A Mother’s Shadow - A Book Review

I was recently given a copy of A Mother’s Shadow, by Carrie Groneman, to review. Carrie Groneman is the writer of the blog A Mother’s Shadow, and someone who is very talented, and I am very glad to be able to give her book a review. I received a copy of the book as compensation for my review, but all my opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. 

The book, A Mother’s Shadow, follows the fictional story of Harry and Emily Cross, during the settling of the United States interior. Also included in the book are chapters of reflection about the lessons and experiences Harry and Emily have. The book is almost like two books mingled together; one being a love story set during the United States’ western expansion, and the other a self-help book for people looking for ways to better their lives and their relationships with their family, friends, and God.

I truly enjoyed the skill with which the fictional story was crafted. The main characters were likeable, realistic, and easy to get to know. Emily and Harry are characters that I was excited to read more about. I enjoyed the story of their courtship and marriage. I also found the customs related to the story to be accurate to the time period and wonderful to live through the eyes of the book’s characters. Particularly enjoyable was the description of how Emily’s parents had a prearranged signal to let their girls know if a caller would be allowed to come back to make another visit. Long before cell phones, parents and children were still sending “instant” messages. I would love to hear more of Emily and Harry’s story in a future book.

The reflection chapters (or Musings) that followed each chapter of the fictional story led me on some very thought provoking and insightful meditations. Admittedly, I don’t get to spend as much time as I would like meditating. I enjoyed the reflective chapters because they gave me a quick topic to meditate on throughout my day.  The topics were personal and related to becoming the best mother, spouse, and person I can be. One in particular helped me to deal with some situations in my life that had recently occurred. The musing about trials gave me perspective, strength, and determination to continue through some personal struggles I’d been experiencing.  One quote from this chapter was especially uplifting to me:

Virtually everyone is tried, tested, and even at times, worn down to the point of wondering if we can ever rise above it. However, each of us has the chance to be built up again, to be made extraordinarily better for the experience –if our choice is to stay on the correct path, and do things God’s way, and abide by His will (pg. 185).

I enjoyed this book for its fictional content as well as its reflective content. A Mother’s Shadow is a book worth spending time with, even if you are a busy mother. I would recommend it as a good read that leaves the reader uplifted and inspired, not only by the musings but by the fictional story as well.