Patsy Milstrap wishes she could leave her past behind. Though she tries to put on a brave front for the sake of her family, the wounds still ache, and the scars on her soul are still deeply felt. At her concerned husband’s gentle insistence, they take a vacation from South Carolina on Cedar Key, an idyllic island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. A week in paradise will do them good, he says.
When a familiar–and most unexpected–face greets her at a seaside restaurant, Patsy knows she can no longer run from the past. But what will opening old wounds mean? And what will the future hold?
Eva Marie Everson grew up in rural Georgia just outside of Savannah and currently lives in Central Florida. She taught Old Testament theology for six years at Life Training Center in Longwood, Florida and has written numerous articles for Crosswalk.com (including the acclaimed Falling Into The Bible), and has had articles featured in Christian Bride Magazine, Christian Retailing Magazine, The Godly Business Woman and Marriage Partnership magazines. Eva Marie has been interviewed by a number of media outlets including radio, television, newspaper, magazines, and the Internet. In 2002 Eva Marie was one of six Christian journalists sent to Israel for a special ten-day press tour. She was forever changed.
Eva Marie’s work includes award winning books such as: Shadow of Dreams, The Potluck Club, and Sex, Lies, and the Media. She has over 20 titles to her credit.
Eva Marie is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary. She won AWSAs very first Member of the Year Award in 2002. She is the past president of Word Weavers, one of the fastest growing Christian writers groups in the US. She is a graduate of CLASS and a member of several writer’s organizations. Both an international and national speaker, her passion is helping others to hear the heartbeat of God.
My Impressions:
Waiting for Sunrise is By The Book’s June selection. Although this book is the second in Eva Marie Everson’s Cedar Key series, it can certainly be read as a standalone. Focusing on supporting character Patsy Milstrap from Chasing Sunsets (read my review HERE), this novel is perfect for a book discussion group. Have you read it? We’d love to know your thoughts.
Waiting for Sunrise begins in 1964, but soon shifts back to 1946 as it follows 13 year old Patsy through her teenage years, marriage and life as a mother. Patsy is sent away from the only home she knows to live with strangers. Although her life changes dramatically for the good, Patsy cannot help feeling that she was lacking in some way. It had to be her fault her mother did not want her.
Everson is gifted in writing real and relatable characters. Both main and supporting characters are well-developed. The reader has the sense that they could be neighbors or co-workers or even family members. It’s impossible not to become involved in Patsy’s story for it is one that many can relate to. I also loved the setting of the book — mid 1940s through the early 1960s. A modern setting with cell phones and internet searches would not have worked. And it was just modern enough for the reader to place herself in the middle of the story.
I expect a great discussion with this book. There is much to talk about — the legacy of familial abuse, the impact of abandonment, and the healing power of forgiveness are just some of the topics to be explored. This book is never preachy, but a strong faith message runs throughout. And while Waiting for Sunrise isn’t really a beach read, the setting of Cedar Key is sure to bring up memories of family vacations and weekend getaways.
I really enjoyed Waiting for Sunrise and am looking forward to reading book 3 in the series.
Recommended.
Audience: adults
To purchase this book, click HERE.
(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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