Soiled Dove

A wonderful novel series by April Timms that speaks of a young girl, Clara, encountering a world of bondage, freedom, healing, and hope – through an unspeakable family tragedy.

Soiled Dove, set back in the late 1800s, speaks of a tale of grace in overcoming human trafficking. Clara, once an outgoing, family-loving, and pure young girl, was unknowingly sent to an environment that darkened her very spirit born from the depths of sin and of human deprivation. Her father had believed that he was sending her off to save her; however, Clara was sold into desperate circumstances, moving from place to place as a child of sex-slavery. However, Clara finds salvation, redemption, and grace from the most unlikely places.

This is the story of resilience and good coming from the most evil of situations. Intertwining scripture verses and Clara’s experience (non-graphic), the author focuses on Clara’s emotions and captivity. Yet, Clara finds redemption, love, and restoration.

A captivating and heartbreaking story created from a ten-minute dream given by the Lord! The author (as a mental health trauma therapist) recounts this in her book. To say the least, this is a special book! Readers will wonder – perhaps, Clara Freemont did exist, as of yet, God it seems to be fighting on all fronts to end this pervasive depravity that affects many across the globe.

This is book 1 of the series, Soiled Dove. Readers who enjoy Christian fiction set in the 1800s, this book is a mini-series in the making! Don’t miss Soiled Dove - surely to become a classic.

Soiled Dove by April Timms is a short faith-based novel that centers on the life of Clara and her journey of resilience and survival as she becomes entangled in a dark and cruel world.

Clara Fremont, a young lady, felt shattered after hearing the devastating news about her parents. There had been an accident, and her mother had died while her father was hospitalized. Left alone and in pain, Clara decided to try her best to help her father recover. Her father eventually got better, but he was left disabled and depressed. In an attempt to provide for his daughter, her father sold her out to a strange man. Feeling sad and scared, Clara ended up accepting, hoping that this newfound life that was to come would end up in her favor.

Opinion:
Soiled Dove explains Clara's story of survival after being bound into human trafficking. It also expatiated on the gruesome reality of human trafficking as well as Christian faith-based elements. Soiled Dove, as the name implies, refers directly to females who have had their rights taken away from them and sold out to earn money through engaging in disgusting acts. They were once innocent as “Doves,” but are now tainted, leaving them “Soiled.”

Sold to a cruel man named Clyde, Clara is portrayed as one of many women who had been stripped of their pride and innocence just to be used as sex objects and commodities in exchange for money. This act conveyed an emotionally-charged story to readers. April Timms' story about Clara's life was raw; the emotions used created a deep connection between the character Clara, and me, the reader, allowing me to feel Clara's suffering and experiences rather than simply reading about it. Such emotional depths are very difficult to find in short novels, but the author made use of the length to direct a powerful narrative to readers.

While Clara's experiences were painful, her power of resilience and stubbornness began to change her. It shaped her, not just into survival but into a world where she refuses to let her light get dimmed and one where she learns to live again. This way, she was able to strengthen not only herself, but those around her. Though the story was about Clara, her transformative power is what binds the story together. She changed from being a weak and violated victim to a lady with strong faith. This was made possible not by miracles, but by the combination of her struggles, choices, and faith in herself.

One major theme of this book is that it is a Christian novel. However, even though it was sectioned in this category, the author did not allow spirituality to overshadow the story. Bible verses were quoted at the start of each chapter, but it did not sound preachy or full of sermons. This makes the book suitable for both Christian and non-Christian readers. Clara's faith development was also not limited to religious faith but to faith in general, which she had to instill in herself and those around her.

My final thought on this novel is that it was an emotionally-filled story that revolves around faith, survival, and transformation. Fiction readers of stories with such themes will find this novel to be a very compelling one. Aside from that, lovers of Christian faith-based books and mature young readers can also benefit from the novel. Human rights advocates and women's fiction readers can really benefit from reading the book as it raises awareness about abuse, human trafficking, and sex trafficking. Lastly, various Christian book stores and book clubs can find this to be a great read.

“Raw, redemptive, and deeply moving, Soiled Dove is a powerful tale of survival and faith as one young woman battles the horrors of human trafficking and discovers that even in the darkest places, God’s grace can lead to freedom and healing."

Soiled Dove by April Timms is a haunting and emotionally powerful novel that confronts one of humanity’s darkest realities while ultimately delivering a message of resilience, hope, and redemption. Through the harrowing journey of Clara Fremont, Timms crafts a story that is as heartbreaking as it is courageous, refusing to look away from suffering while honoring the strength required to survive it.

Clara’s life is shattered in an instant when a tragic wagon accident kills her mother and leaves her father permanently disabled. With the family plunged into poverty and desperation, a decision meant to protect Clara instead delivers her into the hands of human traffickers. Timms handles this devastating turn with care and gravity, portraying the betrayal and loss of innocence without sensationalism. The reader is drawn into Clara’s confusion and fear, feeling the weight of a world that closes in around her before she even understands what has been taken from her.

What sets Soiled Dove apart is its refusal to define Clara solely by what happens to her. Though bound by exploitation and despair, Clara is never portrayed as powerless in spirit. Instead, Timms focuses on her inner resolve—the quiet, determined strength that allows her to endure when escape feels impossible. Clara’s survival is not framed as easy or heroic in a traditional sense; it is raw, painful, and deeply human.

The novel’s greatest emotional impact comes from Clara’s transformation. As she begins to heal, she discovers that redemption can emerge even in the bleakest places. Her compassion for others trapped in the same darkness becomes a source of purpose, shifting the narrative from one of victimization to one of connection and quiet defiance. In reaching out to others, Clara reclaims parts of herself that were stolen, proving that dignity and hope can survive even the most brutal circumstances.

Timms’ writing is unflinching yet compassionate, allowing readers to sit with discomfort while never losing sight of the story’s deeper message. The themes of survival, moral courage, and redemption resonate long after the final page, making Soiled Dove more than a historical or social novel—it is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Soiled Dove is not an easy read, nor is it meant to be. It is a necessary one. For readers willing to engage with difficult truths in search of meaning and hope, April Timms delivers a profound and unforgettable story of suffering transformed into salvation.