The Way It Should Be – After years of estrangement, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eva, are suddenly and completely intertwined. Eve’s troubled life causes the state to take over her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newly married Zara thought she finally got a fresh start and feels unprepared to take care of him. After years apart, the lives of Zara Mahoney and her twin sister, Eva, are suddenly and completely intertwined. Eve’s troubled life causes the state to take over her two children and contact Zara and her husband, asking them to consider foster care. Newlywed Zara thought she finally got a fresh start and feels unprepared to take care of a niece and nephew she didn’t even know existed. Meanwhile, Eva may have a real chance to start this time with the help of Tiff Bradley, who is committed to helping women who have given up on everyone else after facing a heartbreaking tragedy in their own family. … more
This is a wonderful, gut-wrenching book, but it is everything I expected from this author. He has a way of getting to the heart of some complicated issues and handling them with total grace. The themes of addiction and foster care are woven throughout the story, and because life is more complicated than we like to imagine, the ending is hopeful, but not tied up with a pretty bow. I felt bad for Zara as she learned to be an “instant” parent to her niece and nephew, and I was in turn a wonderful, gut-wrenching book, but it’s everything I expected from this author. He has a way of getting to the heart of some complicated issues and handling them with total grace. The themes of addiction and foster care are woven throughout the story, and because life is more complicated than we like to imagine, the ending is hopeful, but not tied up with a pretty bow. I loved Zara as she learned to be an “instant” parent to her niece and nephew, and I alternated between anger and compassion for Eva as she tried to get her life back together. After reading this book, I understand more clearly that recovery from addiction must come from within, one cannot wish healing for another person or it will never be enough. Although Eve longed to be reunited with her children, the motivation for her recovery was about them, not her. This is a difficult thing for someone (like me) who has never dealt with addiction to come to terms with. There is a subtle but pervasive message of faith throughout the book as the characters learn to rely on God for strength rather than themselves. I wonder if there will be a spin-off book because there is a definite cliffhanger moment at the end. Overall, another great book by Christina Suzann Nelson. I volunteered to review a free copy of this book, all opinions are my own. … more
The Way It Should Be
This is a book that hooks you from the first page and keeps the momentum more or less constant until the end. The story tells us about the twins Eve and Zara, who, although they shared a common womb, have nothing in common in adulthood, because their paths diverged a long time ago. Zara rose from her struggling background with sheer courage and determination and recently married Chad. Now she is waiting to settle down with her new husband and her new farm, where she can work on her organization. This is a book that hooks you from the first page and keeps the momentum more or less constant until the end. The story tells us about the twins Eve and Zara, who, although they shared a common womb, have nothing in common in adulthood, because their paths diverged a long time ago. Zara rose from her struggling background with sheer courage and determination and recently married Chad. Now she is waiting for her new husband to settle in her new farm where he can work on his organic produce business. Eva, on the other hand, could not get rid of emotional struggles from childhood. She is an inveterate drug abuser, despite having two young children, and lives with her boyfriend on-off even though he physically abuses her. Once the abuse gets out of hand and Eva finds herself in the hospital, a good Samaritan – Tiff Bradley, who is dealing with personal problems – steps in to help. Zara finds herself forced to accept custody of her long-lost twin’s children. Can he handle these unexpected tasks? Will Eva be able to overcome her drug addiction? Will Tiff be able to make peace with her past, even if her actions are in the present? Read the book to find out. As women’s fiction, this book checks all the boxes. It has family and friends, emotions and struggles, separations and reunions. You will be invested in each of the three leading ladies during their varied journey. Eva and her struggle with drug use and trying to be a good mother, Zara and her struggle to be a family with children she’s never met before while managing her business and new marriage, Tiff trying the parenting mistakes before to change. goes all out to help those in need, although his marriage seems to bring consequences for his charity… The way these three arcs are tied makes the book a fascinating read. I especially love how the author details the struggles of foster parents. It was inspiring to see the DHS requirements to ensure children’s safety. Even as Christian fiction, this book works well. Although I am a Christian, I am not a big fan of this genre because many books in this category simply quote biblical phrases to make a point or sound fatalistic with banal remarks like “God takes care of everything” or “God is watching” You” and so on. Neither approach clicks with me. I am a firm believer in “God helps those who help themselves”, no matter which god one prays to. This book follows the same approach. Although the characters seem to believe in putting God, they don’t just rely on prayer or hope. They focus on deeds rather than words and use their beliefs to make a practical difference in society. I like this aspect of putting religion into practice and wish that all Christian fiction books follow this approach. Overall, “The Way It Should Be” is a very powerful and emotional story. The writing is very compelling. Although some of the characters too good to be true, the way he describes the struggles of addiction and foster family makes it worth reading. Thank you, NetGalley and Bethany Publishing House, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. A 4.5 from me. Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Child Trauma *********************** Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun. Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews … more
Cristiano Ronaldo Quote: “we Should Make The Most Of Life, Enjoy It Because That’s The Way
Another amazing book that I had the honor of reading for support! Here is my official page: Nelson once again delivers a story with heart, courage and compassion. The Way It Must Be Done is a story that reminds readers of beauty in the midst of pain, hope in the midst of adversity, and the power of love to restore and redeem. An impressive read. Another amazing book that I had the honor of reading for support! Here is my official page: Nelson once again delivers a story with heart, courage and compassion. The Way It Must Be Done is a story that reminds readers of beauty in the midst of pain, hope in the midst of defeat, and the power of love to restore and redeem. An impressive read. … more
I decided to read some of the Christy award winners and I can see why this book won. An amazing story of twins, one a heron addict and another happily married. When one sister comes to raise her after being abused by her boyfriend, the other sister takes care of her 2 children. The story covers these 2 sisters and how they both want to be the best Christ followers they can be. Is it too late for the drug addict twins to change their lives? Having given up on the other sister, I decided to read some of the Christy prize winners and I see why this book won. An amazing story of twins, one a heron addict and another happily married. When one sister comes to raise her after being abused by her boyfriend, the other sister takes care of her 2 children. There
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