DOUBLE HONOR

Issue-driven novels continue to be staple fare for CBA readers, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse will appreciate this story of Christian faith and emotional healing from two seminar speakers and first-time novelists. As Mallory, a commercial artist, is commissioned to illustrate a children's book on sexual abuse, the brutal rape and murder of an elementary school girl makes local newspaper headlines. The juxtaposition of the two events causes Mallory to recall her own childhood sexual trauma. As she works with a counselor and her pastor to sift through her memories, she cracks open the facade of her perfect family, realizes how she has anesthetized her feelings of shame and discovers clues as to why her marriage and personal life are disintegrating. The writing is competent, although there's an annoying amount of italicized text, and the journal entries that begin each chapter are an unnecessary distraction. False trails are laid that keep the reader guessing, and Mallory's journey of healing mostly rings with authenticity. However, in a massive understatement, Mallory reflects on her rape as a seven-year-old at the hands of her older brother: "Mallory knew she should forgive Eric. But, dear God, there were days when she didn't want to." The authors also couldn't resist adding an epilogue where Mallory and her husband, Jake, speak at a church retreat about their experiences, a forced and anticlimactic contrivance. Despite these pitfalls, the authors deal forthrightly and sensitively with a difficult topic. (Apr.)