Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

You Were Always Mine – Book Review – Suspense and Intrigue!

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You Were Always MineYou Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a page turner! If you like suspense, a clean novel, and family ties this may be the book for you. I won You Were Always Mine from a Goodreads’ giveaway and was not familiar with the author. Her writing is brilliant and kept me engaged from page one on. Her characters fill their roles with authenticity.
A dedicated mother of two boys loses her husband in an unusual hunting accident. As her life spins out of control, she discovers secrets that leave her unsettled about his death and her future.
I recommend You Were Always Mine. Subjects in the book include adoption, marriage, friendship and betrayal.

Thank you to Goodreads and Nicole Baart for this opportunity to read this book. My own honest, opinions are expressed in this review.

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Stars in the Grass – A Beautiful Novel of Loss and Family

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Stars in the Grass is a tender story of one family’s journey after a tremendous loss. It’s told by the nine year old daughter, Abby McAndrews. Each member handles the tragedy with different emotions, actions, and faith in God. Abby’s curious mind, growing vocabulary, and sense of humor makes this book poignant, insightful, and moving.

Having grown up in a minister’s home I related to Abby’s familiarity to her father’s church with particular hiding spots, and places to play or find solace. I, also lived in a parsonage and understand the dubious situation of not owning your own home.

The turmoil in their home is heightened by Abby’s brother, Matt’s secret escapades. “Dad frowned and exhaled slowly, the receiver in his hand. He was used to answering other people’s problems not phoning with the problem.”

Doubt in God, anger, and grief fill their relationships with unexpected outcomes and may tear them apart. Will they find a way to pull together? What happens to a family whose loss is unimaginable? My heart ached for the McAndrews. Would they seek the God they thought they knew before tragedy hit?
I hope you will chose to put Stars in the Grass on your “to be read” list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I want to thank them for the opportunity to read this fine novel by Ann Marie Stewart!

It is Well – Worthy, Substantial, and Significant!

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a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29904305-it-is-well” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”>It Is WellIt Is Well by James D. Shipman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Do you know anyone who thinks they can control their lives, keep bad things from happening, and sacrifices all to that end? Well, Jonathan Beecher is one of those who has already met with loss and misfortune but thinks he can prevent tragedy from striking again. He lives in a small town and owns a hardware store. Pearl Harbor has recently occurred and the United States has jumped into World War II. His wife has passed away yet he seems to have moved on with his life and now surrounds himself with his two sons and daughter. He hopes to keep them close by to work with him in his store.
Quite suddenly all his plans are disrupted by the decisions his children make with their own lives. He finds himself unable to maintain control over them as they each leave him alone. What life lessons will he learn from their choices, the world changing around him, and a relationship with a new woman he meets at church? His mental anguish, loyalty to his dead wife, and determination to sustain his hardware store may push him over the edge. What will he discover about himself that could be helpful to you? Do his grown children owe him their allegiance in a time of war? Read this book and find out if Jonathan can say “It is Well”.
I received a copy of this book by James Shipman from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given here.

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This Road We Traveled – Excellent!

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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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