Feathers of Hope

Sharon Garlough Brown is back with a new novel. Feathers of Hope is a sequel to her previous book Shades of Light and both are in the tradition of her fabulous Sensible Shoes series.

Feathers of Hope focuses on grief in various forms and for a variety of losses. Depression, panic, and anxiety are also noted. As the main characters wrestle with loss and interact with other individuals throughout the book, Brown leads readers through a spectrum of emotional responses to the issues raised through the story. As in prevous works, Brown does not hide the very real concerns of both Kit, who functions as a spiritual director and retreat leader, and Wren, the young woman who lives with her. Several new characters play a more prominent role in both as individuals who add to the range of emotions exhibited and who provide wisdom and clarity--or both. I am hopeful that these new characters may play a role in future works. The topic of racial justice is introduced in this work as well.

As in the previous work, art and specifically the painting of Vincent Van Gogh play a major role in the story. An accompanying study guide is available that provides scripture readings, reflection questions, and opportunity to reflect on the painting mentioned. Feathers of Hope is a marvelous story to read straight through for enjoyment and then to read a second time with the study guide which will provide a much richer experience. Highly recommended for reading by individuals or for a book group.

I received a complementary copy from InterVarsity Press via Net Galley. I was not required to provide a positive review.

The Nature of Fragile Things

Susan Meissner is an author I have come to enjoy as they typically have a historical setting and strong female characters which creates a winning combination. Her newest novel, The Nature of Fragile Things, is set in San Francisco and includes the famous 1906 earthquake which decimated the city. Beyond the physical destruction of the city, the earthquake figures prominently in the story as it impacts how the main characters choose to deal with other situations they face.

Main character Sophie, an Irish immigrant, travels west as a "mail order" bride for a widowed man and mother to a five year old, selectively mute girl, Kat. Sophie and Kat hit it off but Sophie is a bit baffled by her new husband who travels extensively for work. Sophie soon discovers everything is not as it seems as Mr. Hocking is not forthright with Sophie or others. However, readers later find that Sophie has some secrets of her own. Throughout the book, Meissner uses flash forwards which depict main character, Sophie, being interviewed by a federal investigator. These scenes culminate later in the book when the truth comes out about both individuals. In addition to Sophie and Kat, there are two other strong female characters with prominent roles in the book as well. All three adult women demonstrate the strength that someone can muster in a devastating situation when needed.

The Nature of Fragile Things is not a warm, fuzzy story but does have a satisfying conclusion. Readers will want to add this to their reading list.

I received a complementary copy of The Nature of Fragile Things from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive review.

That Time of Life

If you say "Hot Flashes!" around anyone, their mind automatically heads to menopause. While not quite there yet, that time of life is certainly sneaking up on me, so the book Seven Transforming Gifts of Menopause seemed like an appropriate title to read. Unfortunately, menopause or "the change" carries a lot of baggage and is often used to demean and put down women.

Author Cheryl Bridges Johns is Chair of Spiritual Renewal at Pentecostal Theological Seminary. For each chapter, she emphasizes that women may have been taught one thing, such as women should be quiet and not have a voice, but that the Bible doesn't teach that. Johns then shares how menopause is a wonderful time to transform that area or aspect of your life by embracing your true self or finding the voice that you may have hidden or not felt comfortable using. Cheryl Bridges Johns does marvelous job of combining spiritual teaching and stories from her own life and those of other women. Some of the stories such as that of a woman being asked to leave a women's retreat for asking questions and being disruptive rather than being quiet and simply a container to be filled will make you angry and wonder what would happen in your church setting. Johns pulls in other scholarly research as well to back up her points. She writes as an older, wiser friend who has already experienced these gifts and wishes to help others experience menopause as transforming gifts rather than closing the door on possibilities.

I would encourage any woman regardless of their age or their proximity to this time period to read Seven Transforming Gifts of Menopause. If you are currently in this phase, it will be encouraging and help you to embrace your future years with gusto. If this phase is in your near future, reading this book will help you to begin thinking about these gifts and how you can embrace them fully. If either of these categories describe you, Johns also includes wonderful questions for both person reflection and group reflection which makes this perfect for a study or book group. If menopause is far in the future, you still might find this a useful book. Many of the gifts described, as the title suggests, focus on transforming a viewpoint or action that you may find useful to implement now. All in all, no matter your age, Johns helps you to become more comfortable with the life changes we all go through and with who you are and the unique gifts God has given to you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Seven Transforming Gifts of Menopause from Brazos Press/Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Best and the Worst of the Church

Home for Erring and Outcast Girls by Julie Kibler is simultaneously a look at the best and the worst of the church particularly in regards to sexual violence against women. The description drew me in immediately--a timeslip novel about an historical church-based home for girls who had no where else to go AND a modern day, university librarian who was doing research related to this same home. However, by the end of the book, I was angry at the injustices experienced by both the historical and modern day characters.

As I started to read the book, early on I found myself checking the publisher information as I didn't think this was from a Christian/religious publishing house, yet the setting of a Christian home for wayward girls allowed for numerous scripture passages and Christian teaching. I really enjoyed the emphasis on grace the girls and women who lived at the Berachah Home were given. However, early on I picked up that something would happen the cast an unfavorable view of the church as well. As I suspected, towards the end of the book there are spurious actions by those in powerful positions as well as huge twist in the identity of one of the characters. Throughout the book, as each character's story unfolds men who should protect and care for them instead abuse and use them in unspeakable ways. To say anymore would spoil the storyline. Home for Erring and Outcast Girls is recommended for mature readers. Book clubs will find much to think about and discuss in these pages. Hopefully, readers will return to their churches and communities and ask what would happen here if similar events unfolded. If you are looking for a sweet enjoyable read, this not the book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Home for Erring and Outcast Girls via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.