Meg Moseley

I have to admit that I was a little concerned when I read the email from the publicist in which she told me that she was sending me a book that was popular with homeschool moms. I'm not exactly a traditional homeschool mom (notice I didn't say "typical" - there is no such thing as a "typical" homeschool mom), so I started wondering exactly what was in this book.

No need to worry. This book represents most homeschoolers in a positive light. Miranda's late husband has kept his family tightly under his control, and he in turn was kept in line by the leader of their church (read "cult"). The children were allowed no outside influences. This is not a healthy reason to homeschool and this author recognizes that and throughout the book, Jack slowly pulls Miranda and the children out into the world, without ever telling her she should put the kids in school. (Although I think there was one argument in which he told her she was doing her kids a great disservice by not teaching them certain subjects.)

As for the story, it's at turns heartbreaking and heartwarming. Because of a past tragedy and circumstances beyond her control, Miranda lives under a cloud of fear and guilt. This is part of what allows the church leader to control her even after her husband is gone. Jack comes into their life, and even as the children warm to him and Miranda gets to see more and more of the God of grace and mercy that Jack serves, she still can't completely let go. This book isn't about homeschooling. It's loving and trusting God and others and letting them love you.

My biggest issue with the book is a bit of a spoiler, and I usually don't put spoilers in my reviews, but it's something that really bothered me. As Jack and Miranda build a relationship, they become more affectionate to each other in front of the children. Obviously, they're not doing anything inappropriate, but after reading through the book that for the past 14 years, she's lived a very strict, pious life, and kept her kids in a bubble in which they were not even allowed to read fiction, I find it hard to believe that she would suddenly feel comfortable kissing a man in front of her children. It just felt out of character.

Over all, though, I did like the story... And I think other homeschool moms will, too. (Sorry. I couldn't resist.)

I received this book for free from Multnomah Books in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

A short but sweet love story between two very different people. Ellie has been preparing for her wedding all her life. Now that she has found the man, Gray Whitby, life would be looking up except for her Mom, who is definitely not excited about Ellie's boyfriend, or marriage in general. Then there is her sister to think about and her upcoming marriage. Gray is a fun and thoughtful guy, but doesn't understand her family too well. I liked the way Ellie finally showed Gray how committed she was to him, when she decides to step out of her comfort zone and make this wedding happen.… (meer)

I liked this story and the way the author dealt with the subject matter. It played with my emotions, making me sad sometimes and at other times mad and then laughing out loud. It kept my attention all the way through.

Miranda is a widow and mother of six children and lives a quiet private life. The pastor, Mason Chandler, of her VERY close-knit church announces his plan to move the entire congregation to another state and Miranda doesn't want to move. She then falls from a cliff behind their home and the kids have to call Jack, an uncle no one remembers ever meeting before, to come and be their guardian until their Mom gets out of the hospital. While with the family Jack will do his best to challenge Miranda and her kids to seek freedom, safety and love outside of the church they are wrapped up in.

There is so much more to this story than this brief description. My eyes were opened to how people can slowly have their freedom's taken from them, all in the disguise of a false religion. I fell in love with the children and the loving way Jack opened their eyes to so many delightful things in the world. This truly was a delightful yet sad story all rolled into one. I would definitely read more by this author.… (meer)