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282nd out of 530 books
—
412 voters
Not a Sparrow Falls (Second Chances Collection #1)
In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman from the hills of Virginia flees the men who have lured her away from a godly upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary Bridget Washburn escapes to the bustling city of Alexandria. There her path crosses that of Alasdair MacPherson, a widowed pastor with three young children a...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
August 1st 2002
by Bethany House Publishers
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This was a book that once I started, and got into the gist of it, all I wanted was to find out the rest of the story and finish it. To be honest, the first chapter almost made me totally skip reading it, but fortunately, I went past it and delved into the next few chapters. From there, I was hooked. At the end of the book, I understood then the purpose of the first chapter. But at the time, it distracted me from reading.
Essentially the story is of Bridie, also known as Mary. She’s been drawn int...more
Essentially the story is of Bridie, also known as Mary. She’s been drawn int...more
Everyone has their own secrets and those secrets can often be the
cause of emotional, physical, or spiritual damage. In Not a Sparrow
Falls,author Linda Nichols explores what the dangers of well-kept
secrets.
Mary Bridget Washburn is on the run from an angry ex-boyfriend and The Law.
Reverend Alasdair Robert MacPherson is on the run from his own past.
Both are skilled at hiding their emotions from everyone around them.
Mary Bridget used to go to church every Sunday with her grandma, mama,
brother and si...more
cause of emotional, physical, or spiritual damage. In Not a Sparrow
Falls,author Linda Nichols explores what the dangers of well-kept
secrets.
Mary Bridget Washburn is on the run from an angry ex-boyfriend and The Law.
Reverend Alasdair Robert MacPherson is on the run from his own past.
Both are skilled at hiding their emotions from everyone around them.
Mary Bridget used to go to church every Sunday with her grandma, mama,
brother and si...more
Bridie is a young woman that has been part of a drug dealing group and, although she has not used the drugs herself, her reputation has been tainted; her old days living in a godly way are gone. Fearing for her life, she runs away and assumes her late mother's identity, ending up in Adelia, where she becomes the nanny for the three children of the widowed Presbyterian reverend. It all began when she went to the church and tried to find some answers, but sees Samantha, the reverend's oldest daugh...more
Mary Bridget Washburn was tired of running, tired of being haunted by he empty shell her life had become. How in the world did the little girl she's once been now become a woman on the wrong side of the law? Determined to make a new start, she escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, VA, where she finds sanctuary in the shadow of a decades-old church. The pastor of that church has secrets of his own to hide, blind and numb to his own problems and the growing anguish of his motherless family. In...more
I recently received the book Not a Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols from Bethany House to review. In the story, Mary learns 100 Bible verses as a little girl that she begins to cling to for hope. She unsuccessfully tries to keep her family together after her mother's death. Soon after her brother and sisters are taken, Mary finds herself in a life of crime because of one bad decision after another. She runs, trying to escape from danger and the life she desperately wants out of, and lands in the t...more
There are two main storylines here--Mary Bridget is on the run from her old life (she purchased supplies to make meth; she didn't actually make the meth herself--that was Jonah, her scary boyfriend) and eager to start over; she gives herself the name Bridie (after Bridget--her mom's name and her middle name). And Alisdair is at loose ends with his three children (teenage Samantha and twin toddlers Bonnie and Cameron) after his wife and their mother died two years ago, shortly after the twins' bi...more
Mary is scared and in over her head. Not knowing where to turn, she escapes, however the freedom she finds is only partial as she is haunted by the sins of her past. It isn't until she reaches out to a troubled young girl from a family stricken with pain that she begins to piece her disjointed life back together and in doing so learns what it means to love again. In Linda Nichols book, Not a Sparrow Falls Mary Washburn leaves behind her given name and assimilates to the name of her mother, Bridg...more
Title: NOT A SPARROW FALLS
Author: Linda Nichols
Publisher: Bethany House
2002, reissued February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0747-3
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary women’s fiction
Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of living life as a druggie’s woman. Her boyfriend spends all his time out in the back shop making “candy” and another man has been eyeing her. Mary knows its just a matter of time before this other man makes his move.
But neither man trusts Mary with money. Maybe they know if she has any she’ll r...more
Author: Linda Nichols
Publisher: Bethany House
2002, reissued February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0747-3
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary women’s fiction
Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of living life as a druggie’s woman. Her boyfriend spends all his time out in the back shop making “candy” and another man has been eyeing her. Mary knows its just a matter of time before this other man makes his move.
