The Five Orphaned Christian Sisters Journey
347184
An enjoyable inspirational story. The characters and locations were interesting, with enough excitement and romance to keep the pages turning.
1620004
Ava's life is full of material blessings, an enviable family.  She is a Bible study leader and has organized the women of her church to reach out to the broken-hearted. Ava's world falls apart around her and she realizes she has never told her
children about her early life that is full of many broken-hearted situatins.  Ava decides to go back to her chidhood home to heal both the past and the present. She will be returning home with her younger cousin'x baby left on her doorstep.  Ava is also troubled that her weeping willow tree is dying, a gift from her brother from their childhood home.  The authors' narration of Ava'a trip home is as if they are
telling it just to you.  It's reminescent of the readers' own childhood years as told, good or bad, by older relatives.  My attention was completely absorbed in
Ava's journey.  Ava's own broken heart has a new song at journey's end.  And, the
tree has new life.
2037472
A beautifully written story of two women, one young and one old, who lost their family at a young age and suffered with unsympathetic foster families.  They develop a friendship that helps each confront their painful pasts.  The book tells the history of the orphan trains though the story of the older woman who, along with thousands of other children, was shipped to families in the midwest.
340897
The book opens in a trek across the desert in 1890 to visit an ancient monastery. As the trek goes on sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes reflect back on the past 30 years of their unconventional lives, from childhood to middle age, and how God has worked through trips abroad from Chicago to often reveal what He wanted them to do next with their lives, leading Rebecca to study history and languages, and Flora into work with the poor, bringing people into their lives such as the two young people traveling with them now, Soren and Kate, who are also given moments to reflect on how they got to this point. Through it all, readers are taken on adventures through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as showing how two women who want to follow God versus society manage life in late 1800s Chicago.

I read devoured this all in one sitting thanks to a six hour flight. And I loved every page. I sometimes cringe to find characters with my name, but I fully embrace sharing a name with this Becky. I get her, especially her need to learn and travel. But I also applaud her daring to be different if she feels that is the way God has called her. Flora is the more tenderhearted of the two sisters, and she balances out Becky well. I sometimes felt like she acquiesced a little too much to Becky's whims, but she also shows a backbone when it is needed, as is demonstrated in Soren and Kate's stories. I loved all the travel in this and exotic locales, and the way Austin wove in real archeological discoveries. Kate and Soren's stories are inspirational in seeing the way the sisters are used to help the poor of the city and change their lives for the better. Overall, I found the entire story moving as Austin highlights how God can use people who are willing to follow Him even down hard roads, inspiring my Christian walk. It was written with a good pace to keep you turning pages through over 400 pages, and because you spend so much time with the characters you really get to know them well. By the end they feel like old friends. A well-woven tale, as the story changes perspectives it picks up from someone else's backstory so that you get the whole tale by the end. Recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction with some clean romance, fans of Christian fiction, and fans of travel stories.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. (One character's plot line involves getting trafficked for prostitution but she escapes from the brothel before anything happens.) The Chicago Fire and its horrors is depicted, severe poverty and deaths that can result from lack of medicine and nutrition depicted, some other perilous situations.
4841258
It was realistic and I liked the Christian aspect.  The three sisters differesnt characteristics were interesting and it made me want to read more about the other two.
879513
This book captured my attention from beginning to end. My husband's second great grandmother was a passenger on the Amazon ship Charles Dickens wrote about in his article "The Uncommercial Traveler," referred to in this story. She sailed to America with two of her girlfriends, so I felt like I was reading her story! The organization, compassion, adventure and real human emotion of these sisters in the gospel drew me in. I am looking forward to reading their continuing adventures in "Seven Sisters, Overland Trek."
1898012
What an amazing adventure - the journey to the healthy heart of God.  I do a support group for women who have been sexually abused and bought this book for each of the women.  It has been amazing!  Emotional and Spiritual healing only happens in the Presence of Jesus.  This book helps guide each person into a deeper walk with Him.  I have recommended it to many of my friends.
4109833
Number 5 in the "Chime Traveler" series of chapter books for kids in grades 2 and up (younger as a read-aloud), this novel finds twins Patrick and Katie traveling through time to Bethlehem, where they accompany Mary and Joseph through their attempts to find lodging and stay with them until the Holy Family flees to Egypt to escape Herod's attempts on Jesus' life.

