Waiting for Butterflies by Karen Sargent

 

                                                 Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: Waiting for Butterflies  
Author: Karen Sargent  
Release date: April 4, 2017  
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

When tragedy strikes, Maggie discovers a mother’s love never ends—not even when her life does. Longing for her family after her death, she returns home where she helplessly witnesses her family’s downward spiral in the aftermath of her passing. Her husband is haunted by past mistakes and struggles to redeem himself. Her teenage daughter silently drowns in her own guilt, secretly believing she is responsible for her mother’s death. Only her five-year-old, full of innocence, can sense her presence. Although limited by her family’s grief and lack of faith, Maggie is determined to keep a sacred promise and salvage her family before her second chance runs out. A tender portrait of a mother whose love reaches beyond possible, Waiting for Butterflies will embrace your heart and not let go.

My Review

What Waiting for Butterflies really comes down to is a beautiful fiction about a mother's love. A mother's love is something that can't be explained in words and is something we all relish  in the here or now or miss if our mother has passed away no matter our age. No one loves like mom. The grief I felt for this family was real and raw- it hurt me to read and I really did tear up especially because I'm a mama. The family's response was one we see in real life and reality in that respect was not sugarcoated at all- we spiral into guilt, emptiness, depression, and sometimes even self destructive patterns. We all have experienced the grief of a beloved family member and grief really touches a family- it can separate, or it can strengthen. Maggie wants to see her family made whole again and thriving again so they can live and accomplish what they were created to do. What mother wouldn't want that if they had to have left their family so unexpectedly? I was inspired by the reality that a mother's love is like no other, that grief is real, and that there is hope  beyond all grief and while we will always miss our loved ones, we can look forward to for sure seeing them again in Heaven if we know the Lord. That my friends is a reminder of hope! Full disclosure here- I was a little wary when I started reading and realized that Maggie was a "lingering spirit." I knew that Biblically, the evidence wasn't there- but hey, we've all enjoyed Touched by An Angel before too and can we really say that everything within it was 100% Biblically accurate as well? We're talking about a fiction book here- and the author was so graceful about making that a priority to discuss (see below). Either way, this book will grab your heart and really just remind you that no matter what, there is always hope in Christ. 

I received this book for free and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.

Guest Post from Karen Sargent

Waiting for Butterflies: The Accidental Controversy I didn’t intend to write myself into controversy when I wrote Waiting for Butterflies. Yes, it is Christian fiction. Yes, the main character is a “lingering spirit.” And no, ghosts aren’t biblical. Thus the controversy. As the story idea began to stir my imagination after my mother-in-law’s unexpected death, I wondered how ghosts fit into the Christian view of the afterlife, especially since I too believe our souls go to Heaven once we die. So I asked my pastor. He referred to Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame” that lists Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and many spiritual giants who lived by faith. That list is followed by Hebrews 12:1 which states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” My pastor explained witnesses is translated by some to mean spectators. So maybe, maybe, this suggests those who have died can somehow still be present—emphasis on maybe. But…this gave me just enough permission to play with the idea of a mother’s love being so strong that she could remain after her death until she was certain her family would heal. I was writing fiction after all. When my manuscript was complete and I began submitting to agents, the response was mixed. Some replied with a simple, “This story isn’t for me.” Some warned, “This will be a hard sell to Christian publishers.” Yet others were more encouraging. Finally my story made it to the desk of an acquisition editor who emailed, “This is the one.” Waiting for Butterflies found a publishing home. Now that my book is in the hands of readers, most are surprised to hear my topic is controversial. Like me, many believers haven’t really considered ghosts in a biblical context. But a few are adamant that the storyline contradicts their beliefs. I know my story—just like every story—will not appeal to everyone. But I certainly didn’t set out to offend my fellow believers, and I sincerely apologize if anyone finds it offensive. However, I appreciate this perspective one skeptical reader shared in her review: “While I was initially put off by the idea that a spirit can remain and interact, in a sense, with those still living, the author handled it with sensitivity and grace. We all have ideas about the unknown, but it is just that, unknown, and I could relate strongly to the thought of wanting to continue to influence and connect with loved ones after death in order to help them.” I appreciate that in spite of the controversy, this reader gave Waiting for Butterflies a chance—and five stars.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 21

Avid Reader Book Reviews, September 21

Blogging With Carol, September 22

The Power of Words, September 22

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 23

Carpe Diem, September 23

A Baker’s Perspective, September 24

Christian Bookaholic, September 24

Reading Is My SuperPower, September 25

Smiling Book Reviews, September 25

Bigreadersite, September 26

Artistic Nobody, September 27

The Fizzy Pop Collection, September 28

Pause for Tales, September 29

Remebrancy, September 30

Janices book reviews, October 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 2

Reader’s cozy corner, October 2

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 3

A Readers Brain, October 3

His Grace is Sufficient, October 4

                                                         Cafinated Reads, October 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes a few of Karen’s favorite things – one of which is a Hobby Lobby gift card!!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bef1