The Choices She Made by Felicia Ferguson is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Madeline Williams’s head lolled against hard, wooden planks as she blinked awake.” This is an amazing book!
But first the photo and verse. The photo was taken from my driveway as the morning sun topped the trees across the street. And the verse is one of my favorites. I’ve been reading the Gospels every morning since January, just finishing John. Over and over I see where Jesus went to be alone with God, communing with Him, often early in the morning, and this verse always comes to mind. Early morning has always been my quiet time and I think the verse is one reason.
Now for The Choices She Made. Here’s the cover and back copy:
In 1997, seventeen-year-old Madeline Williams is torn between continuing her family ranching legacy and accepting her Army-bound boyfriend’s marriage proposal.
But when an assault by John David Billings, the son of a wealthy rancher, leaves her pregnant, Madeline sacrifices both options, choosing to leave town and raise the child alone.
It’s been several years, and when she returns to her hometown to meet with her father, rumors circulate about John David’s trial–for assaulting other women. Madeline struggles with the secret she’s kept from her daughter–and everyone but her father–all of these years.
If she testifies, John David could be put away for good. Doesn’t help that he’s hired a killer lawyer, and it would take a testimony like hers just to put him behind bars. But if she unveils her past, that could have some dangerous repercussions for her daughter.
She has trusted God throughout her entire life, but can she trust him to carry her through his trial?
My Take:
This was an amazing book that I would have missed had it not been for my book club! And the first page grabbed me and didn’t let go until I finished the book…at 2:30 in the morning. Madeline is terrified of anyone finding out who the father of her child is, but she is stronger than she realizes.
My heart broke for both her and Bobby when she broke up with him because she was pregnant by another man, one not of her choosing. He was the love of her life. Still, she starts a new life and raises her daughter on her own, knowing one day she’ll have to tell her what happened, but not yet.
The story switches from 1997, the past to the present, 2011. In the present, Madeline learns that the man who assaulted her is on trial for assaulting other women. The same day, her daughter gets an assignment to create a family tree, but how can she when she doesn’t know who her father is.
This is a story the reader will quickly get caught up in. I simply couldn’t put it down.
The Choices She Made is available for purchase on Amazon or can be read for free on KU!
Okay Readers, leave a comment with the first line of the book you’re reading. Or tell me the last book you read that isn’t in your normal genre. And I’ll enter you in a June drawing for a book from my library! May’s winner is…Diana Hardt!
The Choices She Made by Felicia Ferguson is this week's Reader Friday. Check out my review of this awesome book and leave a comment on the blog to be entered in a drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 32
You caught a beautiful sunrise. It’s a beautiful verse, too. The Choices She Made is such a good read!
I am reading a nonfiction book right now called Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain. The first line: “In the summer of 2020, I wrote an article on my website titled ‘5 Ways Christians Are Getting Swept into a Secular Worldview in This Cultural Moment.'” It’s a well researched, eye-opening book!
Author
Thank you, Priscilla! The book you’re reading sounds really timely and interesting!
That was an amazing sunrise to capture and the Scripture goes perfectly with it. Oh how God does sustain us! PTL
That was a powerful review, Pat. Trusting God no matter the circumstances is always the best way, because he will carry her through. My heart would break for her also. Definitely want to read this!
“Interrupting an attempted murder—and leaving with incriminating evidence—makes Sissy Spencer a serial killer’s next target.” This is from the back blurb of Cold Case Target by a Jessica R. Patch.
Author
I love Jessica’s Books, Barbara! They are amazing. Yes, God does sustain us. All.The.Time.
Pat, your sunrise photo a great match to that inspiring verse. I love sunrises.
Congratulations, Diana!
“Chasing Justice” by Valerie Hansen is the book I am starting in a few minutes. It begins: “Idaho. Home. Mountain Country K-9 Task Force member Selena Smith gripped the steering wheel, took a deep breath and sighed.” This is book 3 in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series.
Author
I’ve read that one, Tim! It’s really good.
