Finding Jeena

Jeena Gregory is dumped by her boyfriend as this contemporary novel by Ferrell (The Other Daughter) opens. But she can console herself with professional success: a new job as interior designer for a high-end development marks how far she's come from a poor, troubled childhood. Jeena's also got a grandmother who brings out her best. But a major career complication knocks the wheels off the cart of success, and Jeena must make difficult choices. Not much is subtle as this evangelical Christian story predictably unfolds. A number of supporting characters are stereotypical (adorable child, catty friend) rather than convincing; colloquial dialogue rings false; there's even an altar call answered by a character who becomes transformed, a throwback to the days when Christian fiction was highly formulaic. The writing has a tendency to tell instead of show (""a cruel mouth set in a cadaverous, lewd face""; ""accentuating his masculine good looks""). Ferrell has ideas, but her execution needs work.