Of Stillness and Storm By Michèle Phoenix

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own. 


Book Description: 

 
“I felt torn between two worlds. Each with its own mystery. One more captivating than the other, but the other more real and breathing.”

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing. 
At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.
Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

My Thoughts: 

First I want to apologize to Michèle Phoenix and Litfuse Publicity for the lateness of my review. I have no excuse. 

Of Stillness and Storm is the latest book by Michèle Phoenix and it is a great read. I have read other books by Michèle Phoenix and this one definitely piqued my interest. This book is a Christian Contemporary Fiction, not a genre I read often but I am glad I did. The book description grabbed me and the cover reeled me in.  Michèle Phoenix writes with authority on Missionary life, Nepal, family dynamics, social media and the troubles it can cause, and love. This book really opened my eyes to the struggles that missionary families go through, the side we don't see. I truly enjoyed Michèle Phoenix's style of writing. She put me right there as part of the book. The characters in this book are very real, struggling with life just as we do. I really found I connected with Lauren the most. She is doing what she can to support her husband's dream and trying hard to raise their son and help him through the life they are having in Nepal. Lauren struggles with the desire to feel love from her husband but finding it with someone else. Something that started off as two friends talking starts to be more than that. Lauren's feelings and needs are so similar to mine as in marriages that struggle. She is a normal person, feeling real feelings. I found myself part of this emotional roller coaster, examining my own feelings and struggles. I found myself laughing in parts of this book and crying in many others.  This book truly grabbed me and tugged at my heart. This is a book that will stay with me for a while and has shown me the need to pray for missionaries not just for their mission but for their families and personal lives. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction or know missionaries, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 5 STARS.