Sweet Sanctuary By Kim Vogel Sawyer Book Review

// S w e e t    S a n c t u a r y //

 

B y   K i m   V o g e l   S a w y e r

 

R e v i e w   B y   B e t h a n y

 

 

Title: Sweet Sanctuary : A Novel

Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Source: Review Book From Bethany House

Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 076420789X

Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: 2013
My Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

Book Description :

 

"A Story of Hope and Love from Bestselling Author Kim Vogel Sawyer
Lydia Eldredge longs to provide a sanctuary for her son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky's drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get him.
Dr. Micah Hatcher serves the immigrant population in Queens, but under cover of darkness he provides another service that must not be discovered lest his and his brother's lives be in danger.
When Lydia and Micah's paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other's callings. Through unforeseen twists and turns, they seek a refuge of safety--for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God unexpectedly puts in their lives."

 

// B e t h a n y ' s   R e v i e w //

I have read two of Kim's other books {My Heart Remembers and In Every Heartbeat and owning two others that I've yet to read} and loved them so very much. So when I got the opportunity to review Kim's newest novel Sweet Sanctuary I was very excited as I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, and I most certainly wasn't! This sweet novel was a nice slow paced read that really focused on children which I loved since this is not a common novel theme nowadays. So I'm just sayin' that Nicky is my favorite character. :D I loved all the parts with him and "Micah-my-friend!". They were so cute!

 

This story was about Lydia Eldridge and her "son" Nicky who is really her best friend's son, and ever since she died shortly after Nicky's birth, Lydia has treated Nicky as if he was her own flesh-and-blood. But complications soon arise when Nicky's biological father, Nic who is on drugs and is in no position to care for his son whom he has barely met since he was born.

 

Micah is a doctor for immigrants who cannot afford doctor bills at his own clinic in Queen's New York. After re-meeting Lydia whom he originally met at school, he gets involved in helping Lydia with her complex situation when Nic comes and tries to take Nicky, and Lydia helps with Micah's top secret jobs. As the story unfolds, it displays a delightful picture of true love for children in more ways than one, and a deep protecting of those who are unable to protect themselves {This story is set in the WWII era and has some involvement with Jews during Hitler's ruling} and shows that true Love never fails.

 

Now I'm just going to start by saying that I adored this book for a bunch of different reasons. As I was reading it I was thinking to myself "I'm so glad I own this book, because it's one I would want to own is I didn't already!" I loved how the whole story revolved around Lydia and Micah doing everything within their power to protect Nicky him a safe, loving childhood. This really stuck out to me since children are kind of looked down upon in culture now since they get in the way of people's selfishness. I love how Kim embarked this journey of showing that children do matter, and that it's through the faith of children that the Lord tells us we should be like to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I really felt a deep compassion and genuine love for Lydia and Micah as I saw they selflessly give themselves for children and it made the story all the more enjoyable for me to read.

 

The story-line was most excellent and involved several parts that I totally did not see coming. At times I felt it was a bit slow, but all that the story was about was worth it. I especially loved the ending!!! {Sweet-heart! *Insert knowing look to those that have read this book ;)*} One of my favorite twists in the story was Nic's "part", and I wish I could go into detail, but if I do I'm sure I'll ruin the story with a bunch of spoilers. So we shall let it suffice to say that I loved the Christian impact in the story and how Christ was a part of the characters lives and not just something they claimed to believe in. I loved how they proved that they knew and loved Jesus by their actions, and the fruit of this blossomed into a reproducing of "seeds" so to speak.

 

The only thing I found odd with this book is that I didn't really quite understand why it's title is Sweet Sanctuary. While it possible pertains to the children's sanctuary, and most likely that is why it is called that, I didn't really feel like the title was perfect for the story. But of course that's a minor detail and overall I was very impressed with the story and would very highly recommend it! It's a sweet Christ-centered romance that doesn't overdo the romance part or get out of hand. It was a nice balance between a romance and a novel about children without one overdoing the other. It's a heart-felt story set in the WWII time period with a sweet story of two people fighting for the protection of children, and filled with many sweet little details that make up a very admirable read.

 

N o t e : : I'd like to sincerely thank Kim Vogel Sawyer and the publishers, Bethany House for the opportunity to receive a free copy of Sweet Sanctuary to read and review. All thoughts are my own and I was not paid to do this review.