Paula Lynn McGrew
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Romancing Melody ~ Carrie Daws

3/26/2014

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Carrie Daws' book, Romancing Melody, is fantastic.  The word "Wow!" kept coming to my mind while I was reading.  I was instantly pulled into the story through her detailed descriptions and rich imagery and the likable characters. Reflecting how difficult military life can be for those deployed and those left at home, Carrie did an excellent job showing us how many sacrifices our military members make ensure our country's safety. The kindness and patience with which the other characters treat Melody Podell was outstanding and reinforced for me how important it is to empathize with those who are hurting.  She is blessed with a large network of support ~ from friends and family alike ~ and this, along with God's love, helps her heal and accept what has happened to her and her husband, David, and their son, Cole. 

Romancing Melody made me think about God and how even during the bad times, He's always right there, romancing me even in the midst of difficult situations.  When all I want to do is be angry with Him, He's there waiting to give me a hug and heal my grieving spirit.

The entire way throughout the book, I felt as though I knew the characters personally and wished the story would go on and on and on.  I felt their pain and rejoiced in their triumphs, cried with them when their faith was severely tested and cheered them on as they learned to trust God again.  The way this broken family, each grieving in their own way, comforts one another is truly amazing.  They are able to share love and compassion with others in their own time of need which is a true portrayal of how God's love can mend broken hearts.  I didn't want to put the book down until the last word was read.  I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this heartwarming story.

Melody and David's story is realistic and heart wrenching, yet tender and written with a great deal of care.  I needed to keep a box of tissues nearby while I read.  The salvation message is clear and understandable, not watered down, and one which will bring the reader closer to  God.  We all have our faith tested in some way or another, but how we use what happens to us to strengthen our faith instead of dwelling only on the negative is how we can continue our walk with God.  Through this story, God reminded me of the woman He created me to be and am capable of becoming.  Most of all, He created me to be His Bride.

Romancing Melody is an excellent book, sure to delight those looking for a good read, and one that could be read over and over again.  This is an inspirational story about how even the worst situations can end up bringing us closer to God and loving Him more than we thought we could.  Read this book if you have the chance ~ you won't regret it!  It is, indeed, one of the finest in Christian literature.


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Carrie Daws' light for Jesus shines brightly on her website where she talks about the Crossing series and offers her readers a sneak peek of the first and second chapters of Romancing Melody.

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Crossing's Redemption ~ Carrie Daws

3/19/2014

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Carrie Daws, has written a lovely fourth novel in her Crossings series, Crossings Redemption, and nails the reunion, forgiveness and restoration dynamics in this story, not only for Patricia Guire, but for Amber Yager as well.

Denying health problems even when panic attacks are suspected to be brought on by suppressed memories and past hurts, Patricia acknowledges she is being adversely affected by a secret she’s kept from everyone she loves.

Together, Amber and Patricia attend a support group designed to help them deal with their carefully guarded secrets. Patricia thinks her past will remain in the past until Dr. John Williams comes to town, bringing with him memories she has kept to herself for decades. Now she battles her growing fear that what transpired between them years before will affect her future in negative ways.

This quote from Amber caught my attention: “If I truly want God’s best and I really trust Him, then I have to be okay with whatever comes . . . I have to trust in God’s love for me,” made me pause momentarily and breath a prayer of thanks for this reminder. I’ve forgotten to trust God more times than I care to remember.

While facing their past is scary, they believe God will bring them through their individual valleys of darkness. They show a tremendous amount of spiritual and emotional growth, and the people who care about and pray for them are delighted to see them finally set free.

The story itself presented several valuable lessons on forgiveness and trusting God and believing He’s working all things in our lives for good, and this theme is a great reminder that it’s never too late to turn our burdens over to Him. For anyone wrestling with the concept of God redeeming the past and providing much-needed victory, this is a gentle reminder that He wants us to quit carrying the burdens our shoulders were never meant to bear and simply accept that His grace is sufficient. Keeping that in mind makes releasing anxiety, worry, frustration, hurt, unforgiveness ~ you name it ~ to Him much easier.

Here is another one of my favorite quote comes from Patricia when she’s having a conversation with Amber: “Fight fear with truth. You are not alone in your fear; you are not alone in your pain. And neither fear nor pain is from God. He wants to free us both from what we carry.”

This is an intense, emotional and satisfying story of love, healing and restoration. Carrie creates characters and situations so true to life it’s easy to identify with them, and this story feels like it’s about real people. She is a compassionate storyteller who draws her readers in as characters face their past hurts head on, deal with the consequences of their decisions, and learn to lean on the power of God’s love and restoration. She throws in a couple of surprises but helps Patricia and Amber find closure in a way that tied up the loose ends and left me satisfied.

I want to add that Carrie did an excellent job of weaving the supernatural into this story, as she has done in the previous three books, in a way that is believable and keeps me on my toes as I look for the angelic interventions I may encounter in my own life.

Even if you haven’t read any of Carrie’s other books in this series or are reading this book out of sequence, you are in for a treat and reading this book first will not ruin the plot in any of the others for you. You will not feel left out or like you’re missing any necessary details.


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Carrie Daws' light for Jesus shines brightly on her website where she talks about the Crossing series and offers her readers a sneak peek of the first and second chapters of Crossing's Redemption.

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Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws

3/12/2014

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In addition to being uplifting and a tear-jerker at the same time, Carrie Daws’ book, Ryan’s Crossing, is a gentle and pure love story.  Funny and light-hearted in spots, this helped ease the sadness of some of the events in the plotline.  There are several surprises sprinkled throughout the story that kept me wondering what was going to happen next.  The small town of Crossing is described as a friendly place where people look out for each other, and a town I’d like to visit one day.  The health care and emergency scenes are realistically written and show Carrie's knowledge of the medical field.  
  
The Christian message in Carrie’s writing is both convicting and inspiring, delivering the message to listen, really listen, to the still small voice of God when I hear Him speaking.  Throughout the novel, I was challenged to go where God sends me and to be unafraid to do His will and obey Him, and to believe I am created for great things even when I doubt myself and my abilities.  I really liked  the way the characters address God as “Daddy” when they pray, lending an intimacy to the way they relate to God that I have not seen in other books of this genre.

Carrie clearly cares about her characters, and their compassion for each other shines like a beacon throughout this story.  She also does a great job of bringing them to life so their personalities shine through.   The characters struggle with many of the same real life difficulties we all deal with in our own lives.  They are open and honest about their doubts and insecurities and fears and in their need to lean on God’s guidance.  Ryan is kind and considerate and a gentleman in the way he interacts with Brittney, respecting her old-fashioned values without question.  Brittney has an engaging, fun-loving personality and is tenderhearted in her interactions with her oncology patients.  Ryan and Brittney are charming and genuinely care about and respect others, stepping in and doing whatever they can to help when called upon. 
 
Just like with Carrie’s first story in this series, Crossing Values, I was hooked from Page 1 and had to force myself to lay the book aside when my own life responsibilities needed tending to.  I finished reading Brittney and Luke’s story with a yearning for a closer relationship with God and the same intimacy the cast of characters enjoyed with Him.  I was reminded of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in every area of my life.  
 
This book is easy to read simply for the story itself, and I came to think of the characters as my own friends and was sad to leave them when I finished the last page.   I consider reading this novel time well spent.  Good job, Carrie! 


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Her light shining for Jesus, Carrie Daws talks about the Crossing series on her website and offers readers a sneak peek of the first and second chapters of Ryan's Crossing.

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Crossing Values by Carrie Daws

3/5/2014

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Grabbing my attention from the first page, Carrie Daws’ book, Crossing Values, drew me into the story and invited me to stay as if I belonged.   I appreciate her ability to weave the small town setting of Crossing, Oregon located in the Cascade Mountains, into her storyline. Highlighting their struggles and painful pasts in a way both genuine and real, she did a remarkable job with character development.

Drawn in by Peter’s family in the same way they warmly welcomed Amber, I felt like part of their home life immediately and as though I had been encouraged to go inside, take off my shoes and make myself comfortable by the fire. Sensing their love for God, I admired their desire to show that same love to those who crossed their paths. 

Reading this story was almost like being adopted into their family. The cast of  characters is engaging and believable, supportive of each other, and people I  would like to get to know and have as my own friends. 


Peter’s relationship with God is deep and personal, and his desire to obey God is inspiring, challenging me to do the same thing.   Clearly evident throughout the story is the way God uses Peter and his family to Amber and bring her closer to Him. God’s love for her is evident in the gentle way He pursues her, encouraging Amber to open up her heart and yield her hurts to Him for healing. I sensed the struggles in both Peter and Amber, finding myself rooting for them as I read this book. I felt Peter’s internal struggle to  know God’s heart and his desire to do God's will and not hurt the people he loves. Amber deals with learning to depend on others, ultimately finding peace after she bravely risks letting people get emotionally close to her.

Realistically written and easy to read, this book delivers a powerful message focused on trusting and loving God. The humorous scenes are believable and funny; the sad scenes touched my heart and brought me to tears. Two questions I kept asking myself as I turned the pages were: “How much do I trust God?” and “How much do I show God’s love to people I don’t know?” As uplifting as it is convicting, this novel is filled with good-natured teasing and humor.

Carrie did  a great job writing this gentle love story and has something  unique to offer her readers. This is a great story for all ages ~ from  teenage daughters to grandmothers. I won’t hesitate to recommend this book to my nieces, aunts. sister, mother or mother-in-law and encourage anyone who wants to read a clean romance with an uplifting message to pick up a copy.

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Carrie talks about the Crossing series on her website where she lets her light shine for Jesus and offers readers a sneak peek of the first and second chapters of Crossing Values.
 

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    Paula Lynn McGrew

    I am a Christian wife, mother and author who strives to serve Jesus Christ in every area of my life and let my light shine for Him.

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