Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

When Tides Turn – Intrigue and Destiny!

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When Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom Book #3)When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tess is the last roommate that hasn’t found her place as World War II rages on in the Waves of Freedom series. Who will take her seriously when she is all drama and fashion? Lieutenant Dan Avery, one of the siblings, also in these novels desires to make admiral status his only goal. How will God bring them into His will and satisfy both their intentions? Read When Tides Turn and you will discover these answers along with intrigue, suspense, and maybe even romance.

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

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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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A Bridge Across the Oceans – A Mesmerizing Novel!

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A Bridge Across the OceanA Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Susan Meissner excels at creating two stories into one and she has done it again in A Bridge Across the Ocean. Her modern day character, Brette, seeks, against her famille’s wishes the truth behind the unique, ultra-sense both she and an aunt share. In her quest, she uncovers a hidden secret on the RMS Queen Mary that transported European war brides to the New York harbor. That mystery begins with a chilling and mesmerizing account of two women in the midst of World War II.
I had a hard time putting this book down until I completed it.

I received a copy of A Bridge Across the Ocean from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

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Karolina’s Twins – Review – Stupendous and Moving!

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Karolina's TwinsKarolina’s Twins by Ronald H. Balson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this book was mesmerizing! For my followers, this novel about World War II in a small town in Poland is not my normal read. I loved it but I am warning you that it contains brief language that comes with war and tragedy. The emotional story covers a young Jewish girl’s saga as safe changes into nightmare when the Germans take over her home, her town, and her life. Survival remains constant and reality is harsh, rude, and beyond imagination.

Lena, now an elderly woman, presents her past to an attorney, Cat and her P.I. husband, Liam hoping they can find a set of twins left behind in Europe 70 years ago born to her best friend, Karolina. She promised her she would find them and now, as her life comes to a close she must locate them to assuage her guilt.

The writing is excellent, the characters deep, and the pace fast. I highly recommend Karolina’s Twins. I feel we must never forget the travesties of the Nazi regime on the Jewish population and those who assisted them. This novel does that. Thank you, Ronald Balson for writing it.

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Shadows in The Moonlight: In The President’s Service Episode 8 – Cliff Hanger!

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Shadows In The Moonlight: In The President's Service: Episode 8Shadows In The Moonlight: In The President’s Service: Episode 8 by Ace Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this on my computer and after realizing the book was complete I had to look to be sure. Oh, my goodness, I need to find out what happened. Ace Collins, do you have Episode 9 finished because I want to read it?
This story takes place during World War II. Espionage, mystery, and kidnappings abound. It’s fast paced and well written with researched historical facts. The scenes are in England, Europe, and the United States. The characters are well developed and continue to grow throughout. The author has an element of faith interwoven. If you want a clean, suspenseful story that moves quickly, In the President’s Service is your series. Shadows in the Moonlight is Episode 8. Even though I have read only one other in the series, I could pick up what was happening.

Thank you to The Book Club Network and Ace Collins for this free copy in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

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Anchor in The Storm – Captivating!

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Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom, #2)Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anchor in the Storm is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series by Sarah Sundin. I enjoyed discovering what happened to the characters from her first book. In this one, Lillian Avery makes her mark as a female pharmacist and has a physical handicap causing some to doubt her efficiency and ability to do her job. She’s a maverick in her family and sets high standards for herself. When she meets her brother’s friend and co-officer, Archer Vandenberg, she sees a man with an ego and his nose in the air. Archer is mending his heart and psyche with no room for anyone in his life. His naval career remains important even though he is struggling with fears from a previous bombing on his ship. The two have many obstacles to overcome as they make their way through the changes the war brings. In the midst of their dilemmas, people around them are being killed mysteriously. Suspense, faith, and romance bring this novel together in a delicious way. I highly respect the research the author has done to make this novel authentic to the World War II period. In fact, Sarah Sundin has several series set in this time in history so check them out. I was captivated from the moment I started reading and hope you will put this book on your “to be read” list!
I received a copy of Anchor in the Storm from NetGalley for my honest review.

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Moving War Story!

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Destiny (Navy Justice, Prequel)Destiny by Don Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A moving, eye-opening view of World War II and the sacrifices that people made fill this outstanding book, Destiny by Don Brown. Three families are changed forever and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to discover what each chapter would bring. The characters were so vivid and true to life. Walter Brewer is my favorite person. I grew to appreciate him as the book progressed and the way he handled the trials that came his way.

The author includes his Christian faith in his story as his characters transform and grow which I liked. The historic period involved makes this a very special read, too and the war is seen from all sides. The theme that life is precious no matter your country or battle speaks loudly.

I highly recommend this book by Don Brown and would like to read more of his books. Destiny is the prequel to his Navy Justice series.

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