Paul a Rose

A heartbroken Father starts with a scary scene that must be all too familiar to all too many California families – fire threatening town and houses; firefighters risking their lives; and a small girl praying for her daddy. Looking at the kindness of family and friends in Pleasant Hill, Appalachia, Gracie concludes all her trials are because she’s not worth God’s love, and God mustn’t like her. But she has much to learn.

The story continues with good-humored, sweetly authentic dialog, while author Paula Rose invites readers in an 10-year-old’s family and neighborhood. The author creates her voices smoothly—“Sorta, Sweetie, because you both spoke from your heart…”—making the dialog easy to read and to hear in the mind. Little Grace’s family faith forms a very natural part of every conversation, as it should be. After all, Grace’s family keep her father alive in their hearts by talking, though “Still hurts, don’t it Mama?”

God is very alive to this family in their prayer lives too, and Grace is eager to join the prayer team. She’ll mind all the rules, but the question is, will she know how to rely on God… or even how to wait? With the help of an angel, lots of prayer, good friends, a good mother, and a good God, will she even mend a father’s broken heart? Will she learn to believe that “all things are possible”?

Blending the real-world mystery of Touched by an Angel with the language and concerns of a child, adding the worries of a very real mother as her 10-year-old grows into faith, and rendering a comfortably pleasing image of smalltown life touched by God, A Heartbroken Father is an enjoyable read of hopefilled children, two father’s hearts and one God’s healing grace.

Disclosure: I was given a preview copy and I offer my honest review.… (mere)

With good-humored, sweetly authentic dialog, author Paula Rose invites readers in an 8-year-old’s family and neighborhood. The author creates her voices smoothly—“Sorta, sweetie, ‘cause you both spoke from your heart…”—making the dialog easy to read and to hear in the mind. Little Grace’s family faith forms a very natural part of every conversation, as it should be. After all, Grace’s father died recently; her family keep him alive in their hearts by talking, though “Still hurts, don’t it Mama?”

God is very alive to this family in their prayer lives too, and Grace is eager to join the prayer team. She’ll mind all the rules, but the question is, will she know how to rely on God… or even how to wait? With the help of an angel, lots of prayer, good friends, a good mother, and a good God, will she even mend a father’s broken heart?

Blending the real-world mystery of Touched by an Angel with the language and concerns of a child, adding the worries of a very real mother as her 8-year-old grows into faith, and rendering a comfortably pleasing image of smalltown life touched by God, A Father’s Broken Heart is an enjoyable read of two father’s hearts and one God’s healing grace.

Disclosure: I was given a preview copy and I offer my honest review.… (mere)

Paula Rose Michelson is an author I have read for the past couple of years. She has written books in a variety of genres including thriller-suspense, memoir, non-fiction and a series of Christian romance historical fiction. This children's book is a new genre for her; in my opinion, she has finally come into the genre that should be her niche. She knows children and puts this knowledge and heart to pen in these books. I am looking forward to reading more in this new series.

Paula-Rose's book about 8-year-old Gracie and the Save A Soul Prayer Team is a breath of fresh air. Most children's books I have read in this age bracket are sweet, but a bit too fluffy. There is barely a theme, much less a purpose. Paula-Rose writes terrific stories with plenty of action that keeps children's interest. In addition, the characters in the story learn about God's personality and His ways without sounding like a Sunday School lesson. In this story, Gracie's heart is touched when a friend's family moves away. She wants to be a part of bringing the family together again.

Some people may object that children are just not like Gracie, and they will not relate to the characters. I disagree with that. In the years past when I taught school, whether secular or Christian, there were always a few within each class that stood out as having an especially sensitive heart. In their own way, they inspired others they met, even in the classroom. Gracie has a tender heart and is always willing to do something to help others. It's this heart that makes this story, and consequently the entire series, so wonderfully enjoyable. If I were a parent or grandparent, I would definitely buy this book for the children.… (mere)

Revenge was an intriguing novel in that there was no ransom desired for the kidnap victim Bobby Havers who came from an affluent family. It is unclear what the purpose of his kidnapping is. Everyone who knows the autistic lad is under suspicion including Olivia, his job coach. Her boss even goes so far as to end her position and the police put her on the suspect list. Olivia vows to find him.

When the kidnapper allows his victim to contact his job coach Olivia, it becomes clear that she is not responsible for the kidnapping and begins to work with the police to find the kidnapper.

The plot takes many surprising twists and turns including the reason for kidnapping Bobby in the first place and a lot more danger. It was fascinating to watch the protagonist struggle to figure out what it was what the kidnapper was looking for; what the entire purpose of the kidnapping was.

I enjoyed the character development and spiritual growth of Lt. Phillip Landon as he struggled with his career choice, his growing feelings for Olivia, and his tenacity for sticking to the case. I admired his and Officer Susan Bennett’s dedication to protecting Olivia.

Olivia’s character grew greatly through the story as well as she learned to believe in herself and in God. It was a great reminder that God is ultimately in control and we have to trust in Him for all things. This is not a “preachy” Christian novel.

I very much enjoyed this romantic suspense novel and appreciated its inclusion of an individual with special needs. I gave Revenge 4 out of 5 stars. Anyone who enjoys romantic suspense novels should enjoy this book.

Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion is not required. All thoughts are my own.

This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/12/revenge-blog-tour-with-paul...… (mere)