Years ago, my mom introduced me to this incredibly sweet book called The Hawk and the Jewel by Lori Wick.

It follows a young girl named Sunny through her growing up life. It starts out with a little girl name Shani (Sunny) who finds out her whole life has been a lie. As an infant, an Arabian king kidnapped Sunny after her parents were shipwrecked. She discovers she is actually English and her family thought she was dead. Much to her family’s surprise, the king decides that Sunny should return to them – after 14 years.

This novel recount her struggle to find her identity and peace for her restless spirit. She learns to forgive the lies of her past. She also discovers the need for something or someone more.

Sunny’s personal challenges through the book brought me so much comfort as I read her story. I always struggled to find my place wherever I was and I never felt like I belonged. Lori Wick used her tale to knit together in me a deep love for this verse:

Psalm 139:14,

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well. “

Sunny and I discovered together that our worth did not come from the people around us. It did not come from our financial status. Our worth comes from the only One who gave us worth – God. He is the One who fills that restless void with His peace and His value.

“Years of searching and emptiness were wiped away as Christ filled her with joy and contentment.” – The Hawk, and the Jewel.

What would a novel be without a little romance too? Sunny’s story includes an exciting love story. It inspired my love story with my husband too. I will not spoil that ending…you can read that for yourself!

If you are looking for a sweet, godly romance novel, look no further than the first book in the Kensington Chronicles.