"Sweet Sanctuary" by Shelia Walsh and Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

I recently read a book for Tommy Nelson Publishers to review as part of their "BookSneeze" program for bloggers. You get free books in exchange for a review of the book on your blog. They don't require a  positive review, and want your honest opinion on the selected material. That is what I will give here. My unbiased and honest opinion of this book, Sweet Sanctuary.

Sweet Sanctuary is a book about a woman, scarred by crisis from her childhood and adulthood alike, struggling in today's world as a single mom, and dealing with insecurity and strained relationships within her family. Her grandmother shows up on her doorstep one morning with a big request that would require Wren, the character, to step outside her comfort zone and confront the years of emotional abuse she's endured at the hands of her older sister Barb and the years of being ignored by her younger brother Jack. Grandma Ruth's request requires them all to work together for the first time in decades, and adds stress to Wren's already complicated life. In the end, Wren and her siblings face the facts of what happened within their family decades ago while facing a new crisis that parallels the old one, and restore their relationships, along the way building a stronger faith in Christ.

I found this book to be a breath of fresh air in my current crisis-covered life. So many of Wren's struggles were either my own at one point, or are currently my own. The book left me with a sense of hope and faith in God that no matter how strong the storms in my life, He's standing there, holding His hand out to me, protecting me. Although it was slightly slow moving in the middle, it came full circle in the last 3rd of the book, and it all tied nicely together to convey this message of hope and faith renewed. The words and hope of the Bible are very intricately woven into the story line, and certainly give constant reminders to keep trusting God, and allow Him to take control of our lives.

I would most certainly recommend this book to each and every one of you. Even if your storms are quiet at the moment, we know with certainty that they will come, and this book, the message it conveys, prepares you for that time. And if you ARE in the midst of a storm, this book helps you to take hold of the Bow (Cross) and hold on while you allow the Lord to captain your ship!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. 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.”