A Soft Place to Fall is this week’s Reader Friday post. Here’s the first line: Freedom. Earline McGrath didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so she went into the garden and planted carrots. Nash hated carrots. I just want to tell you I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to finish this book in one sitting.
But first the photo and Scripture. This photo was taken as I drove to water aerobics last year. I love the way the light hits the camera lens. And I thought the verse went very well with it. One of my favorite songs, I Have Seen the Light is based on that Scripture. You can listen to it at the end of the blog.
Now for A Soft Place to Fall by Liz Flaherty. But first here’s the cover and back copy.
My Take:
I’m on deadline and very much behind, so I have no idea why I picked up this book at 9:30 Sunday night. Other than I fell in love with the cover. And I read that first line, then the paragraph, and then I just kept reading to The End of this beautifully written book.
This isn’t a romantic suspense although it does have a little mystery and suspense in it. While this looks a little like something men might not pick up to read, I think they would be captured by it the same way I was. It has a Nash’s point of view and while I was prepared not to like him, I did. We all get a little crazy at a certain age, and Nash was no exception. What I liked about him was he wasn’t to stubborn to realize he might have been wrong and a little hasty in asking for a divorce. And he may have been a little late in realizing it after another man shows an interest in his ex-wife.
Buy links ($2.99) for A Soft Place to Fall can be found here.
But my favorite character is Early (short for Earline, which was my mother’s name, too.) She was so strong without realizing she was. And a decent person who didn’t want her former father-in-law to go to a nursing home after a heart attack or her cranky and bitter mother after she broke her leg. I loved watching the mother’s journey, and I think you will, too.
I also loved Early’s journey of finding herself and redefining who she is after the kids leave the nest. Then her husband asks for a divorce. There are so many nuances in this story that you just have to read it for yourself. Liz Flaherty is an amazing writer. And if you haven’t read any of her books, I suggest you will be happy if you do.
A Soft Place to Fall by Liz Flaherty is this week's Reader Friday. Check out my review and leave a comment. I'll enter you in a January drawing for a book from my library! Click To TweetOh, and before I go, for any of you writers out there. MidSouth Christian Writers Conference is having its annual conference on Saturday, March 18th with a Friday night Meet N Greet. It’s a great way to meet other writers and to hone your craft. Here’s a link to the website for more information! https://midsouthconferenceonline.com/
And here as promised is I Have Seen the Light!
Comments 29
The book sounds really interesting, and I loved the song.
Author
Thanks, Phyllis! I literally couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book.
What a combination: your beautiful photo, the song, and the Scripture you chose which ties them all together.
I want thank Gloria for recommending “Dark of Night” by Colleen Coble last week. I finished it yesterday. It took me about three chapters to get the characters (there were so many) down. But after that, I was hooked. Now to read the other books in this series!
“A Soft Place to Fall” sounds interesting, Pat. Thanks for all your reviews. They have led me to some authors I would otherwise have missed.
“Of all the animals I would rather not be,” my eighteen-year-old daughter, Tessa, said reflectively, “I think a bird poop frog is at the top of the list.” is the first line from “The King” by Steven James. This one of the last books in Steven’s chess series with FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers as the male protagonist. While these books tend to have some tough subjects, and a bit of gore, Steven is such a great writer, and the plots and deductive thinking are just too hard for me to resist.
Author
Tim, so glad you enjoyed the photo, verse, and video. That song is one of my favorites. And I love Steven James’ books. He is a master storyteller. Yes, they are gritty, but so is life sometimes.
A Soft Place to Fall sounds amazing. I didn’t see the conference link. I hope you’re able to catch up on all your work soon!
Author
Here’s the conference link, Vera. And I’ll go back and put it in the post. Thank you! https://midsouthconferenceonline.com/
Whoa! What a great way to start the day with the photo, verse and song. I’m still singing and worshipping in my head! Thank you, Pat! : -)
The cover of A Soft Place to Fall hit me right off the bat as well. It’s lovely and looks like a good story. Your review grabbed my attention made me want to read the book right away. I think many folks will be able to relate to it.
“Liam Berne was about to commit murder—at least according to Arkansas law” is the first line in Only by Death, written by Kathy Herman.
Thanks for blessing us with this delightful post and song in the midst of the your “deadline and very much behind” mode.
Peace be with you.
Author
I love that song, Barbara. And I must get Only by Death by Kathy Herman! It sounds like something right up my alley.
I have heard of this author, but I don’t think that I have read any of her books but will have to check her out.
I am glad that you enjoyed Dark of Night, Tim. Colleen is a great writer, a favorite of mine for many years.
Earlier this week, I finished The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz, and it is a wonderful book if you enjoy inspirational historical romance. The first line:
April 1715
Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
France
Struck by sunlight, the sprawling chateau was a blinding, rose-hued white.
Author
I think you will really enjoy Liz Flaherty’s books, Gloria! And Colleen is such a good writer, too.
I love books that capture my interest to the point I can’t put it down. This sounds like a good one.
Author
It is, Gail!
Oh, Pat, thank you so much! Nash and Early have such a big place in my heart and I’m glad you see Early in the way she (and I–lol) intended.
Author
I loved this story, Liz! Thanks for dropping by.
interesting cover
I look forward to your book reviews on Fridays, although they tend to make my TBR pile grow. 🙂 A Soft Place to Fall has joined that pile!
Praying you’re able to finish your book and make deadline. Am looking forward to a new release soon!
Author
Thanks, L! May 16 is when the first book in the Pearl River Series releases–Counter Attack. The deadline is for the 2nd book–Counter Strike. 🙂 I think you’ll really enjoy A Soft Place to Fall!
Like you, my reading time is limited sad to say, but this book sounds like one worth spending time on. I love the names and can see the thread of humor underneath already. I like books that talk about serious subjects with a touch of humor. And I loved the beautiful song at the end of your blog. Thank you.
Author
I’m glad you enjoyed the song, Deborah! And yes, there is a thread of humor in dealing with the problems in the book.
The picture and the verse go so well together. Thank you for sharing the beautiful song. The book sounds like a good one. I’m reading What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson. Faith Byrne’s carefully laid plans took advantage of unplanned distractions and skipped town, never to be seen again.
Author
Erika, several people have recommended this book to me…I’ll have to read it!
I also want to read this book. Thx.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Delores!
That is a brilliant sun. Love the picture and the verse. Thanks for sharing both, as well as the song. I have never heard it before tonight. Maybe Christian radio should consider playing this as often as they play Mary, Did You Know. I like to hear Mark Lowry sing his song, but too many others singing it have about worn it out. I guess I got off track. Sorry. By the way, do you know which First Baptist Church, or who the singers are. In one of the comments, I found the name Mark Wills, but I didn’t recognize it.
Did you stay up reading that book to see if the carrots came up? LOL. It sounds like an interesting story.
I started reading Every Star in the Sky by Sara Davison last night. She has a new one being released next month: Every Flower in the Field. I proofread a series she wrote that was published by Mountain Brook Ink. When she messaged me to ask if I would be interested in reading the new one to review, she offered to send this one as well. The story is about young women trapped in the sex trade, so it’s not for everyone. The book starts:
“Desiree’s pregnant.” The words whispered from girl to girl and accompanied by furtive glances around to make sure no one else was nearby, turned the blood ice cold as it coursed through Starr.
Author
Hi Edward…I don’t know which church, this group is the first one that came up when I googled the song. Later I saw that the Gatlin Brothers had recorded it and that one is really good, too.
A little later in that chapter, the reader learns the only reason she’s planting the carrots is that her ex-husband doesn’t like them. Then even later you find out she doesn’t like carrots either. lol
I love Sara Davison’s books, but I don’t think I’ve read this one. Will have to rememdy that!
Beautiful cover and sounds so good. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Thanks, Lucy. I think you would really enjoy a Soft Place to Fall.
Fabulous photo for the scripture, Pat!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Soft Place to Fall.
Author
Thanks, Caryl. You would enjoy reading A Soft Place to Fall.