Last week I read the best book! Flowers From Afghanistan by Suzy Parish opened my eyes on many levels…but first, the back cover copy then my thoughts:
Weighed down by guilt following the death of his two-year-old son, Mac McCann accepts a year-long position training police officers in Afghanistan. Leaving his wife Sophie to grieve alone, he hopes the life-or-death distractions of his self-imposed exile will build a wall between him and his pain. As camaraderie builds between Mac and the men on base—including a local barber and his precocious little boy—Mac’s heart becomes invested in stories beyond his own tragedy and he learns he is not the only one running from loss. But when the hour of attack arrives, will he be able to see past his guilt to believe there’s still something—and someone—worth living for?
With touching details based on true events, Flowers from Afghanistan is a redemptive journey of healing, a chronicle of hope in crisis, and a testament to the faithfulness of God through it all.
Here’s a link to the book trailer.
My thoughts:
This is Suzy Parrish’s debut novel and she nailed it. The opening grabbed me and propelled me into the story. Her descriptions of Afghanistan made me feel I was there, even to feeling the sand in my shoes. 🙂 Great dialogue between the characters cemented the sense of being a part of their lives.
Mac and Sophie have a lot to work through, and Parrish does a great job of getting them there without being clichéd. The relationship between the men working in Afghanistan enhanced the story and Mac’s growing love for Bashir, a young Afghan boy, touched my heart. If you enjoy a story of second chances and redemption, you’ll enjoy Flowers From Afghanistan.
Suzy has agreed to give away a print copy to US residents! E-book for anyone else.
Suzy’s book reminded me of the risks our soldiers and the workers who are over in the Middle East face each day. Leave a comment telling me if a novel has pricked your conscience or your heart to a cause, and I’ll enter you in a drawing for her book.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Flowers from Afghanistan is Suzy Parrish’s debut novel and she nailed it! Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Flowers from Afghanistan.[/tweet_box]You can connect with Suzy Parrish here:
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Comments 40
We currently have a friend serving in Afghanistan. This sounds like a hard, but fascinating read.
Author
It was a great read, Melissa! My Sunday School friend’s son is over there. His 3rd deployment. Thanks for stopping by.
Melissa, please tell your friend thank you for their service to our country. God’s best, Suzy
This sounds like a great book. My brother trained police officers in Iraq, was in a vehicle blown up by a roadside bomb, thought at first to be dead, but (by the grace of God) survived with serious injuries. He is now very active with Wounded Warriors and active in his church.
Author
Oh, my, Christine. So thankful your brother survived. I am so grateful for the men and women who serve our country. Unless you have family serving, I don’t think we have any idea what they go through. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
A novel has touched me that way several times. I usually cannot do more than pray about the situation, but that is a powerful thing to do. I appreciate a book which can entertain, story-wise, while also drawing attention to important causes. I have even found myself praying for others while reading books which aren’t dealing with specific causes; praying for law enforcement while reading a book where the detectives struggle to find answers, praying for victims while reading the struggles of a character, etc.
This book sounds like a good read. I am adding it to my TBR list!
Author
It is a wonderful book, Diane. I think you will really enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!
I just finished Summer of the Burning Sky trilogy by Susan May Warren and was struck by the human trafficking dilemma that is so large yet so hidden from our society. We help support a local safehouse but there needs to be a greater awareness.
Author
Hi Mindy. My next Cold Case book revolves around human trafficking and I volunteer with Advocates for Freedom. We’re looking for a place to locate a safe house now. Thanks for stopping by!
My son served at Ground Zero right after 9/11, and then did 2 tours in Iraq. He suffers from severe PTSD, which has changed both his life and ours. I pray for our men and women serving overseas every day. I don’t think a lot of people understand what they go through and the sacrifices their families also make.
Author
I so agree, Linda that most people have no idea what our soldiers go through. Thank your son for his service for me. He is a true hero. Thank you for stopping by–you reminded me to make sure I pray for them each day!
I have read various novels over the years that have caused me to stop and think about my own life, where I was headed, and to get a new perspective on things. I enjoy books that primarily entertain but I truly appreciate those that make me think.
