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The Naomi Chronicles #1
No Other Choice (The Naomi Chronicles)
An Illegal Immigrant. Bound by Secrets. Trapped by Choices. An Arranged Marriage. A Forbidden love...will Naomi and Chaz trust God? In her 5-Star rave of this Inspirational Christian Romance Tamie D. said, "This...Christian fiction...reads like a movie!" Naomi fled Spain for America to escape living the lie generations of her people had lived. She planned to find her uncle and help him earn enough money to bring their family to this land of promise. About to be sent back, the teenager lets an old woman help her and when handcuffed and dragged to the woman's casa, discovers she must continue to live a lie. Will Naomi's coming-of-age journey be one of fear, freedom, or love? Chaz met Naomi when she gave this drunken bum a few dollars and made him sign her pledge book while saying he would help others. Now an internationally well-known philanthropist, he will pretend to be less than he is to wed Naomi! Lola was rescued from immigration by Naomi. Now this teenager wants to discredit her benefactor so she can have Chaz. And having discovered Naomi's secrets, she is bound to succeed! Two people in love yet neither knows who their spouse really is. A teenage girl whose goal is to drive a wedge between this star-crossed couple. Can anyone get what they want before fear, longing, lies and secrets cause this triangle to unravel? *******The Naomi Chronicles were written to be read one after the other. However, each book is a stand-alone and can be read independently of each other. For the best reading experience, we suggest reading them in Book #1: No Other Choice Book #2: Choosing to Be Book #3: Beginning Anew Book #4: Commitment for Two
236 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 15, 2017
I have to say that this book and its sequel are some of the most intriguing reading I've experienced in a long while. It is the kind of story that makes you "walk a mile in someone else's moccasins." It is fiction, but based on history. That's one of the reasons I love these books by this author so much.
First, the author prefaces the piece by asking us to imagine "what if" our beliefs were what threatened our family's very lives. How would we live to survive? Suppose we saw our families and friends all around us killed or expelled or mistreated because of their similar beliefs? What would you do as a daughter of the house? Would you go into hiding? Live a lie? Fear for your life? Sacrifice for your family's safety? With this mindset established, Naomi is introduced to us just as she sets foot in immigration as a 15-year-old girl, about to be deported because the family that was supposed to support her suddenly refuses to sponsor her in America. But she is rescued. The question presented in this book is this: was that rescue a blessing or a curse? You have to read this story to find out.
This book and book two used to be one story. So you need to purchase the second book to find the resolution to the first, which ends on a mild cliff hanger. Fortunately, book two picks up about five minutes after the first ends. Since this is a series, I didn't mind that so much. But I feel you should know this and prepare to purchase both books together. In spite of that, book one is complete in that it encapsulates a complete idea and develops it thoroughly.
I enjoy getting to know a subculture of America I have never become acquainted with, in this case the Spanish Harlem area, or Harlem as it's known today. The author uses this setting to make the surrounding circumstances Naomi finds herself in alive and familiar. You get to know and somewhat understand her community, watch how Naomi sacrifices her life goals to play an important part of the barrio and in the lives of its citizens. The author writes this so well I felt as if I were part of the community.
Naomi herself is going through a transition. The reader becomes privy to her inner turmoil as she struggles to find her place in life. Then the author adds a sweet romance in the final chapters that brings all the circumstances to a head, adding slight tension in Naomi's character development.
I highly recommend this book, and of course, the entire series. It appears there is more to come, so I am looking forward to reading all the books based on how much I enjoyed the first two. I hope you will grow to love this series too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was approached by this author to write a review of her books, and she offered me this one as a complimentary copy. (But I had already gotten it last year. So technically I am writing this review for my opinion with the blessing of the author.) I was not required to write a positive review. 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."
First, the author prefaces the piece by asking us to imagine "what if" our beliefs were what threatened our family's very lives. How would we live to survive? Suppose we saw our families and friends all around us killed or expelled or mistreated because of their similar beliefs? What would you do as a daughter of the house? Would you go into hiding? Live a lie? Fear for your life? Sacrifice for your family's safety? With this mindset established, Naomi is introduced to us just as she sets foot in immigration as a 15-year-old girl, about to be deported because the family that was supposed to support her suddenly refuses to sponsor her in America. But she is rescued. The question presented in this book is this: was that rescue a blessing or a curse? You have to read this story to find out.
This book and book two used to be one story. So you need to purchase the second book to find the resolution to the first, which ends on a mild cliff hanger. Fortunately, book two picks up about five minutes after the first ends. Since this is a series, I didn't mind that so much. But I feel you should know this and prepare to purchase both books together. In spite of that, book one is complete in that it encapsulates a complete idea and develops it thoroughly.
I enjoy getting to know a subculture of America I have never become acquainted with, in this case the Spanish Harlem area, or Harlem as it's known today. The author uses this setting to make the surrounding circumstances Naomi finds herself in alive and familiar. You get to know and somewhat understand her community, watch how Naomi sacrifices her life goals to play an important part of the barrio and in the lives of its citizens. The author writes this so well I felt as if I were part of the community.
