Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

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Where the Sky Meets the Sand – Inspiring

May 21, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Where the Sky Meets the SandWhere 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.”

The Newcomer – Book 2 of Amish Beginnings – Compelling!

March 26, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

The NewcomerThe Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Newcomer, the second in the Amish beginnings series by Suzanne Fisher Woods holds more than an Amish story. Finding your true self, staying loyal to family, or holding onto the past are themes throughout the novel. Anna has loved Bairn since her time on the ship coming over to America but he has changed since finding his real family. Bairn only knows the sea and remains in turmoil with his choices now that he has found his kin.
As the settlers land, they discover their dreams will be harder to accomplish and many obstacles unknown to them stand in their way. Someone new to them aids them on their way, but Bairn’s parents seek the land that his father purchased for the community and he opposes their decision. This fascinating story even includes Benjamin Franklin and held my attention to the last page.
I look forward to the next installment of the Amish Beginnings series.
I received a copy of The Newcomer from NetGalley for my honest opinion which I have given.

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This Road We Traveled – Excellent!

November 26, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

This Road We TraveledThis Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jane Kirkpatrick has done it again! This Road We Traveled brings the reader the poignant story of a family moving west in covered wagons, the faith and courage it took, and the tenacity to build a new life under dire situations. The main character is the matriarch, Tabitha Brown. She is spunky, resilient, and honest in her opinions. She loves her children and grandchildren fiercely yet keeps her independence intact. Her sons’ and daughter’s families chose to leave what they know in Missouri to travel the Oregon trail. Will she join them or stay behind and live a sedate life? Will the group arrive safely to their destination? Do each of them have the ability to sacrifice what they prize to find their way? Will her granddaughter discover her destiny? Does God have plans for all of them?
I underlined many striking passages and comments made by the characters. I was moved to tears. I questioned myself in the stark realities they faced wondering how I would fare in their circumstances. Would my faith in God endure in the testing they experienced?
Jane Kirkpatrick writes authentic stories with real people included and a vast amount of history and accurateness. Some of the people I loved in her other books made cameos in this one. As with most of the books I read the author has included at the end valuable questions for group discussions.
If this time period interests you or you want to discover what life was like traveling the road west this book is for you.

I received a copy from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given. My thanks to them and the author for the privilege of reading this treasure of a book.

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Dynamo – Dynamic!

September 1, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

DynamoDynamo by Eleanor Gustafson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a dynamic book! Wow! Dynamo takes you on a wild ride like on a rodeo bronco. Ups and downs, twists and turns follow the main character Jeth Cavanaugh throughout. He’s destined for a horse, a change in his life, and a meeting with God. His desire for one woman places him against many odds as he makes critical decisions along the way. His new friends support him as best they can but he has a mind of his own. God’s dealings with Jeth crush your heart yet you see His hand on him over and over.
Dynamo will take you on a faith journey that may be similar to your own while it builds your trust in God as it did mine. Take time out to read it!

I was graciously gifted this book by the author, Eleanor Gustafson for my honest review above.

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The Steeplechase – A Sweet, Inspiring Novella!

August 3, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

The Steeplechase (Love's Sporting Chance)The Steeplechase by Carrie Fancett Pagels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Steeplechase is a novella set in the build up to the War of 1812 in England. Martha Osborne rides a horse better than the men in her area. She learned as child while her mother was still alive. Now that her father has remarried and his new wife has sent her little brother away to a boarding school, life has changed for her. She misses him but most of all wants to bring him home. She hears of a steeplechase race that could gain her the finances to reunite herself with her brother. She begins scheming of a way to enter this race since women are not allowed to participate. She feels God has turned his back on her. Will she obtain her goal and see God’s goodness to her?

I received a copy of The Steeplechase from The Book Club Network and the author. I have given my honest review in exchange.

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Home to Chapel Springs – A Delightful Read!

August 2, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Home to Chapel SpringsHome to Chapel Springs by Ane Mulligan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my second Chapel Springs book by Ane Mulligan and I was delighted again. She writes several captivating stories into the plot. Claire and Patsy have been BFFs their whole lives and their families have grown up with weddings in the horizon. There is a mayoral race in Chapel Springs that places the town council in need of actions to bring peace to this little burg. A newcomer to Chapel Springs, Carin, a successful author and her young son arrive penniless after her husband leaves and takes all of her books’ commissions. She is depleted financially, spiritually, and is scrambling to find ideas to write a new book. Surprises await her as she learns to wait on God for everything in her life. Claire and Patsy are weaved into all of the lives and action bringing humor, faith, and friendship everywhere they go as in the other Chapel Springs books. I would love to have them as my buds and meet daily at Dee’s and Dough’s for coffee, tea, and breakfast with them. This book is very well written with faith and life lessons intertwined. I highly recommend Home to Chapel Springs and this author, Ane Mulligan.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Book Club Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

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The Romantic Ruse – Full of Twists and Turns!

July 30, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

The Romantic Ruse: Hunter's Grove- Book 1The Romantic Ruse: Hunter’s Grove- Book 1 by Barbara Goss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Romantic Ruse had me guessing through the whole book. I expected a character to do an action and then I turned the page to find I was clearly wrong. Then the story would take a different twist. I enjoyed the surprises though.
Lily starts all of this by masquerading as her friend traveling to Kansas to marry a rancher. She learns her lesson by all the dangers she encounters. She is quite a spunky gal but will she decide to trust God to help her out of her troubles and into the arms of the man she loves?

I received a copy of The Romantic Ruse: Hunter’s Grove – Book 1 from the author by agreeing to read and honestly review her book. Thank you, Barbara Goss!

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To Follow Her Heart – Fabulous Culmination to The Southold Chronicles!

July 20, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

To Follow Her Heart (The Southold Chronicles #3)To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To Follow Her Heart is the third novel in The Southold Chronicles and I loved the culmination of the lives of these characters. Patience Terry has stood by all the families she came over with to America plus the natives they all befriended. She has quietly held a place in her heart for Captain Jeremy Horton and now has heard that his ship shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados with no survivors. Her captivating story of faith and patience adds to the beautiful saga that Rebecca DeMarino has weaved throughout the Chronicles.

The rich, authentic history, the beloved characters, and the detailed life of these settlers who left Europe to establish their own religious freedom creates multiple reasons to read To Follow Her Heart. I kept turning the pages in search of Patience’s destiny and was deeply satisfied with the final pages.

I received a paperback copy of To Follow Her Heart from the author for my honest review.

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Grace in the Flames – Michelle Massaro Hits a Home Run with this Novel!

July 8, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Grace in the FlamesGrace in the Flames by Michelle Massaro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grace in the Flames held me captive with real life characters battling relatable issues. Three lives intersect and each one searches for the best way to make life work for them. Jenni puts her trust in the God who has been there for her while John feels let down by Him. They have no idea that they will be the answer to April’s dilemma. Pages will turn quickly for the reader in this moving novel as it did for me.

Thank you, Michelle Massaro for gifting me a copy and for the opportunity to read and review your book! I look forward to reading more of your writing.

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Someone Like You – Moving!

June 24, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Someone Like YouSomeone Like You by Victoria Bylin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Someone Like You takes the reader on quite a ride. Julie Dare begins a new business to provide for her son who she shares custody with his father whom she did not marry. She runs into an old beau, Zeke when she bids on a project at the resort where he is the general manager. Between a crazy goat, her son’s father’s ego, and trying to pull off the wedding of the century she must keep all the balls in the air as she faces one dilemma after another. Zeke is trying to save the resort from being sold and if Julie can produce all she says she can do he may be able to keep his dream job. He has stopped believing in God and Julie is a new Christian so how do they manage all that’s thrown at them? This delightful novel includes family, faith, relationships, and forgiveness.

I received a copy of Someone Like You from NetGalley and the author.

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About Me

Sharon's passion to release women from their past, from depression, and from pain so they can move on to hope, freedom, and living in the present drives her to speak, write, and encourage whenever possible. Her openness allows women to identify with her own life experiences yet see where they, too can conquer their battles. She is devoted to her home life with husband, Eric and 2 Bichon mixes, PIerre and Stewart. She and Eric have 3 grown children and live in the San Diego, California area.

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Sharon's books

The Sound of Music Story: How A Beguiling Young Novice, A Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time
Morning's Refrain
Shadows of the White City
Dawn's Prelude
Veiled in Smoke
Forsaking All Others
Appointments with Heaven: The True Story of a Country Doctor's Healing Encounters with the Hereafter
Gentleman Jim
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Into the Wild
No Journey Too Far
The Last Thing He Told Me
My Name is Eva
Between Sisters
Summer Island
The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water
The Record Keeper
The Bottoms
Call Your Daughter Home
The Girl Without a Name


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2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Sharon has read 30 books toward her goal of 65 books.
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30 of 65 (46%)
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