My Review of A Whisper of Peace (CFBA Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Whisper of Peace Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Kim Vogel Sawyer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ostracized by her tribe because of her white father, Lizzie Dawson lives alone in the mountains of Alaska, practicing the ways of her people even as she resides in the small cabin her father built for her mother. She dreams of reconciling with her grandparents to fulfill her mother's dying request, but she has not yet found a way to bridge the gap that separate her from her tribe.

Clay Selby has always wanted to be like his father, a missionary who holds a great love for the native people and has brought many to God. Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, arrive in Alaska to set up a church and school among the Athbascan people. Clay is totally focused on this goal...until he meets a young, independent Indian woman with the most striking blue eyes he's ever seen.

But Lizzie is clearly not part of the tribe, and befriending her might have dire consequences for his mission. Will Clay be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Whisper of Peace, go HERE.

My Rating: Spring

My Review:

With the Alaskan wilds as the backdrop, Sawyer sets the stage for a struggle between heritage and an uncertain future, a desire for purpose and a desire for love, pain and peace. All three of the main characters have inner turmoil but long for "a whisper of peace" to blow across their hearts.

Lizzie Dawson is the epitome of independence as she survives living away from her village and away from human love. That is, until she meets two people on whom she might depend (and two children who come to depend on her). Her character is a unique one, and her longing for family and reconciliation for her mother's sake is admirable.

Vivian Selby hides a lot of heartache deep within as she outwardly puts on a brave front. Her journey is an intriguing one to follow. And then there's her brother...

Clay Selby has some noble ideas. But his lack of understanding, as well as his complete single-mindedness made it hard for me to really like him at first (or understand what made him attractive besides his curly hair). He wants to succeed, but he has a lot to learn. And learn he does! Rest assured, his character became more attractive as time wears on (and with a little humility).

A Whisper of Peace is a story about missions, misunderstandings, and mistakes. It comes complete with a neat and tidy happy ending, but also with a good message about the importance of true, abiding peace that can only come through the Lord. Another sweet read from Sawyer!

*With thanks to Bethany House through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*