Book Review: Sweet Sanctuary

 

By Sheila Walsh and Cindy Coloma
Published by Thomas Nelson

Average Blogger Rating: 3.6 Stars

Book Description

"Without the storm, how would we know the sweetness of shelter?" -Ruth
Out of the clear blue, Wren’s Grandma Ruth arrives on her doorstep, dreaming of a grand party to celebrate her 90th birthday. Wren and her young son Charlie love the idea, but it quickly gets complicated: Ruth wants Wren’s estranged siblings to attend and she wants Wren to sing her all-time favorite song: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” It’s the very song Wren sang one fateful day during her childhood . . . and Wren hasn’t sung a note since.
Though she’s glad to have Grandma back in her life, Wren’s sleeping on the couch in her own house now . . . and worried about the expenses piling up. After all, her job at the community library is in jeopardy after budget cuts, and the fancy music program she wants for her son is getting farther and farther out of reach. What’s more, Paul—the guy she's drawn to yet avoids—ends up being a major part of an important library project.
With family arriving and old wounds resurfacing, Wren’s about to fly when she discovers something special—a gift of grace beyond her wildest dreams.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It is a sweet story of grace and forgiveness in today's setting.  The character's are very well developed and believable.  They face many contemporary problems that people today can relate to such as: the challenges of being a single mother, trouble from facebook, job changing with new technology, strained relationships, and of course forgiveness. Wren has to learn that God is in control of all things and that change is not something to fear.  She has to learn to forgive the cause of an old tragedy that tore her family apart in order to stop an other's child from going through the same thing she suffered as a child: blame.  She learns that while forgiveness is not easy, it is necessary to move on with her (our) lives.  While I enjoyed Wren, Charlie, and Paul's character, I loved Grandma Ruth and her determination to bring her family back together even if there is a little lie involved that she herself has to ask forgiveness for.


I received a complimentary e book copy of Sweet Sanctuary from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation.