Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

Book Review – The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma – Mysterious!

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In Boston, 1886, Harriett Peters desires to assist the Robinson family and remains loyal to them as they have taken her in off the street. She is finally grounded as her hat making business progresses but life becomes more traumatic as the storyline continues. Her friend, Dr. Michael Wheaton is concerned is desperate to aid her. Harriett watches Michael find strength in his faith as locals mock him and it may rekindle her own trust in God as she watches Robinson family members die one by one.

Liz Tolsma creates a mysterious air that causes the reader to keep wondering what is the truth. I read late into the night to discover the answers to Harriett and Michael’s quests.

I received a copy from Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.
#The Green Dress #NetGalley

Recovery and Hope Intertwined!

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The Long Awakening, a memoirThe Long Awakening, a memoir by Lindsey O’Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A first person account of experiencing birthing a child, a coma, and a harrowing near death medical journey is what you will find in The Long Awakening. Lindsey O’Connor tells her story with a vulnerable truth that sets you contemplating your own questions to God. She relies on her husband, children, friends, and the medical community to share her miracle return to life. She feels as though it is their miracle – as she was not awake to experience it herself.

She writes: “Every morning in my few moments of solitude before the staff came in or the visitors arrived, I’d take in the life-giving sun, then feel the dread roll over me, as helpless to stop it as I was to pull back the covers and spring out of bed. But how could I dread another day of life that I came so close to not having? How dare I? Won’t God strike me right then and there as an ungrateful slug? How could I dread the gift of a day when there was so much joy, thankfulness, and praise around me and admit that I was any less thankful and joyful than everyone else who came to visit? How could I dread minute followed by minute, no matter how hard, after all the torment everyone I loved had just suffered through? So I told no one.”

Her heroic, courageous recovery and the reclaiming of her motherhood leaves you thankful for what you have. It is not an easy road. She’s totally honest about her struggles, her horror at her near death, and her deep desire to bond with her baby girl whom others raised while she lay in the hospital. Her faith in God goes beyond its borders to move through each day.

Because of my own chronic pain and illness I related to her in many ways and found some answers to some of my own quests. I highly recommend this book of hardship and hope. A Long Awakening is a good read!

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Suspence and Mystery!

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A Promise to Protect (Logan Point #2)A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This suspenseful read grabs you in the beginning and doesn’t let go until the end. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline that includes the past and the present. I hadn’t read the first book in this series which would have cleared up some questions if I had read it but Patricia eventually clues the reader in. Leigh, the leading lady is a bit head strong and makes life difficult for the Sheriff Ben Logan in trying to protect her and her son, TJ. The mystery keeps one turning the pages to discover who the real killer is and what is behind all the strange occurrences. I liked the romance, the addition of some faith, and the clean writing. It’s very entertaining and worth a few nights to stay up to read A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Net Galley and Revell.

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Stark and Revealing!

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Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking SurvivorStolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor by Katariina Rosenblatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor is a short read but intense! Katariina tells her story graphically and in depth. One doesn’t have to read very far to see the ugliness of sex trafficking. I learned new things from her story and feel so strongly about the plight of too many children and teens in our country and other parts of the world that are coerced into this lifestyle. The twisted minds and evilness that pervades this industry is sickening. Katariina opens herself up and allows us a genuine look at what goes on behind closed doors. Her venerable writing style creates the true aspects of how a child is brought into the sex trade but also the mindset of the child. Because of her varied life experiences the reader gets a full, vivid understanding of how deeply controlled a person who is stolen becomes, not only in the trade, but even in marriage. At times there is repetition in the book yet she is making her point as succinctly as possible so that there is no confusion about what takes place in our neighborhoods, schools, and communities here in America. Reading Stolen will open your eyes to an ever growing travesty in our world. Slavery still exists!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Revell/Net Galley.

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A Heart Rending Read

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The Pelican Bride (Gulf Coast Chronicles, #1)The Pelican Bride by Beth White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book holds so much in it. There is mystery, romance, intrigue, and history. Beth White creates vivid characters with rich opportunities to move beyond their comfort zones. Some I cherished and others disdained. What adds to the mystique of the book is there are many threads that weave throughout and come together in the end which is very satisfying. Suffering and joy flow next to each other and keep you wondering how people in the past could live such difficult journeys in search of freedom of expression and religion. One special romance shines all throughout and lifts hope into the often dark occurrences. I enjoyed The Pelican Bride and highly recommend it.

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