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The Mother Keeper
They say the truth will set you free… but what if the truth ruins your life? Ellie Ryan is seventeen and determined to move to Nashville to pursue her dreams of making it as a songwriter, but an unexpected pregnancy shatters her plans and sets her on a course she never imagined. Shawn Klein has it all. The beautiful girlfriend. The scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt after he graduates high school. At eighteen, he leads worship at his father’s prosperous megachurch. His life is perfect. So why isn’t he happy? Everything changes when Shawn’s parents bring Ellie into their home to care for her until she gives birth. It’s the life with a real family that Ellie has always dreamed about, and the kind of future Shawn never knew he wanted, until Ellie’s past threatens to destroy everything. Jenny McBride has lost her faith and her reason to live in a terrible accident in Colorado Springs, but meeting the pregnant teenager, Ellie just might turn things around. When Jenny arrives in Tennessee to adopt Ellie's baby, only one thing is certain. A baby will be born, along with a crime of passion, and a desperate struggle to bury the truth.
- GenresChristian
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2017
149 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Paula Scott
7 books49 followersPaula has a background in journalism. A fifth-generation Californian, her great-great grandmother came to California in a covered wagon and married a California farmer. Paula’s family has been farming ever since. Paula works on her family's stone fruit farm, writes historical and contemporary fiction, and blogs about life, love, and farming at paulascott.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2017
4.5 Stars
This novel was and was not what I was expecting. Written with honesty and heartache, but also with hope; this novel takes you on a journey that begs us to stop and examine our own hearts. There are within the Church those who are hypocrites, fakes or cultural Christians as we like to say, and there are those who are the real deal. Still, we all mess up; we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But we do need to examine ourselves, our hearts, and remove the plank from our own eye before judging and condemning another. Often times, circumstances and people can not be what they seem. We need to remember God's grace, His love, His mercy and His sacrifice. Who are we to determine who is good enough for God's love and salvation?! Did Christ not die to set the sinner free? Yes, He did! That by no means, mean we continue on in repetitive sin. You will know by their fruit, right?!
Scott had me rapidly reading these pages, unsure how everything would work out and still trying to piece parts of the puzzle together. While several hints she tucked in along the way, did pan out the way I expected; others surprised me. This is not a giddy, feel good kind of story, but it is a story worth the read and the reflection. Heavy but good.
This novel was and was not what I was expecting. Written with honesty and heartache, but also with hope; this novel takes you on a journey that begs us to stop and examine our own hearts. There are within the Church those who are hypocrites, fakes or cultural Christians as we like to say, and there are those who are the real deal. Still, we all mess up; we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But we do need to examine ourselves, our hearts, and remove the plank from our own eye before judging and condemning another. Often times, circumstances and people can not be what they seem. We need to remember God's grace, His love, His mercy and His sacrifice. Who are we to determine who is good enough for God's love and salvation?! Did Christ not die to set the sinner free? Yes, He did! That by no means, mean we continue on in repetitive sin. You will know by their fruit, right?!
Scott had me rapidly reading these pages, unsure how everything would work out and still trying to piece parts of the puzzle together. While several hints she tucked in along the way, did pan out the way I expected; others surprised me. This is not a giddy, feel good kind of story, but it is a story worth the read and the reflection. Heavy but good.
December 3, 2017
Mother Keeper
Could not stop reading. Characters are so believable and developed. Every human has its faults Ms Scott included them all with shocking surprise.. Will recommend this book to many
Could not stop reading. Characters are so believable and developed. Every human has its faults Ms Scott included them all with shocking surprise.. Will recommend this book to many
February 6, 2018
I liked that this book had a raw honesty and not an unrealistic ‘Christianese’ theme. There are flaws in people and therefore the church. Our faith doesn’t lie in the church, it lies in God. Awful things happen in this world and God can see us through them all, if we trust Him and are open to what He can do. He gives us that choice.
I liked the lead female character and found her quite strong. The male lead was a little wishy-washy as a young man. I did find myself a little disappointed that the stuff following the scandal reveal weren’t touched upon very much. I also found myself questioning the public setting for the big event at the end. The public setting was forced by the main character’s family member. Seemed rather self-serving and questionable.
The last part of the book moved this book from a 3.5 star to a 4. I was very personally touched and challenged by some things and highlighted them. I also greatly appreciated the author’s personal notes at the end and I included part of that in my highlights.
