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The Peace Maker by Michele Chynoweth shows the dirtier side of politics. Eventually, you realize, because she updates the story of Saul and David, some things never change.
A horse farmer from Kentucky, Leif Mitchell, selected to run for governor of Kentucky, wins against all odds. Later, because of his marketability and clean-cut image, the party selects him to run as the Republican candidate for President of the US.
Darren Richards, the Democratic senator from New York, opposes Mitchell. Ruthless and without conscience, Darren will go to any end to win the race, and therefore runs a smear campaign against his opponent, who leads in the polls. Angered by Richards’s politics and tactics, Leif reconsiders the high road, but after much soul-searching, decides to stay above the fray.
Darren’s wife, Chessa, know her husband to be an abusive alcoholic. She regrets the day she married him but had been blinded by his charm and position. She too has a decision to make—does she keep quiet about the senator’s evil ways and shoddy politics, or does she go to Leif to stop him from descending to Darren’s level. If Darren were to find out, her very life could be in danger.
Michele writes the machinations of politics well. The character of Leif Mitchell draws you in and, therefore, you like and sympathize with him. Darren Richards seduces the reader as he seduces Chessa. We find out when she does about his abusive attributes. Chessa plays an important role in the book. Therefore, I rooted for her to get out of her marriage and to become truly Chessa, instead of a pawn Darren uses.
The Peace Maker has politics, romance, intrigue, and relevance. You will recognize much of today in this story as well as the story of David and Saul. Four stars.
Michelle Chynoweth has won awards for her modern-day Bible stories. She aims to write contemporary novels which update Bible stories. Her purpose is to help readers better relate to God’s messages. She and her husband have a blended family of five children and live in North East, Maryland.