A baby was never part of Tiff’s plans. Especially not a sick baby in a NICU, struggling for life on a ventilator.As days in the hospital turn to weeks, Tiff grows more and more convinced that God is punishing her for turning her back on him so many years ago. Or is it possible he’s working in the midst of her daughter’s bleak prognosis to draw Tiff back to himself once more?The Orchard Grove … Orchard Grove Christian Women’s Fiction books are standalone literary novels about real-life believers facing real-life struggles. You won’t meet perfect saints whose lives are faultless models of the Christian faith. Instead, you’ll meet a perfect God whose plans of redemption are far more glorious than what the mortal mind could ever imagine.
The Orchard Grove books are a literary series of family-drama stories with realistic characters facing gritty issues that confront contemporary Christians today. Standalone novels from award-winning Christian fiction novelist Alana Terry, whose books “inspire without preaching at you,” these titles merge edgy Christian fiction, literary prose, and a God compassionate enough to look upon those who suffer and “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes … a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 60:3).
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I loved this book! I read Christian fiction but I like it to be realistic and not full of “goody two shoes” people that are unlike “real” people. This book is definitely not full of goody two shoe people. Every character is flawed which I like. They are still shown to need a saviour but it’s not a preachy book at all. The plot moves quickly and you are invested in the outcome of the story, almost immediately. I almost disliked Tiff at first but as I continued to read I fell in love with her because you can see how she became the person she is. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!
This is a true to life story where the main character is dealing with a baby in the NICU. She has to learn to deal with guilt over past mistakes and issues in her marriage while being there for her precious little daughter. Her husband is working through his feelings for her, struggles within himself trying to support his family and his love for their daughter. As is often the case they have different feelings about his Mother living with them to help with the baby. I love the way Tiff comes to the realization that in spite of anything she has done, God is waiting for her with arms wide open! While heartbreaking at times, this is a beautiful story of God’s love and in spite of all the daily ups & downs He is consistently working out the smallest of details of our lives! This is an amazing look at the beautiful, solid ways forgiveness can build strong, loving relationships!! Thank you Alana for introducing me to this wonderful series of books! 🙂
Wow. Just, wow. What an amazing, achingly honest novel! Alana Terry has penned a story that rings with the authenticity of a young mom who has endured the unthinkable with her newborn. I have read several of Ms. Terry’s novels, none of which prepared me for the depths of emotion plumbed in this one. It is an impressive work! Spoiler alert – read with tissues nearby!
Tiff, abandoned as an infant, grew up in foster care. She learned early that she can’t rely on anyone. She has only been able to look at anyone as a mother figure, Sandy, a preacher’s wife, where she stayed the longest. It is Sandy who flew from Boston to Washington (State) on a moment’s notice when Tiff’s newborn needed surgery. Sandy, who has never stopped praying for her.
Tiff and Jake met at a convenience store where they worked. Tiff became pregnant, and the last few weeks of her pregnancy were on bedrest in the hospital. After more than 80 grueling hours in labor, she finally sees her baby girl. Shortly after, her baby stops breathing and is whisked to the NICU. Their daughter has a rare disorder and it is doubtful she would live long. Patricia, Jake’s mom and now Tiff’s mother-in-law, came to stay with them after Tiff and Natalie came home from the hospital. Patricia had been a nurse, and wants to take care of this child the right way as how could Tiff possibly be a good mother with her background?
What would it be like for Tiff to understand that her child would probably not live long? Her child would never be able to make eye contact? Most parents can’t wait for their little one to stop crying, while hers never will cry. Tiff believed that God was mad at her, a punishing God. The God she learned about, the one she came to believe in when living with Sandy, didn’t exist, at least not for her. There was finally a lifeline she could grab – scriptures quoted by a wizened lady Tiff saw that one Sunday Jake wanted to go to church. The words the woman shared with her. Something to give her hope, even when Jake won’t stand up to his mother and lets his mom badmouth and bully Tiff whenever she can.
We learn almost every aspect of Tiff’s life. She has been isolated since being hospitalized before Natalie’s birth. Her emotions are raw, not covered up or glossed over. There are few assumptions – what you read is who you get. I don’t know how Ms. Terry could write this as well, as many, many places are painful to read, even more to write!
One doesn’t have to have a child with special needs to appreciate this novel. Nor does one have to have been abused or pregnant out of wedlock. Tiff’s feelings aren’t always pretty. Neither are mine. Her feelings were downright depressing. Mine have been, too. I wasn’t in her situation, but I could feel her pain through the author’s writing. Yeah, I briefly considered not finishing this book as much of it wasn’t very uplifting. I’m glad I did finish it, though, for the reminder that no matter how bad it looks, the Lord brings beauty when we give Him the ashes. To find hope when all seems lost. It is amazing how a little bit of hope changes one’s perspective. Opens our Bible and heart again. I highly recommend Beauty for Ashes – we need to embrace suffering people, hear them, so the full weight of God’s glory can be seen!
From a grateful heart: I was given this eBook by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review.