This memoir is nothing short than an account of a miracle.

LaJoyce Brookshire fell in love, hard, as any woman would when bouquets of flowers greet her at home and work on a weekly basis. Dining at expensive restaurants becomes a typical weekend tryst. Brookshire is rendered defenseless as her beau monopolizes her heart. But soon after they marry, he begins to sporadically reveal pieces of his true self.

Gradually, Brookshire observes more disturbing behavior while in the company of her husband. He has bouts of anger and fits of rage that are contrary to the gentleman she deemed as her “Prince Charming.” Throughout the narrative Brookshire hears whispered warnings about her husband, but love, as they say, is blinding and her loving eyes did not see.

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Until one day Brookshire’s husband becomes extremely sick, and after many failed attempts of trying to remedy his ailments, finally she had no choice but to take him to a hospital. Forty days later the doctor informs her that her husband has AIDS.

Each time her spirit is at a low ebb, she hears the voice of the Lord softly speaking, “Don’t let Me go,” and she didn’t let go…ever.

Brookshire allows God to demonstrate His power through what may be some of the weakest moments in her life. Her faith remains as did she. She stays with her husband, just as she vowed to do, in sickness and health, for better or worse. After she discovers that he and his family knew long before she had ever met him that he was HIV positive, she does not gleefully hope for the elongated suffering of her husband. She remains at his side. After she discovers that his plan from the beginning is for her to become infected and for them to die together, she does not stoop to the lows of vindictiveness, nor does she allow her heart to become rooted in bitterness. She continues by his side. Not many could forgive such selfish acts of deceit, but Brookshire finds the courage through that of a greater power not limited by earthly restraints. In spite of her hurts, disappointments, and ultimate betrayal by the man of her dreams, she is longsuffering, enduring, and forgiving.

This book put me on an emotional rollercoaster, it made me laugh, cry, hope, and thankful. Brookshire has a remarkable story to share. She takes the harshness of her reality and envelopes it within the pages of Fire Under Faith. She exposes hard truths and openly deals with circumstances that others hush. This book will definitely make someone who’s eager for marriage think twice. Take a valuable lesson from Brookshire, it just may save your life.

Reviewed by: Takiela Bynum