Abingdon Press 2011
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
This book really parallels what this blog is all about - people overcoming problems, through time, with God's help. In Highland Sanctuary, Jennifer's characters live in a village of outcasts. Serena Boyd has suffered since infancy from seizures, which the people, including her father, believe reflects demon-possession. As Jennifer shared in her interview on Monday, she has a daughter with seizure disorder so she well knows what the heroine, Serena, in her story is going through. Mothers will relate to Serena's mother, a true lady in every way and heroic in her love of her daughter.
The hero, Gavin, comes to help repair the castle in the village, along with his men. He is as faithful and steady as they come, something I really like. Those rogues are fun to read about once in a while but in my way of looking at things, a loyal steady man is a lot more romantic than an impulsive dashing rogue! The laird of the castle has his eye on Serena, too. I won't do any spoilers here, but you will have to read to find out how the two compare. The laird is a kind and thoughtful man who goes to great lengths to include Serena in activities at his castle and to make her feel welcome.
Be prepared to set all other activities completely aside as you get near the end because you will not be able to stop reading the last tenth of the book until you are entirely done! Great wrap up, a nail digger! Well done, Jennifer!
Be prepared to set all other activities completely aside as you get near the end because you will not be able to stop reading the last tenth of the book until you are entirely done! Great wrap up, a nail digger! Well done, Jennifer!
Bibliotherapy: This book really packs a punch when it comes to people overcoming problems, through time, with God's help.
This book could be used for bibliotherapy in mental health practices and by special education teachers, also, as well as by other groups who minister to persons with disabilities.
The entire book ministers to people with disabilities. Seizure disorder, blindness, stuttering, and more are addressed in the village of the Outcasts. It also tells a great story.
Disability Friendliness: Available in paperback and Kindle. I received this as a PDF file and began to read on my computer but switched to the Kindle version as soon as that came out. Apparently Abingdon had a tiny hitch in getting the Kindle version out near the time that the print version became available.
Thanks for reading Highland Sanctuary, Carrie. Even through the e-book glitch. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, you really make me want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review Carrie, BTW hope you are feeling better, I too suffer from migraines, so I know what you are going through. Can't wait to read your book Jennifer it sounds too good to pass up! tsmathews61[at]gmail[dot]com
ReplyDeleteAnother great review, Carrie! I agree the rogues are fun to read about occasionally, but I'm so glad I'm not married to one. Well, he was one when I first met him as a teenager, but when he found out I wouldn't even date him until he straightened his act up, the rogue in him disappeared mighty quick! And we've been married almost 39 years, which would not be the case if he were still a rogue. As Jennifer's hero in Highland Sanctuary, my hero is also "as faithful and steady as they come." I like that phrase, Carrie. Feel better, my dear friend. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteI think I would like to read this one. Seizure disorder, huh? I know all about that with my oldest daughter. Can be very scary at times!
ReplyDeleteSure hope you're feeling better, Carrie :)
Hey, Maid Marian, and Teresa! Carrie is feeling a little puny today with a migraine so keep praying for our dear sister! I agree another really good Carrie review!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I agree, very frightening! Been there, done that with my daughter, too. Throwing all of your names in the hat. Lots of luck!
Marian, I love your pic! And you are not anonymous any more. Jennifer, good to see you here. Glad they fixed the Kindle glitch and got that up for readers! Was grateful I had my PDF version to read till the Kindle one came out! Jennifer, yes, we want Marian to read your book - she translates books into Dutch for publishers in the Netherlands!
ReplyDeleteTeresa and Diana, I am SO sorry about the double tragedy at your church last week. My heart just hurts for those parents and other family members and the church members. I pray God brings healing.
ReplyDeleteAnne Payne, are your daughters seizures under control now? You'd love this book because it gives both viewpoints to some extent. We get some of the mother's point of view too and the mother is very heroic. Serena is such a sweet heroine. I just loved her!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Carrie. Some things in this life are just so hard to understand, but I am so thankful for the precious Holy Spirit, our comforter, who holds us close during such times as these. He is the source of our strength.
ReplyDeletea wonderful review, carrie...looking forward to reading jennifer's latest novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Carrie, I hope you're feeling better today!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen. Yes, she is so talented! Marian, still yucky for little man and me. The good thing is that I got some reading done with him, a colonial children's book out in 2010 that is really good! I am going to go finish the review of Highland Blessings for tomorrow. Still wonder how I failed to get that posted anywhere. ACK!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I was sure that I read your review of Highland Blessings somewhere. Colonial Quills? No? Still praying for you! What's the weather like in VA? Windy, cloudy, and cool here in SC. Dreary...
ReplyDeleteDebbie, we will enter you and best wishes! Diana, will pop over to CQ and see if I can find it. But it is not on my computer nor on OTT. The leaves are blowing off the trees here.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to get a copy of this book. I love reading, and your review of this book sets it up for success. Thank you for giving us a review. As always, it is wonderful. jennleighallen@gmail.com. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Carrie, My daughter is on two seizure medications to control them (since she was 3 weeks old and she is 28 now). She's never been seizure free but they are drastically reduced! She used to have 10-20 a day and now she's down to around 2-3, and none are the tonic clonic (grand mal) anymore!
ReplyDeleteOh, another Jennifer! Last week it was the Carries! Thanks for your encouragement!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I am praying that your daughter will be completely delivered from them soon. I bet you are all so relieved just to have them under better control. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! That's so sweet :) God has been good to us and her. Just reducing them down has been a blessing! After 28 years you get kind of used to them.
ReplyDeleteMaybe like living with RA and being creaky every day. I think seizures would be much scarier though.
ReplyDeleteAnne Payne is my second winner and I presume she will pick Highland Sanctuary with the lovely Selena who suffers from seizures but marries the wonderful hero! Blessings, Anne, and congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you , Carrie! I've always wanted to read one of Jennifer's books just never got a hold of one. Now I can :) Yippee!!!
ReplyDelete