Thursday, July 19, 2012
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by Laurinda Wallace
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Time seems to be against missionary Ruthanne Carroll. Suddenly faced with a life threatening illness, she reluctantly returns to the U.S. from a small Maasai village in Kenya. Once she reunites with her sisters Elizabeth and Melody, she clearly sees God’s hand leading her to uncover a guilty secret from her past. A journey to uncover the truth leads them through sometimes dangerous circumstances and battles with old hurts. Each find their faith and relationships challenged as they reach a crossroads where the choices are healing and reconcilation or bitterness and defeat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A native of the snowbelt in Western New York, Laurinda Wallace is a graduate of Houghton College, NY and has been an administrator and legal assistant for most of her career. She now makes her home in the beautiful high desert of southeastern Arizona with her husband, David. They have two grown daughters and twin grandsons who are the delight of their lives. Laurinda, a lifelong writer pursued her passion for writing professionally once again in 2005. She has been published in several magazines, including The Upper Room and Mature Living. She contributes to several websites, including Christian Devotions. A devotional for gardeners is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012 and a mystery series set in Western New York is on track for publication in 2013. She is active in the women’s ministry at her church and teaches a women's Bible study. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking in the mountains or digging in the dirt in her flower gardens. Visit Laurinda’s blog, SimplyLife at www.laurindaw.blogspot or her website at www.3-mice.com
MY THOUGHTS:
I went blindly into reading this book not really knowing what to expect. I was definitely NOT disappointed! This book incorporates many of my favourite features of a great read. It had characters that were likeable right from the moment you met them as well as characters that were less than likeable. The thing I like best about this book was the flow of the story. Initially it was like reading 3 separate stories (one for each of the Carroll sisters) and then once you get to know each character you get to see how their stories merge together to form one shared story.
I was pleasantly surprised by plot turns and twists throughout the entirety of the book with a great ending as well. I felt as though the characters were people that I actually knew and I felt every emotion that they felt. I was drawn into the story and held captive in it (in a good way).
The reality and depth of the situations the characters face was believable and that helps to keep the reader engaged. I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind while reading this book and that's worth its weight in gold to me!
Also, I think it's important to note that this was not like most Christian fiction I've read before. This book wasn't all Happy Go Lucky and religious. The religious portions in the book fit beautifully with the character of Ruthanne as well as with situations that arise within the book without being too "preachy". That is an important balance to keep in mind when looking at reading Christian fiction. Sometimes books can feel like they are shoving religion down your throat, but that's not so with Laurinda's book. I think that the scriptural quotes only add to the beauty of the story.
Thank you Laurinda Wallace for writing such a heartfelt, dramatic, and simply beautiful book! I look forward to reading more of Laurinda's works and I encourage you to pick yourself up a copy of The Time Under Heaven.
DISCLAIMER: This review was made possible because I received a copy of The Time Under Heaven from Laurinda Wallace. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.
by Laurinda Wallace
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Time seems to be against missionary Ruthanne Carroll. Suddenly faced with a life threatening illness, she reluctantly returns to the U.S. from a small Maasai village in Kenya. Once she reunites with her sisters Elizabeth and Melody, she clearly sees God’s hand leading her to uncover a guilty secret from her past. A journey to uncover the truth leads them through sometimes dangerous circumstances and battles with old hurts. Each find their faith and relationships challenged as they reach a crossroads where the choices are healing and reconcilation or bitterness and defeat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A native of the snowbelt in Western New York, Laurinda Wallace is a graduate of Houghton College, NY and has been an administrator and legal assistant for most of her career. She now makes her home in the beautiful high desert of southeastern Arizona with her husband, David. They have two grown daughters and twin grandsons who are the delight of their lives. Laurinda, a lifelong writer pursued her passion for writing professionally once again in 2005. She has been published in several magazines, including The Upper Room and Mature Living. She contributes to several websites, including Christian Devotions. A devotional for gardeners is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012 and a mystery series set in Western New York is on track for publication in 2013. She is active in the women’s ministry at her church and teaches a women's Bible study. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking in the mountains or digging in the dirt in her flower gardens. Visit Laurinda’s blog, SimplyLife at www.laurindaw.blogspot or her website at www.3-mice.com
MY THOUGHTS:
I went blindly into reading this book not really knowing what to expect. I was definitely NOT disappointed! This book incorporates many of my favourite features of a great read. It had characters that were likeable right from the moment you met them as well as characters that were less than likeable. The thing I like best about this book was the flow of the story. Initially it was like reading 3 separate stories (one for each of the Carroll sisters) and then once you get to know each character you get to see how their stories merge together to form one shared story.
I was pleasantly surprised by plot turns and twists throughout the entirety of the book with a great ending as well. I felt as though the characters were people that I actually knew and I felt every emotion that they felt. I was drawn into the story and held captive in it (in a good way).
The reality and depth of the situations the characters face was believable and that helps to keep the reader engaged. I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind while reading this book and that's worth its weight in gold to me!
Also, I think it's important to note that this was not like most Christian fiction I've read before. This book wasn't all Happy Go Lucky and religious. The religious portions in the book fit beautifully with the character of Ruthanne as well as with situations that arise within the book without being too "preachy". That is an important balance to keep in mind when looking at reading Christian fiction. Sometimes books can feel like they are shoving religion down your throat, but that's not so with Laurinda's book. I think that the scriptural quotes only add to the beauty of the story.
Thank you Laurinda Wallace for writing such a heartfelt, dramatic, and simply beautiful book! I look forward to reading more of Laurinda's works and I encourage you to pick yourself up a copy of The Time Under Heaven.
DISCLAIMER: This review was made possible because I received a copy of The Time Under Heaven from Laurinda Wallace. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.
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