Thursday, August 12, 2010

Not a Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from the publisher)

Two Desperate People--
One With All the Answers•One With None

Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of running, tired of being haunted by the empty shell her life has become. How in the world did the little girl she once was become a woman on the wrong side of the law?

Determined to make a new start, she escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia, where she takes on her mother's identity and finds sanctuary in the shadow of a decades-old church. But a little girl's plea proves to be her undoing, and the reverend•well, someone's got to open his eyes before disaster comes calling.

Can Mary Bridget and her tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family falling apart?


My Thoughts:

Linda Nichols is a powerful writer, and the Lord never fails to perfectly time the entrance into my heart and life. Bethany House repackaged Not a Sparrow Falls earlier this year, and the book has sat patiently waiting to be read. Well, what I found between its pages was God’s gentle reminder, and here I quote my husband’s frequent advice, “Don’t be quick to judge someone, because you never know what God is doing in their life.”


This book is filled with flawed characters. There is a preacher, Alasdair, who has been blindsided by tragedy. His family suffers greatly because of his neglect, and he doesn’t even realize the state of affairs. Then you have Mary Washburn, a woman who has allowed her life to become trapped into the nightmare of drug addiction and manufacturing. Neither one of these poor souls really has a clue what to do about their circumstance, but both of them are desperate…desperate for change.


God begins to lay the burden of prayer upon the hearts of His prayer warriors, and things begin to change – slowly and subtly. Mary finds herself in circumstances she never dreamed of, and Alasdair finds his home life taking turns for the better, while his pastorship of the local church begins a downward spiral. Where these two lives intersect, grace abounds, and mercy never ceases. The end result is something only God could do.


I’ve been privileged to see lives transformed from hopelessness. While some would find this plot line a bit far fetched, I find it quite believable and full of an encouragement infused by the promises of God. Linda Nichols understands God’s tender care for the “least of these”, and her stories encourage others to be aware of His leadership in their lives, and not to be afraid to follow.


This really is an amazing story. I have loved every story I’ve ever read by Linda Nichols, and I hope it won’t be long until I’m privileged to read another.



About the Author:

Linda Nichols, a graduate of the University of Washington, is a novelist with a unique gift for touching readers' hearts with her stories. She is also the author of the acclaimed novels If I Gained the World and At the Scent of Water. She and her family make their home in Tacoma, Washington. Visit Linda's Web site at www.lindanichols.org

2 comments:

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I LOVE Linda Nichols and this book. She has written If I gain the World, and At the Scent of Water. A few other books too But these are books that stand out. After your read these books the scripture these books are based on come to life.

I like the new cover of this book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

Nora
The Book Club Network
www.bookfun.org

Mocha with Linda said...

Excellent book and author!