Through Every Storm [Paperback]

Sharlene MacLaren (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2007

Struggling through the tragic loss of their child, Maddie and Jeff Bowman experience the immense pain and grief caused by a broken heart and a marriage so severely strained that a divorce seems imminent. Will life ever be normal again? While still overwhelmed with feelings of complete hopelessness and loneliness, they are additionally faced with having to care for a precocious little boy. Maddie and Jeff must learn how to overcome their problems. But together they may find a joy and happiness that they had never known before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With compassion and skill, Sharlene weaves a tale of grace, forgiveness, and growth out of a parent’s worst nightmare. You’ll cry with Jeff and Maddie as they walk a journey of suffering, chuckle at the antics of little Timmy, then rejoice with them as they overcome." –Jean E. Syswerda, Former Editor & Associate Publisher, Zondervan Bibles, Co–author of the best–selling book, Women of the Bible "Through Every Storm is a wonderful story showing how God’s love through His servants– ordinary people, family, and friends– can safely bring those in anguish and despair to renewed love and hope. This is a book every married couple should read." –Mary Hawkins, Author of the 4–in–1 inspirational romance, Australian Outback, and the bestseller, Australia "Sharlene MacLaren’s flowing writing style and excellent prose pulls the reader into her gripping novel, Through Every Storm, from page one. The story of a troubled marriage after a family tragedy makes Through Every Storm a must for anyone interested in relationships. Don’t miss it or any of Sharlene’s future books." –Molly Noble Bull, Author of The Winter Pearl "Through Every Storm is a strong story of grief and joy, of love and forgiveness, and most of all it is a story of two people struggling through the darkness toward the light of God’s love. A powerful and tender book you’ll want to read more than once." –Barbara Warren, Author of The Gathering Storm "Sharlene’s spirit of love and compassion shines throughout this moving story of heartbreak and healing. I was immediately drawn to Jeff and Maddie and found myself rooting for them from the beginning. Their passionate story embraces the road to forgiveness and is beautifully woven together with God’s amazing grace. It is a must read." –Wendi English, Author of Wild Child, Waiting Mom

About the Author

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. She traveled married one of her childhood friends and together they raised two lovely daughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, "Shar" enjoys reading, writing, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and precious grandson. Shar is a regular speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS' HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at–risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their lovable collie, Dakota, and Mocha, their lazy fat cat.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Whitaker House (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883687461
• ISBN-13: 978-0883687468
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After 31 years of teaching second and fourth grades, Shar decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" and it's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, and inspiring adventure. One thing she knows for certain--God dropped a seed of passion for writing in her heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. (Who else in her right mind would jump out of bed in the middle of the night just to run to the computer and finish a scene that all of a sudden comes together in her head?)

Shar started her publishing career with Whitaker House in December of 2006 when she launched the release of "Through Every Storm", a general fiction title that finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in 2007. On the wings of that, came her first three-book historical set called "The Little Hickman Creek Series" with an 1895-96 Kentucky setting. As a result of that series, Shar won the "Road to Romance" Reviewers' Choice Award in 2007 and 2008. and also picked up a third place award in the "Inspirational Readers' Choice Contest" in both 2008 and 2009.

In the fall of 2008, Whitaker House released a stand-alone contemporary titled "Long Journey Home", and in January of '09 launched her 3-book historical series, "The Daughters of Jacob Kane". Especially exciting to Shar about this series is its 1904-1908 West Michigan setting. Watch for titles: "Hannah Grace", "Maggie Rose", and "Abbie Ann", all available at Amazon.com or in most Christian bookstores near you! In the years 2008, 2009, and 2010 Shar was awarded second and third place standings in the "Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest".

Also made available in 2009 are the SPANISH Editions of "Long Journey Home" ("Un Largo Camino a Casa") and "Through Every Storm" ("En Medio De La Tormenta"). Please check these out through Amazon. You'll discover them when you locate all Shar's other titles. Beginning in September 2010, "Tender Vow" hit shelves, and in 2011, the three-book series, River of Hope, launched with its first title, "Livvie's Song".

Shar has had numerous speaking engagements, countrywide book-signings, television and radio appearances, and countless interviews. She has been married to the love of her life since December 1975 and together they enjoy their two daughters, sons-in-law, and beautiful grandchildren.

Besides her involvement at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church, Shar has been a speaker for the local MOPS organization, has enjoyed involvement in KIDS' HOPE, USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the APPLES OF GOLD program, and attends two bi-weekly Bible studies.

She and her darling husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with Peyton, their lovable, sometimes naughty, collie, and Mocha, their lazy cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, January 6, 2007

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Through Every Storm (Paperback)

Through Every Storm blew me away. First of all, the author's ability to pull you into the emotional struggles of the characters was amazing. Often I find that emotion in novels feels more contrived than real. Not so with this story. The actions and reactions of the couple were frighteningly real. The withdrawal, the inability to communicate, the misinterpretation of things said. All are classics signs of marital trouble. When Maddie and Jeff each individually re-experienced their memories, I was there with them. I identified with how they were feeling. The attraction between them was almost as strong as the hurt, but they had forgotten what they had originally loved about each other. That's so true with grief. The need to blame someone else as well as ourselves. If only he had this...if only I had that...

Jeff was a true man in every situation and I felt like I understood where he was coming from. He just wanted his wife to respond to him, not push him away. The author did a bang-up job representing the male point of view. Then there is little Timmy. I fell in love with this boy genius who Jeff teasingly nicknamed "Einstein" because he was too smart for his own good. He reminded me so much of my own kids, especially my eldest son. I loved how Timmy was perceptive enough to see the couple's pain and how he tried to bring them together. He was so innocent and endearing.

Through Every Storm is a well-written, well-paced novel that is loaded with tension. The conflict felt real to me, and the spiritual progression of the characters was highly believable. In fact, this story was so well written I couldn't find a thing that pulled me from the story. I especially loved the bikini top joke. What a hoot. There were so many tender moments that touched my heart--especially toward the end--that I literally felt my heart warming as I read the touching, healing words. This story is a real winner and is as beautiful as the cover, if not more so. Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Tale, January 6, 2007

By 

Sharlene Maclaren "Little Hickman Creek Serie... (Spring Lake, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through Every Storm (Paperback)

Jeff and Maddie Bowman lost their precious daughter, Emma. Although
the death was an accident, both struggle with feelings of guilt.
Sometimes grief will pull two people together, but in Jeff and
Maddie's case, it only drives them farther apart. Now their marriage
has deteriorated to the point they are discussing divorce.

Rose, Maddie's cousin, has cancer. She needs someone to take care of
Timmy, her seven-year old son. Maddie reluctantly agrees to take
Timmy, but Jeff is furious. He doesn't want to deal with a small boy
on top of everything else. Timmy is a precocious, extremely
intelligent little boy who loves God and can't understand why Jeff
and Maddie fight all the time. He decides to give them the benefit of
his advice.

Sharlene MacLaren's Through Every Storm is a heartwarming story of
two people so overwhelmed with grief they almost destroy themselves
and their marriage, until a concerned little boy shows them the
importance of love and trust. Indeed, a little child shall lead them.
God has a plan for Maddie and Jeff, but first they have to be open to
His leadership. Through Every Storm will grip your heart from the
first page, as Jeff and Maddie fight their way out of the darkness
that threatens to consume them into the light of God's love.

Barbara Warren
Author, Gathering Storm
Jireh Publishing

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Mouth of Babes!, January 14, 2007

By 

Viviane Crystal (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Through Every Storm (Paperback)

All the adult advice in the world fails to help Jeff and Maddie Bowman recover from the death of their daughter. Almost fulfilling the statistical data on divorce for bereaving parents, their world is further turned upside down by a little boy, Timmy.

Timmy is staying with Jeff and Maddie while his mother continues to cope with the effects of chemotherapy for cancer. But Timmy is highly energetic and speaks straight from the hip. What he has to say, told with such frank honesty, hits Maddie the most initially and she can't respond in the usual victim way, no matter how real that is.

Timmy initially and then others teach Maddie that there is a Comforter who is far bigger than the awful event she has endured. She in turn begins to change and the results touch her husband, who has already filed for divorce, and produce many more totally unexpected effects.

It has been said that when one most needs love, one should give it to someone else in need of it. For that is the nature of the God Maddie newly learns to trust and to whom she responds, so naturally receiving healing in the process.

This is a beautiful story which Sharlene MacLaren has crafted with sensitivity and frankness.

Constantly engaging with a fast-moving plot, Through Every Storm will touch the hearts of every reader - in expected and unexpected ways!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on January 14, 2007