©picture by scribbles (Marye McKenney)

Friday, September 29, 2017

Where Do We Belong?

Picture it:  1890 in the Sahara Desert looking for a monastery that is supposed to have ancient documents and codices that will prove the verity of the Bible. Two sisters, two of their servants, and several Bedouin guides as well as a sheik are riding camels across the desert toward the monastery.  Each of the sisters and both of the servants get a voice in telling the story of this book.

Lynn Austin has woven together a cohesive narrative from four viewpoints that entertains her readers as well as challenges them.  I love it when a book I read for enjoyment has nuggets of truth that will push me to see what there is beyond my own little world. 

Rebecca and Flora are sisters who live for adventure.  At the young ages of 14 and 12 respectively, they begin their first adventure by skipping school and planning a trip to Europe.  They want all the information in hand to present to their father before asking for the trip.  Rebecca is thoroughly engulfed in finding what her purpose is in God's Kingdom, she wants to know where she belongs.  She is fearless in seeking her place and in her adventures because only God knows the end of her days. 

Flora finds her purpose rather early on--to reach the children who have no one to speak for them or to protect them.  She goes along with Rebecca's adventures because she doesn't want Rebecca to be alone.  A "Good Samaritan" situation allows Flora to find the love of her life who will stand beside her and help her with her purpose--funding and founding an orphanage that will provide a place for children who have lost their parents, or been abandoned by them, or for whatever reason are living on the streets.

The two servants along on the last adventure are street children that Rebecca and Flora have taken in to show them what love is all about.  Soren and Kate are incredulous that there are people in their small  worlds who will put themselves out for them. 

All of these characters are finding "Where We Belong" throughout the book.  Sometimes the hunt for place is longer and more involved than at other times, but the getting there is entertaining and intriguing.  I've read many of Lynn Austin's books and she NEVER disappoints.  Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a camel ride across the desert.

My thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book.

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