Sharon R. Paavola

The Great Alone – Mesmerizing!

July 10, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kristin Hannah’s writing has mesmerized me before so I didn’t hesitate to request The Great Alone on Net Galley. The time period and the place drew me in. I was in college in the 1970s and my husband and I watch some real life TV programs of families living off the grid in the upper north of Alaska. This novel grabbed me immediately. Leni, a young teen and her parents are the main characters. Her father has returned from the Viet Nam war as a POW suffering from PTSD. Life becomes quite erratic for these three. He struggles to maintain a job moving them often. He eventually devises a plan for a new start by moving to Alaska. Leni’s mom sees hope in his decision so she begins to prepare for the new adventure. But nothing could equip them for what they encountered. Once in Alaska, life changed rapidly.

I must warn you that the book contains family abuse, violence, and desperation. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the novel. Will hope arise for Leni or her parents? Can they survive the daunting wilderness of Alaska?

I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

If I Live (If I Run #3) Suspense!

July 10, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

If I Live by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the reasons I enjoy reading Terri Blackstock’s books is her series with familiar characters. I read the first novel in If I Run but not the second. I would suggest reading all three since the middle one gives important details needed to understand the last book. I was able to put the pieces together and liked the suspense expected in her writing.

Casey continues to hide from those who do not understand her innocence or believe her. One person may be seeing her side but can she trust him or anyone? To say more will spoil the story for future readers.

You will find well defined characters, complex and compelling mixes of situations and complications. This is a fast read to find the conclusion to the If I Run series.

I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth, and Rebellious Hope – Inspiring and Uplifting!

July 10, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Where I End: A Story of Tragedy, Truth, and Rebellious Hope by Katherine Elizabeth Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katherine Clark’s story moved me to deeper faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. What started out as a lovely afternoon at a playground became a horrific tragedy for her and her family. On the ground after a child jumped from a jungle gym falling on top of her, she really thought she would just get up. How wrong she was as she spent months in the hospital and in recovery with a diagnosis of quadriplegia. Her determination and strength in God created a miraculous advance in her dire prognosis. Scripture, prayers, and her resolution to walk again shored her up while unbelievable odds stacked against her. Her experience proves the premise of knowing the Bible and its truths as it will prepare a person for whatever may come. Her foundation of faith, family, and dreams of the future lifted her beyond the impossible.

Where I End is inspiring and uplifting as this young mother rises above circumstances. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

Review of Stranger No More: A Muslim Refugee’s Story of Harrowing Escape, Miraculous Rescue, and the Quiet Call of Jesus

July 9, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Stranger No More: A Muslim Refugee’s Story of Harrowing Escape, Miraculous Rescue, and the Quiet Call of Jesus by Annahita Parsan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found myself staying up late delving into Annahita’s life, her struggles, and her quest for freedom from abuse and dominion as a Muslim woman. Her childhood in Iran was simple and then her world became complex beyond her wildest imaginations. One day she was married and the next, a widow. Her nightmarish world astonished me. This recollection of what she encountered, endured, and then escaped opened my eyes to a world I can barely comprehend. Not that it isn’t believable but that in contrast, my life is vastly different. The trauma she endures to bring her children to safety, to practice her new found faith, and to experience life with choices amazed me.

What a remarkable story and woman! I highly recommend this book of hope, suffering, stamina, and faith.

I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

July 9, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rachel Ashford’s life has crashed in around her. She’s lost her father, her wealth, and her station in life. Fortunately, the Grove sisters have welcomed her to their home, Ivy Cottage until she can land on her feet. She’s bewildered at how she can bring in an income to pay for room and board. She’s never been in this situation.

As Rachel redefines her life, she assists Miss Mercy Groves, who teaches young girls from the small community at the cottage. The older Miss Groves, who does the cooking, unites with Mercy in creating the family Rachel lacks. Their support lays a foundation for her during the ups and downs as gentlemen come to call.

Rachel’s best friend, Jane Bell handles her husband’s inn as best she can without him as her mother-in-law retires with her new husband to his farm. Jane helps remind Rachel of her childhood hopes and dreams when a beau returns to both of their lives.