Readers will feel as if they're really there, encountering shepherds, Magi and even Anna and Simeon in the Temple. Hendey's account of the Incarnation weaves Gospel stories seamlessly with the fictional addition of modern-day visitors who find ways to help Mary and Joseph take care of their newborn son. The stories incorporate a level of detail that will fascinate children who want to know what life was like during Jesus' time.

Lisa Hendey's devotion to the Blessed Mother is particularly evident in the way Mary is portrayed in the story.

Books in the "Chime Traveler" series always focus on a lesson the children must learn before they can return to their own families; this book centers on a refugee family seeking shelter in the twins' parish church.
4740549
When three sisters and one battered-soul pastor find their lives entwined on a grand Florida estate, they begin to see themselves and each other from a new perspective. Secrets, scarred hearts and hurtful memories give way to self-discovery as each takes a journey down an unexpected path. Award-winning author Angela Hunt brings us FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR to small town Florida, where God takes four people with broken dreams and shows them the healing power of grace and the miracles that happen when you change trajectory.

Darlene Caldwell has lived in her twin sister's shadow since Carlene's angelic voice was discovered when both were just children. Soon after Darlene first wowed her family and community, she began to get all the attention. Even their mother was so occupied with Darlene's budding career; she seldom had time for Carlene and little sister Nolie. Later, when Darlene married Carlene's ex-boyfriend, she spent her married life believing her husband's true love would always be her twin. But Carlene had no interest in sticking around town or getting married. She headed for New York and became a Broadway star, while Darlene stayed behind to run Sycamores, the estate bestowed on them by their grandfather.

In a shrewd legal move, their grandfather had arranged for Sycamores to belong to the Caldwell family for 50 years after his death. Only six years remains before Sycamores becomes county property. This poses no problem for the theatrically and financially successful Carlene, but for Darlene and Nolie, a future without Sycamores is a frightening thing.

Darlene and Nolie have no idea that Carlene is facing her own fears about the future. The Broadway singer's throat surgery did not achieve the expected results. After months of healing and waiting, Carlene realizes her singing days may be over. When she receives an invitation from the Mayor of Peculiar to attend a 50th birthday party for herself and her sister, she accepts, hoping for a respite from her troubles and a chance to rekindle her sister relationships. She arrives at the party, warmly welcomed by the town that considers her their claim to fame, and lovingly greeted by Nolie. While Darlene initially graces her with a smile and hug, it is soon clear that the division between them remains wide and deep.

Nolie has no issues with Carlene, having been so young when her big sister left. But Nolie is haunted by a humiliating past that keeps her firmly tied to Sycamores and Peculiar. Getting left at the altar, while the whole town looked on, was the last straw for a girl who had grown up with a slight learning disability that had eaten away at her self-confidence until it was nothing more than rubble. Her world revolves around creating beautiful hand-made aprons, tending her gardens and caring for her dogs. Until Pastor Erik Payne arrives.

Like the Caldwell sisters, Erik is struggling with broken dreams and a battered heart. His marriage went bad soon after he got the calling to ministry. Being a pastor's wife did not bode well with Mrs. Payne, who filed for divorce. Erik loved serving the Lord as a pastor, but the church felt that a divorced pastor was a bad example for the flock. Divorced and jobless, Erik heads for Sycamores on the advice of a friend. Since the Caldwell women need a handyman, they set him up in the guesthouse, unaware that God is about to send all four of them on a life-changing journey.

FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR is a beautifully written story that will grip your heart and keep you reading "just one more chapter" until the end. It's the kind of novel I call "the whole package" because it offers everything from realistic dialogue and an engaging plot to lovely imagery and characters so real they leap from the page. Author Angela Hunt surely proves again that she deserves her award-winning title and spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. This is a great book to share with Christian and non-Christian friends and family.

