Trial and Error - by Robert Whitlow

3.5 stars "If I'm honest about it, my life has been a succession of trials and errors - a lot of false starts, wrong turns, and dead ends. I press on, but I've always felt stuck, and I want to get unstuck. Does that many any sense?" It makes a lot of sense, especially since Buddy Smith's life has taken the sorts of twists and turns that many men would have written off as simply bad luck. Still desperate to find his now teen-age daughter, snatched away by her mother shortly after birth, he has channeled that determination into his law practice, tirelessly advocating for families who are missing a child due to unforeseen circumstances. When a well connected Milton County family is devastated by the disappearance of their own high school daughter, Buddy doesn't hesitate to lend assistance; along with a fairly new local detective and a long time acquaintance, County Clerk of Court, Gracie Blaylock. Gracie Blaylock has secretly admired Buddy Smith for what seems like forever, albeit from a distance. Their lives intersect occasionally on a professional basis, but her high school crush on the man has long been squashed by the lack of any reciprocation on Buddy's part. However, when a member of her girls softball team goes missing, Gracie doesn't hesitate to get Buddy involved. Who would have thought that unraveling a local disappearance would have any bearing on the deepest burden of Buddy's heart, . . . . . in fact, would anyone have guessed that the entire experience would end up transforming Buddy's heart. For Gracie's words of blessing over a meal and subsequent prayer on his mother's front porch, ushered in a blessing that only God could have orchestrated in Buddy Smith's life. "Tears began to stream down Gracie's face . . . God had touched Buddy Smith. And Gracie was there to behold it." You may think portions of this story are left unfinished. Perhaps so. But consider that fact that the un-finishing might represent the opening of a door. . . . a door that every reader is invited to enter; for this book boldly represents issues that many people are facing with fear and trepidation; may they one day look back on them with unabated joy, for the power of prayer is a beautiful gift of the Spirit.

“Trial and Error” by Robert Whitlow was a definite page turner. A story of second chances and forgiveness. Buddy, a small-town lawyer is searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Now another girl turns up missing and Buddy is determined to find them with the help of Mayleah, a new detective in town and long-time friend, Gracie. The power of God’s restoration is throughout the story as well as the power of prayer. The story is well written, and the author tackles hard topics like human trafficking. “I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.”