HOW WRONG SHE WASEight years ago, Sydney Patterson’s ex-husband used threats and fear to coerce her teenage daughter into the unthinkable. Haunted by guilt and condemned by her in-laws, she flees to Garfield Oklahoma to build a new life. Now, with a new job, new friends, and a new commitment to Christ, Syd is rebuilding, confident that no one ever needs to know a thing about her humiliating and … about her humiliating and shameful past.
BE HER FRIEND
After five years of widowhood, Mason Saxton wants more than friendship with the pretty blonde he met at his son’s wedding. He’s praying about it, and the only thing he’s heard from God is an injunction to “be her friend.” He’s more than willing to start there—at least he was until a vile misunderstanding sends him reeling.
A MATTER OF TRUST AND FORGIVENESS
A marvelous future hangs in the balance, and it all depends on Syd’s ability to trust and Mason’s willingness to forgive. How will these two new believers reconcile the past with the future?
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Sharon’s ability to keep you turning the pages in this book is phenomenal! As a reader turns the pages throughout the book, he/she is given hints as to why Syd is so closed off to a new relationship. Thank you Sharon!!
Syd is another in a series of stories about women who have faced unthinkable situations in their lives. Circumstances causing fear, trauma & pain strong enough to leave them broken. Even though these women are Christians living their faith to the best of their ability, they have each come up against a problem that has left them at a complete loss as to what they are to do next. These women are fortunate enough to have a network of strong Christian friends who are willing to stand with them through the messiness of understanding & restoration. Their friends are loving enough to stand with them even when they may have to share hard truth, yet are clear headed enough to be able to see truths not yet noticed. Many times real friends have to stop them from being excessively harsh with themselves. May we all find friends like these and be friends like these.
The outstanding reason I pick up any story written by this author is because she addresses problems faced either by many of us or by those around us. She writes with great insight into these devastating circumstances and is able to pass on insight about many things that are going on beneath the surface that keep the person bound and unable to easily walk out of what they are facing. She helps us develop compassion and stop viewing others with a simplistic and judgmental attitude. A lot of the insights she shares are transferable from just the story and are relevant to personal growth.
I requested a review copy of this book and have chosen to share why I like it so much.
When Syd and Sara move to Garfield there lives will change for the better. When Ginny comes to Garfield she is angry that she had to leave her grandparents and friends. When Mason comes into Syd’s life she hides everything that happened to them before they moved to Garfield. Logan’s illness opened the way to explain to all the special ladies and Mason what Syd was running from. The characters in this book are all very inspirational people. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. You will feel God working throughout this wonderful story. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could.
Syd
I love this series. The characters are so real. Love how they care so much for each other.
Syd younger daughter comes home after living with her grandparents for a while. Most people in town doesn’t know she had another daughter. Her older daughter has a son. Part of the story concerns him getting sick. I am glad the story didn’t go the way I thought it was going to.
Then there is Mason who Syd just started dating. Now that her daughter came home she is not sure if continue dating. Check out the book to see. I definitely recommend reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
Syd by Sharon Srock
Sisters by Design Series Book Five
Sydney “Syd” Patterson loves living in Garfield. Loves her group of friends she meets with in the mornings. And now, a man she met, Jesse’s father-in-law, has moved to town and she’s looking forward to getting to know him better. Only…the guilt from the past rises up and starts to taunt her—to blur the past and the future until things are unclear.
Mason Saxton is ready to start a new chapter in his life. He’ll be living near his son and out of the past. He loved his wife and cherishes the memories, but with moving he won’t see her in everything he does. Everywhere he goes.
As new Christians, Sydney and Mason are both learning to turn to God and trust him. Especially Sydney. When suddenly everything seems to go wrong in her life, it’s time for her to fully turn to God and trust Him. Easier said than done. As always, I need tissues handy as I read these wonderful fictional books that have so much of everyday “real” life in them.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2015/03/sharon-srock-amazon-page-women-of.html
This is such a beautiful story of redemption. God can take what is broken and make something beautiful . Sharon Srock has such a way of making you feel like you are part of her stories. She writes about issues and situations that are relevant. I love how Syd, the main character, has to look at her past and forgive herself for something God has already forgiven. Can’t we all relate to that?
Syd is the fifth book from Sharon Srock’s series, Sisters by Design. I enjoyed Syd’s story. I loved it when she met Mason. He was so patient, understanding, a perfect friend that Syd needed. It was, also, to catch up with the previous characters from the series.
Syd is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. The true to life characters with real life issues would be great inspiration for other readers. This is a beautiful story of redemption, second chances, and forgiveness.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This 100% my own honest opinion.
Sharon Srock has the ability to take terrible situations from life and turn them into a beautiful story of love! Syd has faced horrible things in her past and is afraid to share the truth with anyone. Mason is a fairly new Christian and a widower who is ready to move on with his life and attraction to Syd. Syd’s young grandson is being tested for leukemia. You will wonder if their relationship can survive when Sharon’s daughter accuses Mason of “having his hands all over” her younger sister. God can make something beautiful out of our messes. I recommend Syd and all of the Sisters by Design series to others. I received an advance e-book of Syd from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Syd by Sharon Srock is a poignant and thought-provoking story. Although book 5 in Srock’s inspirational romance series, Sisters by Design, this book can easily be read as a stand-alone. Syd, a woman with a past that has brought her shame and guilt, has started a new life in a new town and has immersed herself in a new circle of friends. She even has a new love interest. Then circumstances change and fear sets in. What will happen when the past collides with the present? What was Syd hiding from Mason and from her faithful friends, women who are Christianity in action and who hold her up in prayer and give Godly advice? Women who remind her that she must face the past and know that God is a God of truth and peace, not secrets and fear. Srock’s characters are strong, likable, and believable, people you would like to have as your own friends. The author has a nice style of writing and kept my interest throughout the entire book. I like how she has her characters know they are being led by God to respond to situations in a faith-filled way. Gritty subjects are touched on and described with subtle finesse and yet the reality of difficult situations is depicted well. The story moves quickly as the author adds a twist or two to the plot and weaves in strong Christian values to bring readers a heartwarming and inspirational read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. A review was not required and the opinions are my own.