Tuesday, October 18, 2011

when sparrows fall {a novel} by Meg Moseley


Book Description:  Freedom. Safety. Love. Miranda vows to reclaim them--for herself, and for her children.
 
A widow and mother of six, Miranda Hanford leads a quiet, private life. When the pastor of her close-knit church announces his plans to move the entire congregation to another state, Miranda jumps at the opportunity to dissolve ties with Mason Chandler and his controlling method of ruling his flock. But then Mason threatens to unearth secrets from her past, and Miranda feels trapped, terrified she’ll be unable to protect her children.



College professor Jack Hanford is more than surprised when he gets a call from his estranged sister-in-law’s oldest son, Timothy, informing him that Miranda has taken a serious fall and he has been named legal guardian of her children while she recovers. Quickly charmed by Miranda’s children, Jack brings some much-needed life into the sheltered household. But his constant challenging of the family’s conservative lifestyle makes the recovering mother uneasy and defensive—despite Jack’s unnerving appeal.



As Jack tries to make sense of the mysterious Miranda and the secrets she holds so tightly, Mason’s pressure on her increases. With her emotions stirring and freedom calling, can Miranda find a way to unshackle her family without losing everything?


My Review:  Wow!  Imagine never watching a dvd or shopping at Wal-Mart!  Welcome to Miranda's world.  She and her six children have led very conservative lives not necessarily because they chose this way of life but because Miranda's husband, Carl, and the pastor of their church insisted on these "rules of life."
When Miranda is badly hurt after a fall her oldest son, Timothy, contacts his uncle Jack (half brother to his late dad) to come and help his family while his mom recuperates.  
Jack drops everything to go and help Miranda and her children.  Jack's easy going ways and challenges aren't the perfect way to help but Miranda with her defensive ways begins to question "the why of her conservative living."
The mystery involving Pastor Mason and even the secrets Miranda harbors are intriguing as well as hard to guess why it all happened.  
This book brings out some hard to answer questions:  Why do some people follow the Law but forget about the Grace?  Is it right for a pastor to "rule" his flock?  Are people who follow pastors who require more than God requires just part of a cult?
This was a truly interesting read.  There are slow parts but I likes the way the author pulls the reader into the "fray."  I found myself rooting for Jack to help Miranda and the children pull away from their pastor.  But found that pulling away from a cult leader is about like pulling a tooth.  A lot of pain, some tears but healing as the end result.
This is an enjoyable read!  God sees every sparrow that falls and He knows just how to help His "sparrows" regain life again!
*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

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