Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

Seeking Sarah – Intriguing!

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Seeking SarahSeeking Sarah by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this on a whim and it definitely held my attention through unexpected twists and turns. Recently engaged, Brooke Green’s reality flips upside down on the day of her father’s funeral. She learns painful facts that send her on a gripping search. Her father thought he knew best by keeping secrets. Even though she knows God’s way to live life, she heads in the wrong direction desperate to find truth and she may lose everything doing it. How far would you go seeking to unravel lies you believed your whole life? You’ll need to read Seeking Sarah to discover Brooke’s revelations, actions and reactions.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.

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Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper’s Station, #2)Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful novel about a woman working on a telegraph transition line station in a small town. Grace believes she will be hunted down by the same men who killed her father so she is hiding out and laying low. She begins after hours’ transmissions with a mysterious telegrapher and they become companions. Humorous happenings occur in this female only berg, Harper’s Station. Characters learn to trust God in this great read that will take you away for a few hours.
I won this book through a book giveaway opportunity on Rel Mollet’s website who is a book reveiwer and offers author services. Thank you! The opinions offered here in my review were my own and I was not asked to do a review.

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http://www.sharonrpaavola.com/book-review/914/

Wicked Girl -Different Kind of Read!

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Wicked Girl (THE FIRE Book 1)Wicked Girl by Mcebo Michael Metfula
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My rating for this book comes with mixed emotions because it was a different kind of read for me. I understand where the author was headed even though quite a few surprises arose. At times it was fascinating and it always held my attention. The storyline had many facets to it and the characters were strong yet unpredictable on occasion. The husband, Elijah endures multiple losses staying committed to God even through challenging circumstances. He has a blogging business and finds writing a coping device. The spiritual dynamics were sketchy at times and I am not sure I agreed with the author throughout the book. If this is a true story, then life is stranger than fiction.
I volunteered to read this book and was given a copy by the author. My opinions are my own.

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Jonas and Olivia – A Stormy Tale!

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Jonas and OliviaJonas and Olivia by Victoria Minks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The young girl Olivia creates a tolerable world in the midst of unwanted circumstances when her father dies. She is placed in the startlingly, bleak home of Jonas, a former friend of her father’s. Her strong character, deep faith in God, and her relationship with Ishmael, a worker in Jonas’ home keep her from sinking into total despair. Jonas wants nothing to do with her and at times can be cruel. As a hermit, he is even unaware a civil war is occurring. The depth of emotions amidst these characters drew me into their struggles. These very mismatched individuals make this quite a moving story.

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Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor – Enchanting Treasure!

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12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #1)12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a pleasure to devour another Michelle Griep book! I was pleased to be selected to read 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by the publisher, Barbour’s Review Crew. I picked it up a couple of afternoon’s ago and immediately fell into the story. I love Christmas books, too so this enchanting, Dickens – like tale held me until the last page.
Clara Chapman’s life has dramatically changed and she’s trying her best to adapt in her 1850s London world while another character, Ben Lane’s dark and dreadful imprisonment touches your heart. The author’s creative writing and the character’s dilemmas absorbed me. I loved the 12 days of Christmas mysteriousness and the oddity of Bleakly Manor. I dare not say more or I’ll spoil this treasure. Here are a few quotes from the book.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.” (Attributed to Charles Dickens)

“Hear me, God, …though it kills me in every possible way, I surrender here and now… Make things right. Make me right. I leave this matter in Your hands, where it’s always been, despite my doubts and questions.”

“Yet it is grace alone that saves the worst of us.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review but I was delighted to write one. Thank you Barbour Publishing!

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Beneath Copper Falls – Page Turning Suspense!

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Beneath Copper Falls (Rock Harbor #6)Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read several of the other Rock Harbor books by Colleen Coble. Her suspenseful writing continues in Beneath Copper Falls and mixes in familiar characters like Bree, Kade, and their family. The search and rescue dogs add personality to the storyline, also.

Dana Newell moves to Rock Harbor looking for a new beginning, away from her harmful relationship with her ex-fiance. She moves in with her brother who travels for work. She has found a job as a police dispatcher and renews her ties to former friends. One of them, Allyson is found dead after a desperate phone call to Dana. Now her free time is consumed with discovering what is happening in Rock Harbor. She is joined reluctantly by a cousin of the deceased, Boone, who has secrets of his own.. Will her move to Rock Harbor be the sanctuary she hoped it would be? The pages will fly by as you find the answer!

I was given a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Ghost Heart – Review – Spellbinding!

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Ghost HeartGhost Heart by Lisa Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ghost Heart introduced me to a tragedy in the real world that goes beyond human organ trafficking. Mia Kendall, a heart transplant surgeon working in Africa faces obstacles and new realities that are hard to grasp after discovering a horrendous murder of an albino in a small village. She’s not one to sit back and do her job. She needs answers to her questions. A rogue, ex-military pilot might be able to assist her but can she trust him?

A distraught family in America struggles to keep their young daughter alive and their only hope is a heart transplant. What ends will they seek to obtain their solution? What would any of us do to save our child’s life?

Connections between the multiple characters do become clear as this fast paced story unfolds. I highly recommend reading Ghost Heart. The authors have written more than a spellbinding novel. They are opening the door and exposing the real-life, tragic legend about albinos and how their lives are at stake.

(Thanks to the authors for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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June Bug – A Must Read! Loved it!

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June BugJune Bug by Chris Fabry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this novel! This adorable, precocious girl lives her life to the fullest. She has no idea what has occurred in her short lifespan but pieces of possible reality start filtering in making her question who she is. Her wisdom though, surpasses the adults around her which she records in her journal. The story that unfolds brings heartache, joy, and redemption. I would read this book again and I rarely do that.
I highly recommend June Bug. It will stay in your heart for a long time!
Chris Fabry has an uncanny way of winning your heart with his writing and characters. In fact, I read four of his books one after the other early this summer.

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The Best of Us – A Roller Coaster of Emotions!

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The Best of UsThe Best of Us by Joyce Maynard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a step out of my normal path of reading. I was intrigued by what this memoir could hold. I was not disappointed. Joyce Maynard’s writing is real and vulnerable. She shares her life and last love in rich and vivid detail. She opens the door to what becomes an agonizing saga of finding love and being forced to let it go. I grew to care very much for Joyce and her second husband who marry later in life. There’s joy, sadness, delight, and heartache.
I’m glad I veered off my path. This book was very well written, held my attention throughout, and inspired me to live each moment fully.

I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts were my own. I was not compensated for this review.

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On Love’s Gentle Shore – Emotional Depth!

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On Love's Gentle Shore (Prince Edward Island Dreams #3)On Love’s Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This third novel in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series culminates with a story of old love, family forgiveness, and uncovered dreams. The hope in these themes moves the characters along not knowing where they will find themselves. People from the former books connect the series. The beauty of the island adds to the mix with the lighthouse as a main focus.
Natalie O’Ryan fights against a town who has pegged her as the town drunk’s daughter but can she hold her head high on her own? Will her wedding finally happen?
I recommend On Love’s Distant Shore. You may connect as characters work out the best way to live their lives with God’s help.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

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