Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

Saving Abby – Hits the Heart and Soul!

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Saving AbbySaving Abby by Steena Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t ready for this book. My daughter went through infertility for several years and finally had their baby through in vitro fertilization so I related to this story. My heart fell in love with these characters. All of them! What a talented writer Steena Holmes is!
Claire and Josh jump off the page as they travel through Europe, return home, and continue writing children’s books. Their love for each other stands so strong. They have fabulous friends and family. This book is a feel good, quick read that will hit your soul and I recommend reading it.
I received a copy of Saving Abby from Net Galley for my honest review.

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As Waters Gone By – A Must Read -Outstanding!

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As Waters Gone ByAs Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fabulous! As Waters Gone By will remain with me for a long time. Cynthia Ruchti’s descriptive words draw you onto each page waiting to see the penetrating realness of her story. Her characters live clearly in my mind. Such vivid pictures of a woman facing decisions about her imprisoned husband, their cottage on Madeline Island, and her lonely future without children kept me intrigued. Emmalyn Ross finds their cottage, unseen for 10 years in dire need of repair before she can inhabit it. New, unexpected and unusual friends pop into her life when she most wants to remain isolated. Each day opens with fresh fulfillment like the beautiful view of Lake Superior just out her door.
I couldn’t stop reading but then I didn’t want it to end. I do hope Cynthia Ruchti follows up As Waters Gone By with a sequel. Profound spiritual and life lessons permeate this book. She writes as though she has experienced each hard place Emmalyn faces. Infertility, step-parenting, deployment, incarceration, lack of faith, and acceptance of help from others are all issues wonderfully woven throughout the pages. Finding oneself where one never expects to be rings loud and clear. A must read for sure. Your heart will agonize for all of the characters included.

I highly recommend As Waters Gone By! The welcoming cover itself will draw you in. Take the time to read this one. You will not regret it. I immediately read her first book They Almost Always Come Home, another riveting read.

I received a copy of this book from the author as part of her book launch. I have provided my honest review.

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Poignant Loss in Hope During Heartache: True Stories of Emotional Healing from Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Death of a Child

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Hope During Heartache: True Stories of Emotional Healing from Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Death of a ChildHope During Heartache: True Stories of Emotional Healing from Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Death of a Child by Cheri Swalwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cheri Swalwell has collected poignant accounts from people who have suffered different kinds of losses, losses unimaginable as a parent. She shares her own story and that makes her collection real because she has had similar heartache. She writes from what she knows and has experienced. Just reading the book gives healing because you can identify your own life to the ones in the book even if not the same. It helps to know you are not alone in your pain, grief, and sadness. I ached for those who have lost children through any kind of tragedy no matter how old the child or baby at the time. Hope is found in the accounts and suggestions. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for assistance in healing, for those who counsel them, and for those who want to be prepared to support family members or friends.

I received an e-copy of this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

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