I liked the lead female character and found her quite strong. The male lead was a little wishy-washy as a young man. I did find myself a little disappointed that the stuff following the scandal reveal weren’t touched upon very much. I also found myself questioning the public setting for the big event at the end. The public setting was forced by the main character’s family member. Seemed rather self-serving and questionable.
The last part of the book moved this book from a 3.5 star to a 4. I was very personally touched and challenged by some things and highlighted them. I also greatly appreciated the author’s personal notes at the end and I included part of that in my highlights.
June 14, 2017
Simply wonderful
As a mother who bore her first child at 18, single, and the daughter of the children's pastor, unplanned pregnancy in the church was my story. Without telling it, Paula captured all the nuances perfectly. People needed me to feel shame, and others needed me to feel grace. God wanted me to feel loved and wanted regardless. Well done Paula!
As a mother who bore her first child at 18, single, and the daughter of the children's pastor, unplanned pregnancy in the church was my story. Without telling it, Paula captured all the nuances perfectly. People needed me to feel shame, and others needed me to feel grace. God wanted me to feel loved and wanted regardless. Well done Paula!
November 4, 2019
Valleys, grace and healing
There were so many twists in this novel. Normally I can predict exactly where a novel is going but I couldn’t with this one. I had a few inklings here and there but the reality of what the author wrote was so much better than the foreshadowing that the author set up. I was genuinely surprised. The life lessons were fantastic and it reminds me of Philippians 1:12 where Paul is talking about his chains actually furthering the gospel. I read that the other day and I was reminded how in my life, the valleys and the chains I had experienced, not necessarily choices that I had made, all turn out for the furtherance of the gospel. That’s the main theme of this book. God gets glory through it all. So often we get imprisoned by circumstances, sometimes by choices we’ve made and sometimes it’s by choices of others, but in the end if we are in Christ, it’s His gospel that gets proclaimed! To God be the glory.
There were so many twists in this novel. Normally I can predict exactly where a novel is going but I couldn’t with this one. I had a few inklings here and there but the reality of what the author wrote was so much better than the foreshadowing that the author set up. I was genuinely surprised. The life lessons were fantastic and it reminds me of Philippians 1:12 where Paul is talking about his chains actually furthering the gospel. I read that the other day and I was reminded how in my life, the valleys and the chains I had experienced, not necessarily choices that I had made, all turn out for the furtherance of the gospel. That’s the main theme of this book. God gets glory through it all. So often we get imprisoned by circumstances, sometimes by choices we’ve made and sometimes it’s by choices of others, but in the end if we are in Christ, it’s His gospel that gets proclaimed! To God be the glory.
October 9, 2019
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Some timely issues are addressed, but in many cases with great idealism or extremes. For example, the pastor's wife got way too attached to Ellie and her secret plan to adopt the baby was way out of line for a woman in charge of a Pregnancy Center. And the extreme contrast between the "haves" and "have nots" in the two towns was overdone. And the hypocrisy of so many of the Christians in the story was hard. Perhaps realistic, but hard to deal with. Still, Ellie and Shawn were likeable characters and went through some realistic growth and development. I liked how the adoption process was handled - I was so happy for Jenny and Ken! And the twist that her "real" dad was a singer was a great addition. I also liked not knowing the details of the baby's father until the end. Ellie's self-blame was very realistic. Sadly.
October 9, 2019
The Mother Keeper
A Christian family with three boys takes in this poor young pregnant girl to care for her until the baby is born . She was loved and treated like family even tho not accepted by schools. Shawn took special care of her thru the mystery of who the father might be.
A Christian family with three boys takes in this poor young pregnant girl to care for her until the baby is born . She was loved and treated like family even tho not accepted by schools. Shawn took special care of her thru the mystery of who the father might be.
November 1, 2019
Excellent story!
A well written story with believable characters. The main character, Ellie, gets pregnant in high school and goes to a crisis pregnancy center. The woman there decides to take Ellie in and care for her while pregnant. This woman has 3 teenage boys of her own. Lots of twists and turns in the story. I highly recommend this author!
A well written story with believable characters. The main character, Ellie, gets pregnant in high school and goes to a crisis pregnancy center. The woman there decides to take Ellie in and care for her while pregnant. This woman has 3 teenage boys of her own. Lots of twists and turns in the story. I highly recommend this author!
November 1, 2023
This is a powerful book!
At first I was confused by all the characters & different issues. There were so many issues!
