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Finding Our Way Home (2012)

by Charlene Ann Baumbich(Favorite Author)

3.72 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0307444732 (ISBN13: 9780307444738)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Waterbrook Press

series

Snowglobe Connections

review 1: Summary: Sasha Davies was a nationally known ballet dancer, until a performance fall left her with career ending injuries. Devastated by this turn of events she returns to the small town in Minnesota where she grew up to lick her wounds. There she finds an assistant in Evelyn Burt - a lively 19 year-old who loves life, and isn't afraid to work. But Sasha's distance and gruff nature are major road blocks for Evelyn. Can she help the former dancer, break through? And as Evelyn battles her own issues, will she see the truth of her future?Overall I enjoyed the story. Sasha and Evelyn are empathetic characters. You love them in their misery, you cheer for them to overcome their issues. You smile when they succeed and your heart bleeds a little when they stumble. They ... moreseem the perfect match to help each other. Not every detail of the story is revealed up front, and there are a few small surprises for readers. It's themes are tangled with Christian themes - of hope, of grace, of new beginnings.Although the characters are not overtly Christian - no mention of church services or fellowship activity - it obvious that God is among them and they are grateful for it. It's a feel good kind of story - bridging relationships in many ways. Most notably between an older Sasha and her young assistant Evelyn. God is never restricts us in who he binds together.This book is part of Baumbich's "Snow Globe Series". Sasha finds strength from a mysterious snow globe given to her as a child. The Globe has a dancer in it that often foreshadows moments of Sasha's life and events in the story. It has always been a source of strength for her. The Globe seems to be a vehicle of warning, an affirmation of truths - sent from God. This is the one part of the story that I most struggle with. While I believe that God speaks to us in many ways, making a leg fall off a ballerina in a snow globe time and time again, just does not seem to fit.Evelyn's fiance Jorden, was the one character that seemed out of place in this book overflowing with grace. While labeled a "bad-boy" by other characters in the book, he really wasn't that bad. The author used a lot of stereotypes in his description - despite his need of grace perhaps more than anyone else in the story. He didn't have a snow globe to rub....and it just felt wrong, because God loves us all. And Jorden seemed like one of those lost lambs searching for that one thing.Recommend for those who love Christian chick-lit stories or uplifting fiction with faith at the center. This would be a great Christian ladies book club choice - it has a complete guide in the back and lots of things to contemplate.Note: I was given a complementary copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
review 2: You work your life for one dream and in on moment it's gone forever. This is what happened to Sasha Davis when she was dropped during a premier performance. At age 38 the only career she has ever had is over and not only that, she can't even walk much less dance. She believes the "Lady of the Dance" from her snowglobe tried to warn her and this is her consequence for ignoring the warnings. Sasha has to give up everything she thought she wanted to find what it is that she needs. Evelyn doesn't know why her parents are so mad! She's only postponing college not giving it up forever! And beside she's and adult... and ENGAGED adult at that! When the opportunity to be a live in assistant for Sasha Davis arises, it's the perfect answer to her problems. Moving out of her parents home, even temporarily, will give them all some breathing space, especially her father. Her relationship with her fiance hits some snags and Evelyn begins to wonder what exactly it is that she wants from life. Sasha and Evelyn are the unlikeliest of pairs but yet they seem to complement each other. While they are complete opposites, they manage to work well enough together to help each other through some difficult times. I enjoyed the interaction between the two which was serious at times but also humorous at times. It added to the flow of the story to make it realistic and smooth.From the extra characters, I loved Gramps and Donald the most. Gramps accepted Evelyn for who she was without judging her like her parents tended to do. Donald was a loving, devoted husband he felt shut out but persisted with his wife. This is a Christian novel but I did not find it to be preachy. The references to faith are subtle and focus more on living a Christian Life rather than preaching to others about the Christian Life.Overall I thought the book was wonderful and well-written.Love and Blessings Always!Margaret less

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