Naomi herself is going through a transition. The reader becomes privy to her inner turmoil as she struggles to find her place in life. Then the author adds a sweet romance in the final chapters that brings all the circumstances to a head, adding slight tension in Naomi's character development.
I highly recommend this book, and of course, the entire series. It appears there is more to come, so I am looking forward to reading all the books based on how much I enjoyed the first two. I hope you will grow to love this series too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was approached by this author to write a review of her books, and she offered me this one as a complimentary copy. (But I had already gotten it last year. So technically I am writing this review for my opinion with the blessing of the author.) I was not required to write a positive review. 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."
June 16, 2017
Naomi flees from religious persecution in Spain only to await deportation entering Ellis Island. The frightened sixteen-year-old Naomi is alone in a hostile world. Then a mysterious woman steps forward with the proper papers and on the way to her home, handcuffs her!
During the1900s when this story takes place, Jews were often labeled “Jesus killers.” Naomi must hide her Jewish roots for fear of rejection of her benefactor.
It is in our DNA to want to be liked, loved and appreciated. Naomi’s choice to hide her past, to pretend to be someone she was not, leads to her undoing. Not even Chad’s love can erase the guilt she feels.
When people desert us, God draws closer. Paula Rose Michelson wisely points her heroine, Naomi, to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
No Other Choice leaves the reader with questions unanswered. Will Naomi and Chad reunite? Will Naomi find the peace and love she seeks? I’m looking forward to read Book 2: Choosing to Be to find out!
During the1900s when this story takes place, Jews were often labeled “Jesus killers.” Naomi must hide her Jewish roots for fear of rejection of her benefactor.
It is in our DNA to want to be liked, loved and appreciated. Naomi’s choice to hide her past, to pretend to be someone she was not, leads to her undoing. Not even Chad’s love can erase the guilt she feels.
When people desert us, God draws closer. Paula Rose Michelson wisely points her heroine, Naomi, to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
No Other Choice leaves the reader with questions unanswered. Will Naomi and Chad reunite? Will Naomi find the peace and love she seeks? I’m looking forward to read Book 2: Choosing to Be to find out!
April 14, 2018
Interesting story involving immigration, family ties, dedication and bravery. Good read. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my opinion of the story. No review was required.
October 13, 2014
"No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles" by Paula Rose Michelson is a deeply moving and very well written novel with a wonderful strong heroine. Naomi, kind and helpful, is stranded and then rescued from Ellis island by an elderly woman named Tia. Naomi works at Tia's house until she takes over the house herself.
She finds love, but Naomi's life is even more complicated than that.
Michelson has created a beautiful character in Naomi who you cannot help to care for. Hiding her Jewish faith makes Naomi's life just as difficult as the immigration laws.
In the preface there is a long section on the history and issues for Jewish people in Spain, which gives great insight into Naomi's background and reasoning.
With much authentic detail and intriguing characters this is a wonderful book, touching, moving and positive in spirit. It also has a wonderful message about faith, religion, discrimination and keeping secrets.
A beautiful read.
She finds love, but Naomi's life is even more complicated than that.
Michelson has created a beautiful character in Naomi who you cannot help to care for. Hiding her Jewish faith makes Naomi's life just as difficult as the immigration laws.
In the preface there is a long section on the history and issues for Jewish people in Spain, which gives great insight into Naomi's background and reasoning.
With much authentic detail and intriguing characters this is a wonderful book, touching, moving and positive in spirit. It also has a wonderful message about faith, religion, discrimination and keeping secrets.
A beautiful read.
October 29, 2014
The plot is well written. The characters are strong with the story beginning with the heroine being a teenager immigrating to America leaving her family, friends, and native land fearing for her life because she is a Jew. She believes America will be free of religious prejudice. She was a companion to an elderly woman that dies at sea causing her to be sponsorless upon her arrival at Ellis Island and the Immigration Office. Fearing that she will be sent back, she agrees to going home with a lady called Tia so she can stay in America. Tia's deception and betrayal turns into love. Naomi's mistrust turns into love. In the end Noami is left better off for having suffered all those years with Tia. The author has done an awesome job incorporating the Jewish history in this novel. Will Noami find love? Will she be able to carry on Tia's work. I loved this book. I was given a copy for an honest review.
April 17, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series. Naomi's story is rich with detail and subtly layered with history. I loved Naomi's character from the start. She was intelligent, trustworthy, and loyal. She showed strength by leaving all that was familiar to come to a new country. Driven by her faith yet shielding it at the same time for self-preservation, she had me rooting for her throughout the story. I was completely invested in her growth as a woman and in her religious convictions. I won't reveal how the story ends because I don't wish to spoil it. All I can say is the author set things up perfectly for book #2.
November 29, 2014
I had the honor of reviewing this book for the author. The way Tia Vida helped Naomi was amazing. The way Naomi and Chaz fell in love was beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews