Waiting on Faith is a work of fiction in the Christian and family drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Tricia Cundiff. In a character-driven story with strong emotional drama and themes of forgiveness and self-punishment, our central characters are Lizzie and Patch. Lizzie finds it impossible to forgive herself for a decision which she once made, and Patch struggles to show her that she deserves love and God’s own forgiveness too. The stories of their ancestors and the journal of a young girl from the age of vicious pirates help the pair come to terms with their demons in the here and now and overcome the evil that haunts them.

Questions of faith and doubt are often deep and thought-provoking, and this novel is a really excellent and fulfilling exploration of a true crisis of faith and one’s own identity as a Christian. Author Tricia Cundiff has a talent for character and emotional development, and it is Lizzie and her deep emotional arc which gives the novel its backbone and keeps the intrigue flowing in the quieter moments of the tale. Stories from the past intertwine beautifully with the present and deliver some excellent atmospheric touches with the use of vivid descriptions and thematic parallels. There is a strong sense of narrative control from Cundiff, which puts us in safe hands as all the story threads come together for a satisfying and interesting final message. Overall, Waiting on Faith is a recommended read for fans of Christian fiction, emotional dramas, and excellent writing.

Patch and Lizzie are very much in love. They met in college and their connection was instant. Now, several years and a war later, Patch finally takes Lizzie home to his beloved Sanibel Island, to propose to her and seek his parents’ approval. It all goes well at first. Lizzie joyfully agrees to marry him, and his mother and father love her. But then Lizzie’s past rises up to dull her joy. How can she be the wife Patch needs with the dark secrets that continue to haunt her? She believes in God and in His forgiveness but she struggles to believe that He could forgive her mistakes. A journal from one of Patch’s ancestors and Patch’s own patient belief in her help her to realize that God has already forgiven her. The real question is, can she forgive herself?

Waiting on Faith, by Tricia Cundiff, is a story of forgiveness and faith. Drawing on the legends surrounding Sanibel Island, Cundiff combines the past and the present, joining them in a single theme of love: the love we have for each other; the love we have for God, and the love He has for us. Cundiff’s writing is simple but effective. The personal struggles of each of the main characters, and especially Lizzie, are portrayed well. Patch and Lizzie’s romance is sweet and their relationship is believable. I loved the theme and the story itself. If you are a Christian reader looking for a clean romance with some depth and adventure to it, you just might want to give this one a try.