Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson

So the premise for this book (which you can find below) was a bit misleading as far as what to possibly expect from Aunt Bel's story.  The synopsis says, "But Bel is hiding something. Though she won't talk about it, Sara soon learns that Bel has been through a hellish ordeal. And she has the burn marks to prove it."  But the odd thing is - there were no burn marks mentioned in the story.  I actually kept waiting to learn about these supposed burn marks and at whose hand she was suffering abuse from and it was never even mentioned nor did the story take that direction - kinda weird.  She did suffer an injury that you find out about, but not because of any abuse.  

Had I not read the synopsis I would have been completely content with how the story unfolded - it was really good and I very much enjoyed it a lot!  But I'm bummed that the teaser (if you will) was kinda misleading. 

For what it's worth - great story, great writing and I still highly recommend it.  But don't take the description below too literal, cause it's not exactly the real story.  

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review a copy of Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson - I'm so excited to have found another Christian author with whose writing I very much enjoyed!!  Oh and one other thing - did Lisa base the character Finn on my husband?  Because OH MA GOSH.  I swear, every time Finn started a project around the house, I couldn't help but laugh and empathize with Sara so much.  Girl I have been there.  WAY too funny.  

Description:  "When her aunt shows up homeless on her doorstep, Sara suspects anything but a miracle.

Sara's an artist with a supportive husband and a house that folks on her block admire outright. But she's restless and bored with life.

Then her legendary Aunt Bel shows up, wearing a smile after years without a word.

Twenty years ago, fresh out of college, Bel left for a summer missions trip and never returned. Now she's on Sara's doorstep, looking for a place to crash. Sara can't say no to family, even if she hasn't seen Bel since she was a nine-year-old girl. But saying yes to Bel turns Sara's whole precariously-balanced life upside down.

The enigmatic Bel gives Sara's family and their community a jolt of fresh thinking and clarity.

But Bel is hiding something. Though she won't talk about it, Sara soon learns that Bel has been through a hellish ordeal. And she has the burn marks to prove it."

"[Samson's] gift for creating unique, flawed character elevates this book above others. Each line has so much truth, and readers will likely ponder different passages long after finishing." --"Romantic Times Review," TOP PICK! 4 1/2 stars

"Samson's quirky characters will have readers laughing, crying, and shaking their heads in disbelief, sometimes all at the same time. This uplifting read . . . will attract fans of women's fiction and especially works by authors Sarah Jio, Anne Tyler, and Alice Hoffman." --"Library Journal"

Rating: ****

Recommend: For sure!  Good clean writing that flowed so well, with an intriguing story line that will keep you guessing till the very end!