Thank you very much! It’s a beautiful picture. This comes from The Rancher’s Sanctuary by Linda Goodnight: What happened in that house? Nathan Garrison stopped his blue F-150 Ford truck at the end of a long, curving driveaway shrouded in brush and overgrown trees. Twenty-four years had passed since he’d last seen this once-glorious property on the outskirts of Sundown Valley, Oklahoma. Twenty-four years and a lot of questions.
Author
The Rancher’s Sanctuary sounds so good, Diana…I’ll have to check it out. And I’ll email you in a bit to see which book I have that you’d like. 🙂
Beautiful sunrise and verse! I love to see the sun rise as it always lifts my spirits and reminds me to be grateful for another day. God is so good!!!!
I will definitely download The Choices She Made. Good review. Thanks Pat!
I just started reading Shell Beach by Davis Bunn. “Around four that morning, Noah Hearst decided he’d tossed and turned long enough.”
Congratulations Diana!
Author
Mary G, Shell Beach sound so good! Davis Bunn is a great writer.
I am like you that I love mornings. I am always thankful to get to enjoy another day.
Author
Me, too, Judy!
Lovely photo/verse combo. This sounds like an emotional read. I put it on my wish list.
“Those sweet children are coming to Red Hawk Camp expecting a nice hot breakfast.” Lorna Lipscomb’s voice quavered. “And I won’t be there to fix it.”
The Triplets Summer Adventure by Laurel Blount
Gloria A
Author
Thanks, Gloria! That’s an intriguing first line in The Triplets Summer Adventure by Laurel Blount!
“He was tired of the river winning.” from One Last Chance by Susan May Warren.
Author
Joan, Susan May Warren is one of my favorites!
I love the choice of Scripture and picture. So true!
This has been a hectic week with several activities I did not see on the radar last week. I’m still reading the same book I started then, with about a third remaining. However, as soon as I finish, I have a first read to complete and also hope to get started on Vanishing Legacy by Kate Angelo. I think the first line has been shared previously. I think it was from the Prologue, so I’ll share the first line of chapter One:
How anyone could be obsessed with a fiction author, Alana Flores would never understand.
Author
I really need to find Vanishing Legacy, Edward. It sounds really interesting. Tell me about activties I don’t see coming. lol
That sounds like a really good book! You always find such good books to share about.
Author
Thank you, Megan. I’m just so thankful my book club chose this one…
What do you know! I am finally getting your emails again!
First line.
Born of Guilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes:
Mercy Peak Gulch, Colorado 1894
“Blood moons were made for pact-swearing. Four boys orbiting ten years old knew it, and so did the mountains standing witness.”
Author
I’m so glad you’re getting my emails again! I did contact the people in charge so I was hoping you’d start getting it again! And Born of Gilded Mountains sounds really intriguing.
Just finished a book by Dana Mentink so not reading one right now to share! congrats Diane
Author
Hi Shelia!
Love your sunrise and verse Patricia, it’s awesome as always!
The Choices She Made sounds like a good read, and I can imagine a lot of females can relate to it in one way or another.
The last book I read that was outside my normal suspense preference, was Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer. He thinks she’s an elderly widow, she thinks he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further than the truth! This is a fun read when you need a laugh and something different.
Congratulations to Diane!
Author
Thanks, Dottie! And I’ll have to read Dear Henry, Love Edith! Going now to see if I can find it. 😉
You’ll love it Patricia, it’s a hoot and I got a notice from her newsletter, the paperback is on sale for $5 at Baker Book House. We all love bargains!
Author
Oh, wow! I’m on my way to the site. lol
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Here’s Caryl comment on The Choices She Made:
Gorgeous photo, Pat!
Have a blessed week.
Caryl
Author
Thanks, Caryl!
The Choices she made sounds like a good read. My current book’s first line: Tonight…Dr. Pennington will draw his final breath. The Consort Conspiracy by Kaye D. Schmitz.
Author
Oh, my goodness, Sally Jo, Kaye D. Schmitz books are fantastic!