// What Once Was Lost //
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
{Review By Bethany}
Title: What Once Was Lost: A Novel
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Source: Review Book from Blogging For Books
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780307731258
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Publication Date: September 17th, 2013
Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
// Book Synopsis //
In What Once Was Lost, award winning author, Kim Vogel Sawyer, invites readers to join a woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, and a man standing apart—as they embrace a God with new plans for them.
A small Kansas farm is the setting as Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals, who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house inhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”
With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between he and Tommy.
Christina begins to question her leadership ability, when obstacles pile up against her repairing the farm, wondering if she can fulfill the mission to which she's dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Will Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Source: Review Book from Blogging For Books
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780307731258
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Publication Date: September 17th, 2013
Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
// Book Synopsis //
In What Once Was Lost, award winning author, Kim Vogel Sawyer, invites readers to join a woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, and a man standing apart—as they embrace a God with new plans for them.
A small Kansas farm is the setting as Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals, who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house inhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”
With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between he and Tommy.
Christina begins to question her leadership ability, when obstacles pile up against her repairing the farm, wondering if she can fulfill the mission to which she's dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Will Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
// About The Author //
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print with awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.
// Special Links //
// Bethany's Book Review //
What Once Was Lost is a cozy read that embarks a gentle journey of sacrifice, healing and hope, leaving any Kim Vogel Sawyer fan pleased!
N O T E :: I'd like to sincerely thank Blogging For Books for providing me with an ARC copy of What Once Was Lost to read and review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed in this review are my own and unbiased.
What Once Was Lost is a cozy read that embarks a gentle journey of sacrifice, healing and hope, leaving any Kim Vogel Sawyer fan pleased!
So when I heard that Kim Vogel Sawyer had another novel that was to be published shortly I immediately wanted to read it! I've read several of her books in the past, and have devoted a healthy chunk of my bookshelf to her novels, which I've sort of collected over the past few months. So naturally, when I saw it up to review, I proceeded to finish the book I was currently reading from that review program so I could post my review and requested to review this novel! The reason why I've proclaimed myself a avid fan of Kim's books is because of the gentle hope-filled story lines she produces that aren't clogged with romance, and a sweet story grounded in faith. To be quite sure, this story is no exception.
Ever since being introduced to Tommy, a young boy who lives at the poor farm with main character Christina, I instantly loved him. He made the story for me, and was such a sweet character that added so much to the story. I love how Kim most often involves a small child in her stories, and they just make the novels wonderful in my opinion. I loved little Tommy so much, and began to feel for his handicap, and really learned a thing or two from him! I was so much a fan of this character, that I was a bit disappointed in how the end of the story turns out for him in his "new life", as I felt it would have been better that he not have gone and stayed with loved ones, but I won't ruin anything...you have to read the book for yourself! I found myself liking him the best out of all the other characters, though I did enjoy getting to know the other residents of the poor farm, and see their true colors as they were forced into difficult circumstances.
I really liked the story-line for this novel and how Kim wove the strong fabric of faith and family-first principles into this story. I just loved getting to see how each of the characters grew through their difficulties and got to see their true characters show-because they say that it's only when difficulties come that your true character shows. I also loved how much a part of faith was to these people who had recently had a very hard time, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing each one's faith grow and be strengthened through the hardship. I also loved getting to meet all the different characters in the story and liked how you got to feel like you knew each of them since you got to see so much into their personal lives. Another plus was the way the story ended, some parts I didn't see coming, but I liked how Kim choose to end the story.
There was only one thing that I found not to be to my liking with this book, but when looked at closely, it's not much of a con at all. Since Kim Vogel Sawyer's novels are often more easy going and a bit more slow, I found that it took a lot longer to read this book since I usually read a book in a few days-this one took around a week to read. Something about the easy going aspect didn't necessarily grab my attention, although the story was excellent. I really don't want to say I had to make myself read it at times, although it's true, because once I started reading I loved the story and it wasn't dull, it just didn't jump and grab my attention once I'd set it down. So while it took longer to read, I loved the story.
Overall I'm glad I was able to read What Once Was Lost and would recommend it to historical fiction lovers, who like a clam story of hope without a bunch of romance. Any Kim Vogel Sawyer fan should look into this novel as it's sure to not disappoint!
N O T E :: I'd like to sincerely thank Blogging For Books for providing me with an ARC copy of What Once Was Lost to read and review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed in this review are my own and unbiased.
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