But neither man trusts Mary with money. Maybe they know if she has any she’ll r...more
This is one of the most touching books I’ve read in a long time. I very much enjoyed reading it. In a few places it seemed a little slow, but it would quickly pick back up. This book is not a romantic one, but there is a romance. The thing that I liked so much about this book was that it deals with a lot of important issues. It was interesting to read about Alasdair and how he got so caught up in something he didn’t even want in the first place. Isn’t it interesting how once we have something we...more
I love stories of SECOND CHANCES. Many characters in this wonderful story get a second chance at life.
Lorna, the aunt who is paying off the debts of a bad first marriage, yet has sacrificed herself to the extreme to care for the children. Winifred, given all mother's glass figures and antiques, now serves with a humbleness. Bob wasn't planning to make a career change so suddenly when he had that article printed. The public defender switches sides, to prosecutor. Jonah Porter gets what he deserv...more
Lorna, the aunt who is paying off the debts of a bad first marriage, yet has sacrificed herself to the extreme to care for the children. Winifred, given all mother's glass figures and antiques, now serves with a humbleness. Bob wasn't planning to make a career change so suddenly when he had that article printed. The public defender switches sides, to prosecutor. Jonah Porter gets what he deserv...more
I don’t come across many novels where the subject is not heavily covered in today’s Christian market, but the author does it with such strength and ability to craft a memorable story. Not only was this story captivating, it left me with memorable characters and a story line that will resound with me for time to come.
NOT A SPARROW FALLS is not a fast read. It requires a willingness to really delve into it, but once I entered the story world, I couldn’t leave. The situations the heroine found hers...more
NOT A SPARROW FALLS is not a fast read. It requires a willingness to really delve into it, but once I entered the story world, I couldn’t leave. The situations the heroine found hers...more
This was Linda Nichol's debut novel for Christian fiction. The main character, Mary Bridget Washburn, is on the run from the law and a previous life of horror with a crack producing boyfriend. She meets a pastor and his three children who are sorely in need of someone to love them, and that's all I can say without ruining a wonderful reading experience. Nichol's demonstrates how God's love can overcome geographic, cultural,and stereotype obstacles to make things happen they way He designed them....more
Once I started reading this book I realized I had read it before, years ago. I'm super glad I found it again. I've thought about this book and its stroy off and on since I read it the first time.
This is a beautiful story of redemption - God's way. Mary Bridget has made some poor choices and knows it. She sees a chance to start fresh and takes it but it puts herself at risk and ends up putting others that she comes to care about at risk as well. But as God does it all works together to bring new...more
This is a beautiful story of redemption - God's way. Mary Bridget has made some poor choices and knows it. She sees a chance to start fresh and takes it but it puts herself at risk and ends up putting others that she comes to care about at risk as well. But as God does it all works together to bring new...more
This looks and feels like a chick book. But, as a guy I think a lot of guys are gonna miss a great story if they think too narrowly about this genre. I'm becoming a fan of modern Christian fiction. I never thought that would happen as I am most often disappointed with "Christian" story telling especially in film... (which isn't to say that their aren't great Christian films). In this book there is the usual predictability, but it is engaging to see how things work out. Plus the element of faith...more
When I looked at the cover art, I decided this book was going to be a sweet little romance about a sweet young woman. What I got was a fantastic read filled with suspense that at times had my heart in my throat. I just couldn't put this book down!
The characters were well thought out and some were just so real, they made me think of people I knew in my own life travels. The story line, especially the main character's situation, was quite realistic.
I truly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend i...more
The characters were well thought out and some were just so real, they made me think of people I knew in my own life travels. The story line, especially the main character's situation, was quite realistic.
I truly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend i...more
This book surprised me. I thought it would be "Christian romance," that odd genre that doesn't really belong anywhere, in my opinion. Instead, I found in Not a Sparrow Falls a story that could be mine, or your's, or any number of people's. The depth of character development and emotion is staggering, and the mystery weaved through it all keeps you speeding along.
As far as theology goes, I disagree with the author's opinions on suicide. However, I felt that I could overlook this because it is a...more
As far as theology goes, I disagree with the author's opinions on suicide. However, I felt that I could overlook this because it is a...more
A gripping story of redemption and faith lost and found. And of prayer that was prayed with such earnestness and perseverance that you could not doubt that it would be answered. As any Christian knows, God sometimes says No or Later, but these prayers were answered YES!I loved reading this. One thing I very much appreciate and that is that there are several threads and layers and everything stays under control and is easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a novel tha...more
I'm not a big romance reader. But this book caught my eye and something told me to give it a chance.
