Castles in the Sand

This book is a book I found very hard to put down! The characters were absolutely real and riveting people who drew you into their lives and hearts! The story showed how God's mercy and grace touch lives, how forgiveness is the way to true happiness in all relationships! It also showed how Christianity is not meant to be a "stiff" "oh so proper" religion, that God has created love and laughter as the way to worship and serve him. I immediately loved all of the "Martha Mavens" and long to have that kind of group support. I loved the part of one of the characters telling the main character that God would whisper in her ear "You go girl" because truly since God is a Loving God first and foremost that example shows he is always on our side when we do his good works! Everyone should read this book and walk away with the same feel good feelings of grace, mercy and God's love for all!

Reviewed by Shaley Melchior for Reader Views (1/07) Once in a very long time, a book comes along that has the ability of touching hearts, changing lives, and inspiring hope. "Castles in the Sand" is one such book. It is not just another beach read, as one would guess by looking at the cover, but a profound, inspiring read of a family torn apart, and the long road home. Kenzie Starr is a pastor's daughter. Her father, Drake, has a rapidly expanding church, and her mother, Susan, is the picture-perfect submissive wife. Kenzie, however, can see the underlying current of hypocrisy running through the family, and decides to be her own person, not who her father and mother think she should be. This, for most of her teenage years, involves dressing in black, having piercings, and running with a somewhat wild crowd. Although her parents, or rather, her father, greatly disapprove, they still embrace their daughter to some extent. All this changes, however, when Kenzie announces her pregnancy, and the fact that she is not planning on marrying the father any time soon. Her father goes, well, ballistic. He throws her out of the house, into the pouring rain, and says she is no longer welcome in his house. Her mother, who has immense love for her only daughter, disagrees with his decision, but in her quest to be the perfect, submissive pastor's wife, she feels she has no choice but to abide by his decision. As time goes on, however, Susan misses her daughter more and more, and Drake and Susan's already shaky marriage seems to virtually crumble. She flees to the beach house they usually rent in the summer, and slowly feels herself thaw out, and regain a sense of self, with the help of her daughter's boyfriend's family, her relatives, and a zany Bible study group. The characters in this book feel true-to-life, and really became real people and friends to me before I finished it. I laughed, cried, and felt for Drake, Susan, Kenzie, and all involved with them. The book, which comes from a "Christian" publisher, intertwines faith-based aspects, without becoming preachy or overdone, as so many inspirational books are. I found "Castles in the Sand" s to be a very well-rounded read, just be sure to keep a box of tissues handy!

Sally John has penned another novel with a poignant and challenging message. Kenzie's father, Drake Starr, is the pastor of an expanding church, her mother, Susan, the epitome of a submissive wife. Kenzie's announcement of her pregnancy to Adrian Carlucci, despite their unwed state, shatters the Starrs' world with Drake shunning Kenzie and demanding Susan do likewise. With the encouragement of some precious friends, Susan embarks on a journey of self discovery risking all she has held dear in an effort to find her true self and reconnect with her unforgiving husband and defiant daughter. This book is beautifully written, tackling the hard issues with sensitivity and integrity. The author contrasts the different attitudes of the Starr and Carlucci parents to a situation neither family condones, showing the results of both compassion and unforgiveness. The characters are appealing and their struggles real giving the reader plenty to ponder long after the last page is read. This series keeps getting better!

although it got off to a slow start, this was a very good book. The characters were real and easy to sympathize with. I loved the Carlucci's!!! I would LOVE to read more about them. (hint hint Sally). If you are looking for a heart-warming-leave-you-very-satisfied-when-you're-done book, then this one is for you. Enjoy!

Sally John delivers the perfect sequel to The Beach House in this captivating story. When I first read the description, I thought I wasn't ready for another emotional, gut-wrenching tale. But John's style and gripping characters pulled me in from the first sentence. I couldn't put it down. The cliché about characters walking off the page and into your heart is a truly apt statement in this case. I compare "Castles in the Sand" to "And the Shofar Blew". It's that good. Sally John has penned a memorable story of an imperfect pastor and his flawed wife making life changing mistakes, yet experiencing forgiveness and redemption--coupled with a message to allow our pastors and their families to be real. Too often the church expects its leaders to be so far above reproach, we cripple them emotionally, leaving them unable to admit even the smallest sin. And when I turned the last page, I sighed. The book has a very satisfying end, but I didn't want it to be over. Like after a great movie, I sat for a while with the book in my lap, reviewing the characters and their lives in my mind. They had become friends. Castles in the Sand is a riveting novel of God's mercy when our very foundations crumble, and in this reviewer's opinion, destined to be an award-winning book. I read the galley, but will purchase the book to keep in my library to be re-read and shared and loved. I also plan to give one to my pastor and his wife to read. Sally John has earned a permanent place as a favorite author of mine.