Reviewed by Susan Miura
2640575
This is a very wonderful story of a single mom's journey with her four young children across the United States.  Melissa's writing style makes you feel like you are along on the trip.  Her extremely honest expression of her doubts and struggles as well as the joys and triumphs add to the enjoyment of reading the book.  God's sovereignty and faithfulness is displayed as this family travels from New York to California and back.  How He provides all along the way physically and spiritually makes the book worth reading.  Highly recommend.
143815
I am good friends with the parents of one of these families. I know how hard it was for them to tell their story... to open themselves up in this way. However, they obviously felt compelled to share knowing it would be a way of giving testimony to the faithfulness of God.... no matter what the circumstance. Both families share their stories in a very real way. They bring the reader into the most unbelievable, heartwrenching situations that for them were all too real. Hopefully as you read of their journey you will feel uplifted, grateful, challenged and more aware of the loving God these families have found to be so faithful and good.
4973131
This is such a realistic story of a harrowing incident that changed this whole family's lives.  They could have all given up hope and become bitter towards God and the perpetrator.  Instead, they chose to trust God and fight despite the long and painful process of healing.  Jen and Linda will be speaking at our church women's retreat and I look forward to meeting them face to face and hearing how God has used them through these circumstances.
958106
A doorstep orphan, a meddlesome younger brother, a sister looking for love and a man looking for love that doesn't know he needs a good woman in his life.
1787056
This was a great read. An orphan gets married in. Order to get out of the orphanage and to keep her sister with her. The story and characters develops from there highly recommend it for Christian fiction.
4922842
Shannon's life fell apart in 2005. First, she and her long time boyfriend, the man with whom she was smitten, broke up. A few days later, she received the phone call. Rafting the Hulahula River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, he dad and step-mom were attacked and killed by a grizzly. (Before and since their death, there has been no known humans killed by bears in the Refuge.)
A year later, Shannon was on that same river, taking the same trip, with her adopted brother and woman who was his work colleague.

The trip would be a sacred journey, a pilgrimage. She would come to realize that the reason for the trip was to face the beast of grief within herself. She was also waiting to hear from God, not sure of what he would say or how He would say it.

She interweaves her family story and her experience with singing into her account of the rafting trip. Her father had been drafted for the Vietnam war but his law degree allowed him to be posted to Alaska. After his military commitment was completed, he stayed in Alaska, practicing law in Anchorage. Shannon grew up in Alaska but ended up working in Seattle after her college experience.

As Shannon flies to the drop off point, she thinks, "It would be easier not to believe in God. It would be easier not to have to make sense of this. Maybe this place was too far north for prayer, too far north for hope." (61)

There are two aspects of this book that will appeal to readers. First is Shannon's journey through grief. She writes with candor as she comes to grips with the untimely and tragic death of her father and step-mother.
The second aspect is the adventure of Alaska. Readers will learn about migrating birds and animals like the Porcupine Caribou Herd. Shannon also includes in her narrative other journeys she has made into the Alaska wilderness, such as hiking Hatcher Pass in the Talkeetna Mountains.

This is a moving narrative of grief, searching for meaning in the midst of tragedy, and finding the comforting presence of God.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
2203690
Our family has lost a lot of people in the last  five years.  Three parents, two sisters, one brother, one daughter, one grandson, one cousin, and two beloved grandparents. A lot of sadness but a lot of love.  What a delightful book.  I am not the only person in the family that catches a glimmer of a brother,sister,mother or father.  We also will hear a soft word now and again. We all believe in God, that a blessing that is.thank you for a sweet journey
2831134
Ms Borden does a wonderful job exploring the bond between siblings, the rift between parent and child and the attempt to heal.  Kristen and Ann have been through everything together; they are willing to give whatever they need to the other sister - even at their own expense.  This is a truly remarkable story of hope and healing,  I wish it had been a little longer and more indepth, which truly speaks to Ms. Borden's talent.

An ARC was received in exchange for this honest review for Sin Sisters Books.