I loved the Epilogue:
"Now the only thing she counted on was humbly learning the lessons God taught her, keeping her eyes on the Lord, and trusting even in the darkness, especially in the darkness."
At first I was confused by all the characters & different issues. There were so many issues!
I loved the Epilogue:
"Now the only thing she counted on was humbly learning the lessons God taught her, keeping her eyes on the Lord, and trusting even in the darkness, especially in the darkness."
December 5, 2017
The Mother Keeper
This,was,a,complicated story. Samuel and Patsy and their three sons appeared to be the ideal family. Eilie was happy to be able to stay with them while carrying her baby. Many surprising turns followed. Did have a happy ending. Give it 4 stars
This,was,a,complicated story. Samuel and Patsy and their three sons appeared to be the ideal family. Eilie was happy to be able to stay with them while carrying her baby. Many surprising turns followed. Did have a happy ending. Give it 4 stars
October 9, 2018
Great story!
Very reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury, really good book! No matter what, we are children of the King, and this story brings that out. Love and forgiveness are what keep us in His arms, thank you, Paula, for making us remember that!
Very reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury, really good book! No matter what, we are children of the King, and this story brings that out. Love and forgiveness are what keep us in His arms, thank you, Paula, for making us remember that!
April 22, 2020
Great book
The more I read, the better this book got. I enjoyed the way scripture was used and how the characters relied on God. A great Christian book that deals with healing, repentance and reliance on God.
The more I read, the better this book got. I enjoyed the way scripture was used and how the characters relied on God. A great Christian book that deals with healing, repentance and reliance on God.
September 18, 2022
EXCELLENT CHRISTIAN FICTION
I thought this would be a light predictable story. It was not. Lots of twists and turns and real life happening. Trusting God even when you can’t see how He could possibly let this happen. Great inspirational read.
I thought this would be a light predictable story. It was not. Lots of twists and turns and real life happening. Trusting God even when you can’t see how He could possibly let this happen. Great inspirational read.
August 10, 2023
So much or this story touchés m'y personnel life. Crying through thé chapters whère
Elle reveals her secrets to Susan tags at m'y heart. I world recommed this Touching story To m'y best friend.
Elle reveals her secrets to Susan tags at m'y heart. I world recommed this Touching story To m'y best friend.
November 16, 2018
So good I didn’t want to put it down. Has a great group of characters and an amazing story. Really an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this author.
September 23, 2019
The story kept throwing surprises at me. I am curious as to why Stephen/Stephan was spelled two different ways in the book.
January 21, 2020
This was a realistic story of 17 yr-old Ellie was pregnant but refused to tell the father's name. She is taken in by a Christian family until after the baby. There was so much 'drama' ,from the family and the church, that it made my head spin but also made me think about how first impressions are judgemental and hurtful.
There were so many issues in the story: pregnancy from rape, adultery, unforgiveness, judgemental misconceptions and love.
There were so many issues in the story: pregnancy from rape, adultery, unforgiveness, judgemental misconceptions and love.
September 17, 2020
Fantastic
What a wonderful, heartwrenching, sweet, healing story. The characters are so real and the plot so honest. A great story.
What a wonderful, heartwrenching, sweet, healing story. The characters are so real and the plot so honest. A great story.
October 2, 2019
Fami.y to own
BEAUTIFUL STORY SHOWING TRUE LOVE TRUE ,OVE IS KIND AND PATIENT.THIS BOOK WAS WO DERFUL I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING DOWN
BEAUTIFUL STORY SHOWING TRUE LOVE TRUE ,OVE IS KIND AND PATIENT.THIS BOOK WAS WO DERFUL I HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING DOWN
July 24, 2019
A teen girl from "the other side of the tracks" kind of town is invited to live with the pastor's family in a nearby "good side of the tracks" town for the duration of her pregnancy until her baby is adopted. She's never had a good life in her "trailer park trash" life, so this home is like a dream to her, but is it real?
A couple broken from loss and injury struggle until they get the news that her baby will be theirs. Can their brokenness be mended with this new baby?
It would be an understatement to say that there is a LOT going on in this book. Adultery, tragedy, and big surprises are in store.
Please be sure and read the author's note at the end. This book has a lot of personal significance for her.
A couple broken from loss and injury struggle until they get the news that her baby will be theirs. Can their brokenness be mended with this new baby?
It would be an understatement to say that there is a LOT going on in this book. Adultery, tragedy, and big surprises are in store.
Please be sure and read the author's note at the end. This book has a lot of personal significance for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews