CrossReads Book Spotlight

The Secret of the Lilies

by A. J. Avila

How can God derive good from evil?

Markette Mason is bullied at school and highly criticized at home. Even her one and only friend seemingly betrays her. Markette’s pain appears pointless until Joshua, a mysterious young teen, convinces her that God can draw tremendous good for other children from her sufferings, even if she can’t see how that is possible.

Meanwhile, Scarlet Hansen, Markette’s classmate and major tormentor, allows her envy of the girl to ripen into a full-blown hatred—until a case of bullying leads to an unintended tragedy. Scarlet believes she is condemned to a lifetime of regret with her conscience eating away at her soul like a dark stone in her heart. Yet, even from beyond the grave, Markette helps Scarlet by opening up a pathway of healing which blossoms into the blessings Joshua had promised.