Hearts of Compassion: Inspirational Novel Inspires Respect for the Homeless

There is a homeless man who lives in one of the parks near my home. He walks past my house every morning and every evening carrying a blanket wrapped around all of his belongings. He looks like a sad version of Santa, carrying everything he owns in the world. By mid-day, he's walked several miles to Starbucks, but I've never seen him begging or asking anyone for help. Instead, he exists on the streets of LA in silence making the best of his life.

Unless you've walked in someone else's ill-fitting shoes decorated with holes, you shouldn't judge. The inspirational novel "Hearts of Compassion" by Eryn Grace reinforces this message. The characters in this particular novel work together toward change.

From the moment high and mighty Rylee Fitz meets Ben Colson, it is clear that her attitude has to change. Ben is the lawyer for the Guardian Home for the Needy. He's married to his work and he truly has a heart, while Rylee is about to find her heart.

One of the most poignant lines comes from Ben when he says of the homeless: "It can happen to any of us."

In this economy, this story struck a chord with me. There are people who are homeless today who weren't homeless only weeks ago. While there is a romance brewing in "Hearts of Compassion," the more powerful story is what brought people to a point of homelessness and recovery. It is a story of inspiration.

The stories within the main plot are poignant. A man who used to run a multi-million dollar corporation lost everything and had to start over again. A woman whose family was killed in house fire was now walking the streets begging for cash. A woman who was in hiding from her ex-husband. A woman who loses her child to the foster system. Each person has a story as they found themselves living on the streets through unexpected circumstances. Through the featured help for the needy, the homeless were finding a good meal and a safe place to take a nap during the day. Any one of us could find ourselves struggling and living on the streets.

It is Rylee's transformation that takes shape in this book. Add in Ben, a man devoted to his work, and an honest approach from a pastor who is a realist, instead of judgmental, and you discover a formula for a contemporary change in spirit. The religious elements also provided support to the characters when they needed it the most to continue their work.

I liked that there were no wasted moments between Rylee and Ben. In fact, their time spent together seemed realistic through character building. Helping people through the discovery of life's challenges clearly helps you grow as a person.

It makes you wonder if you should get off the couch and do more with your life to listen, support and help other people. Rylee reinforces how helping people who are down on their luck does make a difference, "...for once in my life, I can really help someone and feel good about it."

When the life of one of the characters takes a dramatic turn, it changes everything. Words from the pastor are powerful, "If someone truly loves you, they accept you for what you are. They won't leave you and will help you through the tough times."

"Hearts of Compassion" by Eryn Grace is a book with contemporary issues that helps people realize what they can do instead of what they can't do. It also makes readers realize that when things fall apart, there is always a way to put your life together and start over again. Accepting help is the first step toward hope.

For more information visit Red Rose Publishing.

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