.

Patchwork Stained Glass

Novel (Book Club Fiction)

Description

Romilly Shepard spent her childhood with abusive parents, and as a college student, she finds comfort in the hard facts of science. She lives with her friend Martha, also an atheist, and they see each other as like-minded rationalists who stand elbow-to-elbow against a hopelessly irrational world. Intent on debunking, Romilly and Martha sign up for a comparative religion class, but the instructor, a graduate student and preacher named Ernest, challenges Romilly's assumptions. His open-mindedness and tolerance broaden Romilly's mind and win her heart.

Martha feels betrayed by Romilly's love for a preacher, and Ernest’s congregation thinks Romilly is a heathen in need of salvation. Friction mounts between Romilly and Ernest, and she fears she’s nothing more than his Convert-an-Atheist Project. But when a chronic disease threatens Ernest’s life, labels given by other people no longer seem so important. Romilly takes a crash course in faith and hope — faith in Ernest’s love, hope for his healing. In doing so, she learns to embrace their differences and not fear them, but has her awakening come too late?

Excerpt

“The way I see things, Martha, is that you and I could be good friends," Ernest said. "We could talk, debate, even argue. The reason is that how you live your life and how I live my life are in keeping with our own beliefs. If you didn't live your life within your belief system and I didn't live my life within my belief system, then that would make us liars to ourselves and to all who know us. And I don't think either one of us would want to be known, to those we care about, as liars.”

“No,” Martha said. “I hate lies, and I hate liars.”

“Then it's obvious we have common moral ground to work from."

“Not much like Gouge, is he? Or like...” Again, Romilly bit her tongue to keep from mentioning Pete, Martha's adoptive father.

“He's enough like Gouge in ways that matter,” Martha said. “They both have faith in the supernatural, and faith in the supernatural is irrational. It's magical thinking. It's what threatens to hold our species down, keep us from progressing.”

“It seems to me we're on parallel paths,” Ernest said. “We're both seeking truth. Most of all, though, we're on paths. We haven't come to the end of our journeys. I don't have to walk your path and you don't have to walk mine, but that doesn't mean we can't wave and say 'hi' to each other along the way.”

“Well, I'd be more comfortable if you and Romilly would stay on separate paths.”

“I know you would, but that's just a feeling. Unfortunately, human emotion is something that neither atheists nor religious people have learned to control. And in my opinion, we have to learn to acknowledge our humanity before we can avow—or disavow—a deity.”

“Well,” Martha said, “well.” Rom heard her shuffling her feet under the table. Then Martha stood. “I've got to go.”

Rom reached toward Martha. “Please stay just a few more minutes–”

Martha backed away, then glowered at Ernest. “You haven't impressed me, Defarge. You're just another medievalist on a crusade.”

“Okay, but I have to say I enjoyed our conversation.”

Martha ignored him and turned to Romilly. Her face burned with fury, but Rom saw sadness playing hide-and-seek in her eyes. “As for you, you're no better than your mother or mine. You're just another little woman putting herself and her well-being at the mercy of an irrational man.”

Romilly felt as though Martha had slapped her. “What the–”

Martha turned and left the Grotto.

Now available as an ebook from the Kindle store (Amazon), Barnes & Noble (Nook), and Smashwords.

Reviews Pending...

...coming soon!