Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

These Healing Hills – I Loved It!

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>These Healing HillsThese Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These Healing Hills captured me! I loved the characters, the life of the midwives and the mountain people they served. Francine Howard choses to leave her privileged life behind to become a Frontier Nurse in the Appalachian mountains after her boyfriend breaks off their relationship. Her mother is horrified and no one thinks she can manage the rough rigors of serving the mountain people. She wants to try but there’s more to learn than bringing babies into the world. She meets a recently returned War II veteran, Ben Locke when she gets lost on the hill. They survive a deluge under a rock outcropping which starts an edgy relationship. Francine’s faith in God deepens as her trials stretch her dealing with the mountain people.
I could say more but you really need to read it. The characters are full, complex, and real. The author’s writing is superb..

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Publishing. My comments are my own and was under no obligation to do so.

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The Two of Us – Sweet and Real!

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The Two of UsThe Two of Us by Victoria Bylin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This sweet novel combines deep faith in God, second chances, and family ties. Mia Robinson, an independent woman with a mission to work with an International aid organization receives a disconcerting phone call from her pregnant niece who is planning on eloping. Mia’s life direction changes and she moves to a small town to give support and hopefully wisdom to her cherished relative, Lucy. Lucy is madly in love with Sam, a son of a fallen officer being mentored by Jake Tanner, a former policeman. Mia has been burned by love too many times to consider romance in any shape and Jake figures life will be good if he can make a difference in young men’s lives. Lucy and Sam, at times seem more mature than Mia and Jake but they all have life lessons to learn. God opens doors they do not see and closes doors they think they want just like so many of us.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.

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Jonas and Olivia – A Stormy Tale!

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Jonas and OliviaJonas and Olivia by Victoria Minks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The young girl Olivia creates a tolerable world in the midst of unwanted circumstances when her father dies. She is placed in the startlingly, bleak home of Jonas, a former friend of her father’s. Her strong character, deep faith in God, and her relationship with Ishmael, a worker in Jonas’ home keep her from sinking into total despair. Jonas wants nothing to do with her and at times can be cruel. As a hermit, he is even unaware a civil war is occurring. The depth of emotions amidst these characters drew me into their struggles. These very mismatched individuals make this quite a moving story.

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June Bug – A Must Read! Loved it!

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June BugJune Bug by Chris Fabry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this novel! This adorable, precocious girl lives her life to the fullest. She has no idea what has occurred in her short lifespan but pieces of possible reality start filtering in making her question who she is. Her wisdom though, surpasses the adults around her which she records in her journal. The story that unfolds brings heartache, joy, and redemption. I would read this book again and I rarely do that.
I highly recommend June Bug. It will stay in your heart for a long time!
Chris Fabry has an uncanny way of winning your heart with his writing and characters. In fact, I read four of his books one after the other early this summer.

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Review of Sweetbriar Cottage – Riveting Read!

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Sweetbriar CottageSweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

o. Sweetbriar Cottage does not go where I thought it would go. Denise Hunter took me deeper than I expected with her characters, Noah and Josephine who think they are divorced. What transpires changes them forever. The themes of Sweetbriar Cottage will touch your heart and may even help heal your own brokenness. Noah’s strong faith in God is tested and measured above and beyond what he has already experienced. This novel, fast-paced and action packed will be hard to put down.

NetGalley provided a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Where Two Hearts Meet: Two Novellas of Facing Change with Courage and Faith

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Where Two Hearts Meet: Tea For Two / Wherever Love Takes UsWhere Two Hearts Meet: Tea For Two / Wherever Love Takes Us by Carrie Turansky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Where Two Hearts Meet is actually two novellas, Tea for Two and Wherever Love Takes Us. Both pit their characters into situations that seem impossible. Choices must be made that will change their futures forever.
Allison’s former boyfriend has returned to town and says he has reformed his ways through his Christian beliefs. Can she trust him with her heart and her business?
Tessa finds herself facing a move to Oregon when finances force them to leave everything they know and love. Will Allison and Tessa find the faith they need to march into the unknown without reluctant hearts? What would you do in their circumstances? Maybe their examples will encourage you in your dilemmas.
I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given here.

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The Wedding Shop – Enthralling!

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The Wedding ShopThe Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wedding Shop vividly remains imprinted in my mind as though it had been a movie. I can see the scenes, hear the sounds, and feel the heartache. I grew to love these characters. I wanted the book to continue.

This second book in the Heart’s Bend series will captivate you. It has a connection to the first book which is heavenly but can be read on it’s own. Haley and Cora are from two different generations but with the same desire; to help brides have their dream day. The dual plots mix throughout the book but the wedding shop is the same. Both women have tough issues and are very loyal to their families. Sometimes they don’t know love when it is right in front of them. Often they test their faith in God. I highly suggest reading The Wedding Shop for a delightful and dreamy experience.

I received a copy from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

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The Long Journey to Jake Palmer – A Moving Must Read!

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The Long Journey to Jake PalmerThe Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mesmerized from the first page, I hated to put this book down. James L. Rubart has written another gripping story. I read his book, Rooms a few years ago so I figured this would be great. I was not disappointed. Jake Palmer is on his way home and stops at a gas station. His life would never be the same. The rest of the book will take you on an emotional ride and won’t stop until the last page. My faith was strengthened by this novel and the realization of how God loves me so unconditionally struck home loud and clear!

I highly recommend The Long Journey to Jake Palmer! It will move your heart and soul!

I received a copy from Net Galley for my honest opinion which I have given in this review.

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Touching and Moving! – Review of Loves Harvest

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Love's HarvestLove’s Harvest by Linda Shenton Matchett

I hadn’t looked at the description of Love’s Harvest before I started reading it. As I went on in the book I realized I knew this beautiful love story. I recognized the grief of the main characters in their losses. I saw their resolve to return home and the desperate desire to find any hope in the day to day struggle. This retelling of Naomi and Ruth’s saga from the Bible feels fresh and relevant. It’s setting is in the early 1900’s and War World I. Noreen and Rosa doubt God and His will, His path for them, and His place in their lives. How much can one take and have any faith? I loved how the plot came together in a sweet and vital ending. The seeds of angst and pain produced a beloved harvest! Read this one and find a renewed affection for Naomi, Ruth, and God’s redeeming power.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for an honest review which I have given. I was unable to acquire the real book cover but you can go to Celebrate Lit on the internet and they are having a book tour with more information about the book and the author.

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More Than Rivals – An Inspiring Story of Two Young Men!

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More Than Rivals: A Championship Game and a Friendship That Moved a Town Beyond Black and WhiteMore Than Rivals: A Championship Game and a Friendship That Moved a Town Beyond Black and White by Ken Abraham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am an avid basketball fan and this book had me from the first page! You don’t need to be one to see the amazing drive early in the lives of these two young men . The historical background of black meeting white in a time and place in the United States added a heavy yet ironic statement. The details the author included were crisp and key to fully grasp the dimensions of the contrasts and similarities of Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon, their families, their faith, and neighborhoods.

This is a rare treat for me to read a non-fiction book. It fascinated and rewarded me. I had not known of their lives and feel richer now that I do. I grew up in the same era they did but lived in an area of the United States where the tensions between races were minimal and almost non-existent. Learning more about the reality of what others experienced was definitely worth reading this book.

I received a copy of More Than Rivals: A Championship Game and a Friendship that Moved a Town Beyond Black and White from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review which I have given.

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