A Wisp of Faith by Chrystal Gilkey is a contemporary romance novel set in Shady Springs, a small town in Arkansas. Mercedes has always been fascinated with clouds, and after finishing her Bachelor of Science in Meteorology course, she found work in broadcasting at a local news station. On the day she lost her job, she also received a bizarre email from an anonymous person from Shady Springs. It is a request to study a mysterious weather phenomenon that has prevailed in the town for a long time, involving a cloud that is now shrinking. Out of curiosity, she visits the town to investigate and finds out that the cloud is considered to be a symbol of God’s approval. As the cloud gets smaller, some residents blame it on Grant, their current pastor, who is resolutely trying to hold his congregation together. As Mercedes delves further, she also examines her faith in God and her feelings for Grant.

Chrystal Gilkey’s A Wisp of Faith is an inspiring story of love, faith, and forgiveness. The plot is well structured, with the exposition, complications, and resolution well laid out. I found the back story of the town’s founding fascinating, providing mystery to the narrative that should get the reader’s undivided attention. The main protagonists are well-developed and relatable. Mercedes is a complex person with realistic actions and emotions, and Grant is a man of integrity, honesty, and courage. This is a story that includes personal, romantic, and spiritual growth with the element of faith in God skillfully woven through the plot. Highly recommended!

In A Wisp Of Faith by Chrystal Gilkey, things could not have turned out any worse for Mercedes. She has lost her job and has no idea what to do next. It does not help that her faith is on its last legs as she believes God has forgotten her. Searching for something to keep her busy between jobs, she acts on a letter she received asking her to come to the town of Shady Springs to investigate a strange-looking cloud formation with an even stranger history attached to it. Mercedes does not expect what she finds when she gets there - a town going through a bad patch and a young clergyman seeking divine direction. Will she follow her heart and let divine guidance lead her to love and success or will she give up as usual?

There is a rather interesting mystery at the heart of A Wisp Of Faith. The primary character, Mercedes, shows her human nature by questioning everything that happens to her in a manner I can relate to as a vulnerable human being. Chrystal Gilkey takes her time to explain the history of Shady Springs and the influence the cloud has on the town in a detailed manner that makes the storyline easy to follow. The characters in the novel are an enterprising assortment and their conversations make for interesting reading. This is a good book, filled with a bit of everything. Romance, intrigue, and mystery are bound together to create the perfect story. Gilkey deserves plaudits for this novel.