All of these women learn to lean on and trust in God for their futures even the Miss Groves’s sisters who may lose their precious Ivy Cottage. It seems nothing remains the same. Will God be enough for each of them?

I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

https://sharonrpaavola.com/book-review/978/

Where the Sky Meets the Sand – Inspiring

May 21, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Where the Sky Meets the Sand by Chris Loehmer Kincaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paul and Jenny travel to the African desert and meet a youth from the Maasai tribe who has been ostracized from his village. Jenny, drawn to Ole, convinces Paul to aid him by finding him a job at the austere camp where they stay for part of their trip. When they return home, Jenny remains focused on Ole and concerned about his welfare. Her preoccupation leads her to the past she thought she had left behind.
The novel weaves a journey of faith, prayer, and trust in God as Jenny finds a way to assist her African friend and heal her past. She makes new acquaintances with similar desires and heads back to Africa.

This novel encouraged my faith as Jenny struggled with her past and and her desire to be an effective Christian in Ole’s life. She had to learn to trust God for outcomes she had no control over. Her trust in her husband, Paul, had to grow. He remained by her side with concern and deep love even when he was in the dark about her past. Her angst guides her in witnessing for Christ with several accepting him as their Savior.

The book educated me about another part of the world I know very little about, the African desert and its people. The unrest in the cities versus the simple life of the Maasai were brought out by the author.

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

No One Ever Asked – Brilliant!

May 14, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This brilliant book ranks as the best book I’ve read in months! Katie Ganshert births a marvelous group of characters. Each one vital to the depth of emotions that run through a community when forced to integrate two school districts. Racism pitted against living out one’s faith caused this reader to search my own heart and mind. The players all have a voice revealing the angst behind their actions. The parents, teachers, and students affected, create dramatic statements. What would you do in their situations? This timely and delicate subject makes No One Ever Asked a must read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

View all my reviews

Who The Bishop Knows – Delightful Mystery!

April 6, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

Who the Bishop Knows by Vannetta Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book three of The Amish Bishop Mysteries, Who the Bishop Knows, created an enjoyable diversion in between projects I had procrastinated doing. The story opens with a death at the local rodeo. The bishop who usually discovers the answers to crime through his photographic mind wasn’t there when the murder occurred. His vibrant, caring community trusts him and the longer the suspect is out there the more tension builds. He must rely on his drawings to see anything unusual.
You will find this book delightful as well as the characters.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

Colors of Christmas – Heartwarming Novellas!

March 10, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Colors of Christmas: Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate the Hope of Christmas by Olivia Newport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Both of these Christmas novellas surprised me with their genuine spirit and characters. Angela grieves her best friend. She would rather forget Christmas this year, but circumstances plop her right into the biggest public celebration with neon blue decorations. She wants to hide yet the town will not have its annual joyous parade and holiday music unless she plans, prepares, and produces. She receives help from an unusual stranger and who knows? She may pull it off after all. A delightful heartwarming story!
Astrid’s life has included more loss and pain over the years and now her family wants her to move into an assisted living community. Her grace and wit, her attitude and fortitude may see her through this difficult transition. Another pleasurable novella to set the Christmas tone with challenging situations that we often face in what should be a happy time of year.
~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. br />

View all my reviews

The House on Foster Hill – Mysterious Intrigue!

March 10, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was curious about this book and was not sure if I liked it. I persevered to discover intrigue, suspense, and romance. The further I read, I grew to care about the characters and their dilemmas. The House on Foster Hill contains two story lines about the same home from different periods, the present and the 1800s.

Kaine seriously seeks a new beginning but finds the home she purchased, sight unseen, a dilapidated money pit. It seems her past has followed her across the country and danger lurks in her new surroundings. Will this be her home or should she abandon her refurbishing plans?

Ivy finds a dead girl on the Foster Hill property. What can she do to solve the murder mystery and the obscure home? Who wants her to stop investigating? Are there unknown secrets to uncover?

~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews