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I was privileged, some time ago, to read A Path to Forgiveness by Lisa James (what a deeply moving, incredible story). This is her second book in The Prodigal Woman Series, this time featuring Penelope, a young woman who’d been sold to a tavern owner (read: brothel). We meet Penelope about ten years after her introduction into this life.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Path To Acceptance by Lisa M. James, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Wanton. Tainted. Immoral. These were all words that could describe Penelope. After being forced into a world of harlotry to cover her parents’ debts, Penny learned how to survive without feeling. When a mysterious man approaches Penny with an offer to free her from her situation, Penny soon discovers that leaving her tavern could not rid her of the reputation she gained as a harlot. Would anyone be able to see beyond her tainted past?
Abandoned by his father as a child, Ryland refuses to depend on anyone but himself. Surviving as a mercenary for wealthy landowners, he accepts an assignment to free a harlot from a life of slavery. Frustrated when he is forced to take her under his care, Ryland discovers there is more to this harlot than her beauty. Can her unshakeable faith bring him back to a Redeemer he has long since rejected? Discover the story of a tainted woman in A Path to Acceptance.PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
More Books in this Series
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of A Path to Acceptance & a Vera Bradley Crossbody bag (plum pansies print)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 22, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 29, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
My thoughts
Penelope has lived in forced slavery as a sex worker for ten years. She was told how to survive it by the head harlot at her tavern. And later, interestingly enough, Penelope met the Redeemer; and she has lived in hope of his redemption even as her life stole so much from her. She lived the life of a prostitute on the outside, while inside she had the faith of a believer.
But not truly, any hope of rescue.
Until rescue comes indeed. After a handsome and mysterious man watches Penelope, and the comings and goings of the tavern for over a week, he leaves; only to return to take her away, at the request of Audora, a blind vintner who had been served by Penelope while having to stop at the tavern as her cart was repaired. Penelope finally agrees to leave with Ryland. But can she leave behind the inner damage that 10 years of forced sex work had done to her, as she gains freedom and the opportunity to work for Audora? Unfortunately, troubles follow her; but they’re those she’s never had to face in the context of freedom. Plus, war is coming for her new homeland; and it’s war with the Redeemers’ enemies, the sorcerers. Penelope has the Redeemer and she has the gift of faith. But will those be enough?
I absolutely fell in love with Penelope, and was captivated by her story, and by Ryland’s, the metalworker/weapons maker who sidelines as a mercenary. (Just the right person to rescue Penelope!) Lisa James is exceptionally good at creating characters she helps us to understand both inside and out (and we really come to comprehend the damage that Penny’s former life has left on her mind, soul, and even spirit). There’s not only our co-protagonists, Penelope and Ryland. There’s also Audora, the vintner; Tedley, her head steward; Benesh, Audora’s nephew; Luke and Noah, young brothers; and the warriors, priests, and other residents of her new village. She has to adjust to this new life (which still feels uncertain), and to be healed of the desperate pain of her past. It’s going to take a lot of events and interactions to take her down the new path that’s set before her. There’s even love waiting; but can she convince herself that, even with the Redeemer, she’s worthy of it?
This is absolutely a book you don’t want to miss. God’s redeeming and healing love–rescue of a woman from the sex trade (which Lisa James does describe obliquely, not flagrantly)–and the opportunity to see His hand at work in not only her life but in the events of her new land. It’s heartbreaking, marvelous, and so encouraging.
Be blessed–Wren
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
finchnwren 
beautiful review! Thanks for being on the tour 🙂
Thank you so much!! ❤ ❤