Troy Daniels, his mom, and his little sister are on the run from those who refuse to believe Troy is innocent of the charges he is accused of. Set in the late winter of 1891, the family is forced to leave their home and travel west, where they end up in a small ranching town called Spring River, Wyoming. Troy was tried for murder and acquitted, but the family of the victim still believes he is guilty and will go to extreme lengths to get justice for their lost loved one. Can Troy’s family’s faith in God strengthen them as the truth about that dark night comes to light?

The Innocent for the Guilty by Sandi Rebert blends a heartwarming Christian romance with a thrilling Western novel. Rebert does a fantastic job with flashbacks and dialogue to tell the full story of how the family ended up where they are. This literary device keeps readers engaged because they feel like they are there listening to Troy tell his story and not getting it from a narrator. The author also has a captivating way of describing things. This passage stood out to me, “Time seemed to crawl by on the stumpy feet of a tortoise yet fly by on the swift wings of an eagle.” This writing style helps readers connect to the characters and the situation, allowing them to feel the deep emotions that this story brings out.

What set this novel apart for me in the Christian fiction genre is how the author used her characters to spread the word of God without coming across as a sermon. Instead, the power of faith is shown through Troy and his family’s unwavering faith and the gentle way they share their beliefs with others by being themselves, how they treat others, sharing their faith when asked, or through casual conversation. There is also the message of forgiveness that no matter what, holding onto hate only feeds darkness in the soul. The author shows that forgiveness is not easy but is essential for inner peace.

The Innocent for the Guilty is a story of faith, family, and forgiveness. The novel is for any reader who enjoys a heartwarming story set in the Old West. The quick pace and the relatable characters make this a great book to pick up when you need a story of hope for when everything seems like it is falling apart around you.

Pages: 175 | ASIN : B0B9QWPSZ3