About Ascension of Larks
- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 20, 2017)
Free-spirited and fiercely independent, Maggie adores her life of travel and adventure. But she has a secret. She can’t let go of her first and only love, renowned architect Marco Firelli, now married to her best friend Lena.
When Marco drowns in a kayaking accident, Maggie rushes to the Firelli family’s summer home on San Juan Island. Once there she discovers that Marco was hiding something that could destroy his family. As fragile, perfectionistic Lena slowly falls apart, Maggie tries to provide stability for Marco and Lena’s three young children.
When Maggie is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete in the world’s most prestigious photography competition, she thinks she’s found the answer to their problems. Then Lena makes a choice with unexpected and devastating consequences, forcing Maggie to grapple with an agonizing decision. Does she sacrifice the golden opportunity of her career or abandon the Firellis just when they need her the most?
Gradually the island begins to work its magic. A century-old ritual to beckon loved ones home offers hope in the midst of sorrow. And a guilt-ridden yet compelling stranger hiding on the island may offer Maggie a second chance at love, but only if she can relinquish the past and move forward to find joy in unexpected places.
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About Rachel Linden
Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures living and traveling in fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her stories. She holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, a BA in Literature from Huntington University, and studied creative writing at Oxford University during college. Currently, Rachel splits her time between Seattle, Washington and Budapest, Hungary where she lives with her husband and two children. Rachel enjoys creating stories about hope and courage with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.Connect with Rachel
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My Thoughts:
The beginning of the novel was slow, and I've found that has been happening with a lot of the books I've been reading lately. But just like the others, and what I've actually learned from these, is to not give up and stop reading, to push through that lull because no doubt on the other side is a beautiful, wonderful, poignant story.
And so it is with Ascension of Larks.
We've all been faced with loss before, and if you're anything like everyone else out there, you are often struck with a lot of questions and what if's. I think this novel perfectly explains and touches on those specific moments of loss.
We've had two losses in our family, just this year alone, both within 5 months of each other. When I started reading Ascension of Larks, I found it a bit difficult in the sense that it was too personal, it was bringing up feelings and emotions that I didn't want to talk about, think about or even remember. But it ended up helping me come to terms with my own grief.
The story itself centers on three major players, one of which is killed in an accident, Marco. Marco happens to be Lena's husband, and Maggie's friend. Maggie and Lena are best friends, and the trio used to be the best of buds back in college.
What Lena doesn't know is that Maggie has been in love with Marco for as long as she can remember, and when he passes away and Lena reaches out to her best friend for comfort, things get uncomfortable and personal and intimate in a way that pulls you right in.
This beautiful novel deals with so many important issues, from death, to grief, to love lost, to hope, and friendship.
I have read some good Christian fiction but this one surpasses so many, it's in a league all it's own.
When you read a book and come away feeling like it helped you, changed you, moved you, you know it's a great book.
This book sounds like one that should not be missed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.