Lindsay Harrel

Grief is a different story for every person.

The Joy of Falling is not an easy book to read, take the warning to heart when it says: "Both women are trying to navigate their way through the grief,".

This story doesn't sugarcoat the characters' feelings, as a reader, it is hard not to feel for both, Eva, and Angela. They are two very different women who we get to see go through life after becoming widows by the same accident. I liked the way that the author showed different ways of grieving for lost loved ones.

The cover is not the usual cover you'd find on romance, even one that starts with grief, and I do love it.

The side plots or romance, mother/daughter conflict, healing from loss, growing, raising children, adventure, and the references to being like Ruth. It was a Ruth like story though not in the normal way.

I enjoyed reading about Eva and Mark. Angela and Simon, I enjoyed reading about them as well! Angela's kids were a cute part of the book ... I just wish that they had been in the book more, they were there at times but they sometimes became an afterthought but not too much so. I can't say that Simon's kids were memorable since they weren't on screen.

The spiritual content was well done; not rushed, not too over the top, rather it was well woven in.

I liked that ultramarathoning was a big part of the story, it was a nice to read about something I know little, or make that nothing about. The characters were so well written that at times I truly worried for them ... And wondered if they would accomplish their goal or not.

In a way, this was two stories yet they were one... I look forward to more from Mrs. Harrel!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.… (meer)

The story opens with Joy Beckman. Joy recently quit her job in a counseling center to move to Florida. She moved to help care for her mother who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Joy was struggling with trying to reframe her life in terms of becoming a caregiver. Her mother suffered a fall when Joy fell asleep while being her caregiver and Joy blamed herself for letting it happen.

In the midst of working through her guilt she was scheduled to make a trip to Port Willis to be the maid of honor for her best friend’s Christmas wedding. She was looking forward to going but felt such deep guilt over leaving at such a crucial time in her parents’ life. Several surprises await her on this journey.

Harrel weaves a beautiful story of trusting God in the timing and details of a life. It is a lovely Christmas tale of family, friends and romance just in time for our coming holiday season.

I truly enjoyed this book! It put me in the mood for the holidays and gives a sweet message of trusting God in the details of life. I highly recommend you grab this one and then get the Secrets of Paper and Ink when you get the chance. If you are a book love you won’t regret it!… (meer)

This book is about three young women who are all struggling in some way or another with life, love and purpose. One woman, Sophia, lives in Arizona and has been dealing with the death of a fiance and a return to a counseling job she is now feeling fully unqualified for.

The second woman, Ginny, lives in the Cornwall, England area and has been trying to keep a bookstore open. The bookstore is a dream of her husband’s but he is off on his own with no news of where. Ginny is struggling in his absence with no real idea when he will return.

The third woman enters the story by way of a notebook from the 1800’s. Her name is Emily. She has written a journal style account of her life that Sophia and Ginny have uncovered in a box in the back of the bookstore. She is grieving the loss of her father and struggling to find work and write in her spare time in an age when women did not really do either in proper circles.

The three women’s lives collide in an intriguing story of hope, second chances and abundant amounts of grace and mercy. It is a fascinating story of how God works all things together for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)… (meer)