Amazing Disgrace

Aida has become the black sheep of her family when she begins to question her faith. Catholicism as far as her father and over bearing grandmother is concerned is their foundation. Aida’s on-again, off-again boyfriend has been raised by a strict Catholic father himself and Birch and Aida find themselves in a situation of them against the world. But before they can forge their way forward a personal tragedy comes between them. And Birch again turns to the church.

Now Aida finds herself very alone. She must find a way to bridge the gaps between herself and those she loves.

This book makes the reader run a gamete of emotions. It gives an insight into just how important religion is to many people, and how others question the truths and traditions that they grew up believing in. When these things happen within a strong-minded family, sparks are sure to fly. This reviewer felt so much heart ache for Aida. She is a wonderful character that will win the reader’s heart. It seems that everything hits Aida all at once and while not always able to contend with her situation in the best way possible, she is very human. The same can be said for Birch. He seems to be in the proverbial place of stuck between a rock and a hard place. Kudos to Catherine DiMercurio Dominic for penning such a believable characters for all of us to enjoy.

One thing this reviewer struggled with is how can a family disown or make a pariah out of one of their own over the question of belief. While this reader’s religion is important to her, she can’t imagine letting religious differences create such a rift. AMAZING DISGRACE is a poignant look at the consequences of this very thing, a gripping tale that had this reader in tears more than once.

Very well written and smooth flowing, this reviewer gives AMAZING DISGRACE thumbs up and highly recommends it to contemporary romance lovers with a warning that it could almost fall into the inspirational romance genre, if it had been a little more uplifting.

January 2007