Zenobia Miller, know as Zee, is a minister’s daughter with a spirit that can’t seem to find happiness in her hometown. She dreams of being an actress with fame and fortune. Her father understands nothing about Zee, all he sees is that she’s breaking all his rules and setting a bad example for the members of his church. Zee is determined to follow her dream no matter who she hurts or what rules she breaks.

Doyle Lawrence is the rich kid in school. His father is a lawyer with both money and respect who expects his oldest son to follow in his footsteps. Doyle on the other hand isn’t sure what he wants, only that he thinks he loves Zee. She makes him happy and brings out the free spirit in him. When he heads off to college he’s not sure what the future will bring, but can only hope it’s something he’ll want.

As war breaks out, Doyle joins the military. He feels that is where he is supposed to be. He wasn’t happy in college anyway. Zee on the other hand makes some bad decisions that caused her to end up in LA with secrets she wants to keep. As she struggles to follow her dream, Doyle faces a battle unlike any he’s ever experienced before.

When Doyle returns home from the war he’s a different man. Soon he finds himself in LA, but now he’s at the bottom of life’s ladder and unsure if he wants to climb higher.  Zee meanwhile has found a way to make her dreams come true. When their lives unexpectedly cross once again, they see that they are far different from whom they dreamed of being.

Will either of them find their way back to the God they both gave up on? Can life’s unexpected turns lead to happiness or only more heartache?

With James Scott Bell’s latest release, GLIMPSES OF PARADISE we follow the life of Zee and Doyle as they struggle to find the meaning of life. Mr. Bell writes a novel that is full of heartache as well as joy. Each character has a lot to overcome to find peace and possible happiness. The inspirational message is at the front of this novel and is told as these two, as well as other characters, struggle to find a faith they can rely on. Those who enjoyed Mr. Bell’s previous series featuring Kit Shannon will be happy to know she makes an appearance in this book as well. There is a little romance within this story as well. While at times I found the story slow, I am glad to have read it. The setting of WWI and the early days of movies is both fascinating and fresh. Fans of James Scott Bell will be thrilled with GLIMPSES OF PARADISE.