Marie Wells Coutu’s newest novel, The Secret Heart, is loosely based on the lives of Bathsheba and David and is the third book in her Mended Vessels series. All the books in the series are contemporary re-imaginings of the stories of strong biblical women such as Esther and the woman at the well. This one is my favorite! Secret is definitely the key word in this story!
Coutu has a beautiful way of revealing character through relationships. The main character, Shawna, is the second wife of the Governor of Tennessee. If that wasn’t hard enough, the Governor’s late wife’s mother lives with them and cares for his children. Can you imagine? Talk about fireworks!
But the real drama is between the power couple themselves. Ambition and guilt are lonely bedfellows and Coutu unravels and re-tangles their marriage with each disappointment. Can it survive all the secrets and scandal? I’ll never tell, but you’ll love getting to know the real Shawna and Hunter.