The Ball's In Her Court by Heather Justesen

The Ball's In Her Court by Heather Justesen

When I first read an excerpt of Heather's debut novel, just from the first paragraph, I knew I would love it and when I received my review copy, it surpassed my expectations. Denise DeWalt is a Computer Programmer who loves her job, her co-workers, friends and family, but is still missing something in her life. In her spare time, she works at finding the biological parents of adoptees, but is nagged by the ghosts of her past that trigger her to search for her mother, who had abandoned, neglected and abused her. Her roommate and best friend's cousin becomes her new boss and there seems to be some interest and since there's no fraternizing between employees, Denise decides to do something to change this.

Since Denise is bitter towards the foster care system, it's difficult to get through her fears of getting too close with any men, so when Rich Jensen won't give up fighting for her trust, she still pushes him away. With her prowess on the basketball court, she's able to keep up with the guys, even when she finds out something startling about her sister's fiance she plays 3 on one with at the gym.

When she has fears about locating her biological father and brothers and sister she didn't know existed, not knowing if she'd be rejected like her mother rejected her, she hides away from everyone who loves her. When she finds someone that is reacting the same way she has been reacting, it finally becomes a wake-up call for her. When she's finally able to face her mother again after fifteen years, she is feeled with hate and anger, but finally sees the futility in her feelings and comes to realize she doesn't hate her mother anymore, as it's her adoptive mother she loves more. She comes to realize she can move forward with her life once she leaves the bitterness and anger behind. Denise comes to realize the atoning that her Savior, Jesus Christ, did for her and for all mankind, to keep us from that sad, bitter life that some of us take on. Denise comes to realize just how very much she is loved and that she can really begin to heal and love others.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

I received my review copy from Heather Justesen and Cedar Fort.

Publisher: Cedar Fort
Pub. Date: May 2009
256pp