Room for Hope

Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book:

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

About the Author:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the highly acclaimed, best-selling author of gentle stories of hope such as What Once Was Lost and Through the Deep Waters. With more than one million books in print, Kim has garnered numerous awards including the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband Don. She enjoys travel, quilting, and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

My Review:

Have you ever had the time when you felt like you couldn’t forgive someone for something they have done? Unforgiveness will eat at you until you can’t take it anymore. In Room for Hope, Kim Vogel Sawyer gives us the story of Neva Shilling and her family. Neva is the mother to Belle and Bud, 14 year old twins and the wife to Warren Shilling. Neva’s world is shaken when she receives a visit from a deputy from Beloit instead of her husband Warren. Jesse Caudel brings the bad news to Neva that her “brother” and his wife had passed away and left her their three children to raise. Neva can’t believe the news she was just told, her husband and his wife had passed away and they had three children together. How could this be? Warren was married to her.

Neva takes the children in but doesn’t understand whats happening. Her family is falling apart. What is she going to do? How is she going to raise her children as well as three others. Knowing nothing about placing orders for the mercantile, Neva jumps in and try’s to make ends meet.

Arthur Randall has wanted to purchase the Mercantile for a while now and he believes he finally has the chance to do so with Warren not around anymore. Neva refuses to sell to Arthur and he sets out to win her over by being nice to her. After spending time with her, he begins to realize he has feelings for her.

What will happen to Neva and her family? Will she learn to love the three children? Will she forgive? What will happen when the town finds out the truth?

Room for Hope is set in 1936 Kansas during the Great Depression. I could not put this book down until I had it finished. I loved reading Neva’s story. Forgiveness is a touch issue and one we should definitely be ready to read about and act upon. Ms. Sawyer has done it again!! Another great book! I highly recommend Room For Hope!! I give it 5 out of 5 Stars!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of this book for my honest review.