The Avid Reading Mom

How many bad things can happen in your life within a short period of time before you start questioning if they are on purpose?  That is exactly how Jim and Jess feel in this story, Fire Storm, which is written by Mackenzie Dare.

Jim is a fireman who faces dangers every day of his life.  Jess is a stay-at-home mom to a sweet baby girl who has a love for nature and the outdoors.  She also loves her horses and spends time in her barn.  Jim and Jess also have best friends named Wade and Melissa who they spend a lot of time with.

As days go by, more and more bad things keep happening and Jim and Jess begin to piece together that Jess is the target of someone who wants her dead.  The story has a happy ending but not before the killer catches up to Jess.

All in all, this was a good story.  At times, it seemed like the story was dragging on.  There was a couple of places where it could have ended and still been a wonderful story.  In the end, salvation comes to those who need it and love and forgiveness are shown.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a contemporary love story.  The characters are wonderful and you really begin to fall in love with each one.  The story lines are fantastic and well written.  I would say, just persevere when it starts to drag on, it picks up toward the end and then you can’t stop reading it.  I enjoyed it very much. 

I would rate this book 3.5 stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author.  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.”

Every person harbors secrets.  Those secrets can, often times, be the cause of pain, heartache, spiritual and emotional damage.  In Not A Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols, she explores the dangers that can occur when secrets are kept from those we love.

Mary Bridget Washburn (Bridie) is a girl who is on the run from her ex-boyfriend and from the law.  Her ex-boyfriend is a meth dealer and his life is plummeting out of control.  As Mary’s life spirals out of control she decides to leave the situation she is living in, takes all the money from the house, and goes as far away as she can.  Her journey ends in Alexandria.

Enter Reverend Alasdair MacPherson.  Alasdair is a man of God who, after loosing his wife, has forsaken his family and his church in pursuits he believes God wants him to do.  Bridie is hired by Alasdair’s sister to become the nanny for his 3 children; Samantha who is 13, and the twins Cameron and Bonnie.  Bridie helps Alasdair open up and see how his pursuits are hurting his family and himself.

Samantha, Alasdair’s oldest daughter is hurting.  She lost her mom and her dad is now a workaholic who doesn’t even know she exists.  She is spiraling out of control; she hangs out with the wrong crowd, skips school, and begins stealing, which is where she meets Bridie.  After a desperate plea for help posted on the church bulletin board, Bridie begins to reach out to her and Samantha begins to heal and love again.

In the end, secrets are revealed which bring love and healing to the whole family.  Linda Nichols weaves together an incredible tale of lies, love, and redemption. 

I read this book as part of a book club read for the Christian Fiction Devours group at Goodreads. I really enjoyed reading this story.  At times, the story line seemed to drag on but I kept reading because I was engrossed in the lives of the characters.  As you experience life through the eyes of Bridie and Alasdair, you see that God is the God of redemption and forgiveness.  This story shows that nothing can separate you from the love and forgiveness of God.  This story also shows that prayer is the key to happiness in our lives.

I would recommend this book for someone who is going through trials in their life.  It will help them see that God is always there, just a prayer away.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!