivor by I. Beacham
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 18 Apr 17
I seem to be drawn to romances in which one or both protagonists experiences a crisis of faith, possibly because the situation is outside my experience and something I’m unlikely to encounter in myself – at least in its religious sense. While Church of England clergy seem to be popular heroes to feature in the trope, I’ve rarely encountered them as the heroine of a story, even though women vicars have been around for at least half my lifetime. Add in the fact that I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Beacham so far, and it may become obvious why I had to get my hands on this book.
Sam Savage heard the calling to be ordained at a young age and gave up her one serious relationship with a woman to become a vicar. Although she personally sees no conflict between her sexuality and her beliefs, she is all too aware that others within the Anglican Church disagree vehemently with her. Besides, she has far too much to do within her parish to consider getting involved with anyone, no matter what her housekeeper has to say about people taking advantage of her good nature. Just as Sam’s been landed with yet more parish issues to deal with, not limited to the leaking roof on her Grade One Listed parish church and an organist who plays all the right notes, though not necessarily in the right order, someone with more pressing – and very different – troubles walks into her life.
Joey Barry was a famous war reporter for US TV, until she got caught up a little too intensely in the conflict, witnessing the deaths of her fellow crew members and suffering extreme hardship before finally being rescued. Now suffering from PTSD, she’s been forced to take a leave of absence from the TV station and has moved into her aunt’s house in Sam’s parish, while working as a consultant to a small British production company.
Sam and Joey hit it off straight away, even more so once Sam discovers that Joey is a talented keyboard player, who might be able to adapt her skills, temporarily, to the church organ. The pair enjoy dinners and motor bike trips together, but just as things seem to be working out from Joey’s point of view, Sam seems to put her duty to the people of her parish above the needs of her new lover. Already questioning whether her youthful vocation is still the only way she can serve her God, Sam sets out to convince Joey to give her another chance – with the help of some unexpected allies both in the UK and in the US.
I loved all the characters in this book: not just Sam and Joey, but all the rest, including Sam’s housekeeper, and her bishop and his family, as well as Joey’s parents and other family and friends. The one aspect I found jarring was the rapidity with which the point of view switched from one heroine to the other. Overall, a highly satisfying read, nonetheless.
Grade: B
Summary:
Internationally acclaimed American journalist Josephine “Joey” Barry is considered one of the most iconic correspondents of her time, having reported on major crises from many of the world’s hotspots. But everything crumbles when rebel insurgents near the Syrian border attack and kill her team, forcing her to hide. Rescued but traumatized, she finds she can no longer cope with who she once was, breaking down on national television during a live political debate.
Sent to England to try to get her mojo back, her path crosses the Reverend Samantha “Sam” Savage, a charismatic vicar with an appetite for compassion and motor biking. Non-believer Joey is drawn to her, not knowing Sam is struggling with her own demons. Can their love grow through such adversity?
Read an excerpt.