I'm glad I did. It truly was a memorable story. The most striking part of it all to me was the starkly poignant way the author tackled the issue of human-reliance. She showed how dangerous it is to rely on a mere person for your happiness. People always fail people. We were made to love each other, not to hang on each other. No one is strong enough to carry both their issues and your issues on the...more
I'm glad I did. It truly was a memorable story. The most striking part of it all to me was the starkly poignant way the author tackled the issue of human-reliance. She showed how dangerous it is to rely on a mere person for your happiness. People always fail people. We were made to love each other, not to hang on each other. No one is strong enough to carry both their issues and your issues on the...more
God at work in people's lives. Good character development. I found Hattie's prayer life and faith inspiring.
As I was reading, I felt the author hadn't fully laid the groundwork that could explain how Mary could so successfully step into the life of this family and make wise decisions and accomplish so much that an older and more experienced woman would have had difficulty doing. Some of this was answered later in the book as more details were revealed about her life prior to her. Involvement wi...more
As I was reading, I felt the author hadn't fully laid the groundwork that could explain how Mary could so successfully step into the life of this family and make wise decisions and accomplish so much that an older and more experienced woman would have had difficulty doing. Some of this was answered later in the book as more details were revealed about her life prior to her. Involvement wi...more
Believing she is escaping from an abusive father, Mary runs off with her boyfriend Jonah. Unfortunately she ends up involved with manufacturing meth, and Jonah is psychotic under the influence. She carefully plans her escape, steals Jonah's money and tips off the police. She flees to Alexandria and assumes her mother's identity and takes the name Bridie. When circumstances lead her to a job as a nanny to the children of a widowed pastor, she only plans to stay for a short time. What she didn't p...more
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Good.
In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman from the hills of Virginia flees the men who lured her away from a godly upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary Bridget Washburn escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia, where her path crosses that of a widowed minister with three young children and daunting problems of his own. Can Mary Bridget and her tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family falling...more
In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman from the hills of Virginia flees the men who lured her away from a godly upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary Bridget Washburn escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia, where her path crosses that of a widowed minister with three young children and daunting problems of his own. Can Mary Bridget and her tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family falling...more
Great book. I especially liked the theme of not even a sparrow falls without the Father knowing. The characters in the book were all in seemingly unsolvable messes, and it was fascinating to see how God worked something good out of it all. So true that we can't use things or other people to fill those empty places only God can fill --or get healing any other way. Another great quote:" You can't outsin the Cross." Good story of redemption and faith that didn't revolve around a silly romance.
Loved this story. There are so many things in life that make it easy for us to forget about God's love for us. This story reminds us that even in the lowest point of our lives, we need only call upon God to show us the way. You can't help but get caught up in the lives of the characters in this book and how they deal with their own demons. There's a good amount of scripture quoted, but not so much that you feel like you're being preached at on every page.
A Young woman fleeing from a life with an abusive drug dealing boyfriend ends up on the run after turning him in. She assumes a new identity as "Bridgie" and manages to get a job as a checkout girl at a supermarket. An encounter in a church and at the market ends up with her losing her job and working for the family of a local minister. It turns out the ministers family is in dire straights--after his wife died his overbearing sisters took over and his teenage daughter is on the verge of rebelli...more
This book starts with an elderly woman praying through the night. Hattie sees a vision of one of God's people in battle and she fights with everything she has--in prayer. This kicks off a key theme of prayer. The conversations between God and the characters were moving and powerful. I loved the messages that each one brought. This was a story of growth and faith not only in the main characters but also in many of the secondary ones. Each of the characters was well-written with depth of emotion a...more
This was a book that I gave my sister one year for christmas and borrowed it to read. When I first started reading it, the first few chapters were going from one family to another. Thought that I was really going to be confused. However, as I got farther along it all started to come together with the families and became really intriguing. It was an enjoyable read and one I would reccommend.
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Found the first part rather disjointed and haphazard as the author introduced the characters in about the first 1/4 of the book. The last 3/4 of the book which focused on the story line was well done. The characters had depth and faced current issues that aren't the run of the mill topics in Christian fiction. The thread of second chances and grace that were woven throughout the storyline were well done.
Aug 11, 2011
Lisa Rathbun
added it
A really neat story. I enjoyed the characters, although they were perhaps a little too stereotypical, but they were interesting and I cared for them, even the villains. There were lots of neat, little details like Winifred pouring extra cups of coffee to set out to prove her point! There was sadness and beauty and throughout it all the tender, compassionate love of God.
Powerful reminder of the power of intercessory prayer, God's grace and mercy, and the way God can use people if we'll just get out of HIS way.
As Mary runs for her life, Linda Nichols, the author will have you praying with the intercessors, crying when they cry and laughing when they laugh.
God's eye is on the Sparrow & like Mary God Never leaves us alone!!
As Mary runs for her life, Linda Nichols, the author will have you praying with the intercessors, crying when they cry and laughing when they laugh.
God's eye is on the Sparrow & like Mary God Never leaves us alone!!
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