Tag Archive | Melody Carlson

Odd Girl Out by Melody Carlson

Aug31

Puppet On A String

Odd Girl Out by Melody Carlson is a contemporary Christian novel aimed at girls aged ten and over. It is the second book in the Being Zoey series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once again the reader sees the action through the eyes of eleven year old Zoey. The book focuses on the first few weeks at a new school where friendships are being established. The reader sees how easy it is to feel lonely in a crowd.

Zoey, as a new Christian tries to balance her responses to situations as she wars between the spirit and the flesh.

Bullying is a major theme. It has always been a problem but today we have the added pressure of cyber bullying through social media. There seems to be no escape.

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Riptide Rumors by Melody Carlson

Jul1

Small Town Living At Its Best

Riptide Rumors by Melody Carlson is a delightful Christian historical novel. It is the second book in the Legacy Of Sunset Cove series and continues where book one Harbor Secrets ended. It can be read as a stand- alone but I would recommend reading Harbor Secrets first.

With America on the brink of war in 1916, there is a patriotic feeling that counter balances the feeling of uncertainty. People are proud of their community and heritage. There are thoughts of signing up if war is declared.

The population of Sunset Cove is recovering from events in book one and still trying to come to terms with it. The rum runners are present as the prohibition laws still stand. Suspicion falls in the most surprizing places.

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Harbor Secrets by Melody Carlson

Jun1

The Power Of The Pen

Harbor Secrets by Melody Carlson is a marvellous Christian historical novel and the first in the Legacy Of Sunset Cove series which promises to be charming.

Once again Melody Carlson has created a wonderful mix of characters who delight the reader. Set in 1916 there is a strong female lead who believes that she is just as good as any man as she is called upon to run the local newspaper. She is accepted by some but others prefer the old order of things. She is definitely a modern woman breaking into a man’s world in an age where women were seen as inferior to men. In contrast there is another female character who is squashed and bullied by her domineering husband.

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Gone Too Soon by Melody Carlson

Apr27

Shake Them, Break Them, Make Them

Gone Too Soon by Melody Carlson – wow what an emotional roller coaster read this contemporary YA Christian novel is. If you are looking for a comfortable feel-good read this is not it. However if you are looking for a gritty novel dealing with relevant issues and with the restorative power of God, then look no further.

Melody Carlson pulls no punches. This book is a difficult and at times uncomfortable read with its themes of loss, addiction, suicidal thoughts, guilt and fractured families. “I feel a huge load of guilt burying me.” The good news is that God sees the hurt and the pain and He walks alongside us to bring healing.

We do not always see or feel God. “I think my prayers are getting ignored, because it just seems to be getting worse.” We were never promised an easy life but we can know that God is not ignoring us, no matter what the circumstances might say. God sees. God hears. God is working tirelessly for us.

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