A mother's love never ends--not even when her life does.
Longing for her family after her sudden death, Maggie becomes a lingering spirit and returns home where she helplessly witnesses her family's downward spiral in the aftermath of her passing.
Her husband is haunted by past mistakes and struggles to redeem himself. Her teenage daughter silently drowns in her own guilt, secretly believing she caused her mother's death. Only her five-year-old, full of innocence, can sense her presence. Although limited by her family's grief and lack of faith, Maggie is determined to keep a sacred promise and save her family before her second chance runs out. -- A tender portrait of a mother whose love reaches beyond possible, Waiting for Butterflies will embrace your heart and not let go.
Book title: Waiting for Butterflies
Author: Karen Sargent
Release date: April 4, 2017
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Author: Karen Sargent
Release date: April 4, 2017
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
This particular book was a stretch for me. I had a few different opportunities to review this book but I never could decide to get it. When it came up once again for review I decided to give it a try. Now we all know that I'm a good Baptist girl and I don't know everything about the Bible but I'm fairly grounded in the Word so reading the synopsis I knew this book would be a stretch for me. I started reading it and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. Now don't get me wrong there were several things that made the alarms go off in my head but I tried my best to read it with the author's intentions in mind. I wanted to try to get the core of the story. So, keep in that in mind of you choose to read this book.
Now for my thoughts...
This book has many excellent elements to it. I was very much drawn in from page one. I read this book in one day. I couldn't seem to stop reading. The writing was excellent. I really liked each one of the characters. I felt a connection to each character and felt that they were all written well. Now for the hard part. Biblically I felt like this book was a bit of a stretch. Although I disagreed somewhat with the main premise of the book I did very much enjoy the story as a whole. This book was an excellent read and I enjoyed it. It definitely has a major what if factor to it. Read it with a grain of salt and glean what you can from it. I recommend this to speculative fiction lovers as well as those who are looking for something different. I received this book from the author and Celebrate Lit for free. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.
I give it 4 stars
Click here to purchase your copy.
Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.
I didn’t intend to write myself into controversy when I wrote Waiting for Butterflies. Yes, it is Christian fiction. Yes, the main character is a “lingering spirit.” And no, ghosts aren’t biblical. Thus the controversy.
As the story idea began to stir my imagination after my mother-in-law’s unexpected death, I wondered how ghosts fit into the Christian view of the afterlife, especially since I too believe our souls go to Heaven once we die. So I asked my pastor. He referred to Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame” that lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and many spiritual giants who lived by faith. That list is followed by Hebrews 12:1 which states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” My pastor explained witnesses is translated by some to mean spectators. So maybe, maybe, this suggests those who have died can somehow still be present—emphasis on maybe.
But…this gave me just enough permission to play with the idea of a mother’s love being so strong that she could remain after her death until she was certain her family would heal. I was writing fiction after all.
When my manuscript was complete and I began submitting to agents, the response was mixed. Some replied with a simple, “This story isn’t for me.” Some warned, “This will be a hard sell to Christian publishers.” Yet others were more encouraging. Finally my story made it to the desk of an acquisition editor who emailed, “This is the one.” Waiting for Butterflies found a publishing home.
Now that my book is in the hands of readers, most are surprised to hear my topic is controversial. Like me, many believers haven’t really considered ghosts in a biblical context. But a few are adamant that the storyline contradicts their beliefs.
I know my story—just like every story—will not appeal to everyone. But I certainly didn’t set out to offend my fellow believers, and I sincerely apologize if anyone finds it offensive. However, I appreciate this perspective one skeptical reader shared in her review:
“While I was initially put off by the idea that a spirit can remain and interact, in a sense, with those still living, the author handled it with sensitivity and grace. We all have ideas about the unknown, but it is just that, unknown, and I could relate strongly to the thought of wanting to continue to influence and connect with loved ones after death in order to help them.”
I appreciate that in spite of the controversy, this reader gave Waiting for Butterflies a chance—and five stars.
I give it 4 stars
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.Guest Post from Karen Sargent
Waiting for Butterflies: The Accidental ControversyI didn’t intend to write myself into controversy when I wrote Waiting for Butterflies. Yes, it is Christian fiction. Yes, the main character is a “lingering spirit.” And no, ghosts aren’t biblical. Thus the controversy.
As the story idea began to stir my imagination after my mother-in-law’s unexpected death, I wondered how ghosts fit into the Christian view of the afterlife, especially since I too believe our souls go to Heaven once we die. So I asked my pastor. He referred to Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame” that lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and many spiritual giants who lived by faith. That list is followed by Hebrews 12:1 which states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” My pastor explained witnesses is translated by some to mean spectators. So maybe, maybe, this suggests those who have died can somehow still be present—emphasis on maybe.
But…this gave me just enough permission to play with the idea of a mother’s love being so strong that she could remain after her death until she was certain her family would heal. I was writing fiction after all.
When my manuscript was complete and I began submitting to agents, the response was mixed. Some replied with a simple, “This story isn’t for me.” Some warned, “This will be a hard sell to Christian publishers.” Yet others were more encouraging. Finally my story made it to the desk of an acquisition editor who emailed, “This is the one.” Waiting for Butterflies found a publishing home.
Now that my book is in the hands of readers, most are surprised to hear my topic is controversial. Like me, many believers haven’t really considered ghosts in a biblical context. But a few are adamant that the storyline contradicts their beliefs.
I know my story—just like every story—will not appeal to everyone. But I certainly didn’t set out to offend my fellow believers, and I sincerely apologize if anyone finds it offensive. However, I appreciate this perspective one skeptical reader shared in her review:
“While I was initially put off by the idea that a spirit can remain and interact, in a sense, with those still living, the author handled it with sensitivity and grace. We all have ideas about the unknown, but it is just that, unknown, and I could relate strongly to the thought of wanting to continue to influence and connect with loved ones after death in order to help them.”
I appreciate that in spite of the controversy, this reader gave Waiting for Butterflies a chance—and five stars.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 21
Avid Reader Book Reviews, September 21
Blogging With Carol, September 22
The Power of Words, September 22
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 23
Carpe Diem, September 23
A Baker’s Perspective, September 24
Christian Bookaholic, September 24
Reading Is My SuperPower, September 25
Smiling Book Reviews, September 25
Bigreadersite, September 26
Artistic Nobody, September 27
The Fizzy Pop Collection, September 28
Pause for Tales, September 29
Remebrancy, September 30
Janices book reviews, October 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1
Margaret Kazmierczak, October 2
Reader’s cozy corner, October 2
Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 3
A Readers Brain, October 3
His Grace is Sufficient, October 4
Cafinated Reads, October 4
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes a few of Karen’s favorite things – one of which is a Hobby Lobby gift card!!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Rachel, I want to extend a special "thank you" for giving BUTTERFLIES a chance in spite of it being a stretch. I appreciate your honest review, which will help other uncertain readers decide if it's a book for them or not. I am SO not a rock-the-boat kind of person, so it's ironic that I would write a story that does just that. :) Thank you for sharing your cozy corner today!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the guest post.
ReplyDeleteNice review!
ReplyDelete