1) In that first real expository paragraph, the narrator says that Leah is content with her non-sexual relationship with Jacob and is only passionate about “one thing.” The author leaves that “thing” ambiguous…is she talking about her relationship with Jacob…or something else?
2) I do love that the author introduces an external conflict immediately: Leah needs to preserve the “Soup’s On” program. There is also the added benefit that the objection comes from her future mother-in-law. (As if a woman needs more ways in which to butt heads with her mother-in-law!)
3) I do wonder whether the book could begin after that section break, but I love that the author gets right into the conflict immediately. The dilemma has clear moral and ethical stakes. Leah wishes to serve the homeless and to do the “right” thing by them; Geraldine wishes to do the “right” thing by the church and its community. The reader is interested to see how the debate develops in the story.
Check out the author’s web site and buy the book!
