The Encounter by Steve Arterburn

Synopsis from Booksneeze.com

A wealthy businessman travels to Fairbanks, Alaska, to learn why his mother abandoned him when he was a child, and in the process learns that not everything is as it appears to be.

The Encounter, the unique new book from best-selling author and counselor Stephen Arterburn, is a moving parable involving Jonathan Rush, a wealthy and famous entrepreneur, who is tortured by bitterness toward his mother who abandoned him when he was four. He travels to Alaska to find her but instead meets an enigmatic old woman known only as Mercy. Mercy has the information he needs but is strangely reluctant to talk to him. Somehow Jonathan must find a way to persuade a frightened woman to unlock the secrets of his past.

The book includes an invitation to the readers to verify the facts of their own stories, to accept the reality of their existence, especially the most painful ones, and to live in forgiveness. The end result is a healthy new way to look at life with an ability to share hope with others for the future. Healing is possible but requires truth, acceptance, and forgiveness, including of oneself.

My Comments :

For me it is an interesting book to read.

There are many trials in our life but for Jonathan its more than that. His hatred for his birth mother was like a black cloud in his life. The hatred sipped into his relationship with other women, It resulted in three failed marriage.

I love the way the author slowly unfolds the plot and the reasons behind each scene. The pace is good enough for me.

The author really have talent in turning the characters in this book very "human" with all the emotions. I can see the anguish that Jonathan was going through. Maybe the emotion was so raw is because the book is some what based on background of some real people.

I find this book easy to read. Heart warming as it's about forgiveness. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. . The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”