When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley

My Review:
4 STARS

This book has me wondering just how common these sort of harsh religious beliefs are and how close they are to my neighborhood.  When Sparrows Fall is about young widow Miranda who belongs to a church with these harsh beliefs and when things get to be too twisted she decides it is time to break away! Before she can do that though she gets severely injured and her husband’s half-brother Jack shows up to help!!  There is so much more that goes on but I will not reveal any secrets!!

There were a lot of moments in this book where I wanted to just scream and say “this is not God”!! The actions of the pastor and the husbands had me on the edge of my seat.  Meg Moseley painted a gripping yet compassionate view!! 

The characters were all great, especially Jack and the children.  I loved Jack because he just seemed so real about who he was and what he believed in. He wasn’t afraid to admit that he was a sinner yet he knew how to lead a life worthy to be called a Jesus follower! He might have drunk one or two drinks or smoked a cigar but I felt that just made him more genuine.  I have kids the same ages as some of the kids in this book and I felt the author really captured their innocence and energy!

The only thing that bothered me is that I felt like the beginning got off to a rough start.  I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not and had mixed opinions about Miranda all the way until about half way through the book.  However, it did pick up nicely and I’m glad I continued reading.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for an honest review.  

Book Blurb:

Freedom. Safety. Love. Miranda vows to reclaim them--for herself, and for her children.

A widow and mother of six, Miranda Hanford leads a quiet, private life. When the pastor of her close-knit church announces his plans to move the entire congregation to another state, Miranda jumps at the opportunity to dissolve ties with Mason Chandler and his controlling brand of “shepherding.” But then Mason threatens to unearth secrets only he knows, and Miranda feels trapped, terrified she’ll be unable to protect her children. 

University professor Jack Hanford is more than surprised when he gets a call from his estranged sister-in-law’s oldest son, Timothy, informing him that Miranda has taken a serious fall and he has been named legal guardian of her children while she recovers. Quickly charmed by Miranda’s children, Jack brings some much-needed life into the sheltered household. But his constant challenging of the family’s conservative lifestyle makes the recovering mother uneasy and defensive—despite Jack’s unnerving appeal.

As Jack tries to make sense of the mysterious Miranda and the secrets she holds so tightly, Mason’s pressure on her increases. With her emotions stirring and freedom calling, can Miranda find a way to unshackle her family without losing everything?

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