I'm a lover of words, expression and am smitten with numerous books, but Christian fiction is a genre I seldom explored. In my senior year of high school, I read a book that was supposedly within the "holy" section of reads but was surprised to find a plethora of eroticism, sexual content and vulgarity as I turned the pages. Needless to say, I didn't have the best first impression.

Roschelle McKenzie's novel Night Before Dawn, introduced me to none of the above. Set both in New York and a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Sabrina--the main character and narrator--struggles to live in peace and happiness after several life-altering tragedies. Her unexplained dismissal of God and faith in the beginning and well into the middle of the story is awkward but is clarified in the final chapters after the mention of her twin brother's death.

Such a delayed resolution adds a bit of confusion, overpowering the quality of suspense, but won't cause you to give up on the story. Other mishaps before the mention of her brother include her disdain for her boss, her job loss, her grandmother's battle with cancer and her distant relationship with her mother. They all simply hint at the reasons for her resentment of God, but there is always something missing. The eventual reveal of her deceased twin brother implies that her angst is rooted in his death.

The feeling of losing a loved one, being betrayed by a confidant -- in Sabrina's case her fiance Eric and best friend Monique -- and having to pick up the pieces of your life thereafter resonates with all mankind, both Christians and non.

We find out that Sabrina was raised in the church, but forsakes her beliefs. Consumed by anger, she lives life the way she thinks is best. It is the actions and lifestyle of Claudia, her roommate, which alter her way of thinking and eventually lead her back to God. 

God's mercy and grace is ultimately praised as the novel concludes, but the manner in which the theme of hope, faith and transformation is broached seems too forced and thus feels like an insincere depiction of these experiences.

Besides the mention of an old woman evangelizing on a NYC train car, which I witness on a weekly basis to date, there are several instances when the dialogue between characters is too preachy and generic.

During Sabrina's disclosure of her new found faith in Christ to Eric, she says:

I'm a Christian woman now and totally committed to living the Christian lifestyle...You see, the problem was that I had built my foundation on sand...I've realized that when we misplace the importance of people and things in our lives, it turns into idolatry, and eventually it will fall apart...You were the cause, Jesus is the cure. Don't get me wrong I'm not blaming you for everything. I was the one who had the wrong priorities in order... One thing I always want you to remember is: the key to lasting happiness is to seek God first and everything that pleases Him. Then, and only then, will your life fall correctly into place. And that's Bible!

There is a bit of irony in Sabrina's life after coming to Christ. She becomes the very person she once disliked. The name of God is always on her lips, she is able to forgive others who hurt her and see past the turmoils that arise. Although plausible, the transition of this transformation occurs rather dramatically. Too dramatically. I waited with bated breath for Sabrina to come down from her "holy high." 

She raves about her trust in God with pride and very little humility, proclaiming that He was the same God she once rejected. I wasn't convinced. As the story progresses, however, there is a peace that overcomes Sabrina's character in the midst of temptations and hardships. It is undeniable that the difference between her present and past self is her trust in God.

We learn that Sabrina is product of rape and sexual abuse. It is the first time that Sabrina doesn't identify herself as a mistake, but a vessel worthy for God's use. With a former drug-addicted mother, she doesn't filter her outlook by the events of the past, but attempts to look ahead.

After the birth of her daughter, Dawn and simultaneous death of her twin - who Sabrina names Joy - the narrator connects her foreshadowed dreams, reevaluates the people who have journeyed through her life and prepares for her future. Her heart is no longer cold, but is finally at peace.  She shares this new side of her with family and friends.

Despite my impressions, Night Before Dawn is a good read. It evokes a good range of emotions: sorrow and joy with twists and turns, conjuring up a laugh or two.

I rate it 2 New Yorks and a half Miami.