Author
Me, too, Edward and Flowers From Afghanistan did that for me! Thanks for stopping by.
I can’t begin to understand what families experience when a family member is deployed overseas or works that far from home. It makes the normal day-to-day things difficult, but when dealing with a tragic loss or situation would seem so much harder. Experiencing the deployment of a military member as an extended family member, life was not easy for the immediate family left at home.
I think I really want to read this book.
Author
I think you will really enjoy Flowers From Afghanistan, Suzanne. It really touched my heart. Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds really interesting and is definitely on my “to read” list. Thanks.
Author
Great book, Delores! Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a gutsy and inspiring book! I’ve put it on my wish list. I remember reading a book about human trafficking that brought that issue into the forefront of my mind. Often reading a book about an issue can make us much more concerned about issue and prompt us to pray for it or get involved in a ministry.
Author
Suzanne, I agree that novels often point us to issues we might not have known about. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy reading books that grab you from the get-go and will keep me reading until the very end.
If I don’t win, I will be buying this book for the church library. Our readers will love it too.
Author
Janet, I know you’ll enjoy it. Suzy Parrish is an upcoming author we’ll be hearing a lot about! Thanks for stopping by.
I’m in the middle of my copy of Flowers from Afghanistan and am loving it for many of the same reasons you mentioned above, Patricia. I’m a contemporary romance reader and author so reading through the first person POV of an Army guy has been a refreshing change. Thanks for helping get the word out about Suzy’s debut.
Author
Mary, it’s always great to have someone comment who is or has read the book I review! Suzy nailed the male perspective with that cigar thing! And not just the cigar buddies, but all the way through. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Sounds like a book everyone should read! Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on your debut book, Suzy!
Author
I so agree, Betti! I’m looking forward to more books from Suzy! Thanks for stopping by.
The book sounds great! My grandson served in Iraq.
Author
I’m proud of your grandson, Gloria. Joining the military nowadays takes courage! Thank him and I’m so glad you stopped by!
The book sounds like a good one. I have read many books over the years that touched me. I just finished As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall. The main character grew up in the foster system, given away by a drug addict mother, thinking that no one loved her, not knowing that her maternal grandmother loved her and didn’t know where she was. I think that it is a great book.
Author
As the Tide Comes In sounds awesome, Gloria. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by!
It again, certainly reminded my heart of all our troops and their families endure to keep our country and our families safe.
Author
Yes, Lisa. I have a toy soldier on my mantle where I can see it to remind me to pray for our soldiers.
Hi Suzy, I’m looking forward to reading your story! What a great review! Congratulations!
Author
Kelly, thanks for stopping by! I’m so excited about Suzy’s book and I know you will enjoy it.
Great work, Suzy!
Author
So agree, Ruth! Suzy did a great job! Thanks for stopping by.
Historical fiction I’ve read about orphan trains always pricks my heart. Though no longer running, it still makes a person aware of the many needs of children without family to take care of them. Such as those in foster care, it makes me want to give monetarily to help those kids have the things they need. The baby store here in town gives donations of clothing that they can’t sell to our local foster care places here. I think it’s a wonderful cause 🙂 Reminds me of the scripture that talks about taking care of the orphans and little ones.
I need to add this book, sounds like a deeply emotional story. Those are my favorite kind! Thank you to Suzy for giving away a copy!
Author
It is a really good book, Trixi! I lived in Memphis during the time of Georgia Tann who sold quite a few babies. Since my mom was an unwed mother and she stayed in one of the homes for unwed mothers, I guess I’m lucky I wasn’t sold or adopted out! Thanks for stopping by.
I can recommend a great book to you dealing with this very thing. It’s called “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate. A very powerful story about the Georgia Tann scandal that I had no idea happened! Extremely emotional and deeply moving….Lisa has a way with stories you don’t soon forget! I hope you add this to your reading pile 🙂
Thank you for sharing about Flowers From Afghanistan. It sounds like an intense story.
Author
I really think you would enjoy it, Carl. Thanks for stopping by!