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Carre Armstrong Gardner

Autor(a) de All Right Here (The Darlings)

3 Works 137 Membros 10 Críticas

Séries

Obras por Carre Armstrong Gardner

All Right Here (The Darlings) (2014) 80 exemplares
They Danced On (The Darlings) (2016) 23 exemplares

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Críticas

You know how Debbie Macomber takes a community of people and tells their individual stories which stretch over several books and time? I know many authors who have done this; and some of those stories, like Ms. Macomber's, have even become a television series. Well, Carre Armstrong Gardner has done something similar, although the focus remains on one family, the Darlings. This book is the second of a series, all focusing on the members of the Darling family and their friends.

Book 1, which I have reviewed here, introduced us to the family by way of Ivy Darling, already married to Nick Mason. As their story unfolds, we get introduced to the many other members of the sprawling family that lives in Maine and other parts of the US.

Jane and Leander Darling are the proud parents of mostly daughters, now adults who are moving on with their lives, and sometimes to other states. Seraphina is the resident college student/grad who has taken on a nursing job nearby. Ivy and Nick live close with their adopted youngsters, Hammer, DeShaun, and Jada. Laura has moved as far away from the family as she could manage, to Arizona. Amy has taken on the position of a local arts director to create a brand new program with theater, concerts and classes. David is dating Sephy's best friend, Libby. The focus in this book is on the personal issues faced by Laura, Amy, Sephy and a few peripheral friends such as Mitch and Libby.

All the daughters had experiences which tugged at my sympathies and my heart. But I think of all their stories, it was Sephy's that resonated most with me. She and I have parallel histories, mostly revolving around emotional eating and being a people pleaser. Her journey sounded so much like mine. I remember those feelings and experiences that were so close to her feelings and experiences, especially when it came time for her to visit her Aunt Sharon. Oh my! It was both hilarious and tragic at the same time; I couldn't help but laugh in commiseration!

I also loved Amy's subplot. She could have been me when I was in my 20's. While reading about her non-relationship with Mitch, I kept yelling at her in my mind, 'Don't make the same mistakes I did, Amy!' Of course, when you are twenty-something and you have the tiger by the tail, who has time to think of long-term consequences. Right? 'Nuff said.

So if this type of storytelling is one you enjoy, go out and get the first book and this one, then go on and read the next book in the series. They really are more enjoyable to read this way. The title of the book is appropriate. Tangled stories do begin to unravel and straighten out, little by little. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing book three.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Assinalado
Beverlylynnt | 1 outra crítica | Oct 24, 2017 |
Title: They Danced On (The Darlings #3)
Author: Carrie Armstrong Gardner
Pages: 400
Year: 2016
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
The other two novels in the series are titled, All Right Here followed by Better All the Time by the same author. I didn’t read the other novels prior to reading They Danced On. However, for me, it was still a very potent story being told by the author. The Darling family has had its share of trials; the characters deal with life issues just like other families. The book in some ways was hard to read because I could identify strongly with the matriarch of the family named Jane who was wrestling with many trials one being her youngest moving out. Jane wasn’t ready for the empty nest period of her life, especially with her husband’s ALS struggles.
One of the Darlings daughters is named Laura and was struggling with alcohol while another daughter just got married and leaves to work as a missionary with her new husband. Jane begins to wrestle with what her future is going to be when all she has been identified with is being a mother, wife and taking care of the home. Now, as she looks down the road, she isn’t sure what she will be doing with her time or what is God’s purpose for her in this season and more.
I could identify with Jane as my family will be going through some good changes next year and I am thankful so far our health is good. Like Jane, I look to the Lord and believe He has a job for me to do and that my identity is in Him and not earthly titles. Other readers may understand some of the siblings’ issues or marital stuff that occurs. I loved how Jane and her husband, Leander, walked together through the tough season of his decline due to ALS. The author doesn’t spell out in detail what happens, but focuses the readers on the faith of the various family members as well as how strength from being a family unit helps as they walk through life experiences.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend reading this during the holidays if readers have suffered with someone who has ALS or a long term illness or a recent loved one passing. Whenever people choose to read this novel and perhaps the prior two, I believe they will come away as I did with hope. For with God we can walk through the various trials and come out with a closer relationship with Him.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Assinalado
lamb521 | 5 outras críticas | Mar 22, 2017 |
They Danced On by Carre Armstrong Gardner is a wonderful book of hope no matter what the circumstances. Apparently a third and final book in the Darling Family series, it is easily a stand alone novel. Jane and Leander face a bleak future...Leander with seeming courage despite fear and Jane with a strong faith that seems to be failing her. Jane is one who never liked change. But now with the children grown and on their own and a past that is rearing its ugly head, she is looking for meaning in her life. The author writes well of several difficult issues throughout the book--alcoholism, impending death, the angst of raising children--and has realistically depicted the issues and rawness of emotions that surround these all too real life problems. The thread of faith throughout the story reinforces the truth that God is never late, and that we have to accept His answers with grace even it the answer is 'no'. They Danced On is an encouraging story of a family who finds grace and hope.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
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Assinalado
Anne_Rightler | 5 outras críticas | Oct 1, 2016 |

Estatísticas

Obras
3
Membros
137
Popularidade
#149,084
Avaliação
½ 4.3
Críticas
10
ISBN
11

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