Book Review by Violet Nesdoly of the Blue Sky novel.
“While Spokane, the setting of this contemporary Christian novel, may be known for its blue skies, Pastor Scott Brown and his family live through many stormy days under them. The challenges of raising their three teens ramps up for Scott and Sandy when troubled Billy Smith begins stalking their teenage daughter. As the situation becomes more tangled, the Smiths experience a roller coaster ride of fear, anger, guilt, confusion, even physical injury. Along the way, we see this real and often flawed family struggling, praying with and for each other, exercising spiritual gifts, and growing in maturity and unity.
The plot was compelling and the characters felt real. I enjoyed the story and appreciated the lessons it taught.
Discussion questions link this fictional work with principles explored in the Hirds’ earlier book about marriage and relationships, For Better, For Worse – Discovering the Keys to a Lasting Relationship.”
Violet Nesdoly lives in Langley with her husband Ernie. She is the mother of two adult children and works as a freelance writer, writing and blogging book reviews, articles, stories and poems. As a member of The Word Guild, she has won prizes for her poetry and has published the Destiny’s Hands book available on Amazon and two books of poetry.
P. S. Click this Amazon link to view for free the first two chapters of our new novel Blue Sky.
“I’m afraid there’s been an accident…”
Sandy Brown and her family have just moved to Spokane, Washington where her husband, Scott, is pastoring a new church. With a fresh start, Sandy is determined to devote more time to her four children. But, within weeks of settling in their new life, the Brown family is plunged into turmoil.
Sandy receives shocking news that her children aren’t safe, which brings back haunting memories of the trauma she experienced as a girl. Then, the unthinkable happens…
A brutal attack puts Sandy on the brink of losing everything she’s loved. Her faith in God and the family she cherishes are pushed to the ultimate limit.
Is healing possible when so many loved ones are hurt? Are miracles really possible through the power of prayer? Can life return to the way it was before?
Blue Sky reveals how a mother’s most basic instinct isn’t for survival… but for family.
If you’re a fan of Karen Kingsbury, then you’ll love Blue Sky. Get your copy today on paperback or kindle.
-Click to check out our marriage book For Better For Worse: discovering the keys to a lasting relationship on Amazon. You can even read the first two chapters for free to see if the book speaks to you.
-The sequel book Restoring Health: body, mind and spirit is available online with Amazon.com in both paperback and ebook form. Dr. JI Packer wrote the foreword, saying “I heartily commend what he has written.” The book focuses on strengthening a new generation of healthy leaders. Drawing on examples from Titus’ healthy leadership in the pirate island of Crete, it shows how we can embrace a holistically healthy life.
In Canada, Amazon.ca has the book available in paperback and ebook. It is also posted on Amazon UK (paperback and ebook), Amazon France (paperback and ebook), and Amazon Germany (paperback and ebook).
Restoring Health is also available online on Barnes and Noble in both paperback and Nook/ebook form. Nook gives a sample of the book to read online.
Indigo also offers the paperback and the Kobo ebook version. You can also obtain it through ITunes as an IBook.
To receive a personally signed copy of any of our books within North America, just etransfer at ed_hird@telus.net, giving your address. Cheques are also acceptable.
-Click to purchase the Companion Bible Study by Jan Cox (for the Battle of the Soul of Canada) in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
Indigo also offers the paperback and the Kobo ebook version. You can also obtain it through ITunes as an IBook.
-Click to purchase the Companion Bible Study by Jan Cox (for the Battle of the Soul of Canada) in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
To purchase any of our six books in paperback or ebook on Amazon, just click on this link.
Edhird's Blog 
May 24, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Blue Sky – Ed and Janice Hird – Endorsement
Blue Sky by Rev. Ed and Janice Hird
How do we raise children in this fast-paced, high-tech age and find the necessary quality time as married couples, balancing work with family obligations?
Scott and Sandy Brown and four children face many challenges in settling and finding God’s peace in their new home, Spokane, WA. Scott is the Pastor of a new church and the children are adjusting to a new school routine and making new friends in this community.
Almost immediately we evidence a little tension within the family unit. Most of the issues that come up involve the usual concerns of parents with teens such as homework being done, leaving proper messages and being home on time. The family is soon pulled into a much more serious situation which involves the teens. Sandy, who has had her own difficulties with a traumatic past experience in her youth, has concern for her children and struggles with trusting the Lord to care for them. Scott takes the lead in committing all concern to prayer.
Through her prayer journey, Sandy recalls the verse in Isaiah 43 that the Lord had given her for healing of difficult memories. In the end Sandy finds the forgiveness that Jesus Christ offers for her anxieties.
Towards the end of the story we see the family unit strengthened in matters of faith and commitment to one another, as well as the marriage ties strengthened between husband and wife.
The authors include a short resource of Discussion Questions at the end with a useful explanation of terms in Family Systems Theory.
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May 24, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Thank you, Margaret
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